WEEKLY CALENDAR TODAY 92020 1045 AM Morning Worship Service in Sanctuary and streamed online 540 PM Psalm and Hymn Sing in Sanctuary 600 PM Evening Worship Service with Communion in Sanctuary and streamed online

TUESDAY 92220 630 PM Trail Life in basement rooms American Heritage Girls in Fellowship Hall 700 PM Session of Elders in Church library

WEDNESDAY 92320 1100 AM Womenrsquos Bible Fellowship in Fellowship Hall 700 PM Wednesday Evening Bible Fellowship in Fellowship Hall

FRIDAY 92520 700 PM Teen Bible Study in Fellowship Hall

SATURDAY 92620 900 AM Truth Unchanged and Unchanging Radio Ministry on WDER AM - 1320 FM - 921 on the Web - httpplayertritondigitalcom15101 or on TuneIncom

NEXT SUNDAY 92720 930 AM Regular Sunday school Ages 2-3 ndash TBA (Nursery classroom) Ages 4-5 ndash Lianna Ross amp Sarah Smith (Room 3) Grades K-2 ndash Elena Reichl amp Tabitha Reichl (Room 5) Grades 3-5 ndashMeleah Ross (Room 1) Grades 6-8 ndash Greg Ross II (Beginning 104 in new room under nurserymdashplease join Pastor Damonrsquos class until October) High School ndash Pastor Damon Young (Old Library in basement) Adult ndash Rick Elliott (Fellowship Hall) ldquoA Chronological Survey of the Old Testament in World Historyrdquo 1045 AM Morning Worship Service in Sanctuary and streamed online 540 PM Psalm and Hymn Sing in Sanctuary 600 PM Evening Worship Service with Communion in Sanctuary ` and streamed online

ANNOUNCEMENTS ndash 92020

WEDNESDAY PRAYER AND BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Womenrsquos Bible Fellowship meets in Fellowship Hall at 1100 am with Pastor Allen teaching a study in Deuteronomy Wednesday Evening Bible Study begins at 700pm in Fellowship Hall with Pastor Allen The audio version is available at

httpfirstchurchofmerrimackorgwed

WORSHIP SERVICES For those who cannot resume physical worship here at the church you can still access the worship services to be notified of when we go live either from the following link wwwfirstchurchofmerrimackorglive or follow the Facebook page (wwwfacebookcomfirstchurchofmerrimack) or the YouTube channel (wwwyoutubecomchannelUCTfTRBwJ3vxbxdJU9Io0_nQ)

-16-

First Church of Merrimack NH A Member Congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Founded 1771

September 20 2020 1045 am Worship Service

7 Baboosic Lake Road PO Box 507 Merrimack New Hampshire 03054

603-424-3947 603-424-3133 wwwfirstchurchofmerrimackorg

Rev Dr Allen C Tomlinson Pastor pastorallenfirstchurchofmerrimackorg

Mr Damon Young Ministerial Intern damonyoungfirstchurchofmerrimackorg

THE ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP As we enter the Sanctuary let us be thoughtful of others

who are preparing for Worship by prayer and meditation

NOW TO GOD THE FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT BE ASCRIBED EXALTED PRAISES AMEN

Apostolic Greeting Pastor Allen Tomlinson

ldquoGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christrdquo

Heart Preparation

Call to Worship (Below) Isaiah 122-5

ldquoBehold God is my salvation I will trust and not be afraid lsquoFor YAH the LORD is my strength and song He also has become my salvationrsquo rdquo Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation And in that day you will say ldquoPraise the LORD call upon His name declare His deeds among the peoples make mention that His name is exalted Sing to the LORD for He has done excellent things this is known in all the earth rdquo

daggerHymn 224 (page 6) ldquoImmortal Invisible God Only Wiserdquo

Invocation amp the Lordrsquos Prayer Elder Mike Dopson

Gloria Patri

Old Testament Reading (Below) Proverbs 2826 Jeremiah 179-10 Isaiah 5010 Proverbs 35-6

Pro 2826 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool but whoever walks wisely will be delivered

daggerLatecomers may now enter the Service

Please stand if able -2-

Jer 179 ldquoThe heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it 10 I the LORD search the heart I test the mind even to give every man according to his ways according to the fruit of his doings

Isa 5010 ldquoWho among you fears the LORD Who obeys the voice of His Servant Who walks in darkness and has no light Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godrdquo

Pro 35 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding 6In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths

Congregational ldquoAmenrdquo

Apostlesrsquo Creed (Below)

I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead I believe in the Holy Spirit the holy catholic church the communion of saints the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Amen

