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PRELUDE –
“Omnipotent” by The Beautiful Eulogy
CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 107:1-3:
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.”
Let’s stand and sing, for the Lord our God has redeemed us from trouble!
SONG –
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by John Wyeth and Robert Robinson
CONFESSION OF SIN – Romans 1:21-25
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!”
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Romans 8:32
“What then shall we say to these thing? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
SONG –
“To The Cross I Cling” by Isaac Wimberley, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleecker
PRAYER
(congregation sits)
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
SONG –
“Christ Is Mine Forevermore” by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 16:1-17:18 (P. 191) in the pew Bibles in the back.
(congregation stands)
SERMON – (Nathan) “Land, Women, and Contentment”
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“My Jesus I Love Thee” by Adoniram Judson Gordon and William Ralph Featherstone
“It Is Well with My Soul” by Horatio Gates Spafford and Philip Paul Bliss
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“Your Grace Is Enough” by Matt Maher
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Illinois” by Rick Rickren
PRELUDE –
“Breakfast in Heaven” by Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Soucy
CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 47:1-4:
The Psalmist calls the people of God to worship in Psalm 47:1-4 stating:
“Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth.
He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves.”
Let’s stand and sing praise to the Lord our God the king over all the earth!
SONG –
“Come Praise and Glorify” by Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester
CONFESSION OF SIN – A Prayer from John Calvin
In light of the glory of our king, let’s take some time now to confess our sins to the Lord and earnestly seek for his forgiveness and grace this morning.
Please pray aloud with me this confession of sin written by John Calvin.
(everyone read aloud)
“Lord, you are our Father and we are but dust and filth;
you are our Creator, and we are the work of your hands;
you are our Shepherd, we are your flock;
you are our Redeemer, we are the people that you have purchased;
you are our God, we are your inheritance.
Therefore, do not be angry with us to correct us in your fury.
No longer remember our iniquity to punish it,
but chastise us gently in your kindness.
Your wrath is kindled because of our demerits;
but remember that your name has been pronounced over us
and that we bear your mark and standard.
And continue, rather, the work that you have begun in us by your grace,
that all the earth might know that you are our God and our Savior.
Amen.”
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Psalm 32:5
In Psalm 32, David is praising the Lord for his mercy when he states in verse 5:
“I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Like David, those of us who have confessed our sins can confidently rest in the knowledge that God is merciful, and he will forgive those who come to him in faith.
Let’s continue to sings of his excellent mercy!
SONG –
“His Mercy Is More” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
PRAYER Why of the Week
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
SONG –
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas Obediah Chisholm and William Marion Runyan
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 15:1-63
SERMON – “Living for the Longterm”
SONG –
“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“One Pure and Holy Passion” by Mark Altrogge
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“With Us Still” by Colorvault
PRELUDE –
“There Is One Gospel” by CityAlight
CALL TO WORSHIP – Revelation 4:9-11:
In Revelation 4:9-11, the apostle John sees a vision of all the hosts of heaven worshipping at the throne of God. He writes:
“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Let’s stand and sing, for the Lord our God is worthy to receive all glory, honor, and power!
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” by Joachim Neander
CONFESSION OF SIN – adapted from Isaiah 55:7 and Micah 7:18
In light of the glory and goodness of God in providentially caring for his people,
The prophets of the Old Testament exhorted the people of God stating:
“Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Let’s use this time of silence in our service now to humbly pray to the Lord, turning from our sin and returning once again to our God, who promises to deal mercifully to those who call out to him.
(moment of silence)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – adapted from Hebrews 9:28 and 10:19-23 Why of the Week
In spite of our sin, God himself, out of his mercy and love, freely provided a perfect sacrifice to bear the punishment that we deserved.
“[For] Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him…Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Since Christ himself bore the punishment for our sins upon the cross, you and I can now hold fast to God with the assurance that he is good, and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
SONG –
“Your Will Be Done” by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson
PRAYER
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed
We believe in God
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ
his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell*
and on the third day
he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come
to judge the living and the dead.
We 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.
* ‘Hell’ meaning the grave
**‘Catholic’ meaning universal
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
SONG –
“Be Thou My Vision” by Ascend the Hill
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 14:1-15
SERMON
SONG –
“Christ Is Mine Forevermore” by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Louisa M. R. Stead and William James Kirkpatrick
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Keeper” by Jonathan Ogden
PRELUDE –
“Aleph” by Poor Bishop Hooper
CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 117:1-2:
“Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!”
