Worship

Prelude: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” Annette Sprinkel, Piano / “O Holy Night” Russell Lee, Solo

Gathering Hymn: AS WITH GLADNESS MEN OF OLD (63)

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship: (from Romans 8:31-39)

One: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

All: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

One: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

All: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One: Let us worship Him!

BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE STARS OF THE MORNING (67) vs. 1,2,4 (Repeat vs.1)

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Forgiveness: (adapted from John Bradford and Psalm 25)

All: Remember, O Lord, that we are a parcel of your portion, your flock, the inheritors of your kingdom, the sheep of your pasture, and the members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Deal with us not therefore according to our sins but rather according to the multitude of your mercies, that all nations, tribes, and languages may celebrate your praises in the restoring of your ruined church to perfection again; for it is your work, O Lord, and not man’s, and from you do we with patience look for the same, and not from the fleshly arm of man, and therefore to you only is due all dominion, power, and thanksgiving, now in our days and forevermore. Amen.

One: Let us assure one another of God’s forgiveness with these words from Psalm 25:

All: Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

First Scripture Lesson: Acts 20:17-38 (p.1101)

GOODNESS AND MERCY

Sermon: “Farewell” – 1 Samuel 23:14-18 (p.286)

Prayers of the People

LORD, SPEAK TO ME, THAT I MAY SPEAK (426)

Benediction/Sending Prayer

• How do we help one another finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given us?
• As we say farewell to both 2024 and Pastor Billy what warnings do we need to hear and hold on to?
• How can we commit the past year and Pastor Billy to God and the word of his grace? What can we hope God and his grace will do?
• In their final meeting Jonathan helped David find his strength in God. How can we help Pastor Billy and how can he help us find our strength in God?