The Lord’s Day Worship – January 1, 2023

Apostolic Greeting

Welcome and Announcements

*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”        #311

*Prayer of Invocation

Word of God: Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 10:12-13 

Pastoral Prayer

Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Question 11. What are God’s works of providence?

Answer. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

*Hymn:  “In You, Lord, I Take Refuge” vv. 5-8       #71

Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology:   "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heave'nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."  #567

Word of God: Luke 2:21-40 

Preaching of God’s Word:    “Looking for the Consolation”

*Hymn of Response:   “Song of Simeon”        #295

Lord’s Supper

Deacon’s Offering:   “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”   #417

*Word of Blessing

* Please stand if able

9:45 a.m.        Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m.      Morning Worship

 6:00 p.m.       Evening Worship 

Morning and Evening Worship Services are live streamed at:

                           www.graceopcfairlawn.org

Nursery Today: Maria Ribeiro

  Nursery next week: Liz Planer

Ushers Today: Georgi Kanev and Glenn Crothers

  Ushers next week: John Hemrick and John Brydon

Media Broadcast Today: Tyler Teschon

   Media Broadcast next week: Georgi Kanev

WELCOME TO GRACE OPC!  On behalf of the session of Grace OPC, I want to extend our warmest greetings to you.  It is my hope and prayer that as we gather together this Lord’s Day to worship our Triune God and Redeemer, you will be encouraged to cast your cares upon the Lord and to draw near to God by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are new here in Fair Lawn, please join us for fellowship following the benediction, and be sure to sign our guestbook.  We look forward to personally speaking with you, and if there are any prayer concerns in your heart, don’t hesitate to bring them to our attention. Pastor John 

This morning rom Luke 2:21-40, we will see in the life of devotion of Simeon and Anna, examples for us in this new year of hearts that were singularly set on the promises of God of salvation and security in the gospel of the Messiah.

 This evening in Luke 2:41-52, we will learn, from the one account we have of the youth of Jesus, that of utmost importance for us as His church gathered and then sent into the week – and into the new year, is to be about the Father’s will for us.

The Lord’s Supper: All who may participate in the Lord’s Supper are those who have publicly confessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who continue steadfastly in that faith, who are members of good standing in a particular disciplined and Bible believing manifestation of His Church, and who, in accordance with the Scriptures, have duly examined their hearts before the Lord. If you are a visitor unknown to us and wish to participate in the Lord’s Supper we ask you, if it is possible, to make yourself known to a member of Session before the beginning of worship. The ushers will happily assist you in so doing.

Annual Reports Due January 13, 2023

Annual Reports are due Friday, January 13, 2023 in order to give Nancy Hemrick ample time to compile the reports in time for distribution by Sunday, January 22.

Apostolic Greeting

Welcome and Announcements

*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn: “Another Year Is Dawning!”      #555

*Prayer of Invocation

Word of God:  Psalm 27:1-14

Pastoral Prayer

*Hymn: “Jehovah Is My Light” vv. 1-3        #27B

Tithes and Offerings

Word of God:  Luke 2:41-52 

Preaching of God’s Word: “Where I Need to Be”

*Hymn of Response:  “Abide with Me”     #159

*Word of Blessing

* Please stand if able

Elder Candidates have been recognized

The Session of Grace OPC have determined from the early fall season of prayer, teaching and reception of nominations from the members of Grace OPC, that Mr. Tyler Teschon and Mr. Kevin Vasquez have been recognized as evidencing the marks of both an internal call and external call to the ordained office of ruling elder (1 Timothy 3;1-7).  The Session is in the process of praying for and interacting with a couple of men whose names were received for the ordained office of deacon.  

What’s next? Tyler and Kevin have embarked on a comprehensive training course covering Biblical Shepherding, the theology of the Westminster Standards, and a workable knowledge of the OPC Book of Church Order (w/ Pastor John leading). What is our congregation’s part in this process? This extended training period is a probationary / evaluation period for the candidates. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit’s blessing and confirmation of the calling of Tyler and Kevin (Acts 20:28).  We need to actively participate in the process, particularly, by attending the Adult Sunday School class where Tyler and Kevin (the latter starting in mid-January) are being given opportunities to teach through the Westminster Confession of Faith. 

At the end of this training process, the Session will examine the candidates and determine from the examination and the period of probation / “testing”, whether to certify the candidates and present them to membership of Grace OPC for an election.  If then, the membership will then vote on whether to have these candidates serve as ordained ruling elders.  If the candidate or candidates are elected, an ordination and installation service will be scheduled, Lord willing, in the new year. The Session welcomes your prayers, inputs and observations!

Calendar Events and Notes 

THIS WEEK: Jan. 2 - Jan. 7

Session Meeting: Monday, January 2nd, 2023 7 PM at the Manse

Home groups: 

• Tuesday January 3rd, 2023 7:30 PM at Dinaro in Montvale. Prayer & Study in the book of Hebrews (Please see Elder Leo Baratta)
• Wednesday January 4th, 2023 7 PM at Keegans in Fair Lawn. Prayer & Study in the book of Romans (Please see Pastor John)
• Thursday January 5th, 2023 6:30 PM~8:30 PM at Macks in Wyckoff. Prayer & Study in the book of 1 John (Please see Elder John Hemrick)

Women’s Prayer  Breakfast Meeting: Friday, January 7th, 2023 9:30 AM at the church fellowship hall. Light Breakfast w/tea and coffee and prayer for the lost and found (Please RSVP to HaeSung Keegan at: hkeegan2114@gmail.com)

Next WEEK: Jan. 9 - Jan. 14

Trustee Meeting: Monday, January 9th, 2023 7 PM via Zoom

Home groups: 

• Tuesday January 10th, 2023  7:30-9:00 PM at Dinaros in Montvale. Prayer & Study in the book of Hebrews (Please see Elder Leo Baratt).

Vos Group: Friday, January 13th, 2023 7 AM at the Mansel. (Please see Pastor Keegan) Monthly fellowship involving interaction with and discussion of Volume One of Geerhardus Vos’ Reformed Dogmatics 

UPCOMING WEEK:

Family Music Night: Friday, January 20th, 2023 at the church sanctuary.

Bring your voice and / or an instrument as we make a joyful noise together to the Lord! (see HaeSung for music binder and Krystal Jimenez for details)

Congregational Annual Meeting: Friday, January 27th, 2023 at the church sanctuary. Participation of all communicant members as we prayerfully look to serve Christ in ‘23