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
“Happiness isn’t found in some finite checklist of goals that we can diligently complete and then coast. It’s how we live our lives in the process.”
~Arthur Brooks, Social Scientist and Professor at Harvard University
“However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.”
~John Calvin, Protestant Reformer and Theologian
“Our daily work can be a calling only if it is reconceived as God’s assignment to serve others.”
~Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work
“We are frail, we are fearfully and wonderfully made
Forged in the fires of human passion
Choking on the fumes of selfish rage
And with these our hells and our heavens
So few inches apart
We must be awfully small
And not as strong as we think we are.”
~ Rich Mullins, “We Are Not As Strong As We Think We Are”
~Arthur Brooks, Social Scientist and Professor at Harvard University
“However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.”
~John Calvin, Protestant Reformer and Theologian
“Our daily work can be a calling only if it is reconceived as God’s assignment to serve others.”
~Timothy Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work
“We are frail, we are fearfully and wonderfully made
Forged in the fires of human passion
Choking on the fumes of selfish rage
And with these our hells and our heavens
So few inches apart
We must be awfully small
And not as strong as we think we are.”
~ Rich Mullins, “We Are Not As Strong As We Think We Are”
Opening Prayer
(select someone from your group to open your service in prayer)
Call to Worship
Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)
LEADER: Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
PEOPLE: Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
LEADER: Who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
PEOPLE: Who redeems your life from the pit,
LEADER: Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
ALL: Who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
LEADER: Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
PEOPLE: Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
LEADER: Who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
PEOPLE: Who redeems your life from the pit,
LEADER: Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
ALL: Who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Songs & Liturgy
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
O COME TO THE ALTAR
(Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye)
(Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye)
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling.
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling.
CHORUS:
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide.
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes.
Come today, there’s no reason to wait.
Jesus is calling.
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy.
From the ashes, a new life is born,
Jesus is calling.
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
Oh, what a Savior,
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
Bow down before Him,
For He is Lord of all.
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
(CHORUS)
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown,
Tell the world of the treasure you found.
©2015 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) CCLI #1791178
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling.
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling.
CHORUS:
O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide.
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes.
Come today, there’s no reason to wait.
Jesus is calling.
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy.
From the ashes, a new life is born,
Jesus is calling.
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
Oh, what a Savior,
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
Bow down before Him,
For He is Lord of all.
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen.
(CHORUS)
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown,
Tell the world of the treasure you found.
©2015 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) CCLI #1791178
PSALM MEDITATION – Psalm 103:6-22 (ESV)
LEADER: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
PEOPLE: He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
LEADER: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
PEOPLE: He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
LEADER: He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
PEOPLE: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
LEADER: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
PEOPLE: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
LEADER: For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
PEOPLE: As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
LEADER: For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
PEOPLE: But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
LEADER: Go those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
PEOPLE: The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
LEADER: Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
PEOPLE: Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
LEADER: Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
ALL: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
LEADER: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
PEOPLE: He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
LEADER: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
PEOPLE: He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
LEADER: He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
PEOPLE: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
LEADER: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
PEOPLE: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
LEADER: For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
PEOPLE: As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
LEADER: For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
PEOPLE: But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
LEADER: Go those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
PEOPLE: The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
LEADER: Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
PEOPLE: Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
LEADER: Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
ALL: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
(John Rippon, Joseph Funk, 1787)
(John Rippon, Joseph Funk, 1787)
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame will not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose.
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame will not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose.
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Special Offering
Missions Offering for Church Planting: Our quarterly offerings are special collections above and beyond our regular giving to the church. The largest portion of this offering will be used to support World Impact’s The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), which equips leadership for the urban church, especially among the poor. The remaining portions will go to a variety of our regional church planting efforts, as indicated below:
70% to TUMI//World Impact Church Planting
10% to CRC New London Building Fund
10% to The Quechee Church Building Fund
10% to CRC Church Planting Fund
If you want to designate a gift for this special offering, please write “church planting” in the memo section of your check or on your giving envelope. You can also give online using the button below. If you give online, please select “Special Missions Giving” from the dropdown menu.
70% to TUMI//World Impact Church Planting
10% to CRC New London Building Fund
10% to The Quechee Church Building Fund
10% to CRC Church Planting Fund
If you want to designate a gift for this special offering, please write “church planting” in the memo section of your check or on your giving envelope. You can also give online using the button below. If you give online, please select “Special Missions Giving” from the dropdown menu.
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 God of Rest at Work”
John 5:1-18
preached by Rev. Drew Matter
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
John 5:1-18
preached by Rev. Drew Matter
We hope to have a recording of the sermon available by 11:30 am.
Scripture Passage: John 5:1-18 (ESV)
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
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
Song of Response
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
YOU ALONE CAN RESCUE
(Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman)
(Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman)
Who, O Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still.
(REPEAT)
CHORUS:
You alone can rescue,
You alone can save.
You alone can lift us from the grave.
You came down to find us, led us out of death.
To You alone belongs the highest praise.
You, O Lord, have made a way.
The great divide You healed.
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still.
Yes, Your love goes further still
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes,
You’re the giver of life.
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes,
You’re the giver of life.
(Repeat 2X)
©2008 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI#1791178
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still.
(REPEAT)
CHORUS:
You alone can rescue,
You alone can save.
You alone can lift us from the grave.
You came down to find us, led us out of death.
To You alone belongs the highest praise.
You, O Lord, have made a way.
The great divide You healed.
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still.
Yes, Your love goes further still
(CHORUS)
BRIDGE:
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes,
You’re the giver of life.
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes,
You’re the giver of life.
(Repeat 2X)
©2008 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI#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: $242,280
Actual Giving to Date: $224,668
Difference: (-$17,612)
Missions Giving YTD: $42,140
updated as of 4/30/21
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: $242,280
Actual Giving to Date: $224,668
Difference: (-$17,612)
Missions Giving YTD: $42,140
updated as of 4/30/21