United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho

December and January Building Project Photos

nsmith — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:39:06 +0000

Order of Worship (December 4, 2011 PM)

nsmith — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:31:03 +0000

Preparation for Worship: Prelude and Silent Prayer

†Call to Worship Psalm 65:1-4
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Our help is in the name of the LORD, Psalm 124:8
Who made heaven and earth.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen!
†Psalm 65 Psalter Hymnal #114

†Confession of Faith The Apostles’ Creed in Song

Pastoral Prayer Adapted from Psalter Hymnal pp. 184-185
Confession
O Lord, Almighty God, we pray that your holy name may not be blasphemed on account of our sins. For we have sinned against you in many ways. We do not obey your holy Word as it is necessary for us. Through ignorance, unthankfulness, and discontent, we daily provoke you to wrath. We confess, Lord, that you are just in inflicting punishment upon us. But we beseech you, O Lord, remember your great mercy and have compassion upon us. Teach us truly to know our sins and sincerely to mourn for them and to amend our life.
Amen!
For the Ministry
Strengthen the ministers of your Church here and everywhere in order that they may faithfully and steadfastly preach your holy Word.
Amen!
For the Government
Likewise, Lord, give strength to our rulers that they may wield the sword of civil authority in justice and equity.
Amen!
For Our Needs
We pray particularly for…in Jesus’ name we ask this.
Amen!
For Our Sanctification
Keep us, we beseech you, from all hypocrisy and unfaithfulness, and frustrate all evil and subtle designs against your Word and your Church. O Lord, do not withhold from us your Word and your Spirit, but grant us increase in faith, and patience and steadfastness in all suffering and adversity. Comfort your Church, and deliver your people from opposition, ridicule, and tyranny, which it suffers at the hands of wicked men. Impart from on high strength to those that are sorely burdened with sorrow. And visit upon us your peace through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who gave us this sure promise: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you,” and taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven: hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen!

The Advent Canticle
†“Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People” Psalter Hymnal #406

Scripture Reading
Prayer for Illumination

Sermon
OUR MEDIATOR:
TRULY GOD, TRULY MAN
LORD’S DAY 6
THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM

Q. 16 Why must he be truly human and truly righteous?
A. God’s justice demands it: man has sinned, man must pay for his sin; but a sinner can not pay for others.
Q. 17 Why must he also be true God?
A. So that, by the power of his divinity, he might bear the weight of God’s anger in his humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
Q. 18 And who is this mediator – true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.
Q. 19 How do you come to know this?
A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son.

†Psalm 148 Psalter Hymnal #304
Offering: General Fund

†Benediction 2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen!
†Psalm 150 Psalter Hymnal #490

Postlude

Thanksgiving Day Service

nsmith — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:10:30 +0000

Our Thanksgiving Day service is this Thursday, November 24, at 10:00 AM. Everyone is welcome to join us! We’ll be gathering together “to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at the Lord’s hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul” (Book of Common Prayer, 1552).

We’ll read responsively from Psalm 147, sing a few psalms, and use both of our traditional Thanksgiving prayers, which are of course perfectly suited for use at home as well:

“Almighty God, Ruler of the universe, by whom our nation has been established in freedom: we thank and praise you for your favor shown unto our fathers, and your faithfulness continued unto their children; for the rich land given us for an inheritance, for the return of seed-time and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of the fruits thereof, and for all the other blessings of your merciful Providence bestowed upon this nation and people. And we humbly pray that, enjoying your gifts in contentment, we may be enabled by your grace to use them to your praise. Especially we thank you for your great love in sending your Son to be the Savior of the world, and in calling us out of our sins into fellowship with him. And we ask you to grant us always your Holy Spirit, through whom we may grow continually in thankfulness toward you. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!”

“Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and kindness to us and all men. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for your wonderful love in the redemption of your people by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we ask you, give us such gratitude for all your mercies, that our hearts may be forever thankful; and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen!”

In our meditation on Scripture, we’ll be considering the importance of the biblical theme of thanksgiving for a Christian worldview and our calling to connect Sunday with Monday, to connect our identity as the church with all of life.

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1Timothy 4:4-5).

Order of Worship (November 20, 2011)

nsmith — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:00:29 +0000

Preparation for Worship: Prelude and Silent Prayer
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome and Announcements

†Call to Worship                                                    Hebrews 10:19-22
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.      Revelation 1:4-5
Amen!
Oh sing to the Lord a new song,                                   Psalm 98:1-3
For he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
Have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
†“Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain”               Psalter Hymnal #362

Call to Confession                                              Deuteronomy 5:6-21
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, who is rich in mercy to all those who call upon you; hear us as we come to you humbly confessing our sins, and imploring your mercy and forgiveness. We have broken your holy laws by our deeds and by our words, and by the sinful affections of our hearts. We confess before you our disobedience and ingratitude, our pride and willfulness, and all our failures and shortcomings toward you and toward each other. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; and of your great goodness grant that we may hereafter serve and please you in newness of life; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord; Amen.
Assurance of Pardon                                             Zephaniah 3:14-17
†Psalm 89                                                            Psalter Hymnal #170

Pastoral Prayer
†Psalm 25 Psalter Hymnal #43, Stanzas 1-5

Old Testament Reading Daniel 9
New Testament Reading Luke 1:5-25
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon

Daniel 9
The Seventy Weeks
IX. Exposition of Daniel
i. Daniel’s Prayer
ii. The Lord’s Response

†“Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” Psalter Hymnal #335
Offering General Fund

†Benediction Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen!

