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All we have is given to us by God. Our offerings express this joyful dependence and our commitment to join God in his work of renewal.

Our offertory anthem is a powerful statement of faith based on Lord’s Day 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism: Q: “What is your only comfort in life and death? A: That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” I am not my own! I have been bought with a price!

OFFERTORY PRAYER

RICK RUMMLER, DEACON OF THE DAY

DAVID MATHIS

You were made for more than private devotions. As nice as it can be to tuck ourselves away in some nook and cranny, all by our lonesome, and read the Scriptures we want to read, pray the prayers we prefer, play the songs we like, memorize the verses we pick, and fast from food when it’s convenient — as important as it is to pursue a regular rhythm of “private worship” in these personal disciplines — this is not the pinnacle of our Christian lives.

OFFERTORY

I AM NOT MY OWN

We were made to worship Jesus together. Among the multitude. With the great horde. Swallowed up in the magnificent mass of the redeemed. God didn’t fashion us to enjoy him finally as solitary individuals, but as happy members of a countlessly large family.

I am not my own, I am not my own, Not in body, not in soul, in life, nor even death. I am not my own, I am not my own. I belong unto my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not my own.

When the fog of everyday life clears, and we catch a glimpse of heaven’s bliss, we don’t find ourselves sequestered at a study desk or hidden alone in a prayer closet in paradise, or even standing alone before the great Grand Canyon or mountain peak of God’s majesty, but joyfully lost in the worshiping throng of Christ’s people from every tongue and tribe and nation.

I am not my own, I am not my own, Not in body, not in soul, in life, nor even death. I am not my own, I am not my own. His own blood has ransomed me, from evil set me free. I am not my own. For my salvation all things work together, in eternal life He gives me hope. By the power of His Holy Spirit, I will live for Him. I am not my own! I am not my own! I belong unto my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ! I belong to Him! I belong to Him! In life, in death, my only comfort, I belong to Him! I will live for Him! Forever and ever, for ever and ever, for evermore!

CONGREGATIONAL GREETINGS MORNING SERMON The Spirit makes the reading and preaching of God’s Word a powerful means of nourishing and comforting God’s people, and awakening people to new faith.

KINDLE THE FIRE IN CORPORATE WORSHIP

CONRAD “BUSTER” BROWN, JR. SENIOR PASTOR

PASTORAL PRAYER BENEDICTION

We were made for corporate worship. Heaven will be more spectacular than we can dream — and the new earth, even better than heaven — but it might be surprising to hear that perhaps the best foretaste we can get on this side is with the gathered church, worshiping Jesus together. Not that eternity will amount to an unending church service, but that we will be wonderfully immersed in a joy-multiplying multitude of fellow worshipers. And in heaven’s adoration, we join not only “many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11) — you might say “innumerable angels” (Hebrews 12:22) — but also the innumerable communion of the ransomed, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb . . . and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9–10) While the corporate worship of Jesus by the church universal is an essential element in our great destiny, it is the corporate worship of Jesus by the church local that is a vital means of God’s grace in getting us there. And it may be the single most important means of grace, and our greatest weapon in the fight for joy, because like no other means, corporate worship combines all three principles of God’s ongoing grace: his word, prayer, and fellowship. It is corporate worship, with its preaching and sacraments and collective praises, confessions, petitions, and thanksgivings, which most acutely brings together the gifts of God’s voice, his ear, and his body. And so, according to Don Whitney, “There’s an element of worship and Christianity that cannot be experienced in private worship or by watching worship. There are some graces and blessings that God gives only in ‘meeting together’ with other believers” (Spiritual Disciplines, 92). Or as Richard Foster says, “When we are truly gathered into worship, things occur that could never occur alone” (Celebration of Discipline, 164). Perhaps your own experience of corporate worship as a means of grace has, at times, echoed that of Martin Luther: “at home, in my own house, there is no warmth or vigor in me, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through.”

THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hades. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick 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 life everlasting. Amen. * universal church

POSTLUDE

361 Egypt Road Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843.856.3222 Equipping people to pursue Jesus Christ passionately as they impact the culture. eastcooperbaptist.com

WORSHIPGUIDE

My God is reconciled His pard’ning voice I hear He owns me as His child I can no longer fear With confidence I now draw nigh With confidence I now draw nigh And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry

LOVE IN ACTION John Piper

The Church in Corporate Worship

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

REFLECTION

Please use the THOUGHTS FOR WORSHIP PREPARATION following prayer to prepare your hearts From the depths of woe I raise to Thee the voice of lamentation; for worship:

Lord, turn a gracious ear to me and hear my supplication; If Thou iniquities dost mark our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O gracious and holy O who shall stand before Thee? God, give us diligence to seek You, wisdom to perceive You, and patience to wait for You. Thank You for Your deep and abiding love. As we come to Your table this morning in worship, give us a mind to meditate on You, eyes to behold You, ears to listen to Your word, a heart to love You, a life to proclaim You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To wash away the crimson stain, grace, grace alone availeth; Our works, alas! are all in vain; in much the best life faileth; No man can glory in Thy sight, all must alike confess Thy might, And live alone by mercy. Therefore my trust is in the Lord, and not in mine own merit; On Him my soul shall rest, His word upholds my fainting spirit; His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort and my sweet support; I wait for it with patience. Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth; His helping love no limit knows, our upmost need it soundeth. Our Shepherd good and true is He, who will at last His Israel free From all their sin and sorrow.

-- Martin Luther

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

-- I John 3:1

CALL TO WORSHIP The call to worship establishes the lines of communication in worship. God always comes to us before we come to God. Biblical worship is a response to God’s gracious revelation of himself to his people.

PSALM 136, SELECTED

Leader: People: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. Give thanks to the God of gods. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: It is he who remembered us in our low estate, And rescued us from our foes, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever. His love endures forever. His love endures forever. His love endures forever. His love endures forever. His love endures forever.

Responsive readings remind us that during HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US corporate worship God speaks to his people and we How deep the Father’s love for us How vast beyond all measure respond together That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure as a community. How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away

MORNING HYMN

As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory Behold the man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

HYMN OF PRAISE

LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES’ EXCELLING [BEECHER]

There is the external impulse of seeing in history the Son of God laying down his life for us and constraining us in this way. But what’s unique about the Christian life is that there is also the internal impulse that comes from being born again and having the very love that sent the Son into the world pulsing through our souls by the life of God within.

The call to repentance invites us to honest expression within the context of our covenant relationship with God, a relationship in which honesty about our sin is welcome and safe. Spend this time seeking the Lord, confessing sins, and receiving forgiveness.

BASED ON ROMANS 5:8; HEBREWS 4:16 While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Trusting in God’s faithfulness and compassion, let us confess our sin before God and one another. Almighty and merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

The new birth enables us to experience the manifestation of God’s love in history as an internal reality of God’s Spirit within us. The new birth creates the connection between God’s love for us and our love for]each other. The new birth is the act of the Holy Spirit connecting our dead, selfish hearts with God’s living, loving heart so that his life becomes our life and his love becomes our love. This love is both by nature who God is and by manifestation what God has done in history sending his own Son to lay down his life that he might be the propitiation for our sins and that we might have eternal life. The new birth connects us to that in such a way that it defines who we are as the children of God. If we are born again we love each other (as Christ loved us.)

CALL TO REPENTANCE

THE RECEIVING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER The Lord’s Supper is a physical action, mandated by Jesus, through which God acts to nourish, sustain, comfort, challenge, teach and assure us. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper nourishes our faith and stirs our imaginations to perceive the work of God and the power of the Gospel more clearly.

PRAYER OF PRAISE GOSPEL HYMN

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

It is an act that helps pave the way for revival and renewal. East Cooper Baptist Church welcomes to the Lord’s Table all who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. If you are uncertain where you stand in your relationship to Christ, or are not ready to take the Lord’s Supper today, please allow the communion elements to pass and use this time to seek the Lord in prayer.

AMAZING GRACE • ECBC ORCHESTRA

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see. ‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ‘Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’ve first begun.

THE TAKING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER SONG OF RESPONSE OH MY SOUL, ARISE

Arise, my soul, arise Shake off your guilty fears The bleeding sacrifice On my behalf appears Before the throne my surety stands Before the throne my surety stands My name is written on His hands He ever lives above For me to intercede His all redeeming love His precious blood to plead His blood atoned for every race His blood atoned for every race And sprinkles now the throne of grace O my soul, arise Behold the risen Christ Your Great High Priest Your spotless sacrifice O my soul, arise God owns you as His child Shake off your guilty fears My soul, arise Five bleeding wounds He bears Received on Calvary They pour effectual prayers They strongly plead for me: “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry “Don’t let that ransomed sinner die!”