Welcome
Please use this link for the
Zoom Service February 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188368778?p30wd=QzZNMlFNNWVRVFIyUXZieWtNWkV0UT09
February 23, 2025
Acton Community Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 177, 32142 Crown Valley Road, Acton, CA 93510
Message: 661-208-8032 w www.actonpc.org
1888 – 2024 Celebrating Heritage and Sharing Hope
"Consider Jesus Christ our Mediator. Where is the like of him? He is human, like ourselves; in all respects, a sufferer, poor, needy, knowing even the pangs of death. Therefore, he can lay his hand upon us with a warm, brotherly love. But then he is “God over all, blessed forever,” equal with the Most High, the Well-beloved of the Father; thus he can give his hand to the eternal God, and so link our humanity with God. I feel most safe in trusting all my concerns with that dear Advocate...O Jesus, who can rival thee?
WELCOME, ANNOUNCMENTS, GUESTS AND SPECIAL DAYS
"Breathe on Me, Breath of God" Choir
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: We gather in awe and gratitude, for through Christ, we have access to the throne of grace, where mercy and peace abound.
People: He is the High Priest of a better covenant, offering Himself once and for all that we might be reconciled to God.
Leader: Lift up your hearts to the One who stands in the breach, who speaks for us before the Father, and who brings us into the presence of the Holy One.
People: We lift our hearts in praise, for Christ, our Mediator, has made a way where there was no way, and we are His forevermore.
Leader: Let us worship God with joy and reverence, for through Christ, we are called, redeemed, and united as one people in His name.
OPENING HYMN – #88 - Fairest Lord Jesus
1 Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son: Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor, Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring: Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host: Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast.
4 Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of man! Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine!
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 6
Q. Why must the mediator be a true and righteous human?
A. God’s justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for sin, but a sinful human could never pay for others.
Q. Why must the mediator also be true God?
A. So that the mediator, by the power of his divinity, might bear the weight of God’s wrath in his humanity and restore to us righteousness and life.
Q. Then who is this mediator—true God and at the same time a true and righteous human?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given to us to completely deliver us and make us right with God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious and Holy God, We confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. We have sought salvation in our own efforts, forgetting that only Jesus Christ, Your Son, can save us. We have turned to fleeting comforts and false hopes, ignoring the unique grace of our Mediator, who gave Himself for our sins. Forgive us, Lord, for doubting the sufficiency of His sacrifice, the only bridge between our brokenness and Your holiness. Cleanse us by His blood, renew us by His Spirit, and draw us back to the One who alone is our Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Mediator, we pray. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-11
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
New Testament Reading - 1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all —this was attested at the right time
SERMON : “Amazing Love”
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 #186 - The Old Rugged Cross
1 On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown.
2 O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
3 In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died To pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]
HOLY COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN #493 - It Is Well with My Soul
1 When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, "It is well, it is well with my soul."
Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
2 Though Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. [Refrain]
3 My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin - not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! [Refrain]
4 And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so" - it is well with my soul. [Refrain]
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
Bible Study
"What was Jesus Doing in His Last Week" led by Pastor Randy March 5, 12, 19, 26 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Hedgecock Hall
Please let Sandy Madsen know if you plan to attend. Thank you.
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.
FOOD ITEMS NON-FOOD ITEMS
Canned tomatoes Diapers
Peanut Butter Shampoo and Bar Soap
Mac ‘n’ Cheese Toothbrush and toothpaste
Canned meat or beans Deodorant
Canned soup
Canned fruit or vegetables
Cereal
Dried beans or rice
Pasta