Hymn 524 (Page 7) ldquoGuide Me O Thou Great Jehovahrdquo

-3-

Prayer of Confession of Sin (Below)

Gracious Father Salvation belongs to You and to You alone Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open that You may hear the prayer of Your servants which we pray before You now We have sinned We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept Your commandments But we are Your servants and Your people whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand We come confessing our sins to You and pleading the righteousness of Jesus Christ our great High Priest We put our faith and hope in His finished work Enable us our Father by the power of Your Holy Spirit to walk in obedience to You We come continually before You confessing our sins We come continually pleading the blood of Christ We come continually depending on the help of the Spirit We marvel at Your kindness and grace by which You lead us to repentance By faith we rest in Your promises made to us in Jesus Christ Amen

Assurance of Pardon (Below) I John 19

ldquoIf we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnessrdquo

Pastoral Prayer

New Testament Reading (Below) I John 318-24

18 My little children let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God

-4-

22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us

Congregational ldquoAmenrdquo

Sermon ldquolsquoLiving By Our Emotionsrsquo As Christians The Sure Way to Defeatrdquo Pastor Allen Tomlinson Preaching

Prayer of Application

Hymn 526 (pgs 12 amp 13) ldquoHe Leadeth Me O Blessed Thoughtrdquo

Benediction

Hymn of Departure (below) ldquoNow Blessed Be the Lord Our Godrdquo

Now blessed be the Lord our God the God of Israel For He alone doth wondrous works in glory that excel

And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity The whole earth let His glory fill Amen so let it be Amen

Organ Postlude ldquoAll the Way My Savior Leads Merdquo

-5-

-6-

-7-

ldquoLIVING BY OUR EMOTIONSrdquo AS CHRISTIANS

THE SURE WAY TO DEFEAT

Proverbs 2826 Jeremiah 179-10

I John 318-24 Isaiah 5010 Proverbs 35-6

Our emotions are not unimportant BUThellip

The biblical problem with living by our emotions

1) For the whole human race

2) For the unbeliever

3) For the Christian

Why might the Christianrsquos emotions be unreliable

1)

2)

3)

I OUR UNRELIABLE HEARTS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

1 Proverbs 2826 ldquoHe who trusts in his own heart is a fool but

whoever walks wisely will be deliveredrdquo

2 Jeremiah 179-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and

desperately wicked who can know it 10 I the LORD search the heart I

test the mind even to give every man according to his ways according to

the fruit of his doingsrdquo

3 I John 318-24 ldquo18 My little children let us not love in word or in

tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the

truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns

us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our

heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God 22 And

-10-

whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His

commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And

this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son

Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him

And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has

given us

II GODrsquoS WORD ALONE

1 Isaiah 5010 ldquoWho among you fears the LORD Who obeys the

voice of His Servant Who walks in darkness and has no light Let him

trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godrdquo

2 Proverbs 35-6 ldquoTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not

on your own under-standing 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him and

He shall direct your pathsrdquo

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS

1) Two approaches by our Puritan fathers

a)

b)

2) Problems with the second approach

3) Spiritual ldquonavel-gazingrdquo or too much ldquofeeling for a pulserdquo spiritually

-11-

-12-

-13

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-

Prayer of Confession of Sin (Below)

Gracious Father Salvation belongs to You and to You alone Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open that You may hear the prayer of Your servants which we pray before You now We have sinned We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept Your commandments But we are Your servants and Your people whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand We come confessing our sins to You and pleading the righteousness of Jesus Christ our great High Priest We put our faith and hope in His finished work Enable us our Father by the power of Your Holy Spirit to walk in obedience to You We come continually before You confessing our sins We come continually pleading the blood of Christ We come continually depending on the help of the Spirit We marvel at Your kindness and grace by which You lead us to repentance By faith we rest in Your promises made to us in Jesus Christ Amen

Assurance of Pardon (Below) I John 19

ldquoIf we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnessrdquo

Pastoral Prayer

New Testament Reading (Below) I John 318-24

18 My little children let us not love in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God

-4-

22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us

Congregational ldquoAmenrdquo

Sermon ldquolsquoLiving By Our Emotionsrsquo As Christians The Sure Way to Defeatrdquo Pastor Allen Tomlinson Preaching

Prayer of Application

Hymn 526 (pgs 12 amp 13) ldquoHe Leadeth Me O Blessed Thoughtrdquo

Benediction

Hymn of Departure (below) ldquoNow Blessed Be the Lord Our Godrdquo

Now blessed be the Lord our God the God of Israel For He alone doth wondrous works in glory that excel

And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity The whole earth let His glory fill Amen so let it be Amen

