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
“There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power.”
~Gandalf, Lord of The Rings
“Human beings are hope-shaped creatures. The way you live now is completely controlled by what you believe about the future.”
~Tim Keller, NYC-based pastor and author
“What would it mean for Christians to give up that little piece of the American Dream that says, ‘You are limitless’? Everything is not possible. The mighty kingdom of God is not yet here. What if ‘rich’ did not have to mean ‘wealthy’, and ‘whole’ did not have to mean ‘healed’? What if being the people of ‘the gospel’ meant that we are simply people with good news? God is here. We are loved. It is enough.”
~Kate Bowler, Canadian academic and writer
“By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”
~Hebrews 11:9-10 (ESV)
“Jesus did not come with sword in hand, but with nails in hand. Not to bring judgment, but to bear judgment.”
~Edmund Clowney (1917-2005), Presbyterian theologian
“...and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud... [generations later] and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.”
~Matthew 1:11-13a, 16 (ESV)
~Gandalf, Lord of The Rings
“Human beings are hope-shaped creatures. The way you live now is completely controlled by what you believe about the future.”
~Tim Keller, NYC-based pastor and author
“What would it mean for Christians to give up that little piece of the American Dream that says, ‘You are limitless’? Everything is not possible. The mighty kingdom of God is not yet here. What if ‘rich’ did not have to mean ‘wealthy’, and ‘whole’ did not have to mean ‘healed’? What if being the people of ‘the gospel’ meant that we are simply people with good news? God is here. We are loved. It is enough.”
~Kate Bowler, Canadian academic and writer
“By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”
~Hebrews 11:9-10 (ESV)
“Jesus did not come with sword in hand, but with nails in hand. Not to bring judgment, but to bear judgment.”
~Edmund Clowney (1917-2005), Presbyterian theologian
“...and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud... [generations later] and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.”
~Matthew 1:11-13a, 16 (ESV)
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 100:1-5
LEADER: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
PEOPLE: Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
LEADER: Know that the Lord, he is God!
PEOPLE: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
LEADER: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
ALL: For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
LEADER: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
PEOPLE: Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
LEADER: Know that the Lord, he is God!
PEOPLE: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
LEADER: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
ALL: For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
HOUSE OF GOD FOREVER
(Jon Foreman)
(Jon Foreman)
God is my shepherd,
I won’t be wanting,
I won’t be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green,
With quiet streams.
Even though I walk through the valley
Of death and dying,
I will not fear ‘cause You are with me,
You are with me.
CHORUS:
Your shepherd’s staff, comforts me,
You are my feast in the presence of enemies,
Surely goodness will follow me
Follow me
In the house of God forever.
God is my shepherd,
I won’t be wanting,
I won’t be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green,
By quiet streams.
Even while I’m walking through the valley
Of death and dying,
I will not fear ‘cause You are with me,
You’re always with me.
(CHORUS)
©2008 Rubadub Rublishing Publishing CCLI #1791178
I won’t be wanting,
I won’t be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green,
With quiet streams.
Even though I walk through the valley
Of death and dying,
I will not fear ‘cause You are with me,
You are with me.
CHORUS:
Your shepherd’s staff, comforts me,
You are my feast in the presence of enemies,
Surely goodness will follow me
Follow me
In the house of God forever.
God is my shepherd,
I won’t be wanting,
I won’t be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green,
By quiet streams.
Even while I’m walking through the valley
Of death and dying,
I will not fear ‘cause You are with me,
You’re always with me.
(CHORUS)
©2008 Rubadub Rublishing Publishing CCLI #1791178
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 98:1-6
LEADER: Oh, sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
PEOPLE: His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
LEADER: The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
PEOPLE: He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
LEADER: All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
PEOPLE: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
LEADER: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
LEADER: Oh, sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
PEOPLE: His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
LEADER: The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
PEOPLE: He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
LEADER: All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
PEOPLE: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
LEADER: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
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
“The Promise of the Ring”
Haggai 1:12-13, 2:1-5, 20-23
preached by Pastor Chris Audino
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Haggai 1:12-13, 2:1-5, 20-23
preached by Pastor Chris Audino
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passage
Haggai 1:12-13, 2:1-5, 20-23 (ESV)
Haggai 1
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
Haggai 2
1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not...'"
20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
Haggai 1:12-13, 2:1-5, 20-23 (ESV)
Haggai 1
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
Haggai 2
1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not...'"
20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
Song of Response
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US
(Stuart Townend)
(Stuart Townend)
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.
©1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI#1791178
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.
©1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI#1791178
Confession of Faith
Nicene Creed (AD 381)
LEADER: Christians, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: We believe in one GOD THE FATHER Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one LORD JESUS CHRIST, the only-begotten* Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the HOLY SPIRIT, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one Holy Catholic** and Apostolic*** Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
* a technical term concerning the shared being of God the Father and God the Son
** universal
*** based on the teaching of Jesus’s apostles
LEADER: Christians, what do you believe?
CONGREGATION: We believe in one GOD THE FATHER Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one LORD JESUS CHRIST, the only-begotten* Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the HOLY SPIRIT, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one Holy Catholic** and Apostolic*** Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
* a technical term concerning the shared being of God the Father and God the Son
** universal
*** based on the teaching of Jesus’s apostles
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Closing Meditation
Psalm 98:7-9
LEADER: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
PEOPLE Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
LEADER: Before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
ALL: He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
LEADER: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
PEOPLE Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
LEADER: Before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
ALL: He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
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: $121,140
Actual Giving to Date: $97,408
Difference: (-$23,732)
Missions Giving YTD: $18,466
updated as of 2/28/21
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: $121,140
Actual Giving to Date: $97,408
Difference: (-$23,732)
Missions Giving YTD: $18,466
updated as of 2/28/21