February 18, 2024
Call to Worship
Psalm 148
LEADER: Praise the LORD!
ALL: Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
LEADER: Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
ALL: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
LEADER: Let them praise the name of the LORD!
ALL: For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
LEADER: Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
ALL: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
LEADER: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
ALL: Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
LEADER: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
ALL: He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
All Creatures Of Our God And King
By St. Francis of Assisi (1225); Translated by William H. Draper; Arr: David Crowder
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sound in heaven along
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
ENDING:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Ancient of Days
By CityAlight
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning o - ver all
So I will not fear for this truth re - mains
That my God is, the Ancient of Days
CHORUS:
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not a - lone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Sav - ior King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days
Confession of Sin
Genesis 4:3-5,8
LEADER: In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,
ALL: and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.
LEADER: And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.
ALL: So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
LEADER: Cain spoke to Abel his brother.
ALL: And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of Forgiveness
Psalm 103:8-12
LEADER: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
ALL: He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
LEADER: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
ALL: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Thy Mercy
By John Stoker and Sandra McCracken
Thy mercy, my God is the theme of my song
The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue
Thy free grace alone from the first to the last
Has won my affections and bound my soul fast
Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here
Sin would reduce me to utter despair
But through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive
And He that first made me still keeps me alive
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And week for the praise of the mercy I found Hallelujah!
Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son
All praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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 4:1-16
4:1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king's place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
LEADER: The grass withers, the flower fades...
ALL: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"The Lost Art of Companionship"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Come Ye Sinners
Joseph Hart; Robbie Seay Band; Shane and Shane; Davy Flowers
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you full of pity, love, and power
CHORUS:
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty; come and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all
Feel Him prostrate in the garden, on the ground your Maker lies
On the bloody tree, behold Him; Sinner, will this not suffice?
Lo! The incarnate God ascended pleads the merit of His blood
Venture on Him, venture wholly; Let no other trust intrude
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.
God is For Us
By CityAlight.
We won't fear the battle, we won’t fear the night
We will walk the valley with You by our side
You will go before us, You will lead the way
We have found a refuge, only You can save
CHORUS:
Sing with joy now: our God is for us
The Father's love is a strong and mighty fortress
Raise your voice now, no love is greater
Who can stand against us if our God is for us
Even when I stumble, even when I fall
Even when I turn back, still Your love is sure
You will not abandon, You will not forsake
You will cheer me onward with never-ending grace [Chorus]
BRIDGE:
Neither height nor depth can separate us
Hell and death will not defeat us
He who gave His son to free us
Holds me in His love
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Psalm 148
LEADER: Praise the LORD!
ALL: Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!
LEADER: Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
ALL: Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
LEADER: Let them praise the name of the LORD!
ALL: For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
LEADER: Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
ALL: Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!
LEADER: Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
ALL: Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
LEADER: Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
ALL: He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!
All Creatures Of Our God And King
By St. Francis of Assisi (1225); Translated by William H. Draper; Arr: David Crowder
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sound in heaven along
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
ENDING:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Ancient of Days
By CityAlight
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning o - ver all
So I will not fear for this truth re - mains
That my God is, the Ancient of Days
CHORUS:
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not a - lone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Sav - ior King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days
Confession of Sin
Genesis 4:3-5,8
LEADER: In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,
ALL: and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.
LEADER: And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.
ALL: So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
LEADER: Cain spoke to Abel his brother.
ALL: And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of Forgiveness
Psalm 103:8-12
LEADER: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
ALL: He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
LEADER: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
ALL: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Thy Mercy
By John Stoker and Sandra McCracken
Thy mercy, my God is the theme of my song
The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue
Thy free grace alone from the first to the last
Has won my affections and bound my soul fast
Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here
Sin would reduce me to utter despair
But through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive
And He that first made me still keeps me alive
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And week for the praise of the mercy I found Hallelujah!
Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son
All praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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 4:1-16
4:1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king's place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
LEADER: The grass withers, the flower fades...
ALL: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"The Lost Art of Companionship"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Come Ye Sinners
Joseph Hart; Robbie Seay Band; Shane and Shane; Davy Flowers
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you full of pity, love, and power
CHORUS:
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Come, ye thirsty; come and welcome, God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance, every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all
Feel Him prostrate in the garden, on the ground your Maker lies
On the bloody tree, behold Him; Sinner, will this not suffice?
Lo! The incarnate God ascended pleads the merit of His blood
Venture on Him, venture wholly; Let no other trust intrude
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.
God is For Us
By CityAlight.
We won't fear the battle, we won’t fear the night
We will walk the valley with You by our side
You will go before us, You will lead the way
We have found a refuge, only You can save
CHORUS:
Sing with joy now: our God is for us
The Father's love is a strong and mighty fortress
Raise your voice now, no love is greater
Who can stand against us if our God is for us
Even when I stumble, even when I fall
Even when I turn back, still Your love is sure
You will not abandon, You will not forsake
You will cheer me onward with never-ending grace [Chorus]
BRIDGE:
Neither height nor depth can separate us
Hell and death will not defeat us
He who gave His son to free us
Holds me in His love
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Posted in Worship Guide