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
“Truth is under attack…. Rare is the person who believes that there are facts that correspond with reality (truths) and…are true for all people in all places and at all times…. [T]his will ultimately lead us to nihilism wherein all ideas lose their value. Ultimately, the only thing that will matter is who has sufficient power to exercise his or her will.”
“As followers of Christ, our greatest delight will always be found in our obedience to His Word.”
~Voddie Baucham, Dean of Theology at African Christian University (Zambia)
“…I know a place/Ain’t nobody cryin’/Ain’t nobody worried/Ain’t no smilin’ faces/Mmm, no no/Lyin’ to the races”
~“I’ll Take You There” (1972) by The Staples Singers
“You have to be a bit of a dreamer to imagine a world where love trumps hate—but I don’t think being a dreamer is all that bad. Joel prophesied that God would ‘pour out [His] Spirit on all people. Your…old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.’”
“We live out our call most fully when we are a community of faith with arms wrapped about a community of pain.”
~John M. Perkins, Christian minister and civil rights activist
“If someone had told me in 1963 that one day I would be in Congress, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.’”
“When people tell me nothing has changed, I say come walk in my shoes and I will show you change.”
~John Lewis (1940-2020), legendary civil rights leader and politician
“The cross reconciles men to God and men to each other.”
~Thabiti Anyabwile, pastor and writer
“The operation of the Church is entirely set up for the sinner; which creates much misunderstanding among the smug.”
~Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964), novelist and essayist
“As followers of Christ, our greatest delight will always be found in our obedience to His Word.”
~Voddie Baucham, Dean of Theology at African Christian University (Zambia)
“…I know a place/Ain’t nobody cryin’/Ain’t nobody worried/Ain’t no smilin’ faces/Mmm, no no/Lyin’ to the races”
~“I’ll Take You There” (1972) by The Staples Singers
“You have to be a bit of a dreamer to imagine a world where love trumps hate—but I don’t think being a dreamer is all that bad. Joel prophesied that God would ‘pour out [His] Spirit on all people. Your…old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.’”
“We live out our call most fully when we are a community of faith with arms wrapped about a community of pain.”
~John M. Perkins, Christian minister and civil rights activist
“If someone had told me in 1963 that one day I would be in Congress, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.’”
“When people tell me nothing has changed, I say come walk in my shoes and I will show you change.”
~John Lewis (1940-2020), legendary civil rights leader and politician
“The cross reconciles men to God and men to each other.”
~Thabiti Anyabwile, pastor and writer
“The operation of the Church is entirely set up for the sinner; which creates much misunderstanding among the smug.”
~Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964), novelist and essayist
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Isaiah 42:1-4 (NASB)
LEADER: “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
CONGREGATION: “He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
LEADER: “A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
ALL: “He will not be disheartened or crushed
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”
LEADER: “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
CONGREGATION: “He will not cry out or raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
LEADER: “A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
ALL: “He will not be disheartened or crushed
Until He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
FAIREST LORD JESUS
(17th Century German hymn)
(17th Century German hymn)
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown!
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing!
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast!
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown!
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing!
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast!
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
RESPONSIVE READING
Adapted from Ephesians 4 & 5 (NASB)
LEADER: Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
CONGREGATION: With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
LEADER: There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
CONGREGATION: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
LEADER: Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
CONGREGATION: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
LEADER: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
CONGREGATION: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
LEADER: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
CONGREGATION: And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
LEADER: Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
CONGREGATION: With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
LEADER: There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
CONGREGATION: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
LEADER: Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
CONGREGATION: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
LEADER: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
CONGREGATION: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
LEADER: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
CONGREGATION: And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
(Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923, additional verses by John Piper)
(Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923, additional verses by John Piper)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
REFRAIN:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
I could not love Thee, so blind and unfeeling;
Covenant promises fell not to me.
Then without warning, desire, or deserving,
I found my Treasure, my pleasure, in Thee.
(REFRAIN)
I have no merit to woo or delight Thee,
I have no wisdom or pow’rs to employ;
Yet in thy mercy, how pleasing thou find’st me,
This is Thy pleasure: that Thou art my joy.
(REFRAIN)
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(REFRAIN)
©1951 Hope Publishing Company CCLI#1791178
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
REFRAIN:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
I could not love Thee, so blind and unfeeling;
Covenant promises fell not to me.
Then without warning, desire, or deserving,
I found my Treasure, my pleasure, in Thee.
(REFRAIN)
I have no merit to woo or delight Thee,
I have no wisdom or pow’rs to employ;
Yet in thy mercy, how pleasing thou find’st me,
This is Thy pleasure: that Thou art my joy.
(REFRAIN)
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(REFRAIN)
©1951 Hope Publishing Company CCLI#1791178
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 Time
(You may have an open time of prayer or select someone to pray)
- Pray for our nation – that the good news of Jesus Christ would draw people to know God genuinely and personally.
- Pray for those suffering from the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.
- Pray for those experiencing racial injustices; specifically, that God would bring hope, reconciliation, and restoration through the good news of His Son.
- Pray for those in authority at every level in our country, that they would govern wisely and justly.
Listen to Sermon
“The Beauty of Unity: Part 3″
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
Confession of Faith
The Apostles’ Creed (circa 5th Century)
LEADER: Christian, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell*. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall 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.
*i.e. suffered under the judgment of God for His people **i.e. “universal”
LEADER: Christian, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell*. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall 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.
*i.e. suffered under the judgment of God for His people **i.e. “universal”
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)
HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!
(Philip P. Bliss, 1875)
(Philip P. Bliss, 1875)
“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished” was his cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high,
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All the ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished” was his cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high,
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All the ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Benediction
(The leader or individual should read this aloud relishing in the confident assertion that Christ has conquered.)
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!
Luke 12:29-32
LEADER: Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
PEOPLE: Amen!