TFBF#288, “I Was Sinking Deep in Sin”
1 I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I
Refrain:
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!
2 All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.
3 Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves;
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey, He your Savior true to be, be saved today.
**INVOCATION (Matthew 28:19)
**CONFESSION/ABSOLUTION (1 John 1:8-9)
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
People: But, if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(silence for reflection and self examination)
Pastor: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
People: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your most Holy Name. Amen.
Pastor: God in His mercy has given His Son to die for His sake….
HYMN ~”Come, Ye Thankful People Come” LW#495
1 Come, you thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our maker, does provide For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God’s own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.
2 All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield.
Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear.
Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.
3 For the Lord our God shall come And shall take his harvest home.
From his field shall in that day All offenses purge away,
Give his angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast
But the fruitful ears to store In his garner evermore.
4 Even so, Lord, quickly come To your final harvest home.
Gather all your people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, In your garner to abide.
Come, with all your angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home.
EPISTLE TESTAMENT READING Romans 8:31-39
**THE GOSPEL Matthew 14:22-33
**WHAT WE BELIEVE The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
TESTIMONIES AND SONGS FROM THE CONGREGATION
CHOIR HYMN
THE MESSAGE ~ “Looking at Christ or Looking at the Crisis?”
DUET
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL & LORD’S PRAYER