[NOTES: A leader should read the Scriptures and prayers in plain text. All should read together the words in bold. Headings and words in italics are for guidance and instruction, and need not be read aloud. All words of songs should be sung together. The lyrics in bold are repeated refrains. The worship guide works best viewed on a computer or tablet when possible.]
GATHERING
[God calls his people to worship him and prepares our hearts to hear his Word.]
Call to Worship | Psalm 137:1-5
By the waters of Babylon,
there we sat down and wept,
when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there
we hung up our lyres.
For there our captors
required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
How shall we sing the Lord's song
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill!
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy!
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
there we sat down and wept,
when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there
we hung up our lyres.
For there our captors
required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
How shall we sing the Lord's song
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill!
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy!
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Prayer
Father, we are reminded of the
Israelites in exile, separated from your people,
unable to worship you together.
But we trust, that even in
what feels like a foreign land,
you are sovereign yet.
Though it may seem for our harm,
use for good the sorrow of isolation
that we may grow in longing for
the gathering of your people,
the fellowship of the body,
the communion of the saints.
Though our voices may be scattered
among our separate homes,
may they be as little lights, driving
back the darkness of these days.
Though they may lack the
harmony of singing together,
may they rise to you all the same,
and in rising, converge
across space and time,
to join together and with the voices
of heaven, as a sign of our hope in
the day when we will sing together
again, and of our greater hope
in the day when we will sing together
around your throne.
Amen.
Israelites in exile, separated from your people,
unable to worship you together.
But we trust, that even in
what feels like a foreign land,
you are sovereign yet.
Though it may seem for our harm,
use for good the sorrow of isolation
that we may grow in longing for
the gathering of your people,
the fellowship of the body,
the communion of the saints.
Though our voices may be scattered
among our separate homes,
may they be as little lights, driving
back the darkness of these days.
Though they may lack the
harmony of singing together,
may they rise to you all the same,
and in rising, converge
across space and time,
to join together and with the voices
of heaven, as a sign of our hope in
the day when we will sing together
again, and of our greater hope
in the day when we will sing together
around your throne.
Amen.
Sing: Is He Worthy
Do you feel the world is broken? We do.
Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do.
But do you know that all the dark
won't stop the light from getting through?
We do.
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
We do.
Is all creation groaning? It is.
Is a new creation coming? It is?
Is the glory of the Lord to be
the light within our midst?
It is.
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
It is.
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,
He is David's Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.
Is He worthy? Is He worthy,
of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is.
Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do.
But do you know that all the dark
won't stop the light from getting through?
We do.
Do you wish that you could see it all made new?
We do.
Is all creation groaning? It is.
Is a new creation coming? It is?
Is the glory of the Lord to be
the light within our midst?
It is.
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this?
It is.
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,
He is David's Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.
Is He worthy? Is He worthy,
of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is.
Does the Father truly love us? He does.
Does the Spirit move among us? He does.
And does Jesus our Messiah
hold forever those He loves?
He does.
Does our God intend to dwell again with us?
He does.
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,
He is David's Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.
From every people and tribe, every nation and tongue,
He has made us a kingdom and priests
to God to reign with the Son.
Is He worthy? Is He worthy,
of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is. He is. He is. He is.
He is worthy, He is worthy
of all blessing and honor and glory.
He is worthy of this.
He is.
Does the Spirit move among us? He does.
And does Jesus our Messiah
hold forever those He loves?
He does.
Does our God intend to dwell again with us?
He does.
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,
He is David's Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.
From every people and tribe, every nation and tongue,
He has made us a kingdom and priests
to God to reign with the Son.
Is He worthy? Is He worthy,
of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is. He is. He is. He is.
He is worthy, He is worthy
of all blessing and honor and glory.
He is worthy of this.
He is.
Sing: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven's praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law in Him we stand
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven's praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law in Him we stand
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e'er restrain Him
Praise the Lord He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e'er restrain Him
Praise the Lord He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
WORD
[God speaks to his people through the Scriptures in the power of the Holy Spirit.]
Prayer For Illumination
God of mercy,
you promised never to break your covenant with us.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
speak your eternal Word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises
with faithful and obedient lives;
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Scripture Reading | Luke 19:1-10
[Read the text together and then play the teaching video.]
