♫ 2025-09-21 the official UPCSA Order of Service - Communion

FIRST ORDER of worship with HOLY COMMUNION

The words in bold may be said by the congregation.

The Bible is carried into the church.

Call to Worship

A Scripture verse that calls to worship is read, after which the minister says:

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Let us worship God.

Hymn of Praise

Praise to the Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGAaRtkovZQ

Prayer of Praise

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude and awe. You are the Creator of all things, the Source of our life and breath. Your love and mercy know no bounds, and Your grace sustains us each day.

We praise You for the beauty of Your creation, for the wonders of the earth and sky, and for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. Your majesty and power are beyond our understanding, yet Your love for us is personal and intimate.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to bring us salvation and hope. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed and reconciled to You. We praise You for the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide, who leads us in truth and righteousness.

As we gather together this Sunday, we lift our voices in praise and worship. May our songs and prayers be a sweet aroma to You. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may serve You with joyful hearts and bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

Confession

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb.4:15f.

Almighty God, to 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 holy Name; through Christ our Lord. APB

Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover our peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Lessons are read from the Old Testament and a Gospel.

John - Psalm 138 John spoke hasitantly Amos 8:4-12

Carol - 1 Tim 2:1-8 Luke 16:1-13

Sermon 4.

WORDS OF LIFE    SERIES 2

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS by Francis W. Dixon

SEVEN TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHURCH

(Scripture Portion:  Ephesians 3:1–12 “1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” )

In these verses we are told seven truths about the Church, and it is very important for us to understand these.

1. The MYSTERY of the Church.

The word “mystery” occurs in verses 3, 4 and 9.  It does not mean that which is obscure or unintelligible, but it means a divine secret which is known only to those to whom it is revealed – note verse 3, and compare 1 Corinthians 2: 7-12.   The special revelation of the truth of the Church was first made to Paul, but he would not have understood the dispensational significance of the “mystery” of the Church apart from the revelation given to him by God;  and likewise we cannot understand the significance of the “mystery” without the help and illumination of the Holy Spirit.   For further study look up Romans 11: 25;  1 Corinthians 15: 51;  Ephesians 3: 3-4 and 6: 19;  1 Timothy 3:l6.

2. The MEANING of the Church.

What do we mean when we speak of the Church?   What does God mean?  We are not thinking about a church, that is, a building;  we are thinking about the Church – verse 10, and in verse 6 we are told what the Church is and how it is composed.   The key word here is the word “Body”.   The Church, then, is the Body of Christ – compare Ephesians 4: 12, 15 and 16 and  Colossians 1: 18.   If the Church is the Body of Christ and He is the Head of the Body, who are the members of the Church and how do they become members?

3. The MEMBERSHIP of the Church.

Verse 6 tells us that the Church, which is the Body of Christ, is composed of Jews and Gentiles.   This is the “mystery”  -  that Jew and Gentile were to be united in one body was an entirely new thing.   But how is the “Body”, the Church, formed?   It is formed “through the gospel” (verse 6); that is, by the preaching of the gospel.   When the gospel is preached the Holy Spirit convicts and converts, souls are born again – Jews and Gentiles – and are baptised into the Body of Christ  -  1 Corinthians 12: 13.    This is what the Holy Spirit is doing today (Acts 15: 13-14), and only those who have been born again and washed in the precious blood of Christ are true members of the Church, which is His Body.

4. The MISSION of the Church.

What is the function of the Church in the world?   It is a two-fold function, as verses 8 and 10 make clear.  The purpose and ministry of the Church in the world is that men may hear the gospel, and that to the angels and unseen hosts may be made known “the manifold wisdom of God.”   Note the Church’s message  -  “the unsearchable riches of Christ”, and “the manifold wisdom of God”  -  not merely ethics, morality, philosophy or politics!    The mission of the Church is not just to gather people together for “religious” purposes;  it is not to compete with the world in worldly things, nor is it to convert the world.  The mission of the Church is to evangelise the world – look up Matthew 28: 19.

5. The MINISTERS of the Church.

Verse 7 tells us that Paul was a minister, or servant, of the Church, and therefore of the gospel, but the word  here is not used in any official sense.  All true members of the Church are ministers of the Church and are responsible to take their share in proclaiming the gospel.   Notice how we become ministers or servants.  Paul writes, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace” (verse 7).   If the question is asked, “How are ministers made?”,  the answer is that God makes them! – compare Ephesians 4: 11.

6. The MARKS of the Church.

This portion of scripture tells us also some of the characteristics of those men and women, Jews and Gentiles, who are members of the Church.   What are they like, or what should they be like?   Notice the following five marks which should characterise every member of the Body of Christ:  (1) Captivity.  Are we bond-slaves of the Lord Jesus? (verse 1);  (2) Fellowship.  The words “heirs” and “sharers together” remind us of that which we share in Christ (verse 6);  (3) Humility. (verse 8);  (4) Testimony. (verse 8);  (5) Acceptance. (verses 11 – l2).   Underline the words “approach”, “freedom”, “confidence” and “in Him”.

