Go
FILTER BY:

Back To List

Jun 21, 2026

"Our Faithful Older Brother"

Passage: The Gospel According to Luke Luke 15:1-32

Preacher: Ralph Pontier

Series: Visiting Preacher

Category: Luke

Summary:

OT Reading - Ezekiel 34:1-11, NT Reading - Luke 15:1-32

Detail:

LIVING HOPE OPC ORDER OF WORSHIP

for Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM

Rev. Ralph Pontier Preaching

Gathering Song – Jesus Strong and Kind

Announcements

Call to Worship – Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth!  Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  Psalm 96:1-3

Call to Worship Hymn – NTH 62 Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praise

Prayer of Adoration & Invocation

Song of Praise – Glorify Thy Name

Reading of the Law – Exodus 20:1-21

(Silent Confession of Sin)

Confession of Sin – Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. For we know our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us. Against you, you only, have we sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Purge us with hyssop, and we shall be clean; wash us and we shall be whiter than snow. For you have promised, O Father, that if we confess our sins, you will be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – by the blood of your Son, Jesus. Restore to us the joy of your salvation by the power of your Holy Spirit.  And enable us, by your grace, to walk in the light of your Gospel, and to show fellow sinners the way of repentance; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Adapted from Psalm 51)

Assurance of Pardon – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:1-8

Exhortation to Give – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Collection with Prayer (Offertory: NTH 570 Faith of Our Fathers!)

Doxology – NTH 731

Pastoral Prayer

Medley – NTH 131 Children of the Heavenly Father/ NTH 111 This is My Father’s World

Scripture Readings – OT Text:  Ezekiel 34:1-11 / NT Text:  Luke 15

Prayer for Illumination

Sermon – Sermon:  Our Faithful Older Brother

1. The purpose of the parable.

2. The unity of the parable.

3. The third brother

4. The cost of return

Prayer of Application

Song of Response – How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

Benediction – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:14

 

Announcements – Week of 6/21/2026

1. Starting tomorrow, Drop-in Prayer will start at 9:30 AM, followed by a time of fellowship in the auditorium at 10 AM and worship begins at 10:45 AM. We will follow this schedule until September, when Sunday school starts back up.

2. There will be a Sunday school teacher meeting tomorrow at 9:30 AM in the large Sunday School room. Anyone who is interested in possibly helping out in this capacity is encouraged to attend. Even if you would only be able to serve in a small capacity, such as being a substitute, it would be a big help.

3. Tomorrow morning, Rev. Ralph Pontier will be preaching!

4. Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Center is running their Baby Bottle Campaign. Please consider helping support moms and dads in challenging pregnancies. Baby bottles are to be returned tomorrow, 6/21. See Katie Batten with any questions.

5. On Tuesday morning, we will have Prayer for Revival at the church at 9 AM. All are welcome!

6. Starting next Sunday morning, June 28th, at 9:30 AM, there will be a New Members Class for anyone interested in becoming a member of Living Hope, or for those who are interested in learning more about our church and the doctrines we believe. There will be 7 classes over the next 10 Sundays. (Make up classes can be accommodated.) Please see Skip Truscott for the materials.

7. Rev. Jake Susek will be preaching next Sunday!

8. On July 5th, we will have a candidate leading worship, followed by a fellowship lunch, followed by an open Q&A. Please plan to attend!!

9. Our annual Church Picnic will be Saturday, July 18th, at Covered Bridge Park and starts at 12 PM! (2465 Wehr Mill Rd, Allentown, Pa 18104) There is a sign-up sheet available in the hallway! We look forward to a fun time together!

10. Also on Saturday, July 18th, Covenant OPC in Wyomissing will be hosting a swing dance and social mixer at 6 PM. There will be a beginner's lesson for those who are new to swing. This event is intended for teenagers through older folks. Please consider coming!