Call to Worship – God calls us into his presence to worship him. We gather together to hear him speak to us through his word.
Presentational: Good Day [YouTube] [Spotify]
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever. -Psalm 111:1-3
Sing: Solid Rock [YouTube] [Spotify]
Confession – We confess our sin, our need for a savior, and our faith in Christ.
Father in heaven, I know that you are the author and finisher of faith, that the whole work of redemption is yours alone, that every good work or thought found in me is the result of your power and grace. I know that your sole motive for working in me is that your name will be made great in this city. I rejoice to think that all things are at your disposal, and it delights me to leave them there. All I can do is praise, adore, and bless your name, for you alone are worthy. Amen.
Sing: Hymn of the Ages [YouTube] [Spotify]
Assurance of Forgiveness – God reminds us of his gracious mercy in Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. -Acts 4:11-12
Sing: Forever [YouTube] [Spotify]
Children dismissed
Sing: Solid Rock (Reprise) [YouTube] [Spotify]
Reading of the Word – God speaks to us through his living word.
Colossians 4:12-18
Preaching of the Word
Pastor Greg McDaniel, The Conclusion of Colossians: Parting Words from Paul
Response to the Word
Pastoral Prayer
Sing: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery [YouTube] [Spotify]
The Lord’s Supper
Sing (while passing the meal): From the Depths of Woe [YouTube] [Spotify]
Benediction – God sends us into the world sanctified by his Holy Spirit through his word.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
-Numbers 6.24-26
Announcements
Communion Servers Meeting – Sunday, May 27, 2018, after both services
- All men are invited to attend a quick meeting after both services to learn more about serving communion at Grace Covenant Church.
- This is for those who are interested in serving along with those who are currently serving.
Membership Class – Sunday, June 3, 2018, 12:30-2pm
- Open to anyone seeking to know more about Grace Covenant Church and membership.
- Meeting in the lower level, lunch will be provided.
- Please register at http://www.gracecincinnati.com/connect/events.
Why do we value Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms?
Being an historic evangelical church, Grace Covenant Church adheres to the reformation tenant of Sola Scriptura. It is the Holy Scriptures alone that are the final authority and the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Creeds, confessions, and catechisms are not scripture. That being said, they prove to be a powerful tool for spiritual guidance and growth.
Creeds and confessions are merely summarizations of those beliefs which are central to the Christian faith. And in a sense, a summarization of that pure “Spiritual Milk” from which you grow in your salvation (1 Peter 2:1-3).
The historic creeds were written at various times, in response to rising heretical beliefs, in an attempt to provide to the church safeguards to prevent straying from the sound and historical apostolic teachings found in the Holy Scriptures.
Some of the creeds and confessions we look to are the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Chalcedon Definition, and London Baptist Confession of Faith 1689.
