Sunday Worship
August 2, 2026
11:00 AM
God Invites Us and Calls Us to Worship
Greeting - Romans 1.7
7 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Call to Worship - John 11.25-27
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Invocation - Presider
Song of Praise 1
Holy Forever
Verse 1
A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
And all who’ve gone before us
And all who will believe
Will sing the song of ag-es to the Lamb
Pre Chorus
Your name is the highest
Your name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your name stands above them all
Chorus 1
And the angels cry, “Holy”
All creation cries, “Holy”
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever
Verse 2
If you’ve been forgiven, if you’ve been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom, and if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
We’ll sing the song forever and Amen
Chorus 2
And the angels cry, “Holy”
All creation cries, “Holy”
You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever
Hear your people sing, “Holy”
To the King of kings, holy
You will always be, holy
Holy forever
Words by Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham. © 2022 Brian and Jenn Publishing; Capitol CMG Paragon; S. D. G. Publishing; Be Essential Songs; My Magnolia Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs; Bethel Music Publishing. Used by Permission. CCLI License #11375060.
Song of Praise 2
N/A (Lord’s Supper)
God Purifies Us
Call to Confession - Genesis 6.5-7
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
Individual Prayer
Representative Prayer - Presider
Assurance of Pardon - Luke 19.9
9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
Song of Thanksgiving
As The Deer
Verse 1
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You.
Chorus
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You.
Verse 2
You’re my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are the King
I love You more than any other
Even more than anything
Words and Music by Martin Nystrom. © 1984 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing Used by Permission. CCLI License #11375060.
Confession of Faith
The Nicene Creed was a result of the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325. The creed emphasizes the doctrine of the Trinity in response to the teachings of Arius, a clergyman who denied the divinity of the Son, the second member of the Trinity. This orthodox statement of faith is used by many denominations, including the PCA.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic1 and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
God Speaks Through His Word
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Reading
Esther 4.1-5.8
4.1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. 9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, 11 “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”
12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
5.1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
Sermon - For Such a Time as This
Rev. Jonny Chung
The Lord’s Supper
Song of Response
God, The Uncreated One
Verse 1
God the uncreated one
The Author of salvation
Wrote the laws of space and time
And fashioned worlds to His design
Chorus 1
The One whom angel hosts revere
Hung the stars like chandeliers
Numbered every grain of sand
Knows the heart of every man
He is King forever x2
He is King forevermore
Verse 2
God our fortress and our strength
The rock on which we can depend
Matchless in His majesty
His power and authority
Chorus 2
Unshaken by the schemes of man
Never-changing, Great I am
Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall
He is faithful through it all
Crown Him King forever x2
Crown Him King forevermore
Verse 3
Mighty God in mortal flesh
Forsaken by a traitor’s kiss
The curse of sin and centuries
Did pierce the lowly Prince of Peace
Chorus 3
Oh, lifted high, the sinless man
Crucified, the spotless Lamb
Buried by the sons of man
But He was rescued by the Father’s hand
To reign as King forever x2
Reign as King forevermore
Verse 4
King Eternal, God of grace
We crown you with the highest praise
Heaven shouts and saints adore
You’re holy, holy, holy Lord!
Chorus 4
What joy in everlasting life
All is love and faith is sight
Justice rolls and praises rise
At the name of Jesus Christ
(King of kings forever
King of kings forever
King of kings forevermore) x2
Written by Aaron Keyes (ASCAP), Pete James (PRS)
© 2016 Common Hymnal Publishing (ASCAP), 10000 Fathers (ASCAP), Thankyou Music (PRS), Getty Music Songs, LLC ASCAP Publishing Designee (ASCAP) (admin by Music Services). CCLI #11375060.
Thanksgiving Prayer
Deacon Brian Chae
Benediction
Rev. Jonny Chung
Announcements
Happy Birthday
Our August birthdays are: Marco Luo (8/7), Joey Wang (8/7), Jaden Yun (8/23), and Joyce Kim (8/24). Happy birthday!
Roots
Thank you for praying for the youth group students at Roots. It was a great time of worship and fellowship. If you’re interested in purchasing additional Roots merch, please talk with Michael Shin.
Youth Ministry Update
After serving faithfully for the last three years in the youth ministry, Chris Choi will be stepping down to take a break from serving at church. Please let him know he is appreciated and continue to pray for the youth ministry moving forward.
Member’s Meeting
We will have a members meeting after lunch today.
Joint Service
We will have a joint service with the KM 8/9 at 11am.
Lunch Distribution
We need help distributing food after lunch. Please help with that after service!
Retreat
Retreat will be August 28-30. Reverend Brian Park from Korean Church of Chicago will be our speaker.
Let’s Pray
Let’s continue to pray for Christine & Chris as baby is coming soon.
Elder Nominations
Our session has received the results of our nominations tally. They will keep us updated on the next steps.
Website Volunteer
If you are interested in helping out with the church website, please let Jonny know.
Sermons
The weekly sermon will be posted on the “Sermons” tab on our website. If you’d like to watch the previous week’s livestream, it will be posted on the church’s YouTube site.
Digital Giving
Give contributions to church with Zelle through your mobile banking app or through the Zelle app. Our email for Zelle is highland.giving@gmail.com.
Welcome
We are glad to be with you today! Do stick around after our worship service for lunch and fellowship!
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Josiah. Josiah has a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition caused by a variation in the TNPO2 gene. His condition is extremely rare; only a few dozen individuals in the entire world have it. Please keep Josiah and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Pray that God would work miracles in Josiah’s life and use Josiah to show the grace and faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Congratulations to Jie, Phil, and Aurelia as they welcomed baby Elora to the family.
Congratulations to Christine and Chris as they are also expecting a baby girl in September.
Connect With Our Deacons
Are you or another church member in need of help? Want to get more involved with sympathy and service in our church fellowship? Notice something in our building that needs attention? Or do you have any questions or concerns about our church overall? If so, then please don’t hesitate to connect with our deacons! Our EM deacons are Aaron, Brian, Joey, and Tim, and they are here to serve you and minister God’s compassion and care in our church. Feel free to connect with them via phone, text, or email (highlandemdeacons@gmail.com). Let’s grow together with our deacons for the glory of Christ Jesus!
Signup For Sunday Lunches
Consider supporting lunches for our church on Sundays! Every lunch we enjoy on Sundays are provided by the generous support of our church members. For 2026, members can either provide/cook/buy food on their own or give $100 to our church and have a dedicated cooking team buy/prepare/cook food on their behalf. Check out the signup sheet next to the kitchen window!