REFLECTION

"Jesus, dazzle my heart afresh with your beauty, love, and grace. Once again, cause my knees to buckle with wonder, and my feet dance with delight, and my heart to be filled with overflowing praise… for who you are and what you’ve done for us." 

- Scotty Smith

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CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER (Psalm 96:11–13)

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

SONG "Indescribable"

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creations revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

          (Chorus)

          Indescribable, uncontainable

          You placed the stars in the sky

          And You know them by name

          You are amazing, God

          All powerful, untameable

          Awestruck we fall to our knees

          As we humbly proclaim

           You are amazing, God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet, conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

          (Chorus)

          Indescribable, uncontainable

          You placed the stars in the sky

          And You know them by name

          You are amazing, God

          All powerful, untameable

          Awestruck we fall to our knees

          As we humbly proclaim

          You are amazing, God

          You are amazing, God

          Indescribable, uncontainable

          You placed the stars in the sky

          And You know them by name

          You are amazing, God

          All powerful, untameable

          Awestruck we fall to our knees

          As we humbly proclaim

          You are amazing, God

          Indescribable, uncontainable

          You placed the stars in the sky

          And You know them by name

          You are amazing, God

          Incomparable, unchangeable

          You see the depths of my heart

          And You love me the same

          You are amazing, God

          You are amazing, God

PASTORAL PRAYER (The Lord's Prayer)

Our Father which 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.

SONG "Ten Thousand Reasons"

          (Chorus)

          Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul

          Worship His Holy name

          Sing like never before oh my soul

          I'll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

          (Chorus)

          Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul

          Worship His Holy name

          Sing like never before oh my soul

          I'll worship Your Holy name

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger

Your name is great and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

          (Chorus)

          Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul

          Worship His Holy name

          Sing like never before oh my soul

          I'll worship Your Holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

          (Chorus)

          Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul

          Worship His Holy name

          Sing like never before oh my soul

          I'll worship Your Holy name

          Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul

          Worship His Holy name

          Sing like never before oh my soul

          I'll worship Your Holy name

SERMON 1 Peter 3:13–17

[13] Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, [16] having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (ESV)

CLOSING SONG "Jesus I My Cross Have Taken"

Jesus, I my cross have taken

All to leave and follow Thee

Destitute, despised, forsaken

Thou from hence my all shall be

Perish every fond ambition

All Ive sought or hoped or known

Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own

Let the world despise and leave me

They have left my Savior, too

Human hearts and looks deceive me

Thou art not, like them, untrue

O while Thou dost smile upon me

God of wisdom, love, and might

Foes may hate and friends disown me

Show Thy face and all is bright

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure

Come disaster, scorn and pain

In Thy service, pain is pleasure

With Thy favor, loss is gain

I have called Thee Abba Father

I have stayed my heart on Thee

Storms may howl, and clouds may gather

All must work for good to me

Haste thee on from grace to glory

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer

Heavens eternal days before thee

Gods own hand shall guide us there

Soon shall close thy earthly mission

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days

Hope shall change to glad fruition

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise

BENEDICTION (Hebrews 13:20–21)

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.