Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
August 5, 2012
Welcome to Cityview Presbyterian Church
Community Life: After the Service
To Our Guests: Visiting a church can be an intimidating experience. We are glad that you are here, and we hope to remove as much of that awkwardness as we can from your visit to Cityview. Our worship service usually lasts about 75 minutes. This worship guide will help you navigate the service. There are short paragraphs on the next page to explain each part of the service. The service is designed to be accessible to you, whether you’ve spent years in the church or you’ve never been to a church service in your life. During the service, we will try to help you understand how the message of Jesus can apply to your life today. If you are new to Cityview or just visiting, we would love to know that you were here. We have clipboards next to each row: we call those our “Connection Cards”. Connection Cards are a way for you to let us know whatever information you might want us to know and to request any information from us that you might need. Pastor Dan Adamson (dadamson@cityviewchicago.org) is available to answer questions, as well.
Each week, we linger for fellowship with one another. Please join us for refreshments in the cafeteria.
Community Groups In addition to weekly worship, we offer small groups (community groups, men’s and women’s bible studies, book studies) that meet throughout the week. We want all of our members and regular attenders to be intentional about building trusting and meaningful spiritual relationships. For a complete list of our small groups, please visit our website (www.cityviewchicago.org) or fill out one of our “connection cards” for more information.
For Children: Children of all ages are welcome in the worship service. Nursery is provided during the service for children 2 years of age and younger. Children ages three through 5 grade are given the choice of attending Sunday school classes beginning during the greeting portion of the service. th
If you have any questions about children’s ministry at Cityivew, please contact Children’s Ministry Coordinator Hilary Clark (hilary.r.clark@gmail.com).
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Cover Image: Three Tabernacles/ Tents by Elizabeth Steele Halstead. Reprinted by permission from Visuals for Worship, ©2006, Faith Alive Christian Resources All songs used by permission CCLI License #11041992 Scripture reprinted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
The Liturgy Preparing for Worship The goal of our time of gathering is to engage with God together, listening to him in his Word and speaking to him in prayer and song. Because we often enter this time tired, overwhelmed and distracted, we take a few moments at the beginning of our meeting to prepare to meet God in worship. Call to Worship We need to be “called” to come and worship God because we default to thinking the world revolves around our needs and agendas, and also because we struggle to believe that God truly wants us to draw near to him. The call to worship focuses our attention on God and prepares us to meet him. Confession of Sin The Scriptures declare that each of us has failed in the way we act toward God and each other. We confess our sin to be honest and transparent about this reality and to admit our ongoing dependence on the mercy of God through Jesus. We confess as a community to show our unity even in our brokenness. Assurance of Grace We confess our sins not just to admit what is true, but also to be reminded again of the truth that Jesus came into this world to save sinners; and all of our sin has been forgiven through him. Every week, following our confession, we hear God speak to us in Scripture of this forgiveness so that our faith might be strengthened. Worship Through Giving Because money is so powerfully tied to our hearts, this is a valuable expression of worship as we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and belongs to him. If you are visiting with us, we are just glad you are here- please do not feel obligated to give. The Sermon Some view the Sermon as a way to get principles for “right” living. In reality, as we open the Scripture we corporately encounter Christ. Therefore, as you listen, pray to be open to the Spirit’s leading, exhortation, encouragement, and healing. Communion Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal for Christians. We welcome all Christians - those who look to Christ alone for salvation, who are in good standing with His Church, and who seek strength to live more faithfully to their Savior - to join in this sacrament. The Benediction God always gets the last word in our encounter of worship. For Christians, it is always a word of blessing and sending to live our lives in the light of the reality of the Gospel of Christ. 3
ORDER OF WORSHIP “When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving toward the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased”. - C.S. Lewis “The gospel is the best news we could ever hear. The gospel is about Jesus Christ and his power to transform our lives and relationships, communities, and ultimately, the nations. Through this gospel, we are freely given a new identity — an identity not based on race, social class, gender, a theological system, or a system of rules and regulations. Rather it is a new and perfect identity based solely on faith in Jesus — an identity that defines every aspect of our lives. We are now forgiven, righteous, adopted, accepted, free, and heirs to everything that belongs to Christ. So even our sin, weakness, and failures do not define who we are. Because of this good news, we no longer have to hide from our sin and pretend that we have it all together, for God knows and loves us as we are, not as we pretend to be.” - Neil H. Williams
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God Calls Us Call to Worship - Psalm 118:19-29 !This is the day that the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. ! Let us rejoice and celebrate for Jesus Christ is Lord!! O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, ! For his steadfast love endures forever. Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!
