March 12, 2023 10AM

In consideration of others and as guests of West High School . . .

• Please silence your phone and watch.
• Name tags are a great start to a meaningful connection. Thanks for wearing one.
• If you’d like to give an offering, there are two baskets in the back or you can use the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app.

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.”  ― Aristotle

“You owe it to all of us to get on with what you’re good at.”  ― W.H. Auden

“A man knows when he has found his vocation when he stops thinking about how to live and begins to live.”  ― Thomas Merton

“When God calls a man, he bids him come and die.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Psalm 99:1-3

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

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Grace Alone

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You’re Welcome in This Place

CONFESSION OF FAITH
The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will 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.

*catholic means universal

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Be Thou My Vision

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bible Study on Daniel – Chris Lau is starting a new Bible Study in the book of Daniel on Friday, March 24th. There are three weeks in March and April, and then the second part of this study will resume in May and June. You can receive more information and register here. Space is limited.

Bible Study on Daniel: Women’s Accountability – Women committed to attending Chris Lau’s Friday Bible Book Studies are invited to gather together on the alternating weeks for accountability and prayer. Discussion is based on reflections from the prior week’s study. Meets every other Thursday evening in the  Torrance area at 7 pm. Contact Rebecca Wu or Danielle Heath for more details, or simply register here.

Election on March 19th – This week through our Friday e-mail we plan to present a ballot of nominations for the roles of elder and deacon. The election will be held next Sunday, March 19th immediately after our worship service. Only members will be able to vote. Thank you for giving us many excellent nominations.

OFFERTORY

If you would like to give electronically, you may do so using the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app. There are also white baskets in the back of our worship space, where you can give via check, made out to King’s Cross Church, or cash.

SERMON

Series – Elijah & Elisha: Fire and Mercy
Message: “When God Calls a Man”

1 Kings 19:15-21 (ESV)

15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

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All the Poor and Powerless

BENEDICTION

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3