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TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
September 7, 2025
GATHERING AND PREPARING TO WORSHIP GOD
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Leader: Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed!
PRELUDE: “Going Home” Antonin Dvorak
Readying Our Hearts (A time of silent prayer and reflection in preparation for worshiping God together.)
Scriptures for Reflection and Memorization: Psalm 34:19
“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”
CALL TO WORSHIP (selections from Psalm 62)
Leader: O people of God, let us gather to listen for God’s voice – to the words God has to speak to us.
People: May God open our hearts to feel His presence, open our ears to hear His words, and open our eyes that we might see His goodness and majesty.
Leader: Let us not ignore God’s teaching nor turn away from His leading.
People: Let us speak of God’s commands to our children and to our children’s children, that they might know God’s precepts and live by God’s laws.
Leader: Let us lift our voices in worship and speak of God’s glory, that young and old alike might learn of the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.
People: Let us put our trust in God and follow God’s ways that we might enjoy God’s love, witness to God’s glory, and grow God’s kingdom presence in our world.
PRAYER OF ADORATION/INVOCATION
*OPENING SONG: #48 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish – but naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render, O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.
SCRIPTURE READING: Exodus 25:10-22 (Pew Bible p. 126)
“Have them make a chest of acacia wood – two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
“Make an atonement cover of pure gold – two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (Unison prayer after a time of silent personal confession.)
Lord, we have sinned, without considering how much You love us. You see our sins more clearly than we can ourselves. Lord, You know when we are indifferent to Your Word, the Bible; how often we forget to pray; the times we come unwillingly to worship; and yet we turn to you when we are in trouble. Lord, You know when we are untruthful and when we think evil of others. You see our anger and unfairness to our friends. You know how hard it is for us to forgive. Forgive us and make us clean, so that we can obey Your call to take up Your cross and follow You. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Used with permission from The Worship Sourcebook, ©2004 CRC Publications)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Romans 5:8-9)
Leader: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.
People: He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good.
Leader: I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
*All: (Gloria Patri)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING: Numbers 4:1-6, 15-20 (Pew Bible pp. 209-210)
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting.
This is the work of the Kohathites in the Tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things. When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. Then they are to cover this with hides of sea cows, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.
“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.
“Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites. So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things even for a moment, or they will die.”
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM: “The Journey” arr. Joseph Martin
Choir
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Chronicles 13:1-10 (Pew Bible pp. 646-647)
David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.
So David assembled all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD who is enthroned between the cherubim – the ark that is called by the Name.
They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
Leader: This is the word of the LORD.
People: Thanks be to God.
SERMON: “God’s Perfect Justice”
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD THROUGH AFFIRMATION,
OFFERING, AND PRAYER
*SONG OF REFLECTION AND RESPONSE: “Revelation Song” Jennie Riddle
Acoustic Worship Team
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
Holy, holy is He.
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat
Chorus
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come.
With all creation I sing, “Praise to the King of kings!”
You are my everything and I will adore You.
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You, the only wise King. (Chorus)
I’m filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name.
Jesus Your name is power, breath and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery. (Chorus)
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AND OFFERING
Invitation
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving/Consecration
Words of Institution
Partaking of the Elements and the Giving of Our Offering
“Hymn of Heaven” Wickham/Johnson Acoustic Worship Team
Verse 1
How I long to breathe the air of Heaven,
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets,
To look upon the One who bled to save me,
And walk with Him for all eternity.
Chorus 1
There will be a day when all will bow before Him.
There will be a day when death will be no more.
Standing face to face with He who died and rose again.
Holy, holy is the Lord.
Verse 2
And every prayer we prayed in desperation,
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear,
In the end, we’ll see that it was worth it,
When He returns to wipe away our tears.
Verse 3
And on that day, we join the resurrection.
And stand beside the heroes of the faith.
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain;
Forever He shall reign”
Chorus 2
So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven.
With angels and the saints, we raise a mighty roar:
Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave.
Holy, holy is the Lord. Holy, holy is the Lord. Holy, holy is the Lord.
(For those joining us in the Sanctuary this morning, you are invited, as you come forward to receive the Communion Elements, and as you feel so led, to place your offering in one of the plates up front. For those unable to be with us physically, you are encouraged to partake of the elements in your home at this time. Also, as you are able, we invite you to set aside your offering as an act of personal dedication at this time, either to be mailed in, dropped off at the church, or brought in when you are able to join us in worship. Let this time be one of receiving from and offering yourself to our Lord — to the praise of His glory.)
Prayer of Commitment
*Sung Response (Doxology)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER OF INTERCESSION/SUPPLICATION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
BRINGING OUR WORSHIP INTO OUR WORLD
*CLOSING SONG: Hymn #65 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”
God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain.
*BENEDICTION: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.
Postlude: “Marche Romaine” Charles Gounod
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Note: Church’s email address – office@trinitychurchtroy.org. Website address – www.trinitychurchtroy.org.)
- If you would like to help support the work of Hope 7 in our local community, we encourage you to drop off non-perishable food items, toiletries and other hygiene items either at Trinity Church, or at Hope 7 directly (M-F 9:30-11:45), or call Sue Laz (518-892-4042) to arrange for a pick-up.
- We are receiving new or gently used clothes for the Capital City Rescue Mission (CCRM). There is a box in the narthex for donations. You may bring your items to the church or call Sue Laz to arrange for a pick-up.
- Adult Bible Study meets on Sundays before worship (9:15-10:00am). We are beginning a new study in the New Testament book of Titus. Now is a great time to join us in our study of God’s Word. That study will resume next Sunday (September 14th).
- Wednesday evening Bible Study at 7pm on Zoom. We will meet next on Wednesday, September 10th. The text for that is Romans 10:5-10. You can find the Zoom link at the church’s website under “Digital meetings” or as included here — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84268790436.
- Church “business-style” cards are available in the narthex. You are encouraged to take some to hand out as you invite others to join us in worship.
- In the narthex are copies of the booklet, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ.” It presents an overview of the good news of Jesus. The truth about who God is, who we are, and how we may live with God now and forever is presented. You are encouraged to pick up a few copies and share them with those you know who do not yet know Jesus or who may be questioning what it means to be a Christian.
- Hosts are needed for fellowship time. Coffee, tea, cold beverages, sugar, cream, and paper products are provided. Hosts are asked to bring a few snacks and help with serving and cleaning up. There is a sign-up sheet by the kitchen door where you can indicate which Sunday you would be willing to host. If you have any questions, please speak with Natalia or Bill Multunas.
- The September/October Upper Room devotional is available in the narthex.