CENTRAL
PRESBYTERIAN
Saint Louis
M a y 2 2 , 2 0 1 1 - T h e F i ft h S u n d a y
of
E a st e r
Central Presbyterian Church seeks to glorify the triune God by embracing the Gospel, building our community, making disciples and transforming societies.
the Season of Easter The colors at the front of the church have changed from purple to white. These colors mark the seasons of the church year that are designed to help us remember the story of Jesus’ life, the Gospel. Having traveled through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Lent we have now come to the next chapter of this story—the climax of the story—the season called Easter. After journeying through Lent and Holy Week by recounting the sufferings of death of Jesus, Easter is a season of celebration. Easter is a time of joyfully retelling and remembering the true story that Jesus was not defeated by death, but rose again from the grave three days later (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)! This celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, continues for fifty days until Pentecost Sunday. Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain… if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins… if in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied… but in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19, 20). Jesus’ resurrection was a real event that happened in history, and it has immeasurable and continuing importance for us. First, the resurrection of Jesus means that anyone who has been united to Jesus because they believe in him will also one day be resurrected. Christians will one day receive new bodies, eternally free from sin and its effects and never again subject to death. This process of renewal has in fact already begun by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of anyone who follows Jesus. Though our bodies still decay and die, we are already spiritually resurrected by the work of the Holy Spirit when we first believe, and this spiritual resurrection is a guarantee of a full resurrection to come in the future. This is what it means to be “born again” (John 3). Second, the resurrection of Jesus is the first installment of the New Creation. Not only will the bodies of God’s people be made new, but the creation itself will also be renewed. Heaven and earth will be brought together and the whole cosmos will come perfectly under the good reign of God to thrive forever as it was ordained (Revelation 21-22). The resurrection of Jesus is the first installment and the guarantee of this New Creation. Our future hope is not to be wisped away to a vague and ethereal existence on some heavenly cloud. Rather, we will receive real bodies in which we will live a real and material eternal life in a New Creation. For sure, our existence will be different and better than this one, but it will not be disembodied, and Jesus’ new body is proof of that. In short, matter matters. God will not ditch his good creation; he will redeem it starting with us. N. T. Wright puts is this way, “The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it.” For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. –Romans 8:22-25
Central Presbyterian Church T h e
P u b l i c S u n day,
W o r s h i p o f G o d M ay 2 2 , 2 0 1 1
Th e F i f t h S u n d ay o f E a s t e r Prelude
Chris Sasse and Rebekah Sasse, violins
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
Townend/Arr. G.Tuck, 2011
* T h e C a l l To W o r s h i p
Liturgist: “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore.” All: To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
from Revelation 1
Clay Smith, Senior Associate Pastor, is liturgist.
* I n v o c at i o n o f t h e H o ly S p i r i t
(*Please stand if you are able.) Page 1
* S o n g o f N e w C r eat i o n All Things New
Peterson, 2006
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P r ay e r o f C o n f e s s i o n All: King Jesus, You are Sovereign over all creation and Lord over every part of our lives. Yet we long to govern ourselves, and we doubt the goodness of Your rule. Forgive us and sanctify us by Your grace. Liturgist: We confess our anxious thoughts and fears, our negative self-talk, our constant comparisons, our self-pity and our pride. (silent prayer confessing ungodly thoughts) King Jesus, we surrender our minds to You. All: Forgive us and sanctify us by Your grace. Liturgist: We confess our discontent and selfish desires, our attraction to false idols, our need for power or control, our inability to see beyond our own circumstances. (silent prayer confessing ungodly desires) King Jesus, we surrender our hearts to You. All: Forgive us and sanctify us by Your grace. Liturgist: We confess our relentless activity and busyness, our guilty obligations, our being consumed by work or family, our striving to earn Your favor and man’s approval. (silent prayer confessing ungodly actions) King Jesus, we surrender our lives to you. All: Forgive us and sanctify us by Your grace. Liturgist: Praise be to You, King Jesus, for conquering sin and death and for Your eternal reign! All: Thank You for bearing our sins on the cross that we might not only escape condemnation, but also have restored relationship and new life. Amen.
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Assurance of Transforming Grace 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 16
17
Liturgist: These are the God Gospel promises! All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!
