From Everlasting to Everlasting: an Old/New Year's Day Service Based on Psalm 103

From Everlasting to Everlasting: An Old/New Year's Day service based on Psalm 103

Prelude

*Praise the Lord, O My Soul

Call to Worship: Psalm 103:1

Hymn: "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” R210 vs 1, 2, 4

God's Greeting

We Greet Our Neighbors

Forget Not All His Benefits

Reading: Psalm 103:2-5

Roll Call of the Newborn &Professions of Faith

Births

Profession of Faiths

Reflection: The Blessings of the Past Year

*Hymn of Praise:" How Vast the Benefits Divine" Gray 497 Verses 1-3

He Does Not Treat Us as Our Sins Deserve

Prayer of Confession

Responsive Reading: Psalm 103:8–12

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Reflection: The Lord's Gracious Response to Our Sinfulness

*Hymn of Praise "Not What My Hands Have Done" G260

As for Us, Our Days Are Like Grass

Reading:Psalm 103:13–16

Reflection: God's Compassion on Us as Frail Mortals

Roll Call of the Saints who have died in 2016

Let us recall the names of fellow members who have gone before us in 2016.

Deaths

*Hymn of Response: "For All the Saints" G505 Verses 1, 4, 5

From Everlasting to Everlasting, God's Love Is with Us

Reading: Psalm 103:17

Reflection: God's Everlasting Love

Hymn of Thanksgiving: "I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord" G169

His Love Is with Those Who Keep His Covenant

Reading: Psalm 103:18

Reflection: On Keeping Covenant with the Lord

Rededication of our lives

People of God, do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world, do you love and trust him as the one who saves you from your sin, and do you with repentance and joy embrace him as Lord of your life?

We do.

Do you dedicate your life to God at the beginning of this new year,
do you seek to develop a closer walk with him,
and to live a life of love, obedience, and service as
our Lord commands?

We do.

May God grant us all the strength to fulfill our commitment through the power of the Holy Spirit.

*Hymn of Dedication: "O Jesus, I Have Promised" R676 vs 1, 4

Prayer

Offering:

The Lord Has Established His Throne in Heaven

*Responsive Reading:Psalm 103:19–22

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

And his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

*God's Blessing

*Doxology: "Bless His Holy Name" Gray 627

Postlude