Welcome
Please use this link for the
Zoom Worship Service October 1, 2023 at 8:30am
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188368778?p30wd=QzZNMlFNNWVRVFIyUXZieWtNWkV0UT09
October 1, 2023
Acton Community Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 177, 32142 Crown Valley Road, Acton, CA 93510
Message: 661-208-8032 w who ww.actonpc.org
1888 – 2023 Celebrating Heritage and Sharing Hope
“From our later perspective of church history, [we] can see the crucial importance of this first ecumenical Council held in Jerusalem. Its unanimous decision liberated the gospel from its Jewish swaddling clothes into being God’s message for all humankind, and gave the Jewish-Gentile church a self-conscious identity as the reconciled body of God, the one body of Christ.” —John Stott
Special Music
"Amazing Grace".......................Ryan Ames Piano Solo
WELCOME, ANNOUNCMENTS, GUESTS AND SPECIAL DAYS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
People: Who is this King of glory?
Leader: The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
People: Who is this King of glory?
Leader: The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!
OPENING HYMN #370 - Just As I Am, Without One Plea
1 Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
2 Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
3 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
4 Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O most great, just, and gracious God. You condemn the ungodly, but you have promised mercy through Jesus Christ. We confess that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have failed in our duty to love. We have dishonored and neglected those around us. We have dealt unjustly and uncharitably with our neighbors. We have run into temptations and into the sin that we should have hated. We are careless, rash, and presumptuous against your commands, promises, mercies, and judgments. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. Be reconciled to us, and let the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us from all our sins. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Nehemiah 1: 1-4
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They replied, ‘The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.’ When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
The Word of the Lord, Thanks be to God
NEW TESTAMENT READING :: Ephesians 4: 25-32
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[b] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.[c]
The Gospel of the Lord, Praise to You Lord Christ
SERMON : Dr. Randy Working “What's Bothering You?”
CALL FOR OFFERING–Congregation sings
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Romans 1:16-17
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. We are not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
HYMN #316 - Breathe On Me, Breath of God
1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do.
2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will, To do and to endure.
3 Breathe on me, Breath of God, Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine.
4 Breathe on me, Breath of God, So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.
HOLY COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN #361 - How Firm a Foundation
1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said, To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2 "Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
4 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
5 "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake."
BENEDICTION – The Lord Be With You
Congregation sings
God Be With You 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
UP COMING EVENTS
November 4, 2023
The Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band
Presents A Fall Festival Concert
Canyon Theater Guild, 4242 Main St. Downtown Newhall
