There will be a fellowship dinner following the second worship service in the commons.
A Citizen's Guide to the Powers That Be
Saturday, January 18, 2025
OPENING MUSIC
"Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow" • Johann Walther, attr. Henry Purcell
WELCOME & PRAYER
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
THE LORD'S LIGHT AND LEADING —A HYMN CYCLE
"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" • 21, st. 1, 2, 4
"The Lord Is My Light" • 515, st. 1, 3
"Lead On, O King Eternal" • 619
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" • chorus only of 290
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
"How Firm a Foundation" • Craig Courtney
CALL FOR OFFERING
Ron Knott, Pioneer Member
OFFERTORY
"Wake Up! For Night Is Flying" • Wayne Wold
CHILDREN'S STORY
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 4:5-20 NRSV
Guerline Deshammes, Pioneer Member
HYMN OF PREPARATION
"'We Would See Jesus'" • 494, st. 1
MESSAGE
"A Citizen's Guide to the Powers That Be"
Bill Knott, Associate Director, GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty
HYMN OF RESPONSE
"Come, We That Love the Lord" • 422, st. 1, 2, 4
CLOSING MUSIC
"How Firm a Foundation" • Janet Linker
OPENING MUSIC
"Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow" • Johann Walther, attr. Henry Purcell
WELCOME & PRAYER
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
"HYMNS OF PRAISE"
"The Lord Is My Light" • 515, st. 1, 3
"Lead On, O King Eternal" • 619
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" • chorus only of 290
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
WORSHIP IN MUSIC
"How Firm a Foundation" • Craig Courtney
CALL FOR OFFERING
Ron Knott, Pioneer Member
OFFERTORY
"Wake Up! For Night Is Flying" • Wayne Wold
CHILDREN'S STORY
Jacob Gibbs, Associate Pastor
PRAISE
"Heaven's Jubilee / I'll Fly Away"
"We'll Soon Be Done With Troubles and Trials"
"He Touched Me"
SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 4:5-20 NRSV
MESSAGE
"A Citizen's Guide to the Powers That Be"
Bill Knott, Associate Director, GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty
HYMN OF COMMITMENT
"Come, We That Love the Lord" • 422, st. 1, 2, 4
CLOSING MUSIC
"How Firm a Foundation" • Janet Linker
Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons
Offering for January 10, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
You may have heard it said, and it is true that patience is a virtue. What is also true and closely linked to patience is found in the opening verse of the parable of Luke 18:1-8 (NIV). Jesus told his disciples that they should “always pray and not give up” (verse 1). In today’s fast paced, instant, and have-to-get-it-now world, learning to be patient and not lose heart or become discouraged is surely a quality that is desirable. The widow in this parable showed the importance of being patient in one’s petitions and pursuits.
In her attempt to get the judge to defend her against her enemy, who seemed to have been making her life difficult, she kept on asking for his defense. Finally, the judge yielded to her persistence and vindicated her.
The same is true of God. When we are diligent in our prayer life, longsuffering when we are seeking to invoke Christ’s intervention, and faithful in honoring Him in our stewardship, He will move to positive action. Let us remember that unlike the judge we cannot wear out God.
Today, as we worship Him through the return of our tithes and giving of our offerings, let us practice being persistent in honoring Him with our substance and the first fruit of our increase.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries