Worship Program - 11/23/25
- Pastor Gary
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to Worship
This weekend as we gather for worship, we come into a season when many of us pause to remember what we’re thankful for. But today, I want to invite you to consider something far deeper, far more surprising: What is Jesus thankful for in you?
Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed for His disciples. In that prayer, He thanked the Father for their faith, their perseverance, and their willingness to follow Him—even in their weakness. And He continues to intercede with that same heart for His people today.
This morning we’ll look at some of David’s mighty warriors—men who lived with such courage and commitment that their king honored them by name. Their stories inspire us not only because of their bravery, but because they remind us that we serve a far greater King. Our King sees our faithfulness. Our King knows our battles. And our King delights in the lives lived for Him.
My hope is that today’s message will encourage you to face your challenges with a renewed confidence—not in your own strength, but in the One who walks with you. Whether your battles are public or quiet, simple or overwhelming, God can use your everyday obedience to bring honor to His name. And one day, by His grace, we will hear the words our hearts long for: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
May today’s worship strengthen your faith, steady your steps, and remind you that your life—lived in faithfulness—is a gift of thanksgiving to Jesus, and a cause of thanksgiving from Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Gary
Order of Worship
Welcome | |
Prayer of Adoration | |
Opening Worship | |
Prayer of Confession | |
Prayer of Intercession | |
Message | The Kings Thanksgiving 2 Samuel 23:8-39 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.
Songs for Worship
Wesley Chape 81 We Gather Together 83 Come Ye Thankful People Come 82 For the Beauty of the Earth | Rock Hall Church Great Are You Lord Holy Forever How Deep the Father’s Love Gratitude |
Sermon Outline
DAVID #37: The King’s Thanksgiving
Lessons from his mighty warriors
2 Samuel 23:8-39
JASHOBEAM — Courage When the Odds Are Impossible (v. 8)
When the odds are stacked against me, I don’t measure the battle by my strength but by my King’s sovereignty.
You don’t fight for victory—you fight from the King’s victory.
ELEAZAR — Faithfulness When Others Fall Away (v. 9–10)
When others run, I stand firm because my loyalty belongs to the King who never leaves me.
Stand your ground—the King stands with you.
SHAMMAH — Devotion in What Seems Small and Insignificant (v. 11–12)
What others see as small, my King sees as sacred; I serve Him by being faithful in the field right in front of me.
Small fields become great victories when you live for the right King.
ABISHAI — Obedience That Takes God-Led Risks (v. 18–19)
True courage is stepping forward when called because I trust the King who goes before me.
Don’t play it safe—follow your King wherever He leads.
Bottom Line:
“Don’t live for a kingdom you can’t keep—live for a King you can’t lose.”
TAKE IT HOME:
Living a Life Worthy of the King’s Thanksgiving
John 17:6–10 — “What Jesus Is Thankful For”
Jesus thanked the Father for His disciples’ faithfulness—even though they were imperfect. Where do you see Jesus’ grace and gratitude toward you in this passage?
What does it mean for you to “keep His word” in this season of life?
Colossians 1:9–12 — “A Life Worthy of the Lord”
According to Paul, what does a “life worthy of the Lord” actually look like? Which of those characteristics is the Spirit nudging you toward right now?
How does growing “in the knowledge of God” help you hear Christ’s “well done”?
Hebrews 12:1–3 — “Run with Perseverance”
What “hindrances” or “entanglements” are slowing down your faithfulness right now?
What difference might it make this week to intentionally “fix your eyes on Jesus” instead of your circumstances?
This Week's Announcements:
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, November 27, 2025
1-3 pm @ Rock Hall Church Community Center
Join us for a time of fellowship and to give thanks for all that God has provided! Bring a side dish, or rolls, or dessert, and share a meal!
Please call or text 443-350-5446 to reserve your place at our table!
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
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
Dickie & Bettie Porter
Hubbard & Sharon Kendall
Joan & Mike Melvin
Joanne Carson
Audra Ashley
Marie Usilton
Diane McIntyre
Elma (Sis) Myers
Joe Holliday
JJ Foote
Dickie Jamar
Pam & Tom Glenn
Dean Wood
Lisa Stottlemyer
Edna Cox
Shirley Spagnolo
Rick & Mary Etta Reedy
Elmer & Marsha Gustafson
Susan Medley
Tim Cloud
Moe Morton
David Black
Sam Kuma
Family of Caroline Manley
Grant Stoops
Alvin Suskin
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 King Jesus, You are our Eternal King. Strengthen our desire to live for Your honor alone. Shape our lives so that one day we may hear Your words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Mat 25:21
Monday – Our Courage Jesus, make us Your mighty servants. When we face overwhelming odds, help us trust Your strength more than our fear. Give us courage to stand firm where You’ve placed us. Josh 1:9
Tuesday – Our Faithfulness God, help us hold our ground like Eleazar and Shammah. Teach us to be steady when others drift away and faithful in the ordinary fields You’ve entrusted to us. 1 Cor 15:58
Wednesday – Our Household God, bless our family with steadfast love. Help us defend our home with prayer, perseverance, and grace. Make our home a place where You are honored. Psa 127:1
Thursday – Our Church God, knit us together as a people devoted to You. Give us boldness like Abishai—to take Spirit-led risks, to serve one another, and to join Your mission with courage. Acts 4:31
Friday – Our Community Jesus, let Your light shine through us in our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships. Empower us as Your witnesses so that our community sees Christ in us. Mat 5:14–16
Saturday – Our Calling God, send us into the world as Jesus prayed in the garden—for Your glory and Your purpose. Help us walk faithfully, serve humbly, and live courageously for our King. John 17:18
This week’s events:
Monday:
6:00 pm - Study Group at Debbie Elburn’s
6:30 pm - Women’s Bible Study @Nancy Walls’
Tuesday:
10:00 am - Bible Study Group @RHCCC
Thursday:
1:00 pm - Thanksgiving Dinner @RHCCC
Sunday:
9:30 am - Worship Celebration @WC
11:00 am - Worship Celebration @RHC
WC - Wesley Chapel
RHC - Rock Hall Church
RHCCC - Rock Hall Church Community Center
