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.
- You are welcome to print out this week's Children's Bulletin here.
Time of Reflection
“Shame is a soul-eating emotion.”
~Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), Swiss psychiatrist
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
~Plato, ancient Athenian philosopher
“Heaven is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”
~Stephen Hawking (1942-2018), theoretical physicist and author
“If Religion is a fairy tale of those afraid of the dark, then Atheism is a fairy tale of those afraid of the light.”
~John Lennox, Oxford professor of mathematics and author
“Why is it that those with the most skeletons in their closet always seem to the most judgmental of everyone else?”
~Source Unknown
“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable…selves to be deeply seen and known….”
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”
“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”
~Brené Brown, social researcher, professor and writer
“The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for us. We … put ourselves where only God deserves to be; God … puts himself where we deserve to be.”
~John Stott (1921-2011), theologian and pastor
~Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), Swiss psychiatrist
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
~Plato, ancient Athenian philosopher
“Heaven is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”
~Stephen Hawking (1942-2018), theoretical physicist and author
“If Religion is a fairy tale of those afraid of the dark, then Atheism is a fairy tale of those afraid of the light.”
~John Lennox, Oxford professor of mathematics and author
“Why is it that those with the most skeletons in their closet always seem to the most judgmental of everyone else?”
~Source Unknown
“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable…selves to be deeply seen and known….”
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”
“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.”
~Brené Brown, social researcher, professor and writer
“The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for us. We … put ourselves where only God deserves to be; God … puts himself where we deserve to be.”
~John Stott (1921-2011), theologian and pastor
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 34:1-7 (ESV)
LEADER: I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
PEOPLE: My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
LEADER: Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
PEOPLE: I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
LEADER: Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
PEOPLE: This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
LEADER: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
LEADER: I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
PEOPLE: My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
LEADER: Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
PEOPLE: I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
LEADER: Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
PEOPLE: This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
LEADER: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
(Reginald Heber & John B. Dykes, 1861)
(Reginald Heber & John B. Dykes, 1861)
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Tho’ the darkness hide Thee,
Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy– there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Tho’ the darkness hide Thee,
Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy– there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 34:8-18 (ESV)
LEADER: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
PEOPLE: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
LEADER: Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
PEOPLE: The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
LEADER: Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
PEOPLE: What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
LEADER: Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
PEOPLE: Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
LEADER: The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
PEOPLE: The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
LEADER: When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
PEOPLE: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
LEADER: Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
PEOPLE: He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
LEADER: Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
ALL: The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
LEADER: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
PEOPLE: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
LEADER: Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
PEOPLE: The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
LEADER: Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
PEOPLE: What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
LEADER: Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
PEOPLE: Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
LEADER: The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
PEOPLE: The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
LEADER: When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
PEOPLE: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
LEADER: Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
PEOPLE: He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
LEADER: Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
ALL: The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
GREATLY REJOICE
(Steve Earl)
(Steve Earl)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who has caused us to be born again to a living hope
Who has caused us to be born again to a living hope
A hope that won’t fade away, reserved in heaven for us
Protected by the power of God through faith
We are saved! We are saved!
REFRAIN:
We greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible
Greatly rejoice with glorious praise
Greatly rejoice in a life incorruptible
Love beyond measure and infinite grace
Love beyond measure and infinite grace.
Through the trials of life
You’re working to prove our faith as gold
In Your love we are persevering for one day soon we know
You’ll explode through the clouds as Your shout cracks the sky
Dead in Christ will arise– as You call home Your bride
And though we’ve not seen Your face, this greatest glory awaits
‘Til then by the power of God through faith
We are saved! We are saved!
(REFRAIN)
©1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity's Hosanna! Music) CCLI License #1791178
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Who has caused us to be born again to a living hope
Who has caused us to be born again to a living hope
A hope that won’t fade away, reserved in heaven for us
Protected by the power of God through faith
We are saved! We are saved!
REFRAIN:
We greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible
Greatly rejoice with glorious praise
Greatly rejoice in a life incorruptible
Love beyond measure and infinite grace
Love beyond measure and infinite grace.
Through the trials of life
You’re working to prove our faith as gold
In Your love we are persevering for one day soon we know
You’ll explode through the clouds as Your shout cracks the sky
Dead in Christ will arise– as You call home Your bride
And though we’ve not seen Your face, this greatest glory awaits
‘Til then by the power of God through faith
We are saved! We are saved!
(REFRAIN)
©1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity's Hosanna! Music) CCLI License #1791178
Sharing
(as a lead into the Prayer Time, as a group share how you are feeling and what you are learning)
Prayer Time
(You may have an open time of prayer or select someone to pray)
- Pray for our church’s short and long-term meeting place needs, that God would give us favor in the eyes of those in authority and that He would give us provision that would go far beyond all that we could ask or imagine.
- Pray for our world – that the good news of Jesus Christ would flourish and that many would come to know God genuinely and personally.
- Pray for those experiencing injustices; specifically, that God would bring hope, reconciliation, and restoration through the good news of His Son, and that we would be agents of this reconciliation.
- Pray for those in authority at every level in our country, that they would govern wisely and justly.
Listen to Sermon
“Hide and Seek”
John 2:23-25 & 3:19-21
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
John 2:23-25 & 3:19-21
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passage
John 2:23-25 & 3:19-21 (ESV)
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 2
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
John 3
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
John 2:23-25 & 3:19-21 (ESV)
John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 2
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
John 3
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
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”
Song of Response
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST
(Jordan Kauflin)
(Jordan Kauflin)
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
©2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) CCLI License #1791178
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
©2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) CCLI License #1791178
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!
Worshipping God through Giving
God has called us to be generous. He has entrusted this earth and all that is in it to us, but it is, ultimately, His! The Father gave what was most precious to Him, His own Son, in order to die for our sins. He has given to us abundantly beyond all that we could possibly ask or imagine! He is a benevolent and generous Giver! So, we give.
First, we want to remind you to continue your regular giving to CRC. This supports the ongoing work and ministry here in the Upper Valley and around the world through our missions support. Second, please consider giving to our Benevolence Fund, which supports local community care, both inside and outside the church. This is vitally important right now! As we see needs sprouting up around the community, we want to be positioned to extend a loving hand of support to those in need.
Giving Numbers
Budgeted Giving: $181,710
Actual Giving to Date: $171,171
Difference: (-$10,539)
Missions Giving YTD: $27,691
updated as of 3/31/21
First, we want to remind you to continue your regular giving to CRC. This supports the ongoing work and ministry here in the Upper Valley and around the world through our missions support. Second, please consider giving to our Benevolence Fund, which supports local community care, both inside and outside the church. This is vitally important right now! As we see needs sprouting up around the community, we want to be positioned to extend a loving hand of support to those in need.
Giving Numbers
Budgeted Giving: $181,710
Actual Giving to Date: $171,171
Difference: (-$10,539)
Missions Giving YTD: $27,691
updated as of 3/31/21