†Doxology (unannounced) Psalter Hymnal #493
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Postlude

Order of Worship (November 13, 2011)

nsmith — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:59:10 +0000

Preparation for Worship: Prelude and Silent Prayer
Almighty God, whose glory is above the heavens, praise waits for you in Zion! Out of your great mercy you have gathered us into your church. Receive the adoration of our hearts, and grant that we may so honor you, both in spirit and outward form, that your name may be glorified through the worship of our lips and of our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord; Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

†Call to Worship                                         Hebrews 12:22-24, 28-29
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.      Revelation 1:4-5
Amen!
Give ear to my words, O Lord;                                  Psalm 5:1-3, 12
Consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
My King and my God, for to you do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
You cover him with favor as with a shield.
†“O Worship the King, All-glorious Above”       Psalter Hymnal #315

Call to Confession                                                  Matthew 22:35-40
Prayer of Confession                            (From the Book of Common Prayer, 1549)
Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon                                                    Galatians 2:20
†Psalm 98                                                            Psalter Hymnal #190

Pastoral Prayer
†Psalm 84 Psalter Hymnal #160

Old Testament Reading Daniel 8
New Testament Reading Luke 1:26-38
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon

Daniel 8
A Ram, A Goat, And A Little Horn
VIII. Exposition of Daniel
i. The Ram and the Goat
ii. The Little Horn

†“Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns” Psalter Hymnal #400

†Confession of Faith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen!

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!

Offering General Fund
†Benediction Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen!

Postlude

Building Project Photos – October, November

nsmith — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:23:17 +0000

More building project photos are online.

Order of Worship (October 30, 2011)

nsmith — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:57:14 +0000

Welcome and Announcements
†Call to Worship                                                       Revelation 4:2-8
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.      Revelation 1:4-5
Amen!
Open to me the gates of righteousness,                      Psalm 118:19-24
That I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
†“Holy, Holy, Holy!”                                           Psalter Hymnal #318

Call to Confession                                                  Matthew 22:35-40
Prayer of Confession
Our Father, we are sinful and you are holy. Your word has shown us how often we have offended you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. There is nothing in us that gives us reason for hope. Our hearts are filled with the love of the world; our minds are dark and are assailed by doubts; our wills are too often given to selfishness and our bodies to laziness and unrighteousness. By sinning against our neighbors, we have also sinned against you, in whose image they were created. Our Father, although you are a holy God who cannot look upon sin, look upon Christ our Savior and forgive us for the sake of his blood and righteousness. We ask also that you would give us an increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, so that we may walk in your ways, for your glory and the good of our neighbor; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon                                                     Psalm 130:3-8
†Psalm 107                                                          Psalter Hymnal #217

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Pastoral Prayer
†Psalm 87 Psalter Hymnal #166

Old Testament Reading Psalm 87
New Testament Reading Matthew 10:26-42
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon

Matthew 10:26-42
Following Jesus
i. The Call to Follow Jesus
ii. The Cost of Following Jesus
iii. The Comfort of Following Jesus

†“For All the Saints”                                           Psalter Hymnal #442
Offering                                                                         General Fund
†Benediction                                                            Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen!

Joint Reformation Service

nsmith — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:54:12 +0000

We will be holding a Joint Reformation Service this Sunday at 6:00 PM at Cloverdale United Reformed Church in Boise. Pastor Nick Smith will be preaching on “Sola Ecclesia: Recovering Mother Church.”

Order of Worship (October 16, 2011)

nsmith — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:54:43 +0000

†Call to Worship                                                         Isaiah 42:10-13
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.      Revelation 1:4-5
Amen!
Our soul waits for the Lord;                                      Psalm 33:20-22
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
Because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
Even as we hope in you.
†“Praise the Savior”                                             Psalter Hymnal #361

Call to Confession                                              Deuteronomy 5:6-21
Prayer of Confession                                                     Psalm 51:1-10
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Assurance of Pardon                                                    Galatians 2:20
†Psalm 145                                                          Psalter Hymnal #298
Pastoral Prayer

Old Testament Reading                                                         Daniel 6
†Psalm 69                                                            Psalter Hymnal #129
New Testament Reading                                        Hebrews 11:32-40
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon

Daniel 6
Rescued From Exile in the Den of Lions
VI. Exposition of Daniel
i. A Story of Daniel
ii. A Story of Israel
iii. A Story of Christ

†“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Psalter Hymnal #444
Offering General Fund
Building Fund

Order of Worship (October 9, 2011)

nsmith — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:48:44 +0000

†Call to Worship                                                    Hebrews 10:19-22
†Opening Prayer
†Responsive Reading and Salutation
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.      Revelation 1:4-5
Amen!
O God, you are my God;                                               Psalm 63:1-3
Earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you;
My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
Beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
My lips will praise you.
†“All Glory Be to Thee, Most High”                   Psalter Hymnal #319

Call to Confession                                                  Matthew 22:35-40
Prayer of Confession                            (From the Book of Common Prayer, 1549)
Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon                                                    Micah 7:18-20
†Psalm 146                                                          Psalter Hymnal #301

Pastoral Prayer
†Psalm 68 Psalter Hymnal #124, Stanzas 1-2, 6

Old Testament Reading Daniel 5
New Testament Reading Revelation 19:11-21
Prayer for Illumination
Sermon

Daniel 5
The God In Whose Hand Is Your Breath
V. Exposition of Daniel
i. The Story
ii. The Issue
iii. The Message

†“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Psalter Hymnal #314
†Confession of Faith The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen!

The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!