Order of Service - August 30

GOD CALLS
CALL TO WORSHIP
—Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

SONG — Only A Holy God
(Dustin Smith | Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich Thompson /© 2016 CityAlight Music) CCLI #22022177

Who else commands all the hosts of heaven
Who else could make every king bow down
Who else can whisper and darkness trembles
Only a Holy God

What other beauty demands such praises
What other splendour outshines the sun
What other majesty rules with justice
Only a Holy God

Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God

What other glory consumes like fire
What other power can raise the dead
What other name remains undefeated
Only a Holy God

Who else could rescue me from my failing
Who else would offer His only Son
Who else invites me to call Him Father
Only a Holy God
Only my Holy God

SONG — All Glory Be To Christ
(Dustin Kensrue /© 2012 We Are Younger We Are Faster Music) CCLI License # 22022177

Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ

All glory be to Christ our king
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign we’ll ever sing
All glory be to Christ

His will be done His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ

When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall e'er his people be
All glory be to Christ 

GOD CLEANSES
CONFESSION
Lord, forgive us. We want you, but we want everything else as well. We want to follow you, but when it's convenient. We want discipleship without discipline, and the fruit of devotion without having to be devoted. Christ, have mercy on us. Help us to see your beauty, and wean our hearts from false saviours. Help us to count the cost of the Faith, and to see that you are worth it. Grant us an unswerving faith and loyalty to your kingdom, that we may know the joy of its peace.

ASSURANCE
—based on Acts 13:38-39
Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin.
Thanks be to God.

GOD COMMUNES 
OFFERING
If you wish to give financially to The Vine Presbyterian Church, we have online giving available, visit: www.thevine.to/give.

PASSING THE PEACE

SERMON
Slow Growth
By Kiernan Stringer
2 Corinthians 3:7-18

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

THE LORD'S SUPPER

We welcome all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion with us. If you are exploring the Christian faith, please use this time to meditate on the following prayer:

God, the letter of John talks about Jesus overcoming the world, and about a faith that overcomes the world. If this is true, then show me more. Help me to understand what it means to live in Jesus's victory. Amen.

SONG — Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
(Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson /© 2018 CityAlight Music) CCLI #22022177

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy my righteousness and freedom
My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side the Saviour he will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me

No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me

GOD SENDS
WORD & PRAYER THIS WEEK
Scripture Reading: Matthew 15-16, 2 Samuel 1-4

Prayer: "We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory." Let's give thanks for God's work of transforming us and growing us.

COMMUNITY LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS
We would love to connect. You are welcome to approach any of the service volunteers, and you can fill out a visitor card or contact office@thevine.to.

Venue Changes: On August 30, we will gather for worship at our church retreat at The Valley of the Mother of God in Orangeville. Beginning in September, we will return to our regular worship location at St. Helen Catholic School.

DOXOLOGY

(Thomas Ken / Public Domain)
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

BENEDICTION
—Romans 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.