01-13-2013 Sunday Evening Bulletin.pub

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The Lord’s Day Evening January 13, 2013 Six O’clock

Welcome and Announcements

overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have despised others who seem to have it all. Forgive us, Father, for not following your ways. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to your path, to loving You and loving our neighbors. Help us to unclench our fists and lend out our hands in hope and healing, forgiveness and love. In the name of Christ, our Shepherd, we pray. Amen.

Prelude

Assurance of Pardon ..................................................... 1 Peter 2:24-25

O God Most High, most glorious, the thought of thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but thou art forever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are thy victories: the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. I come to thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to thee, every sin calling for Christ’s precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great shepherd, hear his voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the external verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit. Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God. (The Valley of Vision)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Hymn.................................................................God Be Merciful to Me Prayer of Illumination Scripture Reading Sermon ............................................................... Rev. Elbert McGowan Hymn...............................................How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

Call to Worship ..................................................................... Psalm 23 1st grade Sunday School class

Benediction

Invocation

Postlude

Hymn ................................................................... Thy Mercy, My God

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Missions Moment ...................................... RUF, Jackson State University

Christ—Jehovah-Jesus—is our Shepherd, and every one who has been brought by the Spirit of God into a living, personal relationship with him is his sheep. Christianity is not merely knowing a set of doctrines. The heart or core of a Christian’s faith is that he is brought into union, into a living relationship, with Christ Jesus, his Lord and Shepherd; and that means, of course, into a living relationship with the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (J. Douglas McMilan)

Prayer of Confession Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in righteous paths, You lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have

NEW YEAR (from the Valley of Vision) O Lord, Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory. Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom. I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbor, Thee, O Son, at my helm, Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free. Give me thy grace to sanctify me, Thy comforts, to cheer, Thy wisdom to teach, Thy right hand to guide, Thy counsel to instruct, Thy law to judge, Thy presence to stabilize. May thy fear be my awe, Thy triumphs my joy.

January 13, 2013 6:00 p.m. Presbyterian Church in America Hattiesburg, Mississippi