Order of Service, June 5, 2022

Introduction

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, we come to Jesus’ description of his Second Coming. It will be a day of joy for his followers, but a day of dread, distress, and death for his enemies. It concludes with a message to Christians alive at that time, yet significant to believers in every generation: “lift up your heads; your redemption is drawing near.”

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Prelude

Call to Worship:     Psalm 46:1-11

Invocation

PROCLAMATION

Choir     One Day in Glory

Note: We begin the service with a choral piece that anticipates the wonderful transformation Jesus’ followers will witness when our Savior returns.

Hymn 163      Look, Ye Saints

Notes:  Christ is the risen and exalted Lord of all. Thomas Kelly’ hymn turns our gaze from Christ as “Man of sorrows” to Christ, risen and “victorious!”  On earth “sinners in derision crowned him,” but now he “takes the highest station.” He will come again. In the meantime, we resolve to “spread abroad the Victor’s fame.”

Scripture Reading:     2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

Note: Jesus taught his followers to faithfully serve him in anticipation of His return. This passage anticipates that glorious day, a time of joy and reward for faithful followers and a day of dread and doom for those who reject him.

Pastoral Prayer

Hymn Insert     Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Note: This majestic hymn taps our imagination to “see” Christ, who was “once for favored sinners slain,” now coming to reign and to judge. His enemies will be perplexed and wail deeply at the sight. Creation itself will convulse. But Jesus’ followers will And so we sing, “O come quickly; alleluia! Come, Lord, come.”

Message: He Comes with Clouds
Luke 21:25-28
Pastor Steven Thomas

RESPONSE

Hymn 92:     Joy to the World!

Note: We have popularized Isaac Watts’ famous hymn as a Christmas song. But the composer wrote it to describe Christ’s reign in his future kingdom. It anticipates Christ’s future eradication of the effects of sin and expresses our longing for the day when all nations will extol the “glories of his righteousness.” This is the climax of our glorious gospel message.

Prayer Response:      Mark Buhr

Benediction:      John Miles