October 4, 2026
Order of Worship
“We are closer to Christ when we suffer. Keep close by Christ, and let the wind blow. Rejoice in his cross.”
— Samuel Rutherford, The Loveliness of Christ
Call to Worship
Leader
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
All
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Leader
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
All
We look to the LORD and his strength; we will seek his face always.
Song of Proclamation
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Intro
Verse 1
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
Verse 2
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.
Verse 3
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.
Verse 4
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.
Verse 5
He speaks and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.
Verse 6
Glory to God, and praise and love
be ever, ever giv’n
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heav’n.
Verse 7
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
Prayer of Adoration & Lord’s Prayer
All
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Song of Praise in All Seasons
Blessed Be Your Name
Intro 2x / Outro 1x
Verse 1
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Verse 2
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Pre-Chorus
Ev’ry blessing You pour out I’ll
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say
Chorus 1
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Verse 3
Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Verse 4
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Bridge
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
Outro
Prayer of Confession
All
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Words of Encouragement
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Song of Trust
Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
Intro
Verse 1
Christ is my firm foundation,
the Rock on which I stand.
When everything around me is shaken,
I’ve never been more glad
that I put my faith in Jesus
‘cause he’s never let me down.
He’s faithful through generations,
So why would he fail now?
Chorus 1
He won’t
Verse 2
I’ve still got joy in chaos;
I’ve got peace that makes no sense.
I won’t be go-ing un-der;
I’m not held by my own strength.
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus.
He’s never let me down.
He’s faithful in every season.
So why would he fail now?
Chorus 2
He won’t,
he won’t,
he won’t fail,
he won’t fail.
(Repeat Verse 1)
(Repeat Chorus 2)
Interlude
Bridge
Rain came and wind blew
but my house was built on you.
I’m safe with you,
I’m going to make it through.
(Repeat Bridge)
Vamp
I’m going to make it through,
‘Cause I’m standing strong on you.
I’m going to make it through
‘Cause my house was built on you.
Alt Verse 1
Christ is my firm foundation,
the Rock on which I stand.
When everything around me is shak-en,
I’ve never been more glad,
that I put my faith in Jesus,
‘cause he’s never let me down.
He’s faithful through generations.
So why would He fail now?
(Repeat Chorus 2)
Tag
He won’t fail,
he won’t fail,
no, he won’t.
Announcements
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Passing the Peace
Leader
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All
And also with you.
Nursery is available throughout the service for infants and toddlers. Children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to join Children’s Worship. They’ll meet their leaders in the lobby and return to their families during the Sending Song. First time? We’d love to meet you; please walk with your child to the lobby.
Song of Renewal
All Sufficient Merit
Intro
Verse 1
All sufficient mer-it
Shining like the sun
A fortune I inhe-rit
By no work I have done
My righteousness I forfeit
At my Savior’s cross
Where all sufficient merit
Did what I could not
Turnaround
Verse 2
In love He condescend-ed
Eternal now in time
A life without a blem-ish
The Maker made to die
The law could never save us
Our lawlessness had won
Until the pure and spotless
Lamb had finally come
Chorus 1
It is done, it is fin-ished
No more debt I owe
Paid in full, all suffi-cient
Merit now my own
Turnaround
Verse 3
I lay down my gar-ments
Any empty boast
Good works now all corrup-ted
By the sinful host
Dressed in my Lord Jesus
A crimson robe made white
No more fear of judgment
His righteousness is mine
Chorus 2
It is done, it is fin-ished
No more debt I owe
Paid in full, all suffi-cient
Merit now my own
(Repeat Chorus 1)
Turnaround
Verse 4
All sufficient mer-it
Firm in life and death
The joy of my salva-tion
Shall be my final breath
When I stand accepted
Before the throne of God
I’ll gaze upon my Jesus
And thank Him for the cross
Yes, I’ll thank Him for the cross
(Repeat Chorus 2)
Chorus 3
It is done, it is fin-ished
No more debt I owe
Paid in full, all suffi-cient
Merit now my own
Tag
Oh, Your merit now my own
Oh, Your merit now my own
Prayer for Our Global Partner
Scripture Reading
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Reader
This is the word of the Lord.
All
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is for baptized members of a Christian church. If that’s you, we welcome you to the table. If you’re still exploring the faith, please let the elements pass and use this time for quiet reflection. Speak with one of our pastors after the service or stop by the Welcome Desk; we’d love to talk with you about faith or finding your place here.
Bread is gluten-free; trays offer white grape juice or red wine. Please hold the elements until all are served, and we will take them together.
Song of Communion
Nothing to Fear
Intro / Turnaround
Verse 1
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
And the depths of the rivers, Shall not overwhelm
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned
I am the Lord, I am the Lord
Chorus
And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear,
there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear,
for I am with you al–ways.
Verse 2
In the depths of your sorrow, I wept beside you
When you walked through the shadow, I drew you near
Yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same,
I am the Lord, I am the Lord.
Bridge
What can separate you from my perfect love?
What can separate you from my perfect love?
What can separate you from my perfect love?
Ending
Do not fear, do not fear, do not fear.
Communion Acclamation
Leader
Let us proclaim the mystery of the faith:
All
Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
Leader
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us,
All
Therefore, let us keep the feast.
Leader
These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Feed on them in your hearts, by faith and with thanksgiving.
Worship through Giving
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Song of Hope
Hymn of Heaven
Intro
Verse 1
How I long to breathe the air of Heaven
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the one who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eterni–ty
Chorus 1
There will be a day
When all will bow before Him
There will be a day
When death will be no more
Standing face to face
With Christ who died and rose again
Holy holy is the Lord
Turnaround
Verse 2
And ev’ry prayer we prayed in desperation
The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear
In the end we’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns to wipe away our tears
Turnaround
Verse 3
And on that day we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice a thousand generations
Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain
And on that day we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice a thousand generations
Sing worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Forever He shall reign
Chorus 2
So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the saints we raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy holy is the Lord
So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the saints we raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy holy is the Lord
Holy holy the Lord
Holy holy the Lord
Benediction
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Announcements
Welcome
Whether you’re new to church or just new to Intown, we’re glad you’re with us today. Stop by the Welcome Desk after the service; we’d love to meet you and help you find your place here.
Membership Class
If you’d like to explore membership at Intown, join us on Sunday, October 11, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 217. You’ll learn what it means to be part of our congregation and part of the broader community of believers. Lunch is provided, and childcare is available. Register at intown.org/events, and please request childcare when you do.
Calendar at a Glance
For details and registration: intown.org/events
- Young Adults Gathering — Mon., Oct. 12
- S’mores & More — Sat., Oct. 17
- Women’s Silent Retreats — Sat., Oct. 17 & Wed., Oct. 21
- Men’s Social — Tue., Oct. 20
- Prayer Walk — Sat., Oct. 24
- Hike at Arabia Mountain — Sun., Oct. 25
Fiscal Year 27 Giving Snapshot (September 2026–August 2027): Annual General Fund giving goal of $2.8 million, with $114,000 given in September. Reaching our goal this year will require 11% growth over last year. Reaching our annual goal takes faithful giving throughout the year — each month builds toward the same goal as we support the mission and ministry of Intown together. You’ll find more context in the email newsletter, and we’ll hold a Congregational Finance Update on Sunday, October 25, after worship in the Sanctuary.
Give at intown.org/give or drop cash or check in the giving slot outside the Sanctuary. Thank you for your generosity.