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
“A man of conscience can never be a consensus leader. He doesn’t take a stand to search for consensus, he’s ultimately a molder of consensus. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
~Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), civil rights leader
“Courage is a prerequisite for all leadership. And it can be taught. It’s made up of four skills: being vulnerable is the most important, followed by sticking to values, trusting others and persistence. There can be no courage without vulnerability and no vulnerability without the risk of failure.”
~Brené Brown (1965-present), American author and professor
“It takes courage to be hopeful, but when we are hopeful we find the strength to do the things that allow us to change the world.”
~Bryan Stevenson (1959-present), lawyer and activist
“There is no power without prayer, and there is no power in prayer without a resolve to endure all things for the sake of Jesus.”
~Jack Miller (1928-1996), American pastor, professor, and missions leader
“Familiarity with the biblical narrative of the crucifixion has dulled our sense of just how completely novel a deity Christ was ... [Christianity] is the principal reason why, by and large, most of us who live in post-Christian societies still take for granted that it is nobler to suffer than to inflict suffering. It is why we generally assume that every human life is of equal value.”
~Tom Holland, British and atheist historian
“I find a lot of dishonesty in Christian art. And I think it’s a shame because [the psalmists] are people who are vulnerable to God in a good way…porous, open. I would love if... people writing these gospel songs would write a song about their bad marriage...Why I’m suspicious of Christians is because of this lack of realism.”
~Bono (1960-present), lead singer of U2
“Everyone is broken by life, but some people are stronger in those broken places.”
~Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), American novelist and journalist
“Suffering only hurts you if you can’t attach it to a narrative of redemption.”
~David Brooks (1961-present), New York Times columnist
~Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), civil rights leader
“Courage is a prerequisite for all leadership. And it can be taught. It’s made up of four skills: being vulnerable is the most important, followed by sticking to values, trusting others and persistence. There can be no courage without vulnerability and no vulnerability without the risk of failure.”
~Brené Brown (1965-present), American author and professor
“It takes courage to be hopeful, but when we are hopeful we find the strength to do the things that allow us to change the world.”
~Bryan Stevenson (1959-present), lawyer and activist
“There is no power without prayer, and there is no power in prayer without a resolve to endure all things for the sake of Jesus.”
~Jack Miller (1928-1996), American pastor, professor, and missions leader
“Familiarity with the biblical narrative of the crucifixion has dulled our sense of just how completely novel a deity Christ was ... [Christianity] is the principal reason why, by and large, most of us who live in post-Christian societies still take for granted that it is nobler to suffer than to inflict suffering. It is why we generally assume that every human life is of equal value.”
~Tom Holland, British and atheist historian
“I find a lot of dishonesty in Christian art. And I think it’s a shame because [the psalmists] are people who are vulnerable to God in a good way…porous, open. I would love if... people writing these gospel songs would write a song about their bad marriage...Why I’m suspicious of Christians is because of this lack of realism.”
~Bono (1960-present), lead singer of U2
“Everyone is broken by life, but some people are stronger in those broken places.”
~Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), American novelist and journalist
“Suffering only hurts you if you can’t attach it to a narrative of redemption.”
~David Brooks (1961-present), New York Times columnist
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 118 (ESV)
LEADER: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
PEOPLE: For his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: Let Israel say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let the house of Aaron say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let those who fear the Lord say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free.
PEOPLE: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
LEADER: The Lord is on my side as my helper;
PEOPLE: I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
LEADER: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
PEOPLE: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
LEADER: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
PEOPLE: For his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: Let Israel say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let the house of Aaron say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Let those who fear the Lord say,
PEOPLE: “His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER: Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free.
PEOPLE: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
LEADER: The Lord is on my side as my helper;
PEOPLE: I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
LEADER: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
PEOPLE: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD)
(Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman)
(Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman)
CHORUS:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning:
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
(CHORUS)
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
(CHORUS)
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore!
(CHORUS)
I’ll worship Your holy name.
Yes, I’ll worship Your holy name.
©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI#1791178
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning:
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
(CHORUS)
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
(CHORUS)
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore!
(CHORUS)
I’ll worship Your holy name.
Yes, I’ll worship Your holy name.
©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI#1791178
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 118 (ESV)
LEADER: All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
LEADER: They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
LEADER: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
PEOPLE: Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
LEADER: The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
PEOPLE: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
LEADER: The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
PEOPLE: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
LEADER: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
PEOPLE: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
LEADER: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
PEOPLE: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
LEADER: Save us, we pray, O Lord!
PEOPLE: O Lord, we pray, give us success!
LEADER: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.
PEOPLE: The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
LEADER: Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
PEOPLE: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
ALL: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
LEADER: All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
LEADER: They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
PEOPLE: I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
LEADER: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
PEOPLE: Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
LEADER: The right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
PEOPLE: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
LEADER: The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
PEOPLE: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
LEADER: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
PEOPLE: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
LEADER: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
PEOPLE: This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
LEADER: Save us, we pray, O Lord!
PEOPLE: O Lord, we pray, give us success!
LEADER: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.
PEOPLE: The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.
LEADER: Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
PEOPLE: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
ALL: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
BE STILL MY SOUL
(Katharine von Schlegel 1697, Jason Ingram, Kari Jobe)
(Katharine von Schlegel 1697, Jason Ingram, Kari Jobe)
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side:
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain:
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
In you I rest, in You I find my hope.
In you I trust, You never let me go.
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be for ever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
In you I rest, in You I find my hope.
In you I trust, You never let me go.
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul.
©2013 Worship Together Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing, Open Hands Music CCLI #1791178
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain:
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
In you I rest, in You I find my hope.
In you I trust, You never let me go.
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be for ever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
In you I rest, in You I find my hope.
In you I trust, You never let me go.
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul.
©2013 Worship Together Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing, Open Hands Music CCLI #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
“Courage’s Inner Dialogue”
Psalm 77
preached by Scott Sottosanti
We hope to have an audio recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Psalm 77
preached by Scott Sottosanti
We hope to have an audio recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passage: Psalm 77 (ESV)
1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out
without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among
the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out
without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among
the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Confession of Faith
Heidelberg Catechism (1563) Lord’s Day 1
LEADER: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
CONGREGATION: That I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
LEADER: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?
CONGREGATION: That I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
Song of Response
(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
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
2021 Budgeted Giving: $302,850
2021 Actual Giving to Date: $302,069
Difference: (-$781)
Missions Giving YTD: $51,415
updated as of 5/31/21
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
2021 Budgeted Giving: $302,850
2021 Actual Giving to Date: $302,069
Difference: (-$781)
Missions Giving YTD: $51,415
updated as of 5/31/21