Worship Guide

October 18, 2026

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship

from Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; the LORD utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the LORD.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

A Mighty Fortress

A mighty fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper he amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing;
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing;
Dost ask who that may be: Christ Jesus it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
And he must win the battle!

And though this world  with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him!

That Word above all earthly pow’rs,
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever!

Martin Luther, 1529; Based on Psalm 46, Tr. by Frederick H. Hedge, 1853

The Church’s One Foundation

The church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord.
She is his new creation,
By water and the Word.
From heav’n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride,
With his own blood he bought her
And for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation:
One Lord, one faith, one birth,
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation,
Of peace forevermore;
’Til, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blessed,
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.

Words: Samuel J Stone, 1866; Music: Brian Moss,1996

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 53:7-8

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?”

Pastoral Prayer

Giving

As the giving baskets are passed, children ages 4 through 2nd grade are dismissed for children’s worship and the musicians will lead us in song.

His Glory and My Good

I have seen my Father’s glory, revealed in Jesus Christ.
And the more that I behold Him, the more He satisfies.
When I gaze upon His beauty, when I see Him as I should,
Then my eyes are lifted upward
For His glory and my good.

There is hope in every trial, for I can trust the Lord.
He will turn my heart towards Him and help me bear the thorn
So in faith I follow Jesus on the road not understood.
For I know that He is working
For His glory and my good

To our God be the glory! To our God be praise!
He alone, the name above all names.
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God,
For I know His glory is my good!

See the open arms of Jesus
Upon the cross that day.
What they understood as weakness
Deserves my every praise.
For the charge that was against me
It was nailed into the wood.
Yes, I know that He has saved me
For His glory and my good.

Would I gladly be made nothing
That Christ would be made more.
Would I seek the only kingdom
That far outweighs them all.
I will stand before my Father
Where the faithful saints have stood
And with joy my heart shall praise Him,
For His glory and my good.

Ben Fielding, Jonny Robinson, Rich Thomson, 2024

Sermon

The Christ-centered Church
Acts 2:42-47

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Come behold the wondrous mystery,
In the dawning of the King.
He the theme of heaven’s praises;
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness,
Now the light of life has come.
Look to Christ, who condescended;
Took on flesh to ransom us.

Come behold the wondrous mystery:
He the perfect Son of Man.
In his living, in his suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man.
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in him we stand.

Come behold the wondrous mystery:
Christ the Lord upon the tree.
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory.
See the price of our redemption;
See the Father’s plan unfold.
Bringing many sons to glory;
Grace unmeasured, love untold.

Come behold the wondrous mystery:
slain by death the God of life.
But no grave could e’er restrain him;
praise the Lord, he is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance;
how unwavering our hope.
Christ in power resurrected
as we will be when he comes.

Matt Papa, Matt Boswell & Michael Bleecker; 2013

Benediction

All songs: CCLI License #11029770