August 31, 2025

(Apostles’ Creed)

Call to Worship: Psalm 65:1-4

Invocation: Psalm 65:4a

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,

To dwell in your courts!

Reading of the Law: Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Old Testament Lesson: Esther 6:1-14

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king's young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king's young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown[c] is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.” 11 So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 And Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”

14 While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.

New Testament Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Sermon: “The King Could Not Sleep”

Hymn # 1 (Trinity Psalter Hymnal – Psalm 65-C) “Praise Waits for Thee in Zion”  Verses 1-5

Hymn # 2 (Trinity Psalter Hymnal – #426) “How Vast the Benefits Divine”            

Hymn # 3 (Trinity Psalter Hymnal – #291) “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” 

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The Afternoon Catechism Service – August 31, 2025

Prayer Requests Received from the Congregation

Prayer for Requests Given

*Call to Worship: Psalm 13

*God’s Greeting

*Psalm #1 (Trinity Psalter Hymnal Psalm 13) “How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord” 

*Prayer for Illumination

*Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 20:1-6 [sermon text vv. 4-6]

*New Testament Lesson: Hebrews 1:1-3

Confessional Reading: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 35

Sermon: “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me” 

Prayer of Application

*Psalm #2 (Trinity Psalter Hymnal – Psalm 14) “The Fool Speaks in His Heart”  

Benediction