First Reformed Church

Prairie City, IA

May 26, 2002

GATHERING IN HIS NAME

PRELUDE

*INTROIT (you can pick this)

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 124 & 118

Our Help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is my strength and my might;

            He has become my salvation.

There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous.

Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

*HYMN – #336 O Worship the King

*LET US GREET ONE ANOTHER

SHARING OUR JOYS & CONCERNS (done by Vice President)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord we come invited into your presence as we are.  We hang on to bitterness.  We dress ourselves in self-righteous rags.  We have doubts and fears.  We find it hard to believe your grace and forgiveness.  But we come, as we are, confident that you know what to do with it all.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Hebrews 7:25

Therefore Christ is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

MINISTRY OF MUSIC – April Vander Velden

JR. SERMON – (I will do this)

HYMN (Offering received) – #621 Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

SCRIPTURE – Genesis 34

MESSAGE – “Vengeance is a Mine Field”

PRAYER FOR BLESSING ON THE WORD

OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD

*CLOSING HYMN – #425 Cleanse Me

*BENEDICTION - #524

May the Lord take from you all resistance to His will.

May He give to you the fullness of His life

            And the sufficiency of His practical, daily help.

May the Lord send you during this week to come to those

He can only serve through your unique experience of life

And your very special abilities.

May the Lord bring us together even when we are apart,

As we learn to be supportive of one another in our prayers

And our service. Amen.

*PARTING HYMN – #522 The Lord Bless You and Keep You

*POSTLUDE