Sunday Devotional for July 14, 2024

July 14, 2024
Note: You may remain seated for the entire service.
SILENT MEDITATION: “When God has selected you, it doesn’t matter who else has rejected or neglected you. God’s favor outweighs all opposition.”
PRELUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Pastor: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
People: Who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world,
Pastor: Who destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ,
People: Who has forgiven our sins according to the riches of his grace,
Pastor: And has made known to us the mystery of his will.
People: This is our God!
*HYMN OF PRAISE:
Rock of Ages
PROFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I 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.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Pastor: We read in Ephesians that we were chosen by God before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before God in love.
People: Such a privilege...
Pastor: Such a responsibility....
People: God chose us...to be holy and blameless.
Pastor: We do try, but being holy all the time is not easy.
People: Forgive us Lord, when we fail.
Pastor: We read that we are destined for adoption as God’s children through Jesus Christ...
People: Such a privilege...
Pastor: Such a responsibility....
People: Our identity as members of God’s family should be apparent to others...
Pastor: That means being recognizable as Christians through our words and deeds.
People: Forgive us Lord, when we fail.
SILENCE FOR REFLECTION AND CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN:
Be Still, My Soul
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
*OUR LORD’S PRAYER (debts)
READING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Psalm 24
Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
John 6:35-40
MESSAGE: RSVP
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:
Blessed Assurance
THE COMMISSION
Pastor: It is time to go out and share God’ long-hidden purpose, which has been revealed in Jesus Christ.
People: With God’s help, Amen!
Pastor: Share that secret with others by the way you live: with the words on your lips, by the deeds of your hands, with the prayers in your minds, and through the love in your hearts.
People: With God’s help, Amen!
BENEDICTION
THE RESPONSE
God Be with You, verse 1
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.
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:
1. How does it make you feel when you are invited to a special event?
2. How does it make you feel when you find out afterwards that you were not invited to a special event?
3. How would you use your own words to explain to someone that they are invited to be part of God’s family here and in eternity?