January 14, 2018
We’re excited to begin a new series this Sunday on the book of Genesis. Genesis is written to lay a foundational worldview for the people of God and to reveal His purposes in the world. Where did we come from? Why do we exist? How do we interact with each other? How do we engage in the world? Where did beauty come from? Why is there so much brokenness? Where can we find hope? What’s our role in the world? These are some of the foundational questions that Genesis answers. We hope our time in this book will lead us to know God and engage in this world with wisdom, faithfulness and hope.
Here’s how you can prepare for this first week:
1. Read through our text, Genesis 1.
Our series is split into two narrative “movements,” with Part I beginning in a predictable place: “In the beginning…” As we reflect on the formation of our world and our bodies, we see God’s authority and glory depicted in a most foundational way.
2. Read, pray and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: John 1:1–5
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ludwig van Beethoven, Henry Van Dyke, Edward Hodges)
Our Great God (Fernando Ortega, Mac Powell)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From Prone to Wander by Barbara R. Duguid and Wayne Duguid Houk
You are the great Creator, who has made all things from nothing. In the beginning You made man in Your image and declared all Your handiwork to be good. You took pleasure in Your creation, crowning it with the light of Your presence as You walked with Adam in the garden each day. But Adam fell, exchanging the glorious light of Your love for the darkness of sin and rebellion; each one of us sinned in Adam, and we continue to sin. We are lovers of darkness as we hide ourselves from You in guilt and despair. We thank You that our sin and darkness can never overwhelm the shining brightness of Your glory. Though we still are drawn to walk in darkness many times each day, You sent your Son into this world to shine the radiant light of Your love on vile sinners like us.
Thank You, Lord. Jesus, all things were made through You. You are worthy of the worship of angels, yet You laid aside your crown and took on our flesh in order to destroy our darkness. Born as a helpless babe, You are the Messiah who came to redeem us from the fall and reconcile us to God. Though You were the Light of the World, You were slain by darkness in order to satisfy the wrath of Your Father as You paid for the sin of Your people. Then bursting forth from the darkness of death, You rose again into the glorious light of day and victoriously carried our human flesh and blood into the courts of heaven. There in heaven, those You have redeemed will worship You forever as Savior and King.
Holy Spirit, draw our hearts from darkness to light. Show us the glory of our Redeemer and cause us to revel in His love and bask in the warmth and joy of His great pleasure in us. Cause us to hate the darkness of our sin and flee to the brightness of His love, which welcomes us as treasured family members and carries us as honored guests to the table of celebration. We come in His holy name, amen.
The Stand (Joel Houston)
O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Benjamin Hastings, Marty Sampson, Dean Ussher)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: John 1:12–13
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
What A Beautiful Name (Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood)
All Creatures Of Our God And King (William Henry Draper, St. Francis of Assisi)