Welcome
Please use this link for the
Zoom Service October 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188368778?p30wd=QzZNMlFNNWVRVFIyUXZieWtNWkV0UT09
October 26, 2025
Acton Community Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 177, 32142 Crown Valley Rd, Acton, CA 93510 Message: 661-208-8032 www.actonpc.org
1888 – 2024 Celebrating Heritage and Sharing Hope
“Swearers, like mad dogs, fly in the face of heaven; and when they are angered, spue out their blasphemous venom on God’s sacred majesty.” –Thomas Watson
WELCOME, ANNOUNCMENTS, GUESTS AND SPECIAL DAYS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!
People: Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you and will help you:
Leader: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
People: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
Leader: I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, my blessings on your descendants!
People: They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams,
Leader: And they will name themselves by the name of the LORD.
OPENING HYMN – # 29 - Glorify Thy Name, Brown Hymnal
Father, we love you, we worship and adore you, glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name, glorify thy name in all the earth.
Jesus, we love you, we worship and adore you, glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name, glorify thy name in all the earth.
Spirit, we love you, we worship and adore you, glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name, glorify thy name in all the earth.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 37
Q. May we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently?
A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are grounded in God’s Word and were rightly used by the people of God in the Old and New Testaments.
Q. May we also swear by saints or other creatures?
A. No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honor.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you and to one another, that we have failed to rightly honor your name. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. We confess to you, Lord, our past unfaithfulness, the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives, our self-indulgent appetites and ways, our exploitation of other people, our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves, our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, our dishonesty in daily life and work, our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. Restore us, Lord. Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, that we may show forth your glory in the world. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Old Testament Reading – Jeremiah 4:1-2, Page 702
If you return, O Israel, says the Lord, if you return to me, if you remove your abominations from my presence, and do not waver, and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives!’ in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall be blessed[a] by him, and by him they shall boast.
The Word of the Lord, Thanks Be To God
New Testament Reading – Matthew 23:16-22, Page 26
‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.
The Word of the Lord, Thanks Be To God
SERMON : "Swear True: Oaths That Honor God”
CALL FOR OFFERING–Congregation sings Doxology - Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
HYMN # 462 Jesus Shall Reign
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2 We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3 Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee.
4 Early let us seek Thy favor; Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Thy love our beings fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.
HOLY COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN # 231 - Jesus Shall Reign, Brown Hymnal
1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does His successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To Him shall endless prayer be made, And endless praises crown His head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise With ev'ry morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of ev'ry tongue Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on His name.
4 Let ev'ry creature rise and bring His grateful honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the loud "Amen!"
BENEDICTION – The Lord Be With You
Congregation sings
God be with you till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you, With his sheep securely fold you God be with you till we meet again.
**Offerings 1. May be deposited in the Offering Box by the Narthex.
2. Processed through “E-Give” online at actonpc.org
3. Send a check to Acton Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 177 Acton, Ca. 93510
ANNOUNCMENTS
Bible Study on Psalms, Mondays at 3:30pm Hedgecock Hall
The Women's Bible study - Thursdays, at 3:30 pm, held at Stallion Meadows clubhouse.
Halloween Photo Booth is coming up. on Friday Oct. 31st. between 5pm-8pm.
If you are able to help, setup starts at 9am on Friday
FOOD PANTRY
Don’t forget the Food Pantry - donations may be left in the basket located in the Church Narthex or in the Hall. Below is an example of items needed.
Canned tomatoes, Peanut Butter, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Canned meat or beans
Canned soup, Canned fruit or vegetables, Cereal, Dried beans or rice, Pasta
Diapers, Deodorant, Shampoo and Bar Soap, Toothbrush and toothpaste
