Worship service – West Bridgewater Community Church

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, October 4, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The worship service can be found on the church’s YouTube page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Song: “This Is Amazing Grace”

Words and music by Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle, and Josh Farro

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness,
whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
and leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.

This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love,
that You would take my place, that You would bear my cross.
You laid down Your life that I would be set free.
Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me.

Who brings our chaos back into order,
who makes the orphan a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory.
Who rules the nations with truth and justice,
shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?
The King of glory, the King above all kings.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Worthy, worthy, worthy!

Hymn: “Ye Servants of God”
Words by Charles Wesley, music by William Gardiner

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol; his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save; and still He is nigh, His presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing, ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!” let all cry aloud, and honor the Son:
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give him his right: all glory and power, all wisdom and might;
all honor and blessing with angels above, and thanks never-ceasing and infinite love.

Scripture Reading and Prayer:

Philippians 1:3–11 (ESV)

³I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Sermon: “Counsel”

Here are some of the Proverbs on counsel and advice.

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 13:10 (ESV)

By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)

Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Proverbs 20:5 (ESV)

The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 20:18 (ESV)

Plans are established by counsel;
by wise guidance wage war.

Proverbs 24:6 (ESV)

for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)

A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.

Proverbs 25:19 (ESV)

Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

You may also want to look up 1 Kings 12; Isaiah 11:15; John 14:15–17; Matthew 18:15–20; Acts 15

Song: “All I Have Is Christ”
Words and music by Jordan Kauflin

I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed, You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me, now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see
the strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
Oh, Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose,
and let my song forever be my only boast is You.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.

Benediction
Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

²⁴The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Here is the worship guide for Sunday, September 27, 2020.

PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.

The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page or YouTube page.

Welcome and Announcements

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “O Worship the King”

Words by Robert Grant, music by Johann Michael Haydn

O worship the King all-glorious above,
and gratefully sing His wonderful love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail.
Thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

Song: “This Is Amazing Grace”

Words and music by Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle, and Josh Farro

Scripture Reading and Prayer:

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV)

¹First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Sermon: “The King”

There are many verses in the book of Proverbs that deal kings and rulers. Here are some of those verses, and some other passages from the Bible.

Proverbs 14:28 (ESV)

In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.

Proverbs 14:34–35 (ESV)

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 19:12 (ESV)

A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Proverbs 20:2 (ESV)

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

Romans 13:1–7 (ESV)

¹Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ²Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV)

¹³Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Proverbs 16:12–15 (ESV)

¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Daniel 2:20–23 (ESV)

²⁰Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him
²³ To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

John 19:10–11 (ESV)

¹⁰So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” ¹¹Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Proverbs 29:12 (ESV)

If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.

Proverbs 17:7 (ESV)

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a prince.

Proverbs 20:8 (ESV)

A king who sits on the throne of judgment
winnows all evil with his eyes.

Proverbs 20:26 (ESV)

A wise king winnows the wicked
and drives the wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:28 (ESV)

Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

Proverbs 21:1 (ESV)

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.

Proverbs 24:21–22 (ESV)

²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
²² for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Titus 3:1–8 (ESV)

¹Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

[See also 1 Peter 2:13–17 above]

Proverbs 28:15–16 (ESV)

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Proverbs 29:2 (ESV)

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Proverbs 29:4 (ESV)

By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

Proverbs 29:14 (ESV)

If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.

Proverbs 29:16 (ESV)

When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

Proverbs 29:26 (ESV)

Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

Psalm 146:3–4 (ESV)

³ Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
⁴ When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

Song: “Jesus Is Better”

Words and music by Aaron Ivey and Brett Land There is no other so sure and steady;

my hope is held in Your hand.
When castles crumble and breath is fleeting,
upon this rock I will stand, upon this rock I will stand.

Glory, glory, we have no other King but Jesus, Lord of all.
We raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring.
We crown Him Lord of all.

Your kindly rule has shattered and broken
the curse of sin’s tyranny.
My life is hidden ‘neath heaven’s shadow;
Your crimson flood covers me. Your crimson flood covers me.

Glory, glory, we have no other King but Jesus, Lord of all.
We raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring.
We crown Him Lord of all.

In all my sorrows Jesus is better; make my heart believe.
In ev’ry victory Jesus is better; make my heart believe.
Than any comfort Jesus is better; make my heart believe.
More than all riches Jesus is better; make my heart believe.
And our souls declaring Jesus is better; make my heart believe.
And our song eternal: Jesus is better; make my heart believe!

Glory, glory, we have no other King but Jesus, Lord of all.
Glory, glory, we have no other King but Jesus, Lord of all.
We raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring.
We crown Him Lord of all. We crown Him Lord of all!

Benediction
Titus 3:15b (ESV)

Grace be with you all.