Welcome
Thank you so much for joining us! The following page will take you through the order of worship for this Sunday.
If you are new, welcome! We also want to invite you to learn more about us. You can do so by selecting the button below.
If you are new, welcome! We also want to invite you to learn more about us. You can do so by selecting the button below.
A few tips for parents:
- Plan for your time – read through the guide and prepare the room where you are gathering
- Make your time joyful – have fun!!!
- Remember, it’s primarily about a relationship, not a task to scratch off
- Have your kids participate in age and maturity appropriate ways – reading, singing, etc.
Time of Reflection
“Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.”
~Abraham Joshua Herschel (1907-1972), famed rabbi and theologian
“In the beginning was the Word…”
~The Gospel according to John 1:1
“Talking is the most dangerous thing people do…, and listening is the most infrequent thing people do, especially when they are stressed.”
~Harville Hendrix, couples therapist, on the relational impact of COVID-19
“I do believe that words…go into the body, as effect. So, they cause us to be well and hopeful and high energy and wondrous and funny and cheerful. Or they…get into the body and cause us to be sullen and sour and depressed and, finally sick.”
~ Maya Angelou (1928-2014), American poet and civil rights activist
“I consider looseness with words no less of a defect than looseness of the bowels.”
~John Calvin (1509-1564), theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva
“Words are not in the power of men; men are in the power of words.”
~Hermann Bahr (1863-1934), Austrian writer, director and critic
“The central reality for Christians is the personal, unalterable, persevering commitment God makes to us. Perseverance is not the result of our determination; it is the result of God’s faithfulness. We survive in the way of faith not because we have extraordinary stamina but because God is righteous, because God sticks with us.”
~Eugene Peterson (1932-2018), American minister and author
~Abraham Joshua Herschel (1907-1972), famed rabbi and theologian
“In the beginning was the Word…”
~The Gospel according to John 1:1
“Talking is the most dangerous thing people do…, and listening is the most infrequent thing people do, especially when they are stressed.”
~Harville Hendrix, couples therapist, on the relational impact of COVID-19
“I do believe that words…go into the body, as effect. So, they cause us to be well and hopeful and high energy and wondrous and funny and cheerful. Or they…get into the body and cause us to be sullen and sour and depressed and, finally sick.”
~ Maya Angelou (1928-2014), American poet and civil rights activist
“I consider looseness with words no less of a defect than looseness of the bowels.”
~John Calvin (1509-1564), theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva
“Words are not in the power of men; men are in the power of words.”
~Hermann Bahr (1863-1934), Austrian writer, director and critic
“The central reality for Christians is the personal, unalterable, persevering commitment God makes to us. Perseverance is not the result of our determination; it is the result of God’s faithfulness. We survive in the way of faith not because we have extraordinary stamina but because God is righteous, because God sticks with us.”
~Eugene Peterson (1932-2018), American minister and author
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV)
LEADER: How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
PEOPLE: With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
LEADER: I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
PEOPLE: Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
LEADER: With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
PEOPLE: In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
LEADER: I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
ALL: I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
LEADER: How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
PEOPLE: With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
LEADER: I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
PEOPLE: Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
LEADER: With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
PEOPLE: In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
LEADER: I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
ALL: I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
O COME TO THE ALTAR
(Chris Brown, Mack Brocken, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye)
(Chris Brown, Mack Brocken, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye)
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling.
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling.
CHORUS:
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide.
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes.
Come today, there’s no reason to wait.
Jesus is calling.
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy.
From the ashes, a new life is born,
Jesus is calling.
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
Oh, what a Savior,
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
Bow down before Him,
For He is Lord of all.
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
(CHORUS)
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown,
Tell the world of the treasure you found.
©2015 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) CCLI #1791178
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling.
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling.
CHORUS:
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide.
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes.
Come today, there’s no reason to wait.
Jesus is calling.
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy.
From the ashes, a new life is born,
Jesus is calling.
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
Oh, what a Savior,
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
Bow down before Him,
For He is Lord of all.
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
(CHORUS)
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown,
Tell the world of the treasure you found.
©2015 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) CCLI #1791178
RESPONSIVE READING
Ephesians 1 (ESV)
LEADER: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
ALL: Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
LEADER: In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
ALL: To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
LEADER: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose
ALL: Which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
LEADER: In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
ALL: So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
LEADER: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
ALL: who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
LEADER: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
ALL: Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
LEADER: In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
ALL: To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
LEADER: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose
ALL: Which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
LEADER: In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
ALL: So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
LEADER: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
ALL: who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
(Horatio G. Spafford & Philip P. Bliss, 1873)
(Horatio G. Spafford & Philip P. Bliss, 1873)
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Tho’ Satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Tho’ Satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Sharing
(as a lead into the Prayer Time, as a group share how you are feeling and what you are learning; below are suggested questions)
Prayer
(You may have an open time of prayer or simply pray aloud the prayer below, or you may do a combination of the two)
Prayer for Our Nation During COVID-19
Written and distributed by Westminster Theological Seminary, April 2020
We pray today through the mighty strength of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness and confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Grant O Lord that we may hear Your voice since we have hoped in You. Show us the way in which we should walk, since we have lifted up our souls unto You. Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord, we have fled unto You. Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God.
