Practicing Perseverance

The author of Hebrews goes from theologian to pastor, instructing his congregation on how the priesthood of Christ boils down into day-to-day life.  These instructions aren't just a natural response to God; they are the practices on which Christians will depend for perseverance.  This is a manual for Christian dissent under pressure, whether pagan or, in our case, post-Christian.

download the order of worship

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TCC Order of Worship, 3.21.21

WELCOME 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Romans 11:33-36

God Is For Us

by CityAlight

 

Verse 1

We won't fear the battle, we won't fear the night 

We will walk the valley with You by our side

You will go before us, You will lead the way

We have found a refuge, only You can save

 

Chorus

Sing with joy now: our God is for us

The Father's love is a strong and mighty fortress 

Raise your voice now, no love is greater

Who can stand against us if our God is for us

 

Verse 2

Even when I stumble, even when I fall

Even when I turn back, still Your love is sure

You will not abandon, You will not forsake

You will cheer me onward with never-ending grace

 

Bridge

Neither height nor depth can separate us 

Hell and death will not defeat us

He who gave His son to free us

Holds me in His love

 

Mighty Fortress

Traditional Hymn w/ Added Chorus

 

Verse 1

A mighty fortress is our God 

A bulwark never failing

Our helper He amid the flood 

Of mortal ills prevailing 

For still our ancient foe 

Doth seek to work us woe

His craft and pow'r are great 

and armed with cruel hate

On earth is not his equal

 

Verse 2

Did we in our own strength confide 

our striving would be losing

Were not the right Man on our side 

the Man of God's own choosing

Dost ask who that may be 

Christ Jesus it is He

The Lord Of Hosts His name

From age to age the same

And He must win the battle

 

Chorus

A mighty fortress 

A rock unfailing

The King of glory 

Forever Amen

For endless ages 

Enthroned in praises

The King of glory 

Forever Amen

 

Verse 3

And tho' this world with devils filled 

Should threaten to undo us

We will not fear for God hath willed 

His truth to triumph thru us

The prince of darkness grim 

We tremble not for him

His rage we can endure 

for lo his doom is sure

One little word shall fell him

 

Verse 4

That word above all earthly pow'rs 

No thanks to them abideth

The Spirit and the gifts are ours 

Thru Him who with us sideth

Let goods and kindred go 

This mortal life also

The body they may kill 

God's truth abideth still

His kingdom is forever

 

SERMON

The Love of God

Traditional Hymn covered by Ascend the Hill

 

Verse 1

The love of God is greater far 

than tongue or pen can ever tell

It goes beyond the highest star 

and reaches to the lowest hell

The guilty pair bowed down with care 

God gave His Son to win

His erring child He reconciled 

you and I pardoned from our sin

 

Chorus 1

O love of God how rich and pure

It shall forevermore endure

How measureless and strong

The saints and angels song we sing Holy Holy

 

Verse 2

When ancient times shall pass away

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall

When men here refuse to pray 

And rocks and hills and mountains call

God's love so sure will still endure 

all measureless and strong

Redeeming grace to Adam's race 

the saints and angels song

 

Verse 3

Could we with ink the ocean fill 

and were the skies of parchment made

Were every stalk on earth a quill 

and every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above 

would drain the ocean dry

Nor could the scroll contain the whole 

though stretched from sky to sky

 

LORD’S SUPPER

 

Grace Alone

Dustin Kensrue

Verse 1 

I was an orphan, lost at the fall; 

Running away when I’d hear you call,

But Father, you worked your will.

I had no righteousness of my own, 

I had no right to draw near your throne,

But Father, you loved me still.

Chorus 1

And in love, before you laid the world’s foundation,

You predestined to adopt me as your own.

You have raised me up so high above my station;

I’m a child of God by grace, and grace alone

Verse 2

You left your home to seek out the lost; 

You knew the great and terrible cost

But Jesus, your face was set.

I worked my fingers down to the bone; 

But nothing I did could ever atone,

But Jesus, you paid my debt.

Chorus 2

By your blood I have redemption and salvation.

Lord you died that I might reap what you have sown,

And you rose that I might be a new creation.

I am born again by grace, and grace alone.

Verse 3

I was in darkness all of my life, 

I never knew the day from the night,

But Spirit, you made me see.

I swore I knew the way on my own; 

Head full of rocks, a heart made of stone

But Spirit, you moved in me.

Chorus 3

And At your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened;

On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone.

Called into a kingdom that cannot shaken;

Heaven’s citizen by grace, and grace alone.

So I’ll stand in faith by grace, and grace alone

I will run the race by grace, and grace alone

I will slay my sin by grace, and grace alone

I will reach the end by grace, and grace alone

Christ Is Risen

By Matt Maher

Verse 1

Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

But fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely You’ve bled for us

Chorus

Christ is risen from the dead 

Trampling over death by death 

Come awake, come awake 

Come and rise up from the grave 

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again 

Come awake, come awake 

Come and rise up from the grave

Verse 2

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bowed to none but heaven’s will 

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown 

No burden great can hold You down 

In strength You reign

Forever let Your church proclaim

Bridge

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

The glory of God has defeated the night

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead He's alive! He's alive!

BENEDICTION