Sunday Meditation, January 31

Proclaiming God’s Salvation by Grace

Scripture for Meditation: Acts 16:13-15

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Prayer of Blessing

Responsive Reading: Psalm 96:1-10

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, 

“The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Prayer of Corporate Confession

Silence for Personal Confession

Assurance of Pardon: Ephesians 2:8, 9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Response: Thanks be to God.

Ministry of the Word

Transition to Singing

Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.

Hymn of Proclaiming: I Will Sing of My Redeemer  

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered, from the curse to set me free. 

Refrain:
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, with His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story, how my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth over sin, and death, and hell.

Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876
Arranged by Fernando Ortega
CCLI #2783020

Hymn of Grace: Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

John Newton, 1725-1807

Hymn of Salvation: The Lord Is My Salvation

The grace of God has reached for me
And pulled me from the raging sea,
And I am safe on this solid ground;
The Lord is my salvation.

I will not fear when darkness falls;
His strength will help me scale these walls.
I’ll see the dawn of the rising sun;
The Lord is my salvation. 

Chorus:
Who is like the Lord our God?
Strong to save, faithful in love.
My debt is paid and the vict’ry won;
The Lord is my salvation.

My hope is hidden in the Lord;
He flow’rs each promise of His Word.
When winter fades I know spring will come;
The Lord is my salvation.

In times of waiting, times of need,
When I know loss, when I am weak,
I know His grace will renew these days;
The Lord is my salvation. 

Chorus
And when I reach my final day,
He will not leave me in the grave.
But I will rise,
He will call me home;
The Lord is my salvation.

Chorus
Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit;
The Lord is our salvation.

Words And Music By Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Nathan Nockels, and Jonas Myrin. ©2016 Getty Music Publishing (Bmi) / Sweater Weather Music (Ascap) (Admin By Musicservices.Org) / Capitol Cmg Paragon (Bmi) / Son of the Lion (Bmi) (Admin At Captiolcmgpubishing.Com)

Used by permission. CCLI #2783020

*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.