SONG –
“Not for a Moment” by Meredith Andrews
CONFESSION OF SIN – Richard Baxter
“O most great, most just and gracious God;
you are of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.
You condemn the ungodly, unrepentant, and unbelievers;
but you have promised mercy through Jesus Christ
to all who repent and believe in him.
Therefore we confess that we are sinful by nature
and that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.
We have neglected and abused your holy worship and your holy name.
We have dealt unjustly and uncharitably with our neighbors.
We have not sought first your kingdom and righteousness.
We have not been content with our daily bread.
You have revealed your wonderful love to us in Christ
and offered us pardon and salvation in him;
but we have turned away.
We have run into temptation;
and the sin that we should have hated, we have committed.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
We confess you alone are our hope.
Make us your children and give us the Spirit of your Son, our only Savior.
Amen.”
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – 1 John 1:5-9
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
SONG –
“To The Cross I Cling” by Isaac Wimberley, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleecker
PRAYER
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
SONG –
“I Surrender All” by Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter and Winfield Scott Weeden
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 13:1-33
SERMON – “Dividing Up The Land”
SONG –
“Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“Everlasting God” by Brenton Brown and Ken Rile
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Knocking On The Door Of Love” by The Welcome Wagon
PRELUDE –
“Patient Saint” by Jonathan Van Deusen
CALL TO WORSHIP – Ephesians 5:14, 18-21:
“Awake, O sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.
[D]o not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ”
SONG –
“All Praise to Him” by Bob Kauflin and Matt Merker
CONFESSION OF SIN – Romans 13:12-14
“The night is far gone; the day is at hand.
So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – 1 Corinthians 6:11
“[Y]ou were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
SONG –
“Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder” by John Newton and Laura Taylor
PRAYER
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
SONG –
“Wonderful, Merciful, Savior” by Dawn Rogers and Eric Wyse
SCRIPTURE READING – Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Please stand for the reading of God’s word.
SERMON
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“Make Us One” by Twila Paris
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” by Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Dwell In Your House” by Colorvault
PRELUDE – “Steadfast” by Sandra McCracken
CALL TO WORSHIP – Hebrews 9:28
Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,
will appear a second time,
not to deal with sin
but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
SONG –
“Joy to the World” by George Frideric Handel and Isaac Watts
CONFESSION OF SIN – Ephesians 2:1-3
You were dead in the trespasses and sins
in which you once walked,
following the course of this world,
following the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience –
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh,
carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,
and were by nature children of wrath,
like the rest of mankind.
EVERYONE:
I, a poor sinful person,
confess myself before you,
my Lord God and Maker,
that sadly I have sinned much,
with my senses, thoughts, words, and deeds,
as you, eternal God, know very well.
I regret them and beg your grace.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, being rich in mercy,
because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ
– by grace you have been saved –
and raised us up with him
and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the coming ages
he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast.
For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.
SONGS –
“His Mercy Is More” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
“All I Have Is Christ” by Jordan Kauflin
PRAYER
KIDS’ CORNER
SCRIPTURE READING – Titus 2:11-14
SERMON – “Growing Between Grace and Glory”
SONG –
“Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
SONG –
“All Glory Be to Christ” by Dustin Kensrue
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE – “All My Hope” by David Crowder, featuring Tauren Wells
PRELUDE –
“O Holy Night” by Lauren Daigle
CALL TO WORSHIP – Luke 1:46-49
In response to the news of the birth of the Savior,
Mary, the mother of Jesus rejoiced, stating:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Let’s stand and magnify the Lord who looks upon our humble estates this morning!
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Crown Him With Many Crowns” by George Job Elvey, Godfrey Thring, and Matthew Bridges
CONFESSION OF SIN
In light of the coming king, John the Baptist called the people of God in Luke 3:1-14 to repent of their former ways and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin. As we take this Christmas season to remember Christ’s first coming, let’s also take a moment now to prepare our hearts for his second coming by repenting of our former sins and renewing our commitment to follow our king. Let’s pray this confession of sin aloud:
(everyone aloud)
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we are thankful that your mercy is
higher than the heavens,
wider than our wanderings,
deeper than all our sin.
