* Call to Worship: from Psalm 22:22, 97:12, 145:3 In the midst of the congregation I will praise you. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, And give thanks to God’s holy name! I will extol you, my God and King, And bless your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; God’s greatness is unsearchable. * Opening Prayer * I Love to Tell the Story #619:1,2 (HFG) I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love; I love to tell the story – because I know ‘tis true, It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. Refrain: I love to tell the story! ‘Twill be my theme in glory To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams. I love to tell the story; it did so much for me, And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee. Refrain * I’ll Tell the World That I’m A Christian I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian I’m not ashamed His name to bear; I’ll tell the world that I’m a Christian I’ll take Him with me anywhere. I’ll tell the world how Jesus saved me, And how He gave me a life brand-new; And I know that if you trust Him That all He gave me He’ll give to you. I’ll tell the world that He’s my Savior, No other one could love me so; My life my all is His forever, And where He leads me I will go. #648:1,2 (HFG) I’ll tell the world that He is coming It may be near or far away; But we must live as if His coming Would be tomorrow or today. For when He come and life is over, For those who love Him there’s more to be; Eyes have never seen the wonders That He’s preparing for you and me. O tell the world that you’re a Christian, Be not ashamed His name to bear; O tell the world that you’re a Christian, And take Him with you everywhere. Affirmation of Faith: Our World Belongs to God Art. 41,42 Joining the mission of God, the church is sent with the gospel of the kingdom to call everyone to know and follow Christ and to proclaim to all the assurance that in the name of Jesus there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe. The Spirit calls all members to embrace God’s mission in their neighborhoods and in the world: to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and free the prisoner. We repent of leaving this work to a few; for this mission is central to our being. In a world estranged from God, where happiness and peace are offered in many names and millions face confusing choices, we witness – with respect for followers of other ways – to the only one in whose name salvation is found: Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God reconciles the world to himself. God loves all creation; his compassion knows no bounds. Offering: First CRC Member Mission Fund Evening Prayer * Open My Eyes, That I May See #486:1,2 (HFG) Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth You have for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unlock and set me free. Silently now I wait for You, Ready, my God, Your will to do; Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth so sharp and clear; And while the message sounds in my ear, Everything else will disappear. Silently now I wait for You, Ready, my God, Your will to do; Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! * Scripture: II Corinthians 5:11–6:2 (NIV) pg. 1211 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God Message: Called to Be Ambassadors of the King Prayer * Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns #539:1,2,4 (PH) Shout, for the blessed Jesus reigns; Through distant lands his triumphs spread. And sinners, freed from endless pains, Own him their Savior and their Head. He calls his chosen from afar; They all at Zion’s gates arrive. Those who were dead in sin before By sovereign grace are made alive. Sermon Notes Our Big and Small World: Missions around the World and Across the Street O may His holy church increase, His Word and Spirit still prevail, While angels celebrate His praise, And saints His growing glories hail. * God’s Blessing * O Christians, Haste #525:1,2,3 (PH) O Christians, haste, your mission high fulfilling, To tell to all the world that God is light, That he who made all nations is not willing One life should perish, lost in shades of night. Refrain: Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace, Tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release. Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation That God, in whom they live and move, is love; Tell how he stooped to save his lost creation, And died on earth that we might live in love. Refrain Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious; Give of your wealth to speed them on their way; Pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious, Till God shall bring his kingdom’s joyful Day. Refrain ----------------------------------------CCLI #358926 * indicates to stand, if able Pastor: John Van Musicians: Shirley , Betty Offering: The Member Mission Fund is to support individuals from the church who desire to serve on short-term mission teams. The next mission team from First CRC will be going to Mt. of Olives Children’s Village in Uruapan, Mexico in June. For more information on this fund, contact one of the deacons. ………………………………………………………. First Christian Reformed Church 1010 Front Street, Lynden, WA 98264 360-354-4560 info@firstcrclynden.org Website: www.firstcrclynden.org Missions Celebration First Christian Reformed Church Lynden, Washington March 22, 2015 6:00 p.m. Worship Service