Prayer of Adoration Eternal, Almighty, and most gracious God: heaven is your throne, and earth is your footstool; holy and reverend is your name. You are praised by the angels of heaven, and in the gathering of your church on earth. Despite our unworthiness, you have invited us through our Mediator, Jesus Christ, to present ourselves and our prayers to you. Receive us graciously. Help us by your Spirit. Let us stand in awe of you. Put your law into our hearts, and write it on our minds. Let your word come to us in power, and help us receive it in love, with attentive, reverent, and teachable minds. Through your word, allow us to taste the flavor of eternal life. Make us fervent in prayer and joyful in praise. Help us serve you this day without distraction, that we may find that a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere, and that it is good for us to come near to God; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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Hymn of Praise
Father, Long Before Creation
1. Father, long before creation Thou has chosen us in love, And that love so deep, so moving, Draws us close to Christ above. Still it keeps us, still it keeps us Firmly fixed in Christ alone. 2. Though the world may change its fashion, Yet our God is ever the same; His compassion and His covenant Through all ages will remain. God’s own children, God’s own children Must forever praise His name. 3. God’s compassion is my story, Is my boasting all the day; Mercy free and never failing Moves my will, directs my way. God so loved us, God so loved us That His only Son He gave. 4. Loving Father now before Thee We will ever praise Thy love, And our songs will sound unceasing ’Til we reach our home above, Giving glory, giving glory To our God and to the Lamb; Giving glory, giving glory To our God and to the Lamb. Words: from a Chinese hymn Music: Andrew Osenga
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Hymn of Praise
I Glory in Christ
God forbid that I should glory, Save in the Redeemer’s cross, Counting shame for Him but honour, Counting earthly gain for loss. All the love of God is here, oh Love that cast-eth out all fear. God forbid that I should glory, Save in Christ my Lord alone Him I lean on, Him I follow, Him before the world I own. All the love of God is here, Love that casteth out all fear. God forbid that I should glory, Save in Christ the Son of God; Him who sought me, Him who bought me, Him who washed me in His blood. All the love of God is here, Love that casteth out all fear.
Words: Horatius Bonar Music: Sandra McCracken
God Cleanses Us Confession of Sin Father in heaven, we often struggle to trust you on the day of trouble. As we have faced trials and uncertainty, our fears have blinded us from your presence, our pain has turned our eyes away from your promises, our desire for control has made us frantically self-dependent, our longing for comfort has led to destructive choices, our search for protection has made us to hope in other people, and our need for relief has led us to believe we are orphans Forgive us and renew us. Give us hearts and minds that are convinced of your love and presence.
Silent Confession 7
Hymn of Confession
Be Merciful to Me
Out from the deep I call To Thee O Lord to Thee Before thy throne I fall Be merciful to me Be merciful to me Be merciful to me Through shadow dark and valley deep, Be merciful to me From the garden to the cross Thy mercy did endure My soul purged from all dross In blood made pure Thy mercy Lord is true As ever truth will be But still I cry for you Be merciful to me
Words and Music: Randall Goodgame
Assurance of Grace - Adapted from Romans 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But, in Christ, you are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. You are forgiven! Be at peace and live in the freedom of the gospel! Amen. Brothers and Sisters, you have heard God’s holy demands and have confessed your sins to him. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection has atoned for your sins and satisfied the wrath of God for you? We do. 8
Hymn of Assurance
Be Gone, Unbelief
1. Be gone unbelief, My Savior is near, And for my relief will surely appear: By faith let me wrestle, with God in the storm And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn 2. Though dark be my way, since he is my guide, 'Tis mine to obey, and His to provide; Though cisterns be broken, And creatures all fail, The word he has spoken will surely prevail. The word he has spoken will surely prevail. Be gone unbelief, The Savior is here (3x) Though cisterns be broken and creatures all fail The word he has spoken will surely prevail The word he has spoken will surely prevail 3. Why should I complain, of want or distress Temptation or pain? He told me no less The heirs of salvation, I know from his word Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord 4. Since all that I meet will work for my good, The bitter is sweet, The medicine food; Though painful at present, will cease before long, And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror's song! And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror's song! Words: John Newton and Kevin Twit Music: Kevin Twit
Opportunities and Concerns Passing of the Peace - from John 13:34 Hear the teaching of Christ: “A new command I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you!
