​CALL TO WORSHIP

PSALM 46 (a) 1-7,10  |  Sing Psalms
God is our refuge and our strength, our ever-present aid;
And therefore, though the earth gives way, we will not be afraid. 

PRAYER

PSALM 2:1-5, 10-12  |  Sing Psalms
Why do the heathen nations rage? Why do the peoples plot in vain?

SCRIPTURE READING  |  Acts 22:22 – 23:11

SERMON  |  “When the battle rages.”  |  Rev. Paul Gibson

PRAYER

PSALM 121  |  Sing Psalms
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where am I to look for my aid? My help comes to me from the LORD, By whom earth and heaven were made.

BENEDICTION

CALL TO WORSHIP  |  Psalm 135:1-3
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

PSALM 122  |  Scottish Psalter

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most holy and merciful Father, we acknowledge and confess in your presence that we have a nature that is prone to evil and slow to do good. You alone know how often we have sinned, even in the last week - in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. O Lord, we are ashamed for every way in which we have displeased you, and we ask you to have mercy upon us. Teach us to hate our errors, cleanse us from our secret faults, and forgive our sins for the sake of your dear Son, our Saviour. And, O most holy and loving Father, please, we pray, send your purifying grace into our hearts, that from now on we may live in your light and walk in your ways in obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS  |  1 Tim 2:3-6
God our Saviour, desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.

SCRIPTURE READING  |  Jeremiah 29:1-24,  1 Peter 1

SERMON  |  "Living as Aliens in a Fallen World."  |  Rev Robert Walker

PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

HYMN 568  |  Praise!

Church of God, elect and glorious,
holy nation, chosen race;
called as God’s own special people,
royal priests and heirs of grace:
know the purpose of your calling,
show to all his mighty deeds;
tell of love which knows no limits,
grace which meets all human needs.


God has called you out of darkness
into his most marvellous light;
brought his truth to life within you,
turned your blindness into sight.
Let your light so shine around you
that God’s name be glorified;
and all find fresh hope and purpose
in Christ Jesus crucified.


Once you were an alien people,
strangers to God’s heart of love;
but he brought you home in mercy,
citizens of Heaven above.
Let his love flow out to others,
let them feel a Father’s care;
that they too may know his welcome
and his countless blessings share.


Church of God, elect and holy,
be the people he intends;
strong in faith and swift to answer
each command your master sends:
royal priests, fulfil your calling
through your sacrifice and prayer;
give your lives in joyful service –
sing his praise, his love declare.

BENEDICTION  |  2 Thess 3:16

CALL TO WORSHIP
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.  Isaiah 25:1

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

PSALM 145:1-10 (Second Version)  |  Scottish Psalter

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most merciful Father, our Creator and Judge, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with all our heart, and we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We earnestly repent and are truly sorry for all our sins. For your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us and strengthen us to serve and obey you in lives wholly renewed by your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS  |  John 3:16

SCRIPTURE READING  |  Isaiah 33

SERMON  |  Rev Robert Walker 

PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen

PSALM 45(a):1-6  |  Sing Psalms

BENEDICTION

CALL TO WORSHIP

PSALM 130  |  Sing Psalms
LORD, from the depths I call to you; Lord, hear me from on high. 

CONFESSION OF SIN
“Our Father in heaven, we thank You that You have so graciously called us to be the sheep of Your pasture. Yet we confess that our natural inclination is to wander far from You. You have loved us with an everlasting love and made Your covenant promise with us, but because of our sin and unbelief we find it hard to trust You and often choose to live according to our own wisdom and understanding. You faithfully make us lie down in green pastures, yet we often seek after things that cannot satisfy. Have mercy upon us, we pray. Create in us a pure heart and renew a right spirit within us. Forgive our many sins and lead us in the everlasting way, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”  

ASSURANCE OF GOD'S PARDON  |  John 3:16-19

SCRIPTURE READING  |  Acts 21:37 - 22:21

SERMON  |  “A Testimony to Remember.”  |  Rev. Paul Gibson

PRAYER

PSALM 126  |  Sing Psalms 
When Zion’s fortunes God restored, it was a dream come true.
 
BENEDICTION