Forgive our careless attitudes toward your purposes,
our refusal to relieve the suffering of others,
our envy of those who have more than we have,
our obsession with creating a life of constant pleasure,
our indifference to the treasures of heaven,
our neglect of your wise and gracious law.
Help us to change our way of life
so that we may desire what is good,
love what you love,
and do what you command,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
SONG –
“O Come O Come Emmanuel” by John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Matthew 11: 28-30
And now, having confessed our sins before the Lord,
Let’s receive our Savior’s response when he speaks to us in Matt. 11:28-30:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus Christ our Lord is a merciful king.
And he is willing to give rest to any sinner who turns to him in faith.
Let’s continue to sing this morning!
SONG –
“Jesus I Come” by George Coles Stebbins and William True Sleeper
PRAYER
(congregation sits)
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Nicene Creed
(everyone read aloud)
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds;
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God;
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us and for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again,
with glory, to judge both the living and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of Life;
who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets;
and we believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic church;
we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
* “Catholic” means universal; that is, there is one church across all times, places, and peoples.
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 11:1-23 Please announce the page number in the pew Bibles in the back. Instruct the congregation to stand. End with “This is the Word of the Lord.”
(congregation stands)
When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, and to the kings who were in the northern hill country, and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and in Naphoth-dor on the west, to the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining. And Joshua did to them just as the Lord said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
And Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword, for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms. And they struck with the sword all who were in it, devoting them to destruction;there was none left that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. And all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua captured, and struck them with the edge of the sword, devoting them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. But none of the cities that stood on mounds did Israel burn, except Hazor alone; that Joshua burned. And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the people of Israel took for their plunder. But every person they struck with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they did not leave any who breathed. Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.
So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death. Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took them all in battle. For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lordcommanded Moses.
And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.
Reader: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
SERMON
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“O Church Arise” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS (Why of the Week)
POSTLUDE –
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Robbie Seay Band
PRELUDE –
“O Come O Come Emmanuel” by Future of Forestry
CALL TO WORSHIP – Luke 2:10-14
In Luke 2:10-14 an angel appeared to shepherds watching their flock at night.
The angel declared:
“‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”
Let’s stand and sing for Christ our savior has come to bring peace to his people!
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by C. Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade
CONFESSION OF SIN – Psalm 2:10-12
“Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
In the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah served both as a comfort to the afflicted and a warning to the wicked. Jesus Christ is a just king, and those who choose to stand in rebellion against his kingdom will endure his righteous wrath. But for those of us who humbly repent of our sins and turn to him in faith, we will find in Christ a merciful refuge for our soul.
Let’s take some time now to silently repent of our sins and turn to Christ this morning for his merciful refuge.
(moment of silence)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Colossians 1:13-14
To those who humbly repent of their sins and turn to Christ for refuge this morning, the Scriptures assure us when they state in Colossians 1:13-14:
“[God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God the Father has delivered his people from darkness and has given us a home in his heavenly kingdom.
Let’s continue to sing for the Lord still works to bring his people home with him!
SONGS –
“How Deep the Father’s Love” by Stuart Townend
PRAYER
(congregation sits)
KIDS’ CORNER
Available for children ages 0-5
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Nicene Creed
(everyone read aloud)
We believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds;
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God;
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory,
to judge the quick and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Ghost,
the Lord and Giver of Life;
who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets.
And we believe one holy catholic* and apostolic Church.
we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;
and we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
* “Catholic” means universal; that is, there is one church across all times, places, and peoples.
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 10:1-43 Please announce the page number in the pew Bibles in the back. Instruct the congregation to stand. End with “This is the Word of the Lord.”
(congregation stands)
As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors. So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, “Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.”Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.
And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.
So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.” When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” And they did so, and brought those five kings out to him from the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. But at the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.
As for Makkedah, Joshua captured it on that day and struck it, and its king, with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. And he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. And the Lord gave it also and its king into the hand of Israel. And he struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it; he left none remaining in it. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish and laid siege to it and fought against it. And the Lord gave Lachish into the hand of Israel, and he captured it on the second day and struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it, as he had done to Libnah.
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Lachish to Eglon. And they laid siege to it and fought against it. And they captured it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. And he devoted every person in it to destruction that day, as he had done to Lachish.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron. And they fought against it and captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword, and its king and its towns, and every person in it. He left none remaining, as he had done to Eglon, and devoted it to destruction and every person in it.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him turned back to Debir and fought against it and he captured it with its king and all its towns. And they struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. Just as he had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king, so he did to Debir and to its king.
