Worship Service –Sunday, 3 May 2020

AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR DIVINE WORSHIP; DESIGNED FOR PRIVATE DEVOTIONS, FAMILY GATHERINGS AND CHURCH MEETINGS.

A Call To Worship

King David wrote in Psalm 18:1-3: “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised:”

Hymn—“Come, Thou Almighty King”

Scripture Reading—Romans 11:1-6

”I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

Opening Prayer

Hymn—“Jesus Saves!”

Testimonies

In Psalm 37:25,26, King David testified—”I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.” Through a lifetime of experience, David had observed the blessings of the Lord to His people, even in the midst of their trials and tribulations. As John Gill framed it, “though afflicted of God, and persecuted by men, yet not forsaken; though poor and needy, and often in necessitous circumstances, yet God in his providence appeared for them in one way or another; for such might be forsaken by men, and even by their dearest friends and relations, yet not by the Lord: they might indeed, at times, think themselves forsaken of him, and their enemies might conclude and say they were, and yet this was not their case (Is 49:14; Ps 71:10,11); and though they may be forsaken by him for a while, yet not utterly; he will not leave them and forsake them for ever, (Is 54:7; Heb 13:5).” We have reason to rejoice, no matter the hardships, because the Lord is ever merciful, and His people are blessed forevermore. How has the Lord proven Himself to you?

Hymn—“Now May The Lord Reveal His Face”

Announcement

Pastor Don Fortner, 69, went home to be with the Lord last Wednesday morning, April 29, 2020. He was born on June 10, 1950 in Bladen County, North Carolina. After graduating Piedmont Bible College, he became pastor of Lookout Baptist Church in West Virginia. He then moved to Danville, Kentucky in 1980 where he pastored Grace Baptist Church for 40 years. Pastor Fortner was a champion of the gospel and bold as a lion. Let us enjoy the proclamation of the gospel by this faithful servant of the Lord (preached for Grace Baptist Church, Danville, KY, on January 26, 2020).

Sermon—“Free Will Or Free Grace”

Hymn—“’Immortal Honors”

Closing Prayer

Benediction

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Amen.

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Guidance Notes
[1] The proceedings of the worship service should be conducted by one person. If it is a family gathering, then the head of home (Father or Mother) should assume the leadership. If it is a church gathering, then the Pastor, Deacon or an elder should assume the oversight. If it is a gathering with friends (peers), then one of these persons should take the lead. It is the responsibility of the leader to maintain order and discipline during the meeting. This important position should not be delegated to a person on the basis of his/her musical ability. Just because someone has a good voice or can play an instrument does not qualify him/her to lead a worship service.
[2] The leader should set a time for the worship service, making it known to all who will be attending. The leader should ensure the worship room is clean and clear of anything that might distract. The leader should give a five minute notice before the service begins. At the scheduled time, the leader should start by calling the group to worship.
[3] Children of all ages should be attending the family and/or church gathering. It is the responsibility of the parents to train their children how to be respectful and attentive during a worship service. The leader should ensure all toys and devices are put out of sight. It sends the wrong message to young children if they are allowed to play during a worship service. The leader (and group) should exercise patience and gentleness if some of the children are a little disruptive. In certain circumstances, one of the parents may need to take the child out of the room until discipline of the child is regained.
[4] Here is an example on how the proceedings should go:
• A CALL TO WORSHIP
“Let us worship almighty God, by standing together and singing our opening hymn-‘Name of the Hymn’.”
• SING OPENING HYMN
Read the statement after the opening hymn, under ‘A Call To Worship’.
“Let us stand together as we sing our first hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”
• SING FIRST HYMN
“You may be seated. Let us continue to worship the Lord by hearing what He has to say to us from the Holy Scriptures. Please turn in your Bible to the (Scripture Text) and I will read from the opening verse.” The Scripture should be read by the family or church leader.
• READ THE SCRIPTURE
“And may the Lord add a double blessing upon the reading of His Word. Let us now come before the Lord in prayer.” Although the opening prayer may be delegated to someone else in the group, it is a good policy for the family or church leader to assume this responsibility.
• THE OPENING PRAYER
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our second hymn—‘Name of the Hymn.’”
• SING SECOND HYMN
“You may be seated.” Read the statement under “Testimonies”.
• SHARE TESTIMONIES
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our third hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”
• SING THIRD HYMN
“You may be seated. We will now come under the teachings of God’s Word. Let us be attentive to the gospel minister. He has prepared food for our souls. May it please the Lord to edify us in the gospel.”
• WATCH THE SERMON
“Let us stand together and continue to worship the Lord by singing our fourth hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”
• SING FOURTH HYMN
“You may be seated. Let us close our meeting in prayer.” It is a good policy to delegate this responsibility to another leader in the group. For instance, if the father is leading the family worship, then he may ask the mother to close in prayer; or, if the Pastor is leading the church worship, then he may ask a Deacon or an elder to close in prayer.
• LEAD IN THE CLOSING PRAYER
“Before we are dismissed, let us stand together once more and sing a final hymn—‘Name of the Hymn’.”
• SING CLOSING HYMN
• READ THE BENEDICTION