August 31, 2025 Bulletin

By grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone

Order of Worship

Preparation for Worship

Prelude and Silent Prayer

Introit ~ “Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above”

* Hymn #301 ~ “Join All the Glorious Names”

Welcome and Announcements

Adoration of God

Call to Worship: Psalm 40:4-5

* Hymn #520 ~ “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”

Confession of Sin

* Reading of the Law: Exodus 20:1-17

Assurance of Pardon

Affirmation of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A’s 33-36

Q. 33. What is justification?

A. 33. Justification is an act of God’s free grace in which he pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight for the sake of the righteousness of Christ alone, which is credited to us and received by faith alone.

Q. 34. What is adoption?

A. 34. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace by which we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.

Q. 35. What is sanctification?

A. 35. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which we are renewed throughout in the image of God and are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness.

Q. 36. What benefits in this life accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification?

A. 36. The benefits in this life which accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification are: assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, progress in holiness, and perseverance in it to this life’s end.

* Hymn #499 ~ “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”

Means of Grace

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 15:23-30

New Testament Reading: Galatians 3:10-14

Sermon: “Our Substitute” (John 18:1-11)

* Hymn ~ “He Will Hold Me Fast”

Communion

Response and Blessing

* Doxology to the tune of “For All the Saints” #358

Praise ye the Lord, His mighty works acclaim:
His years are endless, yet is He the same.
O sing His praise, give glory to His holy name:
Alleluia, Alleluia. Amen.

* Blessing/Benediction

[* indicates to please stand]

Sermon Notes

“Our Substitute” (John 18:1-11)

  1. Introduction
  2. Jesus Arrested
    1. “I AM”
    2. Three-fold office of Jesus on display
  3. Application
    1. Jesus, our Substitute
    2. “You may go free”

Announcements

Today: Nursery (Birth through age 3) for children during Worship.

Today: The “Worship Training Room” (across from kitchen) is available for young families (livestream)

Communication from us? Please fill out a Communication Card (on back table)

Tuesday: DECo, Trail Life and American Heritage Girls

Saturday: Lakewood Parish; 12:30pm

Next Sunday: Adult Choir, 8:30-8:55am (and BEN nights 7:35-8:15pm)

Next Sunday: Sunday School Opening, 9am; introductions, balloons, treats

September: Bible Education Night (BEN); 6pm dinner, 6:30 singing, 6:45-7:30pm classes for all

September 14: Sunday School begins; 9-9:45am; children and adults

September 14: Children’s Choir begins, K-6th; sign up in Fellowship Hall or via email link

September 17: Council Retreat, 12pm-4pm

Reminder: No food or drink in sanctuary

Pastoral Counseling? See Pastor Henry

Food Pantry: Available for ERC families in the kitchen

Next Week’s Sermon Text: John 18:12-27

“On Earth as it is in Heaven: Building Culture between the Already and the Not Yet” Conference: October 24-25, 2025