[Image: It’s Great To Be Alive © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2012]
- BEFORE YOU BEGIN – prepare a space for worship.
~ Light a candle, the Light of the World has defeated death!
~ Have a cross in the room since we’ll be sending our problems to the Cross of Christ.
~ Put out a piece of cloth that is gold or white to commemorate the season.
~ If you’re alone, call someone and ask if you can worship Jesus together. Take turns reading each section of the service.
~ Have fun! Let children participate and be sensible with attention spans.
PREPARING FOR WORSHIP
Nothing you’ve done nor anything that’s been done to you this week – even if it’s criminal – can separate you from the love of the Creator in Christ Jesus. There may be consequences and sufferings to carry, but there is no condemnation in Christ. In this seventh and final week of the Easter Season, on the first day of a new week, let’s remind ourselves of this truth:
Since Jesus has broken the chains of sin and death, He can rescue me and forgive my sins.
Jesus can heal me.
Jesus loves me as I am.
Jesus gives me Hope.
CALL TO WORSHIP – EASTER SEASON
Alleluia! Christ is Risen.
The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
UNITED IN TRUTH
As an act of public worship and witness, let us confess the faith handed down once and for all
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
— Apostles’ Creed
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 the dead.
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.
PRAY-SING GOD’S WORD, PSALM 68
v4-6
Sing praises to God and to His Name!
Sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds.
His name is Yahweh—rejoice in His presence!
Father to the fatherless, Defender of widows—
this is God, Whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
HEARING GOD’S WORD
The Scripture passages are Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
MUSICAL WORSHIP
“Crown Him With Many Crowns”
Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne.
Hark how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!
Awake my soul and sing of Him Who died for thee!
And hail Him as thy Matchless King
Through all eternity!
Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o’er the grave.
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save!
His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high;
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die!
Crown Him the Lord of love,
Behold His hands and side: rich wounds yet visible above in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me!
Thy praise and glory shall not fail, through-out eternity!
“He Is Exalted”
He is exalted,
The King is exalted on high,
I will praise Him!
He is exalted, forever exalted,
And I will praise His name!
He is the Lord!
Forever His truth shall reign!
Heaven and earth,
Rejoice in His Holy Name!
He is exalted,
The King is exalted on high.
PRAYING FOR THE GRACE CHILDREN
“Father, fill the children and youth of Grace with Your Spirit. May they never know a day outside the love of Jesus Christ.”
Say each name then picture the person before moving on.
Lois, Micah, Naomi, Emma, Nora, David, Sophia, Noelle, Jace, Sophia, Beckett, Easton, Iva James, Colton, Rose, Paul, Amaya, Miles, Lizzie Mae, Nezzie, Ira, Sofia, Simone, Samuel, Virginia, Evie, Thomas, Karli, Grant, Cailyn, Rayana, Jack, Greyson, Caroline, Travis, Ethan, Arin, Liam, Rachel, Sami, Thomas, Grant, Whernska, Levi, Judah, Natalie, Benjamin.
OFFERING
When we make an offering, we give what already belongs to Christ; Of Your own, O Lord, do we give. Money is not the only offering, we can also offer our talents, abilities, and gifts to the exclusive use of King Jesus and His Kingdom. We offer every bit of ourselves in service to Christ and His Creation. We don’t want to be tone-deaf about economic crisis facing some in our church, nor do we want to presume financial instability in our church. If you are facing an economic crisis today, please let Byron know your need so your church can support you in some way. If you have financial security and even abundance, share generously with those in need. Thank you for worshipping through tithes and offerings. Mail is received at 630 Richland Avenue, 70806, or give online at https://gracemidcity.churchcenter.com/giving
BEING SHAPED BY SCRIPTURE AND SPIRIT
Prayer: O God, the King of glory, You have exalted Your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to Your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Who is Jesus shaping us to be as individuals and a church? Who will we be when we gather together again? Will all the children and youth we pray for be present? Will all the adults we saw before be seen again? What will this local church look like? Will it have to be replanted? We don’t know. Being a follower of Jesus is not a problem to solve, it’s an adventure to live!
Holy Father, quiet us in Your Love—with the confidence that You hear us and are near. May You lighten our hearts and enable us to take these strange days with the quiet resolve of people aligned with Your purposes and confident that Your will be done. Lord, send Your Spirit, full of comfort. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
BEING NOURISHED WITH THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
I plan to celebrate communion / Lord’s supper/ Eucharist (the New Testament word for “thanksgiving”) when we are gathered together again in one room. The very word “communion” speaks to our life together in community. We are physically scattered and cannot feast by faith together but we are spiritually gathered, hidden together in the life of Christ.
Face the Cross in your room and let’s cast our cares upon Him.
Lord Jesus, You are our Refuge and Fortress.
— Kenyan Prayer
All our problems –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All our difficulties –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All the devil’s works –
we SEND to the Cross of Christ!
All our hopes –
we SET on the Risen Christ!
CALLING ALL CREATURES TO WORSHIP
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all Creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. A-men.
COMMISSIONED INTO ANOTHER WEEK
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
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Happy First Day of the Week!