January 21, 2024
Call to Worship
Psalm 100
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
All: Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Leader: Know that the LORD, he is God!
All: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
All: Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Prayer of Adoration
Psalm 107 (We Give Thanks)
Sovereign Grace Music
Once in the wilderness of our sin
We wandered lost and without hope
Into our desert waste God in grace
Came to restore and bring us home
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
CHORUS:
We give thanks, O God, for Your steadfast love
We give thanks, O God, for You are good, Lord, You are good
We give thanks
Through every pain and trial, You provide
Light in the dark of our distress
Lifting us from on high when we cry
Turning our grief to gratefulness
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
You take the darkness and make it as light
Hearts that were dead in sin, You raise to life
You take a barren place and make it a spring
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
Grace Will Prevail
Wendell Kimbrough
Grace will prevail, though the darkness is strong
And the burden weighs heavy and long
Grace will prevail, for our God is the Light
Rending the cover of night; Grace will prevail
Grace will prevail, in the valleys of shame
Where the echoes of failure remain
Grace will prevail, with the cry to the Lord
There's a mountain of mercy in store; Grace will prevail
CHORUS:
Wait for the Lord our God; Wait for the Lord our God
Wait for the Lord, our rest and reward and our peace
Grace will prevail, through the wreckage and storm
And the brokenness washed on the shore
Grace will prevail, though an ocean we cry
He is with us and weeps by our side
Till the day they forever run dry
BRIDGE:
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world
Confession of Sin
Psalm 119:33-40
Leader: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
All: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Leader: Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
All: Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Leader: Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
All: Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Psalm 73:21-26
Leader: When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
All: I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Leader: Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
All: You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas Obediah Chishom, William Marion Runyan.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
CHORUS:
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
Family Life and Offerings
† Tithes and offerings can be given at fieldspres.org/give or in the offering box.
† During a brief intermission, children can go with their teachers for a lesson.
The musicians will call us back with song.
Sermon Passage
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine- my heart still guiding me with wisdom- and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades...
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"The God of Pleasure"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Words Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922). Tune: LEMMEL (Lemmel).
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased
CHORUS:
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins (Chorus)
Turn your eyes to the heavens
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout
“All glory to Jesus alone!” (Chorus)
The Lord’s Supper
† Receive bread and juice from one of our section hosts near you. Gluten free wafers are available at the front table. We will all eat and drink together.
King of Love
Henry Williams Baker. arr. I Am They.
The King of love my Shepherd is whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever, and He is mine forever
Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow with food celestial feedeth
CHORUS:
Never failing ruler of my heart
Everlasting lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of love my Shepherd is
The King of love my Shepherd is
Lost and foolish oft I strayed but yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me
In death's dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me
BRIDGE:
Oh——— Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Oh——— Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And so through all the length of days, Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise within Your house forever. Within Your house forever
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Psalm 100
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
All: Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Leader: Know that the LORD, he is God!
All: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
All: Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Prayer of Adoration
Psalm 107 (We Give Thanks)
Sovereign Grace Music
Once in the wilderness of our sin
We wandered lost and without hope
Into our desert waste God in grace
Came to restore and bring us home
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
CHORUS:
We give thanks, O God, for Your steadfast love
We give thanks, O God, for You are good, Lord, You are good
We give thanks
Through every pain and trial, You provide
Light in the dark of our distress
Lifting us from on high when we cry
Turning our grief to gratefulness
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
You take the darkness and make it as light
Hearts that were dead in sin, You raise to life
You take a barren place and make it a spring
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
Let the redeemed of God rise up and sing
Grace Will Prevail
Wendell Kimbrough
Grace will prevail, though the darkness is strong
And the burden weighs heavy and long
Grace will prevail, for our God is the Light
Rending the cover of night; Grace will prevail
Grace will prevail, in the valleys of shame
Where the echoes of failure remain
Grace will prevail, with the cry to the Lord
There's a mountain of mercy in store; Grace will prevail
CHORUS:
Wait for the Lord our God; Wait for the Lord our God
Wait for the Lord, our rest and reward and our peace
Grace will prevail, through the wreckage and storm
And the brokenness washed on the shore
Grace will prevail, though an ocean we cry
He is with us and weeps by our side
Till the day they forever run dry
BRIDGE:
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world, He has overcome
Take heart, he has overcome the world
Confession of Sin
Psalm 119:33-40
Leader: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
All: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Leader: Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
All: Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Leader: Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
All: Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Psalm 73:21-26
Leader: When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
All: I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Leader: Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
All: You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas Obediah Chishom, William Marion Runyan.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
CHORUS:
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
Family Life and Offerings
† Tithes and offerings can be given at fieldspres.org/give or in the offering box.
† During a brief intermission, children can go with their teachers for a lesson.
The musicians will call us back with song.
Sermon Passage
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine- my heart still guiding me with wisdom- and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades...
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"The God of Pleasure"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Words Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922). Tune: LEMMEL (Lemmel).
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased
CHORUS:
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins (Chorus)
Turn your eyes to the heavens
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout
“All glory to Jesus alone!” (Chorus)
The Lord’s Supper
† Receive bread and juice from one of our section hosts near you. Gluten free wafers are available at the front table. We will all eat and drink together.
King of Love
Henry Williams Baker. arr. I Am They.
The King of love my Shepherd is whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever, and He is mine forever
Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow with food celestial feedeth
CHORUS:
Never failing ruler of my heart
Everlasting lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of love my Shepherd is
The King of love my Shepherd is
Lost and foolish oft I strayed but yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me
In death's dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me
BRIDGE:
Oh——— Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Oh——— Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And so through all the length of days, Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise within Your house forever. Within Your house forever
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Posted in Worship Guide