Sermon

“The Wonder of It All”
—Living in the Love of God on Valentine’s Day-

Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown.

THE LORD’S DAY
2/14/21

BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown

PRELUDE: “Written in Red,” arr.  Inman
Musicians today: Jann Moreshead, piano; Shannon Lewis, violin

PLEASE NOTE: This music provides an opportunity for us to meditate, prepare our hearts, and reverently worship God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Susan Colts
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever;
to Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for His steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 163:1-9)
“It is He who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever; He who gives food to all flesh, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136: 23-26)

SONG OF PRAISE: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow;  blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

INVOCATION: In Unison
God of all blessings, Source of all love, Giver of all mercy: look on the face of Your people that we might enter now into Your courts, and be received in the house of our God. Extend the scepter of Your grace to us who trust in You and bless the ministry of Your people as we worship You, praising the name of our triune God as we sing, confess, pray and receive Your word. Send the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirits. To You belong all glory, laud and honor, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons and one God, world without end. Amen

HYMN OF WORSHIP: “The Wonder of It All”
There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is the wonder that God loves me.

Refrain
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all! Just to think that God loves me.

Verse 2
There’s the wonder of springtime and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is a wonder that’s only begun.

CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Merciful God, You made us in Your image, You gave us minds that desire to know You, hearts that desire to love You, and wills that desire to serve You. But our efforts are futile, our love inconsistent, and our obedience feeble. We refuse to go where You lead us. We fail to grow into Your likeness. Have mercy upon us. Forgive us and free us from our sin. Grant us power in the Holy Spirit to live as You in this world. We ask in the gracious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
“With everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. “I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake.”

THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Hosea 2:14-23; NT: John 3:1-21

PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Susan Colts

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
OFFERTORY: “Jesus Loves Me,”  arr. Mier

DOXOLOGY:
Praise God from Who all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

HYMN OF ADORATION: “The Love of God”

1 The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled by God’s beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole, and priceless pardon won.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song.

2 When ancient time shall pass away, and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong;
grace will resound the whole earth round—the saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]

3 Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill, and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain] .

SERMON

THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoff

“The Wonder of It All”
—Living in the Love of God on Valentine’s Day

Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown.

CLOSING SONG: “I Cannot Tell”..
1 I cannot tell why He the King of heaven, Should leave the peace of all eternity,
Why God Himself should lay aside His splendor To leave the Father’s side and come to me.
But this I know our silence filled with singing And all our darkness fled from heaven’s light
When Christ the Lord so human, yet so holy, In love was born a child for me that holy night.

2 I cannot tell why He, the Joy of Heaven, Should give Himself to suffer for my sin,
Why holy God should love me in my shamefulness, Why He should die to draw my soul to Him.
But this I know: That Christ the Lord is risen, And praise His name, He’s risen now in me!
Because He lives, I’ll rise to life eternal! He took my guilty heart, and I’m forever free!

3 I cannot tell when He will rule the nations, How He will claim His loved ones as His own;
And who can tell the holy jubilation When all His children gather ’round His
But this I know All flesh will see His glory, And skies will burst as all creation sings
The Son will rise on one eternal morning When Christ the Savior of the world,
When Christ, the Savior of the world, is Lord and King!

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE