Worship Program - 9/21/25

Welcome to Worship!

We’re so glad you’ve joined us today. Whether this is your first Sunday here or you’ve been part of this church family for years, it is always a gift to gather in God’s presence together.

Today, our study in the life of David continues with another moment of crisis. In 2 Samuel 17, David is still on the run—his own son has taken the throne, his enemies have the best advisors, and from every angle it looks like defeat is certain. And yet, behind the scenes, God’s unseen hand is at work—frustrating the plans of the enemy, protecting His anointed king, and providing food and rest through unlikely friends.

The story reminds us that even when life looks like defeat, God is still sovereign. He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). His gifts of provision are important, but even more important is the Giver Himself, who never fails (James 1:17). And that same God calls us to trust Him today, even when we can’t see His hand.

As a Global Methodist congregation, we believe God calls His people to live out three key discipleship practices:

• Worship Passionately: Because even in defeat, God is still reigning, and He is worthy of our praise.

• Love Extravagantly: Because every gift we receive is meant to lead us to love others as He has loved us.

• Witness Boldly: Because in a world of confusion and despair, we can point to the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.

Thank you for being here today. If you have questions about faith or would like to talk further, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at the church office at 410-639-2144, or send me an email at the address below.

In Christ,

Pastor Gary  

gary@yourrockhall.church

Order of Worship

Welcome
Prayer of Adoration
Opening Worship
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Intercession
Message	When Evil Seems to be Winning 2 Samuel 17 Rev Gary Priddy
Next Steps
What you can do for a “next step” of faith.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Benediction
Life is much more than an accident.  Wherever I go, I believe God needs me there.  Wherever I am, I trust God has put me there.  He has a purpose for me being there - Christ, alive in me, wants to do something through me, no matter where I am.  I believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power.
If you would like someone to pray with you, please come to the altar area after the service and one of our ministry leaders will meet you.

Songs for Worship 

Wesley Chapel Great is Thy Faithfulness 44 What a Friend we Have in Jesus 116 When the Role is Called 624 Because He Lives 265

Rock Hall Church What a Beautiful Name Build My Life Graves into Gardens Psalm 23 Surely Goodness

Message Notes

David #29: When Evil Seems to be Winning

2 Samuel 17

When We _____________________________________________ 

2 Sam. 17:1–4, Ps. 3:1–2, Rom. 8:28

When life feels like defeat, God is still writing the story. His promises hold even when our strength fails.

God’s Unseen ____________________________________________

2 Sam. 17:5–14, Prov. 21:1, Rom. 8:28

God’s hand may be hidden, but it is never absent. He works through people and circumstances to keep His promises.

God’s _________________________________________________

2 Sam. 17:15–29, James 1:17, Phil. 4:19

Every gift points to the Giver. Look beyond the blessing to see God’s faithful love.

Who This ________________________________________________

Rom. 8:28, John 1:12, 2 Thess. 1:8–9

God’s providence is a family promise. If you belong to Christ, every thread of your life is held in His hands.

Bottom Line:

“When we can’t see God’s hand, we can trust His promises.”

Take it Home: 

Read Psalm 1. No matter our stage of life, having people we can turn to for wise counsel can help us to make better decisions. From the passage, what stands out to you most about the contrasts between those who follow counsel based on the Word of God and those who don’t? 

When in your life has following biblical counsel benefited you most?

Read Colossians 1:16-17. This week we talked about how the sovereignty of God was at work in David’s life. From, what is God’s sovereignty doing for all of creation and how can this truth provide you encouragement in the stressful moments of life?   

Even if you can’t see that God is working in your life, the Bible tells us that He is. Is there a decision, challenge or ambition in your life today that you can entrust to God’s sovereign control? 

Read Hebrews 10:24-25.  As we seek to follow Christ, the passage asks us to engage in specific ways with others seeking to follow Christ. Have you ever been positively impacted by someone doing these things for you?   

Have you noticed a difference it has made in your pursuit of Christ?

Is there anything you can do this week to show your appreciation for what they’ve done?

Wesley's 22 Questions

Daily Devotional Reading:

Wake-Up Call provides a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus who transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.

SIGN UP HERE:  https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall

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This Week's Announcements:

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Prayer Request Policy Change In order to maintain a more current prayer list, we provide a copy of this past week’s prayer requests. Submit prayer requests using the prayer request cards in the pews or the digital prayer request form on our website: pray.yourrhc.com Please make sure you have permission to share other’s information.

Current Prayer Requests

• Our children and youth ministries

• Caregivers and first responders

• Our nation’s leaders

• Healing of our nation

• People battling addictions

• Single parents and their kids

• Pastor Gary and family

• Rosalie and Eddie Kuechler

• Dickie & Bettie Porter

• Hubbard & Sharon Kendall

• Joan & Mike Melvin

• Joanne Carson

• Audra Ashley

• Jack Johnson

• Diane McIntyre

• Elma (Sis) Myers

• Joe Holliday

• Pam & Tom Glenn  

• Dean Wood

• Stacey Angel 

• Edna Cox

• Alfred Cornelius

• Bruce Pirotte

• Rick & Mary Etta Reedy

• Elmer & Marsha Gustafson

• Susan Medley

• Tim Cloud

• Moe Morton

• David Black

• Sam Kumar

Active Military & their families including:

• Trevion Hopkins

• Kyle Schauber

• Brock Willey

• Makenzie Williams

• Steve McCarthy

• Geoffrey Andersen

• Jonathan Conner

• Dante Spagnolo

  
  

This week's prayer focus:

Join us in focused and specific prayer for our church, our community, and our world. Be prepared to see God do great things as we collectively turn to Him in prayer.

Sunday – Our Worship God, remind us that You are sovereign when life feels uncertain. Teach us to worship not only when life is good, but also when it looks like the enemy is winning. Help us trust Your unseen hand. Psalm 46:10

Monday – Our Growth God, grow in us a deep confidence that You are working all things together for our good. When we can’t see Your hand, help us to rest in Your promises. Romans 8:28

Tuesday – Our Leaders God, grant our leaders humility to trust in Your wisdom above their own. Protect them from pride and guide them to lead with integrity and faithfulness. Proverbs 21:1

Wednesday – Families God, strengthen families who feel weary or defeated. Provide encouragement through ordinary acts of kindness, and help us see Your provision in daily life. James 1:17

Thursday – Our Community God, use us as signs of hope in our community. When despair and fear rise, let our neighbors see that our security is in You alone. Matthew 5:14–16

Friday – The Next Generation God, anchor the hearts of our children and youth in Christ. Keep them from discouragement when life feels unfair, and show them that Your promises never fail. Joshua 1:9

Saturday – The Nations God, rule over the nations in Your sovereign power. Where there is violence, bring peace; where there is oppression, bring freedom; where there is despair, bring hope in Christ. Ps 22:27–28

This week’s events:

Link to our Charge Calendar

Monday:

6:00 pm  - Study Group at Debbie Elburn’s

Wednesday:

3:30 pm - Rock Solid Kids @ RHMC Hall

6:30 pm  - Youth at RHMC Hall

Thursday: 

7:30 pm - Praise Band practice @RHMC 

Saturday:

7:00PM - 4th Day Gathering @ RHMC

Sunday: 

9:30 am - Worship Celebration @ WCMC

11:00 am - Worship Celebration @ RHMC

WCMC - Wesley Chapel

RHMC - Rock Hall Church