[Damien Hirst, Butterfly Rainbow, 2020 ©Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2020]
- 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 sixth 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 public 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 66.16-20
To the tune “Immortal, Invisible”
Come, listen, all you who fear God earnestly,
And let me proclaim what He has done for me.
I cried out to Him with my mouth and my voice,
My tongue spoke His praise and my spirit rejoiced.
Now if I had cherished my sin in my heart,
The Lord would not listen, nor answer impart.
But God surely listened and He heard my voice.
His love’s ever with me—I’ll praise and rejoice!
HEARING GOD’S WORD
The Scripture passages are Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
MUSICAL WORSHIP
“Lord Most High”
From the ends of the earth (echo)
From the depths of the sea (echo)
From the heights of the heavens (echo)
Your Name be praised!
From the hearts of the weak (echo)
From the shouts of the strong (echo)
From the lips of all people (echo)
This song we raise Lord:
Throughout the endless ages,
You will be crowned with praises
Lord Most High!
Exalted in every nation,
Sovereign of all creation,
Lord Most High be magnified!
“His Mercy Is More”
What love could remember no wrongs we have done?
Omniscient, all knowing, He counts not their sum.
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore,
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!
Praise the Lord!
His mercy is more!
Stronger than darkness, new every morn,
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!
What patience would wait as we constantly roam?
What Father, so tender, is calling us home?
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor.
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!
What riches of kindness He lavished on us!
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost.
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford,
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!
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.
Kindergarten graduates: Lizzie Mae, Naomi
High school graduates: Karli, Grant
Some school systems graduate 5th grade: Amaya, Natalie, others?
Promoting to Youth Group in August: Amaya, Natalie, Jack, Beckett, Liam, Noelle, Rose, others?
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 our King, by the resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week,
You conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life:
Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise You and to do Your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of Your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continue to ask the Spirit of Jesus what He is teaching us these days. Who is He shaping us to be as individuals and a church? Who will will be when we are able to 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? No one knows. But that doesn’t stop disciples from following Jesus. Life is not a problem to solve, it’s an adventure to be lived.
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.
—–
Appointments are available for pastoral listening and prayer: https://calendly.com/gracemidcity
Happy First Day of the Week!
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