Organ Postlude ldquoAll the Way My Savior Leads Merdquo

-5-

-6-

-7-

ldquoLIVING BY OUR EMOTIONSrdquo AS CHRISTIANS

THE SURE WAY TO DEFEAT

Proverbs 2826 Jeremiah 179-10

I John 318-24 Isaiah 5010 Proverbs 35-6

Our emotions are not unimportant BUThellip

The biblical problem with living by our emotions

1) For the whole human race

2) For the unbeliever

3) For the Christian

Why might the Christianrsquos emotions be unreliable

1)

2)

3)

I OUR UNRELIABLE HEARTS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

1 Proverbs 2826 ldquoHe who trusts in his own heart is a fool but

whoever walks wisely will be deliveredrdquo

2 Jeremiah 179-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and

desperately wicked who can know it 10 I the LORD search the heart I

test the mind even to give every man according to his ways according to

the fruit of his doingsrdquo

3 I John 318-24 ldquo18 My little children let us not love in word or in

tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the

truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns

us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our

heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God 22 And

-10-

whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His

commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And

this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son

Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him

And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has

given us

II GODrsquoS WORD ALONE

1 Isaiah 5010 ldquoWho among you fears the LORD Who obeys the

voice of His Servant Who walks in darkness and has no light Let him

trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godrdquo

2 Proverbs 35-6 ldquoTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not

on your own under-standing 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him and

He shall direct your pathsrdquo

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS

1) Two approaches by our Puritan fathers

a)

b)

2) Problems with the second approach

3) Spiritual ldquonavel-gazingrdquo or too much ldquofeeling for a pulserdquo spiritually

-11-

-12-

-13

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-

-6-

-7-

ldquoLIVING BY OUR EMOTIONSrdquo AS CHRISTIANS

THE SURE WAY TO DEFEAT

Proverbs 2826 Jeremiah 179-10

I John 318-24 Isaiah 5010 Proverbs 35-6

Our emotions are not unimportant BUThellip

The biblical problem with living by our emotions

1) For the whole human race

2) For the unbeliever

3) For the Christian

Why might the Christianrsquos emotions be unreliable

1)

2)

3)

I OUR UNRELIABLE HEARTS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

1 Proverbs 2826 ldquoHe who trusts in his own heart is a fool but

whoever walks wisely will be deliveredrdquo

2 Jeremiah 179-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and

desperately wicked who can know it 10 I the LORD search the heart I

test the mind even to give every man according to his ways according to

the fruit of his doingsrdquo

3 I John 318-24 ldquo18 My little children let us not love in word or in

tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the

truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns

us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our

heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God 22 And

-10-

whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His

commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And

this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son

Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him

And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has

given us

II GODrsquoS WORD ALONE

1 Isaiah 5010 ldquoWho among you fears the LORD Who obeys the

voice of His Servant Who walks in darkness and has no light Let him

trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godrdquo

2 Proverbs 35-6 ldquoTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not

on your own under-standing 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him and

He shall direct your pathsrdquo

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS

1) Two approaches by our Puritan fathers

a)

b)

2) Problems with the second approach

3) Spiritual ldquonavel-gazingrdquo or too much ldquofeeling for a pulserdquo spiritually

-11-

-12-

-13

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-

ldquoLIVING BY OUR EMOTIONSrdquo AS CHRISTIANS

THE SURE WAY TO DEFEAT

Proverbs 2826 Jeremiah 179-10

I John 318-24 Isaiah 5010 Proverbs 35-6

Our emotions are not unimportant BUThellip

The biblical problem with living by our emotions

1) For the whole human race

2) For the unbeliever

3) For the Christian

Why might the Christianrsquos emotions be unreliable

1)

2)

3)

I OUR UNRELIABLE HEARTS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

1 Proverbs 2826 ldquoHe who trusts in his own heart is a fool but

whoever walks wisely will be deliveredrdquo

2 Jeremiah 179-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and

desperately wicked who can know it 10 I the LORD search the heart I

test the mind even to give every man according to his ways according to

the fruit of his doingsrdquo

3 I John 318-24 ldquo18 My little children let us not love in word or in

tongue but in deed and in truth 19 And by this we know that we are of the

truth and shall assure our hearts before Him 20 For if our heart condemns

us God is greater than our heart and knows all things 21 Beloved if our

heart does not condemn us we have confidence toward God 22 And

-10-

whatever we ask we receive from Him because we keep His

commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight 23 And

this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son

Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him and He in him

And by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has

given us

II GODrsquoS WORD ALONE

1 Isaiah 5010 ldquoWho among you fears the LORD Who obeys the

voice of His Servant Who walks in darkness and has no light Let him

trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godrdquo

2 Proverbs 35-6 ldquoTrust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not

on your own under-standing 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him and

He shall direct your pathsrdquo

PERSONAL APPLICATIONS

1) Two approaches by our Puritan fathers

a)

b)

2) Problems with the second approach

3) Spiritual ldquonavel-gazingrdquo or too much ldquofeeling for a pulserdquo spiritually

-11-

-12-

-13

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-

-12-

-13

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-

The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension

Home Missions Today

This is John Shaw reporting the September 16 2020 edition of Home Missions Today God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America

OSHKOSH WISCONSIN mdash Bob and Grace Holda Faithful attendance in worship a newly started Sunday School program and upwards of 20 regular visitors who are interested in membership are just a few of the good things happening at Resurrection Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Bob Holda shares that the congregation continues to serve a Swahili-speaking family He now gives the salutation and benediction in Swahili and English and this fall the congregation hopes to learn a few simple praise songs in Swahili so that their Congolese brothers and sisters can participate more fully in worship Please continue to pray for effectiveness in this ministry but also that the Lord might expand it to other refugees in the Oshkosh area As RPC finishes denominational support this month Pastor Holda says ldquoWe are so grateful for the support we have received from CHMCE and all the churches who have been praying for us over the past four years So much of the fruitfulness we have enjoyed is no doubt a result of the Lord giving us things that others are asking him on our behalf Thank you for your many prayers Please donrsquot stop praying Particularly pray that we would be able to address areas of needed development in our ministry over the next year We are hoping to petition our presbytery next spring with Lord willing organization taking place in fall 2021rdquo

SANDUSKY OHIO mdash Larry and Kalynn Oldaker Pastor Larry Oldaker shares the good news ldquolsquoFinally but that is just the beginningrsquo The Presbytery of Ohio held a service of recognition ordination and installation for Firelands Grace OPC in Sandusky OH on July 24 2020 It was postponed because of the pandemic and a smaller than originally planned group gathered to hear Godrsquos Word and to praise Him for His goodness Though years in coming and after bringing new families and people to a vital knowledge of Christ and the reformed faith wersquove only just begun People were joyous at the election ordination and installation of two of our own as our first elders Cody Goff and Chris Vandergoot Though Covid-19 has made outreach challenging we continue to reach out online with gospel preaching Wersquove had visitors from other church backgrounds find us because we are open with in-person worship They are hearing the Word and

-14-

responding with interest We have focused on some discipleship of several individuals We will be having a congregation-wide discussion about interest in support of and commitment to outreach activities Bible studies and fellowship opportunities Please pray as we lsquoroll our sleeves uprsquo to get to work in sharing the gospel in these needy and tumultuous times Thank you for your prayerful supportrdquo

HOUSTON TEXAS mdash Nick and Rosemarie Lammeacute The Lord has greatly blessed the work of Nick Lammeacute Harvey Houston Evangelist over the past two years Now as he completes denominational support he shares an update on the future of his work there ldquoAs a result of the Bible study in Crosby we are now endeavoring to plant a church there under the oversight of Providence OPCrsquos session At the end of July we began worshiping in a Southeast Texas Cowboy Church though this arrangement is temporary We are in talks with another church to utilize their facility on a more permanent basis The Lord has truly preserved this group and added to it throughout Covid-19 We continued the Bible study in-person throughout the lockdown though for families who did not feel safe joining us we provided Zoom streaming During the Sunday stream we invited as many as were willing to come to our home and worship with us We had as many as 25-30 people at our house every Sunday morning as we streamed for both Providence and the Friendswood Church of Christ The Lord blessed these services and they became the catalyst for the attempt to hold worship services on Sunday evenings in Crosby Providence has acted to give oversight to the work I rejoice in the Lordrsquos faithfulness during this time and solicit your prayers on behalf of this workrdquo

NEON KENTUCKY mdash Jay and Andrea Bennett Neon Presbyterian Church has good things to report Pastor Jay Bennett writes ldquoWersquove continued to hold in-person services with only minor changes Wersquove also continued to meet for our weekly Bible studies through Zoom The platform works quite well Since our last report wersquove been out several times knocking on doors to share the gospel and invite folks to worship Pray for continued faithfulness and fruit About three weeks ago I approached the director of the new menrsquos addiction recovery center in Neon He was thankful and very welcoming I am currently leading about 25 men in a discussion-oriented Bible study on Thursdayrsquos from 600-715pm Please pray for my ministry to these men They have expressed much appreciation and seem to be very excited to learn and grow together Giving continues to be lsquouprsquo The Lord has been very kind to usrdquo

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday September 30 2020 To receive an email copy of Home Missions Today send your request to

HomeMissionsTodayopcorg

-15-