Sing: God You're So Good
Amazing love that welcomes me
The kindness of mercy
That bought with blood wholeheartedly
My soul undeserving
God You're so good
God You're so good
God You're so good
You're so good to me
Behold the cross age to age
And hour by hour
The dead are raised the sinner saved
The work of Your power
The kindness of mercy
That bought with blood wholeheartedly
My soul undeserving
God You're so good
God You're so good
God You're so good
You're so good to me
Behold the cross age to age
And hour by hour
The dead are raised the sinner saved
The work of Your power
I am blessed I am called
I am healed I am whole
I am saved in Jesus' name
Highly favored anointed
Filled with Your pow'r
For the glory of Jesus' name
And should this life bring suffering
Lord I will remember
What Calvary has bought for me
Both now and forever
I am healed I am whole
I am saved in Jesus' name
Highly favored anointed
Filled with Your pow'r
For the glory of Jesus' name
And should this life bring suffering
Lord I will remember
What Calvary has bought for me
Both now and forever
TABLE
[God unites his people to himself as we respond to his Word.]
Prayers of the People
Gracious Father, every good and perfect gift is from you.
May we hold fast to your goodness
with joy and thanksgiving
even amidst these days of uncertainty.
[Take a moment to thank God for ways he has blessed you in the last week.]
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.”
At your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now,
in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus,
that we may experience your healing love.
[Pray for healing for those who are sick]
[Pray for comfort for those who are afraid.]
[Pray for provision for doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers.]
[Pray for others whom God has laid on your heart.]
We know you are the Prince of peace, Lord of lords, the King of kings.
We praise you for your goodness and your mercy,
And we ask this all in the name of Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
Amen.
Confession and Assurance
Let us confess our sins to God.
[Silence may be kept.]
As you have promised us in your Word so we believe, and find assurance:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[1 John 1:9]
Let us pray as our Savior has taught us.
[Silence may be kept.]
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
As you have promised us in your Word so we believe, and find assurance:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[1 John 1:9]
Let us pray as our Savior has taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Communion
What I received from the Lord is what I deliver to, that the Lord Jesus Christ, on the very night when he was betrayed, took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat. This is my body, broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And in the same way after supper, he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to the disciples, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread, and whenever you drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord in the gift of his Son.
[Those who are baptized may share in the bread and the cup.]
[Those who are baptized may share in the bread and the cup.]
Sing: O Church Arise
O Church arise and put your armour on
Hear the call of Christ our Captain
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given
With shield of faith and belt of Truth
We’ll stand against the devil’s lies
An army bold whose battle cry is love
Reaching out to those in darkness
Our call to war to love the captive soul
But to rage against the captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor
When faced with trials on ev'ry side
We know the outcome is secure
And Christ will have the prize for which He died
An inheritance of nations
Arise shine for your Light has come
Arise shine for the risen Son
Lift your eyes we are His radiant bride
Arise O Church arise
Hear the call of Christ our Captain
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given
With shield of faith and belt of Truth
We’ll stand against the devil’s lies
An army bold whose battle cry is love
Reaching out to those in darkness
Our call to war to love the captive soul
But to rage against the captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor
When faced with trials on ev'ry side
We know the outcome is secure
And Christ will have the prize for which He died
An inheritance of nations
Arise shine for your Light has come
Arise shine for the risen Son
Lift your eyes we are His radiant bride
Arise O Church arise
Come see the cross where love and mercy meet
As the Son of God is stricken
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet
For the Conqueror has risen
And as the stone is rolled away
And Christ emerges from his grave
This victory march continues 'til the day
Every eye and heart shall see Him
So Spirit come put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful
As saints of old still line the way
Retelling triumphs of His grace
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in Glory
As the Son of God is stricken
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet
For the Conqueror has risen
And as the stone is rolled away
And Christ emerges from his grave
This victory march continues 'til the day
Every eye and heart shall see Him
So Spirit come put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful
As saints of old still line the way
Retelling triumphs of His grace
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in Glory
SENDING
[God sends his people out to love and serve him in the world.]
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach us to love: To love the Lord our God
With all our heart,
with all our soul,
and with all our mind.
To love our neighbor as ourselves.
with all our soul,
and with all our mind.
To love our neighbor as ourselves.
Lord, teach us to love like Jesus.
Benediction
As you go to love and serve the Lord,
may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
What Now?
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Need prayer? Click here to send us your prayer requests, (personal or anonymous). If you want us to follow up with you, we'll be happy to give you call and pray with you.
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