So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded. And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
Reader: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
SERMON
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“Your Will Be Done” by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING (Why of the Week)
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Angels We Have Heard On High” by Edward Shippen Barnes and James Chadwick
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Noel” by Chris Tomlin, Lauren Dagile
PRELUDE –
“Safe Retreat” by Kings Kaleidoscope
CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 35:27
The Psalmist calls God’s people to worship in Psalm 35 stating:
“Let those who delight in my righteousness
shout for joy and be glad
and say evermore,
“Great is the Lord,
who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all the day long.”
Let’s stand and sing
for the Lord delights in the welfare of his people!
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Our Great God” by Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell
CONFESSION OF SIN – From the Anglican Book of Common Prayer
Although God delights to lead his people and guide them to safe pastures, God’s people often stray from his guidance in order to go their own way. Not only do we harm ourselves in the process, but by doubting his goodness and love, we by our sin actually dishonor God’s glory before a watching world. Let’s take this time in our service now to corporately acknowledge our sins before the Lord this morning and repent of the ways we have dishonored his name with our doubts this week. Pray with me this confession of sin aloud from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
(everyone prays aloud)
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His holy name.
Amen.
(moment of silence)
SONG –
“Be Magnified” by Lynn DeShazo
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Romans 5:6-10
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Since Jesus Christ died to reconcile his enemies to himself, we who repent and believe in him can know that we stand justified before God by his blood. For he who loved us and saved us at our worst will continue to save us until we reach our final home with him.
Let’s continue to sing of the riches of God’s mercy this morning!
SONG –
“His Mercy Is More” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
PRAYER
(congregation sits)
CHILDRENS’ DISMISSAL
0-5 Years Old Dismissal
SONG –
“O Great God” by Bob Kauflin
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 9:1-27
(congregation stands)
As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel.
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’ Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.” And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.
Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell among us? Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.” They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing. And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them. But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place that he should choose.
Reader: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
SERMON – The Gibeonite Deception
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“Jesus Strong and Kind” by Colin Buchanan, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren and Rich Thompson
LORD’S TABLE
OFFERING (Why of the Week)
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“We Will Feast in the House of Zion” by Joshua Moore and Sandra McCracken
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Omnipotent” by Beautiful Eulogy
PRELUDE –
“The Beauty Between” by Kings Kaleidoscope
CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 34:1-3
David states in Psalm 34
“I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!”
Let’s stand and as God’s people
let’s magnify the Lord together with our praise!
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Behold, Our God” by Jonathan, Meghan, and Ryan Baird and Mark Altrogge
CONFESSION OF SIN
Having acknowledged God’s glory with our song, let’s respond by acknowledging our sinfulness before a holy and righteous God.
Please pray aloud with me this corporate confession of sin!
(everyone prays aloud)
Holy Father, forgive us.
Though you should guide us, we inform ourselves.
Though you should rule us, we control ourselves.
Though you should fulfill us, we console ourselves.
For we think your truth too high, your will too hard, your power too remote, your love too free. But they are not! And without them, we are of all people most miserable.
Heal our confused mind with your word, heal our divided will with your law,
heal our troubled conscience with your love, heal our anxious hearts with your presence,
all for the sake of your Son, who loved us and gave himself for us.
Amen.
(moment of silence)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Hebrews 9:11-14
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Through his blood, those who have faith in Jesus Christ can know that God has purified us from sin so that we might live to serve him without fear. Let’s continue to sing of this great redemption which we have received by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.
SONG –
“Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder” by John Newton and Laura Taylor
PRAYER
(congregation sits)
CHILDRENS’ DISMISSAL
0-5 Years Old Dismissal
SONG –
“How Firm a Foundation” by Unknown
SCRIPTURE READING – Joshua 8:30-35
(congregation stands)
At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, “an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. And all Israel, sojourner as well as native born, with their elders and officers and their judges, stood on opposite sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at the first, to bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.
Reader: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God.”
SERMON
(congregation sits)
SONG –
“Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook
LORD’S TABLE (Why Of The Week)
OFFERING
(congregation stands)
SONG –
“Sing to the King” by Billy Foote
BENEDICTION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE –
“Dwell In Your House” by Colorvault
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