SERVICE FOR
THE LORD’S DAY

September 24, 2023          Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

                                                                       Liturgist: John Lange

CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 95:6-7

Leader: Come, let us bow down in worship,
People: let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 
Leader: for he is our God 
People: and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care. 
 

*OPENING HYMN #44                                          Great Is The Lord

 *OPENING PRAYER

 *SONG                                        Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

 GUIDED PRAYER

 *ASSURANCE OF PARDON

 *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Romans 8:19-25
We believe creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Amen.
 

ANTHEM                                My Shepherd Will Supply All My Need
Arr. Victor C. Johnson

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.  Amen.

 WORSHIPPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

       Offertory

      *Offertory Response – Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

       *Prayer of Dedication

OLD TESTAMENT READING:                                       Isaiah 40:1-11

Pastor:  The Word of the Lord
People:  Thanks be to God

SERMON:                   THE RELEASE OF REST
Series: Rest For Your Soul

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed. — Isaiah 40:2

*CLOSING HYMN #519                              It Is Well With My Soul

*BENEDICTION 

POSTLUDE

For Our Guests:

WELCOME TO NORTHMINSTER EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

We are glad you are here.  We hope the information listed on these pages will help you choose your next steps in connecting at Northminster. To learn more about activities here, please pick up our newsletter from the rack in the hallway or foyer table.  You can also learn more about us by browsing our website, on Facebook, and YouTube.
 
Upcoming calendar events can be found here.
 
News & Announcements for the week of Sunday, Sept 24 can be found here.
 
This Sunday’s Scripture reading:
 
1 Comfort, comfort my people,
            says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
            and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
            that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD’S hand
            double for all her sins.
 
3 A voice of one calling:
 “In the desert prepare
            the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness

            a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up,
            every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
            the rugged places a plain.
5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
            and all mankind together will see it.

                        For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
            And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All men are like grass,
            and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
            because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
            Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

            but the word of our God stands forever.”

9You who bring good tidings to Zion,
            go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
            lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
            say to the towns of Judah,

            “Here is your God!”

10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
            and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
            and his recompense accompanies him.
11He tends his flock like a shepherd:
            He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
            he gently leads those that have young.

— Isaiah 40:1-11 (NIV))