First Reformed Presbyterian Church Service for the National Day of Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 22, 2007 Nine–thirty o’clock AM Rev. Ray B. Lanning, Officiating
Pre-Service Song: Psalter No. 308:1, 2 & 3 (Psalm 115) The Exhortation to Giving of Thanks *Singing of Psalter No. 268 (Psalm 100) *Prayer for God’s Help and Blessing The Reading of Holy Scripture: Old Testament: Psalm 147 The Gospel: Luke 17:11-19 The Epistle: II Corinthians 1:3-11 Singing of Psalter No. 422, Stanzas 1,4, 6, & 8 (Psalm 89) Prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication The Sermon: “THAT THANKS MAY BE GIVEN BY MANY” Prayer after Sermon Receiving of the Thanksgiving Day Offerings *Singing of Psalter No. 378 (Psalm 136) *The Concluding Admonition *The Benediction *Doxology: Psalter No. 308, 4,5
Today’s Announcements
WELCOME TO OUR THANKSGIVING DAY SERVICE: As directed by the Westminster Divines, today we observe a Day of Public Thanksgiving, proclaimed by the President of the United States. We give thanks for many things, for our national freedom, security and prosperity; for an abundant harvest; for God’s faithfulness to our church in providing for all our needs; for our daily work, our homes, our families and friends; and for all the good things which God gives us richly to enjoy (I Tim 6:17), and the salvation we have in Christ. TODAY’S OFFERING: Two collections will be taken this morning. The first is for Hetherton Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the village of Hetherton, near Johannesburg, MI, to assist this small 17-member church in obtaining pulpit supply. Hetherton RPC, organized in 1902, is one of our sister churches in Great Lakes/Gulf Presbytery. The second will be for Guiding Light Mission, 225 S. Division Avenue, Grand Rapids, to assist them in their ministry to the poor and the homeless in our city. “While we have time, let us do good unto all men; and espe-
cially unto them that are of the household of faith … to do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased” (Gal. 6:10, Heb. 13:16).
ADVANCE NOTICE: By God’s grace, Roy Clark will be 80 years old on December 10, 2007. Roy invites all the members and friends of First Reformed Presbyterian Church to an 80th birthday celebration, to be held, D.V., on Saturday, December 8, at Rest Haven Home, 1424 Union Avenue NE, from 2:30 to 4 o’clock PM. No gifts, please.
The Concluding Admonition
“… the minister (before their dismission) is solemnly to admonish the congregation, to beware of all excess and riot, tending to gluttony or drunkenness, and much more, of these sins themselves, in their eating and refreshing, and to take care that their mirth and rejoicing be not carnal, but spiritual, which may make God’s praise to be glorious, and themselves humble and sober; and that both their feeding and rejoicing may render them more cheerful and enlarged further to celebrate his praises … and the people are to be exhorted … to spend the residue of that day in holy duties, and attestations of Christian love and charity one towards another, and of rejoicing more and more in the Lord; as becometh those who make the joy of the Lord their strength.” (adapted from The Directory for the Public Worship of God,
“Concerning the Observation of Days of Public Thanksgiving.”)