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God Speaks To Us Sermon Text – Genesis 17: 1-16 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” 9
And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” 15
And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give[e] you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Sermon The Life of Abraham: A Relationship With God Reverend Dan Adamson 10
God Strengthens Us Confession of Faith
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Communion
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Communion Hymn
Come All Ye Pining
Lord, we adore thy boundless grace, The heights and depths unknown, Of pardon, life, and joy, and peace, In thy beloved Son. Chorus: Come, all ye pining, hungry poor, The Saviour’s bounty taste; Behold a never-failing store For every willing guest. O wondrous gifts of love divine, Dear Source of every good; Jesus, in thee what glories shine! How rich thy flowing blood! Here shall your numerous wants receive A free, a full supply; He has unmeasured bliss to give, And joys that never die.
Words: Anne Steele, Gadsby Hymnal #1039 Music: Brian T. Murphy, 2007
Prayers for Reflection Prayer for those searching for truth Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. As I consider the reasons for doing so, grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. Amen.
Prayer for those struggling with sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and faithfully follow you in life. Amen.
Prayer of belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer of commitment Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
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Communion Prayer We thank you Lord, that you have fed us in this sacrament united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people.
Pastoral Prayer 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Doxology Praise Praise Praise Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow Him, all creatures here below Him above, ye heavenly host Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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God Commissions Us Hymn of Benediction
In Feast or Fallow
When the fields are dry, and the winter is long Blessed are the meek, the hungry, the poor When my soul is downcast, and my voice has no song For mercy, for comfort, I wait on the Lord In the harvest feast or the fallow ground My certain hope is in Jesus found My lot, my cup, my portion sure Whatever comes, we shall endure On a cross of wood, His blood was outpoured He rose from the ground, like a bird to the sky Bringing peace to our violence, and crushing death’s door Our Maker incarnate, our God who provides When the earth beneath me crumbles and quakes Not a sparrow falls, nor a hair from my head Without His hand to guide me, my shield and my strength In joy or in sorrow, in life or in death Words and Music: Sandra McCracken
Benediction and Dismissal- from Ephesians 3:20-21 (The benediction is not a prayer but a pronouncementa time with open hands to receive the good word spoken over you.)
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Let us go now to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
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Around Cityview
The Trellis and the Vine Book Study will meet this Wednesday at 7pm at the Adamson home. Read chapters 10-the end of the book and bring a snack to share. RSVP to Dan.
Pint Night- Our next Pint Night will be Tuesday, August 4 at 7pm at the Beer Bistro on Madison. Join us for $2 burgers, the art of conversation and the joy of a good beer. RSVP to Dan Adamson.
Opportunities to Serve- If you are newer to Cityview and looking for a place to serve, consider the following needs: Musicians, Snack Volunteers, Set Up and Break Down, and Greeters. Talk to Dan Adamson if you would like to learn more.
Job Coaching at Breakthrough Urban Ministries- Joel Avila coordinates a weekly job coaching class at Breakthrough Urban Ministries in West Garfield Park. The class meets from 6-7 pm each Thursday. If you would like to help lead one or more classes, or find out more about how you can get involved, contact Joel at joel.p.avila@gmail.com.
Serving This Week Sound Greeters Bread
Josh Koonce Jim and Peggy Adamson Kylene Young
Snacks
Lynda Adamson
Nursery
Dan Hoard
Sunday School
Monet Ball
Sunday School
Janelle Lake
Serving Next Week Sound Greeters
Joel Avila Rob and Lela Saffle
Bread
Hilary Clark
Snacks
Jenny Avila
Nursery
Christina Jenq
Sunday School
Susan Young
Contacts
July 2012 Congregational Giving* Actual Monthly Giving: Budgeted Monthly Giving: Difference: Actual YTD Giving: Budgeted 2012 Giving YTD: Difference:
CITYVIEWCHICAGO.ORG $ $ $ $ $ $
13,306 12,250 1,056 68,287 85,750 -17,463
*In addition to congregational giving, 20% of our overall operating budget is currently comprised of financial support from other churches and individuals. Our budgeted congregational giving represents 80% of the overall operating budget.
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Dan Adamson, Pastor dadamson@cityviewchicago.org Jenny Avila, Administrative Coordinator jenny.n.avila@gmail.com Herb Bowsher, Financial Administrator bowsher@comcast.net Hilary Clark, Children’s Ministry Coordinator hilary.r.clark@gmail.com Carolyn Koonce, Social Coordinator carolyn.groenewold@gmail.com Paul Leo, Service & Outreach Coordinator contactpaulleo@gmail.com Paul-David Young, Music Coordinator music@cityviewchicago.org 16