Promise from the God of Hope: A service of praise and rededication

Beginning in Praise

Organ Prelude and Personal Meditation

Welcome and Announcements

Our First Thoughts at the New Year: "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven"
[PsH 475, PH 478, RL 144, TH 76-77]

Our Testimony of Praise

I will exalt you, my God and King! I will praise your name for ever and ever!

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise! His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty. They will tell of the power of your awesome works. They will celebrate your abundant goodness. They will joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O LORD! Your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom. They will speak of your might, so that all may know of your mighty acts and of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD! Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever!

[From Psalm 145]

Our Praise in Song: "Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah" (Psalm 148)
[PsH 188, PH 256, RL 141, TH 110]

God's Greeting

Our Response: "Father, We Love You"
[PsH 634]

Walking in Devotion

Prayer for Open Minds and Responsive Hearts

Scripture Readings: Philemoii 23-24; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10

"Demas... my fellow worker... sends his greetings."

"Demas send(s) greetings."

"Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me..."

Message: The Power to See It Through
Our Prayer for Strength: "Make Me a Captive, Lord"
[PsH 546, PH 378, RL 442, TH 687]

Marching in Service

Our New Year's Resolutions: Rule of Gratitude

Offering

Our Prayers for the Year of Our Lord Nineteen Hundred
Ninety
-______

Our Call for Direction: "Lead Me, Guide Me"
[PsH 544|

God's Blessing and Our Spoken "Amen!"

Our Parting Praise: "Let All Things Now Living"
[PsH 453, PH 554,TH 125]

Postlude and Christian Fellowship

This service was held at First Christian Reformed Church, London, Ontario, where it was led by pastors Wayne Brouwer and Peter Hogeteij). Tlie hymns in this service were selected from the most recent editions of the following hymnals: The Psalter Hymnal (PsH), The Presbyterian Hymnal (PH), Rejoice in the Lord (RL), and me Trinity Hymnal (TH).

Wayne Brouwer is a professor at Hope College, Holland, Michigan, and the atuhor of several books and articles on worship, preaching, and congregational development.

 

Peter Hogeterp is pastor of First Christian Reformed Church, Chatham, Ontario, and was a member of the editorial council of Reformed Worship.

 

Reformed Worship 29 © September 1993, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.