Sunday Devotional for November 10, 2024

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
November 10, 2024
SILENT MEDITATION: “Giving ourselves wholly to Christ is the only way to discover who we are, the only way to become who Christ means us to be, the only way to experience his riches in this life and the only way to fulfill the purpose for which he made us. It may seem frightening, but once you do it, your only regret will be that you didn’t do it sooner.” - C.S. Lewis Institute
The musical prelude invites us to become
quiet and reverent in God’s house.
PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Pastor: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
People: Build us into a spiritual house, O God, and we will be a holy people.
Pastor: Unless the Lord guards the city, the guards keep watch in vain.
People: Guard our hearts and minds, that we may walk in your ways.
Pastor: Unless the Lord is the center of our worship, our words and praise are in vain.
People: Here and now, Holy One, may we taste eternity.
*HYMN OF PRAISE:
Blessed Assurance
 
PROFESSION OF FAITH
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in a loving unity of three equally divine persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by Whom the believer is regenerated and indwelt. The Holy Spirit empowers God's people to live holy lives and to serve and glorify Christ in the world.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor: We confess to each other and to You, our Creator, that we fall short of being what we have been created to be, what we have committed ourselves to be, disciples of the kingdom.
People: Hear us, forgive us, renew our resolve to build the kingdom of peace.
Pastor: We often seek out the easiest paths; paths of least involvement in places where we might be uncomfortable, or paths of self-centeredness.
People: Hear us, forgive us, renew our resolve to build the kingdom of peace.
Pastor: Forgive us for getting so caught up in the world’s trappings and its false messages of hope, that we lose sight of the hope of the kingdom, which brings healing and peace to a world in turmoil.
People: Hear us, forgive us, renew our resolve to build the kingdom of peace.
Pastor: In this time of worship, may we resolve to become more kingdom-minded, to be your peacemakers here and now.
All: Amen.
SILENCE FOR REFLECTION AND CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
PRESENTATION OF BIBLES AND CHILDREN’S TIME
REFLECTION
PRAYER
*HYMN:
Thy Word
A PRAYER FOR VETERANS’ DAY
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
*OUR LORD’S PRAYER (debts)
READING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Psalm 127
1 Peter 2:1-10
Mark 12:38-44
THE MESSAGE: A Firm Foundation?
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY RESPONSE
We Give Thee But Thine Own
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN OF DEDICATION:
How Firm a Foundation
THE COMMISSION
THE BENEDICTION
CLOSING RESPONSE
God Be with You (insert)
God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you,
With his sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
POSTLUDE
Thoughts for Reflection:
To quote the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free
from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.
1. Do you believe this?
2. Do you live this?