
The Lord’s Day, January 15, 2023
MORNING WORSHIP
Welcome and Announcements
Silent Prayer
Apostolic Greeting
Call to Worship
Psalm 106:47-48
Hymn of Adoration
Come, Let Us Sing unto the Lord
Prayer of Invocation
Confession of Faith
Q. Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins?
A. No, only Jesus Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.
Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
A. God has good reason for these words. To begin with, God wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ take away our sins just as water removes dirt from the body. But more important, God wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that we are as truly washed of our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water physically.
Q. Should infants also be baptized?
A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are included in God’s covenant and people, and they, no less than adults, are promised deliverance from sin through Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. Therefore, by baptism, the sign of the covenant, they too should be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.
Confession of Sin
Almighty God, we are unworthy to come into your presence, because of our many sins. We do not deserve any grace or mercy from you, if you dealt with us as we deserve. We have sinned against you, O Lord, and we have offended you. And yet, O Lord, as we acknowledge our sins and offenses, so also do we acknowledge you to be a merciful God, a loving and favorable Father, to all who turn to you. And so we humbly ask you, for the sake of Christ your son, to show mercy to us, and forgive us all our offenses. Forgive the sins of our youth, and the sins of our old age. By your Spirit, O God, take possession of our hearts, so that, not only the actions of our life, but also the words of our mouths, and the smallest thought of our minds, may be guided and governed by you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Titus 3:4-7
Hymn of Thanksgiving
Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn of Preparation
Speak, O Lord
Old Testament
Genesis 10:1-9
New Testament
Acts 2:1-13
Sermon
Your Foolish Pride and Your Faithful God
Hymn of Response
Not What My Hands Have Done
Offering
Doxology
Benediction
Numbers 6:24-26