December 29, 2013

*CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 56:4

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

*OPENING HYMN: (#44) How Great Thou Art

PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION

*THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI (#735)

THE LAW OF GOD – The 1st Great Commandment [Mt 22:37]

CONFESSION OF SIN [Adapted from Calvin’s Form of Church Prayers]

Eternal and Almighty Father, we acknowledge and confess before your holy majesty, that we are poor sinners; conceived and born in guilt and in corruption, prone to evil, unable of ourselves to do any good; who, because of our depravity, transgress without end your holy commandments. Therefore we have drawn upon ourselves, by your just sentence, condemnation and death. But, O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and deplore our offenses! We condemn ourselves and our evil ways, with true penitence beseeching that your grace may relieve our distress. Be pleased then to have compassion upon us, O most gracious God, Father of all mercies, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. And, in removing our guilt and our pollution, grant us the daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit; that, acknowledging from our inmost hearts our own unrighteousness, we may be touched with sorrow that shall work true repentance; and that your Spirit, mortifying all sin within us, may produce the fruits of holiness and righteousness well-pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION OF PARDON [Psalm 32:1]

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

*PREPARATION HYMN: (#W10) God's Amazing Word

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Psalm 57 page 477

GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 2:1-12 page 807

*SERMON TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 page 986

SERMON: Who Wants to Be a Thessalonian?

PREACHING: Pastor Stephen Magee

*RESPONSE HYMN: (#699) Like a River Glorious

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY (#731) and Prayer of Thanksgiving

*CONFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles' Creed, # 845

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

There is a GF alternative on the back table; please help yourself or ask a server for assistance. The inner ring on the communion tray has juice for those who do not drink wine.

*CLOSING HYMN: (#598) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

*BENEDICTION

* Congregation standing as able

Evening Service

Please join us at 5:00 p.m. for the Evening Worship Service

Discussion of Morning Sermon

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 page 986

Opening Prayer

Opening Hymn: (#247) O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Second Hymn: (#274) Thine Be the Glory

Prayer of Intercession and Illumination

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 55 page 476

Gospel Reading: Mark 15:6-15 page 852

Sermon: He Passed through the Heavens - Hebrews 4:14 page 1002

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

There is a GF alternative on the back table; please help yourself or ask a server for assistance. The inner ring on the communion tray has juice for those who do not drink wine.

Gloria Patri

Benediction

Pastor: Steve Magee

Associate Pastor: Nathan Snyder

Elders: Alan Bailey (emeritus), Doug Camp, John Coskery,

Dave Herrod, Skip Phelps

Deacons: Fred Kneisley, Stephen Rohrdanz, John Warenda

EXETER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA)

Nourishing the Soul in the Hope of the Resurrection

(603)772-7479 www.exeterpca.org

Welcome

to

Exeter Presbyterian Church

December 29, 2013

"This is the day that the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24