Song of Christ ’s Kingship He Has Come to Reign
Denholm, 2010
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Welcoming Our Children 1st Grade Virginia Balogh Luke Beachy Jonny Bowman Abby Butte Matthew Carmody Matthew Christenson Katie Davis Jackson Denholm Charlie Earl Stewart Geisz Louis Gorjan Nathaniel Green
Charlie Griggs Jonathon Hyatt Lily Johnson Maggie Lindstrom Jacob Meyer Peyton Moore Tucker Mulick Colton Nappier Kate Oliver MyCala Ortega Harry Ottsen Evie Roth Jacob Schloss Samuel Smout
Molly Snyder, Director of Children’s Ministry
Marnie Vahl Grace Weltman Skylar Wilcox Isabel Woodard
2nd Grade AJ Ackerburg Jack Anderson Michael Anderson Sam Anderson Olivia Bauer Evan Boillat Kirk Briden Jenna Brown
Lincoln Chimento Rebecca Chimento Tristan Denholm Ethan Erickson Kyndall Evans Samuel Fiala Claire Fitzgerald Cameron Freeman Ian Gilbert Sarah Greenwood Henry Jensen Julia Joseph Matthew Kinney Danny Leary
Jack Lewis Cullen Moore Emiko Pope Evie Revel Emma Kathryn Smith Emma Smout Theo Stephens Nora Tuck Anna Upshaw Jay Vandervoort Martha Wait Anne Wilkinson
*Song of Future Hope Abiding City
McCracken, 2006
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Gospel Lesson
Psalm 19:7-14 Dr. Dan Doriani
Sweeter Than Honey: God’s Perfect Word The law of the LORD The statutes of the LORD 8 The precepts of the LORD The commands of the LORD 9 The fear of the LORD The ordinances of the LORD 7
is perfect, are trustworthy, are right, are radiant, is pure, are sure
reviving the soul. making wise the simple. giving joy to the heart. giving light to the eyes. enduring forever. and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servantwarned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from wilful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. New International Version 10 11
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Sermon Outline 1. God reveals himself in creation
2. God reveals himself in Scripture
3. Gaining life, seeing light, and becoming wise through Scripture
Truly listen
Look for Jesus
Heed the warnings
Meditate
Further reading: Psalm 119
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Offertory
Christine Sasse, violin 1; Rebekah Sasse, violin 2; Emily Gardner, viola; Gordon Younkin, cello 1; Christine Diepenbrock, cello 2
Our King
G. Tuck, 2011
During the offering please sign and pass the registry located at the end of the pews. The offering is an act of worship in response to God’s grace and a way for regular attendees to support the ministry of Central. If you are our guest, do not feel any obligation to give. However, please let us know you were here by signing the registry.
*Song of Sending O Great God
Kauflin, 2006
*God’s Blessing (following the words of blessing)
Minister: And all God’s people said... People: Hallelujah! Amen.
“Why do people open their hands during God’s blessing? The words of blessing are God’s words given to anyone in Christ. He delights to send his people out into the rest of our lives with the aid of his grace. Opening our hands is a way of using our bodies in worship to adopt a posture of receptiveness toward God’s grace.”
Postlude Page 8
These people are available in the prayer room today to pray for your needs and the needs of those who are on your heart. 12:15 p.m. - Joe Stephens and David Dunlap The prayer room may be reached by exiting the sanctuary through the door closest to the pulpit and turning left at the bottom of the steps.
Songs of worship are used with permission. CCLI #100150.
The flowers in the chancel this morning are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Harry and Florence Hegel, Edward and Lillie Collett, and Harold Hegel by Jeanne Hegel.
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Welcome Visitors
The pastors and people of Central like to engage in dialogue with people who want to talk about life, meaning and all manner of faith issues. Contact us at 314-727-2777 or
[email protected] if you would like to meet with a pastor one-on-one.
11:15 Music
Gina Tuck leads the music ministry of the 11:15 service, including recruitment and development of new musicians. If you are interested in participating in the 11:15 music ministry, or simply in learning more about the service please contact Gina at
[email protected].
Yo u m ay b e i n t e r e s t e d i n . . . Community Groups
Are you new to Central and wondering how to build community in a large church, or have you been around a while but still feel disconnected? Web: www.centralpres.com/communitygroups Contact: Jay Thomas Hewitt, Pastor of Community Formation
[email protected] 314.727.2777 x150
Way s to S e r v e
Would you like to get involved, but need help finding something that’s a good fit for your skills and your schedule? Web: Contact:
www.centralpres.com/serve Kate Spielman, Ministry Assistant
[email protected] 314.727.2777 x178
Opportunities to Learn
Are you interested in classes for you and your children to learn more about the Bible, theology, culture, becoming a member, and a variety of other topics? Web: www.centralpres.com/learn Contact: Kate Spielman, Ministry Assistant
[email protected] 314.727.2777 x178 To find out more about what’s happening at Central, please visit our website. www.centralpres.com.
Central Presbyterian Church • 7700 Davis Drive • Clayton, Missouri 63105 314-727-2777 • After Hours Emergency Number 314-854-0140 Worship with Central, KSIV, 91.5 FM - 11:00 a.m. every Sunday morning Central Presbyterian Church is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church congregation.