Heavenly Father, we come to You today because Your mercies are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness! We approach Your throne of Grace today in America through united prayer as we have been called to do so by the President. We honor his call for prayer, affirming that prayer knows no political parties and is not the provenance of Republican or Democrat. We pray for our President, his cabinet, and health officials, as well as the honorable Congress and all leaders thorough our land. We pray earnestly to You during this season of great crisis because You are the Giver of Life and Health. Please hear the prayers of Your people!
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, You are our only sure hope in this time of need. We humbly beseech You to visit and relieve each one who calls out to You in their afflictions. Please look upon them with eyes of mercy; comfort them with a personal sense of Your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the evil one and the fear of death. Please give them patience in their loneliness and sufferings, particularly for those who are alone, shut off from others whether in their homes, quarantined, or hospitalized. In Your sovereign and perfect time, we humbly ask that You restore them to health, and enable them to lead each day of their lives thereafter in holy gratitude to Your glory. And if this should be the time that You have chosen to call them to Yourself, please grant that they may dwell with You in everlasting life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ whose death, resurrection and perfect life have merited the forgiveness of our sins and assure to every believer eternal blessings in Your presence.
All this we ask in the exalted name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written and distributed by Westminster Theological Seminary, April 2020
We pray today through the mighty strength of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness and confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Grant O Lord that we may hear Your voice since we have hoped in You. Show us the way in which we should walk, since we have lifted up our souls unto You. Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord, we have fled unto You. Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God.
Heavenly Father, we come to You today because Your mercies are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness! We approach Your throne of Grace today in America through united prayer as we have been called to do so by the President. We honor his call for prayer, affirming that prayer knows no political parties and is not the provenance of Republican or Democrat. We pray for our President, his cabinet, and health officials, as well as the honorable Congress and all leaders thorough our land. We pray earnestly to You during this season of great crisis because You are the Giver of Life and Health. Please hear the prayers of Your people!
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, You are our only sure hope in this time of need. We humbly beseech You to visit and relieve each one who calls out to You in their afflictions. Please look upon them with eyes of mercy; comfort them with a personal sense of Your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the evil one and the fear of death. Please give them patience in their loneliness and sufferings, particularly for those who are alone, shut off from others whether in their homes, quarantined, or hospitalized. In Your sovereign and perfect time, we humbly ask that You restore them to health, and enable them to lead each day of their lives thereafter in holy gratitude to Your glory. And if this should be the time that You have chosen to call them to Yourself, please grant that they may dwell with You in everlasting life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ whose death, resurrection and perfect life have merited the forgiveness of our sins and assure to every believer eternal blessings in Your presence.
All this we ask in the exalted name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Listen to Sermon
“Training Your Tongue for Life-Giving Communication”
Ephesians 4:25-32; James 3:6-12 (ESV)
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
Ephesians 4:25-32; James 3:6-12 (ESV)
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
Confession of Faith
adapted from John 1:1-5
LEADER: What do you believe about the Gospel of Jesus?
CONGREGATION: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not been able to stop it.
LEADER: What do you believe about the Gospel of Jesus?
CONGREGATION: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not been able to stop it.
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Song
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
WE WILL FEAST IN THE HOUSE OF ZION
(Joshua Moore, Sandra McCracken)
(Joshua Moore, Sandra McCracken)
(CHORUS)
We will feast in the house of Zion.
We will sing with our hearts restored.
He has done great things, we will say together.
We will feast and weep no more.
We will not be burned by the fire.
He is the Lord our God.
We are not consumed by the flood.
Upheld, protected, gathered up.
(CHORUS)
In the dark of night before the dawn,
My soul be not afraid.
For the promised morning oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength.
(CHORUS)
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed,
You are the faithful one.
And from the garden to the grave,
Bind us together bring shalom.
(CHORUS)
©2015 Drink Your Tea Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) CCLI License #1791178
We will feast in the house of Zion.
We will sing with our hearts restored.
He has done great things, we will say together.
We will feast and weep no more.
We will not be burned by the fire.
He is the Lord our God.
We are not consumed by the flood.
Upheld, protected, gathered up.
(CHORUS)
In the dark of night before the dawn,
My soul be not afraid.
For the promised morning oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength.
(CHORUS)
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed,
You are the faithful one.
And from the garden to the grave,
Bind us together bring shalom.
(CHORUS)
©2015 Drink Your Tea Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) CCLI License #1791178
Closing Prayer
(select someone to close your time in prayer)
Benediction
(The leader or individual should read this aloud relishing in the confident assertion that Christ has conquered.)
LEADER: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
PEOPLE: Amen! May it be to us according to the Word of God!
LEADER: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
PEOPLE: Amen! May it be to us according to the Word of God!