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
“Oh, how precious is time, and how it pains me to see it slide away, while I do so little to any good purpose.”
~David Brainerd (1718-1747), American Missionary to the Delaware Indians
“There was a castle called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair.”
~From Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan (1628-1688), Puritan minister
“Give me your presence or give me death
One is, without the other anyway
From your lips may I feel the Spirits breath
Let this be the dawning of a different day”
~Apollus, contemporary Scottish poet
“In the house of God there is never ending festival; the angel choir makes eternal holiday; the presence of God’s face gives joy that never fails.”
~Augustine (354-430), theologian and Bishop in Algeria
“The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object.”
~C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), Author and Professor of English
~David Brainerd (1718-1747), American Missionary to the Delaware Indians
“There was a castle called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair.”
~From Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan (1628-1688), Puritan minister
“Give me your presence or give me death
One is, without the other anyway
From your lips may I feel the Spirits breath
Let this be the dawning of a different day”
~Apollus, contemporary Scottish poet
“In the house of God there is never ending festival; the angel choir makes eternal holiday; the presence of God’s face gives joy that never fails.”
~Augustine (354-430), theologian and Bishop in Algeria
“The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object.”
~C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), Author and Professor of English
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 19:1-6 (ESV)
LEADER: The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
PEOPLE: Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
LEADER: There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
PEOPLE: Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
LEADER: Which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
PEOPLE: Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
LEADER: The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
PEOPLE: Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
LEADER: There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
PEOPLE: Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
LEADER: Which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
PEOPLE: Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
BE THOU MY VISION
(Traditional Irish hymn, trans. Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull)
(Traditional Irish hymn, trans. Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull)
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’ns Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’ns Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)
LEADER: The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
PEOPLE: The testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
LEADER: The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
PEOPLE: The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
LEADER: The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
PEOPLE: The rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
LEADER: More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
PEOPLE: Sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
LEADER: Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
PEOPLE: In keeping them there is great reward.
LEADER: The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
PEOPLE: The testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
LEADER: The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
PEOPLE: The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
LEADER: The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
PEOPLE: The rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
LEADER: More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
PEOPLE: Sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
LEADER: Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
PEOPLE: In keeping them there is great reward.
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 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
“Nothing to Our Eyes: Human Striving, God’s Presence and God’s Promises”
Haggai 2:1-9, Ezra 3:11b-13
preached by Lindsay Whaley
We hope to upload a recording of the sermon from the early service by 11:30 am.
Haggai 2:1-9, Ezra 3:11b-13
preached by Lindsay Whaley
We hope to upload a recording of the sermon from the early service by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passage
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. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”
Ezra 3
11 …And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
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. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”
Ezra 3
11 …And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
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
Confession of Faith
adapted from 2 Corinthians 4 and Isaiah 43
LEADER: Follower of Jesus, where do fix your eyes?
CONGREGATION: On the promises of God. We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what we see is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.
LEADER: Where is the source of your hope?
CONGREGATION: In almighty God, who is present with us. He gave us this assurance: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not swallow you up; when you walk through fire, you will not be burned. I am with you. I am with you.
LEADER: Follower of Jesus, where do fix your eyes?
CONGREGATION: On the promises of God. We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what we see is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.
LEADER: Where is the source of your hope?
CONGREGATION: In almighty God, who is present with us. He gave us this assurance: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not swallow you up; when you walk through fire, you will not be burned. I am with you. I am with you.
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Closing Meditation
Psalm 19:12-14 (ESV)
LEADER: Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
PEOPLE: Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
LEADER: Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
ALL: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
LEADER: Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
PEOPLE: Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
LEADER: Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
ALL: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
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