But who is sufficient for these things?   Can we fulfil this high calling in our own strength?  No!  Note finally:-

7. The MIGHT of the Church.

This is indicated in verse 7 in the words, “the gift of God’s grace given me”;  and also in the words, “through the working of His power.”

There are those who think that because the witness of the Church today is often weak and ineffective, and many Christians are half-hearted, the Church will decline until she fades away altogether! – but the Church will never fail, because the Lord Jesus Christ is her Founder, her Foundation, her Builder, and He has guaranteed that no power on earth or in Hell will prevail against HisChurch  -  look up Matthew l6: 13-18 and 1 Corinthians 3: 11.

WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES

PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK

www.wordsoflife.co.uk

Creed

The congregation, all standing, say the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed or another appropriate liturgical confession of faith.

The Peace

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jn.14:27

Brothers and sisters, let us share the peace of Christ with one another. Peace be with you. And also with you.

The Offering - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal.6:10 Let us worship God with our tithes and offerings. The offering is taken up.

If the gifts of bread and wine are not already on the Table, they are brought up and laid upon the Table. The minister invites people to the Table with one of the following invitations: This is the table of our Lord Jesus Christ. All those who have been baptized in his name, including children, are invited to share in this Holy Sacrament. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt.11:28-30

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and opens the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev.3:20

Then the minister says:

‘Surely the Lord is in this place.

This is none other than the house of God,

and this is the gate of heaven!’ Gen.28:16f.

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation,

and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord now

in the presence of all his people.

I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and will call upon the name of the Lord. Ps.116:12-14,17

Let us lay aside the cares of this world,

for now we are to receive the King of all,

who comes accompanied by unseen hosts of angels.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

As the Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,

so I take these elements of bread and wine

to be set apart from all common use to this holy use and mystery.

The minister lifts the paten and then the chalice from the Table and lays his hands on the other vessels.

And as he gave thanks to God,

let us draw near to offer our prayer of thanksgiving.

Let us pray.

Minister: The Lord be with you.

Congregation: And with your spirit.

Minister: Lift up your hearts.

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Minister: It is our duty and our greatest joy to bless you, to praise you, to thank you and to worship you in every place where your glory resides, for great is the majesty of your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ever-living and ever-merciful God. You brought us into being out of nothing and raised us up when we fell. You left nothing undone until you led us to heaven and lavished on us your future kingdom. For all these things we thank you, for the blessings we see and for those we cannot see. We thank you that you are pleased to accept this worship from our hands, when in heaven myriads of archangels and angels attend you, and cherubim and seraphim, who sing, shout and cry aloud the victory hymn: The following or another hymn that suitably expresses the same content is sung:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea. |Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity. Holy Father, we too cry out and say: You are holy and most holy, you and your only Son and your Holy Spirit. You are holy and most holy, and great is your glory. You so loved the world that you gave your only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Remembering all that he did for us, the gifts he gave at the Supper, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the sitting at the right hand, the second and glorious coming again, we offer to you these gifts from your own gifts, on behalf of all and for the sake of all. We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, Lord our God.

The following or another hymn that suitably expresses the same content is sung:

You are Lord, you are Lord,

You are risen from the dead, and you are Lord.

Every knee shall bow,

every tongue confess that you are Christ, the Lord.

Lord, pour out your Spirit upon us and upon these gifts.

May this bread and cup be for us the precious body and blood of your Christ,

that we who partakes of them may not come to judgement,

but may find purity of heart, forgiveness of sins,

the communion of the Holy Spirit, the treasures of the kingdom of heaven

and the paradise of your presence.

With one voice, and one burning heart,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, majestic in holiness,

before all ages, and from everlasting to everlasting,

we acclaim You,

we praise you,

we bless you,

we give thanks to you,

we worship you,

Congregation: now and forever.

The Amen is sung.

The Lord’s Prayer is sung, or else said in the following form:

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Matt.6:9-13

Amen.

The minister says the words of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the form one of the two following texts.

While saying the words of institution he breaks the bread and pours the wine.

These accompanying actions are performed slowly and deliberately.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,

blessed and broke it,

gave it to the disciples and said,

‘Take, eat; this is my body.’

Then he took the cup, and gave thanks,

and gave it to them, saying,

‘Drink from it, all of you.

For this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt.26:26-28

The Lord Jesus on the same night in which he was betrayed took bread;

and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,

‘Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you;

do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying,

‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 1 Cor.11:23-26

Holy things are for the holy.

Only Jesus Christ is holy.

We are made holy in him. 1 Cor.1.30

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,

Grant us peace. Jn.1.29

The minister partakes of the bread, and without undue delay, the cup.

The body of Christ, broken (or given) for you. Matt. 26.26

Amen.

The blood of Christ, shed for you. Matt. 26.28

Amen.

When all have received Communion, the vessels are returned to the Table. The minister concludes:

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from destruction,

who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps.103:1-5

Intimations

By Mr John Oberholzen - the Session Clerk

Commission

The minister dismisses the congregation with a charge such as one of the following:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Matt.28:18-20 Amen.

Benediction

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Heb.3:20-22 Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor.13:14 Amen.

The Bible is be carried out through the front door of the church and may be followed by the bread and wine, the offerings the Communion elders and the minister, in ßßprocession.