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.
Time of Reflection
“…service and self-giving are themselves the highest of divine attributes.”
~C.F.D. Moule (1908-2007), biblical scholar and Cambridge professor
“Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that he could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to—because of us.”
“At the cross, God accepted his own unbreakable terms of justice.”
~Philip Yancey, author
“Jesus says, ‘By this all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ …Jesus is giving a right to the world. Upon his authority he gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are…Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians.”
~Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984) in The Mark of a Christian (1970)
“This is that mystery which is rich in divine grace unto sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange, our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s; and the righteousness of Christ is not Christ’s but ours. He has emptied himself of his righteousness that he might clothe us in it, and fill us with it: and he has taken our evils upon himself that he might deliver us from them.”
~Martin Luther (1483-1546), German reformer
“It is the dogma that is the drama – not beautiful phrases, nor comforting sentiments…but the terrifying assertion that the same God who made the world lived in the world and passed through the grave and gate of death.”
“Why do you balk at the doctrine of the Trinity – God the three in One – yet meekly acquiesce when Einstein tells you E=mc2? What makes you suppose that the expression ‘God ordains’ is narrow and bigoted, while your own expression, ‘Science demands’ is taken as an objective statement of fact?”
~Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957), English writer
“…happiness of the Deity, as all other true happiness, consists in love and society.”
~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), New England pastor and theologian
~C.F.D. Moule (1908-2007), biblical scholar and Cambridge professor
“Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that he could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to—because of us.”
“At the cross, God accepted his own unbreakable terms of justice.”
~Philip Yancey, author
“Jesus says, ‘By this all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ …Jesus is giving a right to the world. Upon his authority he gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are…Christians on the basis of our observable love toward all Christians.”
~Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984) in The Mark of a Christian (1970)
“This is that mystery which is rich in divine grace unto sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange, our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s; and the righteousness of Christ is not Christ’s but ours. He has emptied himself of his righteousness that he might clothe us in it, and fill us with it: and he has taken our evils upon himself that he might deliver us from them.”
~Martin Luther (1483-1546), German reformer
“It is the dogma that is the drama – not beautiful phrases, nor comforting sentiments…but the terrifying assertion that the same God who made the world lived in the world and passed through the grave and gate of death.”
“Why do you balk at the doctrine of the Trinity – God the three in One – yet meekly acquiesce when Einstein tells you E=mc2? What makes you suppose that the expression ‘God ordains’ is narrow and bigoted, while your own expression, ‘Science demands’ is taken as an objective statement of fact?”
~Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957), English writer
“…happiness of the Deity, as all other true happiness, consists in love and society.”
~Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), New England pastor and theologian
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;
PEOPLE: The Lord answered me and set me free.
LEADER: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
PEOPLE: 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;
PEOPLE: The Lord answered me and set me free.
LEADER: The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
PEOPLE: 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)
HERE IS LOVE
(William Rees, 1855; William Edwards, 1915; Matt Giles, Vell Rives)
(William Rees, 1855; William Edwards, 1915; Matt Giles, Vell Rives)
Here is love vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heav’n’s eternal days.
On the Mount of Crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above;
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Here is love that conquered evil:
Christ, the firstborn from the grave;
Death has failed to be found equal
To the life of Him Who saves.
In the valley of our darkness
Dawned His everlasting light;
Perfect love in glorious radiance
Has repelled death’s hellish night.
That same love beyond all measure,
Mocked and slain by hateful men,
Lives and reigns in resurrection
And can never die again.
Here is love for all the ages,
Radiant Sun of Heav’n He stands,
Calling home His Father’s children,
Holding forth His wounded hands.
Here is love, vast as the heavens;
Countless as the stars above
Are the souls that He has ransomed,
Precious daughters, treasured sons.
We are called to feast forever
On a love beyond our time;
Glorious Father, Son, and Spirit
Now with man are intertwined.
©2018 Sovereign Grace Worship (Capitol CMG Publishing). CCLI #1791178
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heav’n’s eternal days.
On the Mount of Crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above;
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Here is love that conquered evil:
Christ, the firstborn from the grave;
Death has failed to be found equal
To the life of Him Who saves.
In the valley of our darkness
Dawned His everlasting light;
Perfect love in glorious radiance
Has repelled death’s hellish night.
That same love beyond all measure,
Mocked and slain by hateful men,
Lives and reigns in resurrection
And can never die again.
Here is love for all the ages,
Radiant Sun of Heav’n He stands,
Calling home His Father’s children,
Holding forth His wounded hands.
Here is love, vast as the heavens;
Countless as the stars above
Are the souls that He has ransomed,
Precious daughters, treasured sons.
We are called to feast forever
On a love beyond our time;
Glorious Father, Son, and Spirit
Now with man are intertwined.
©2018 Sovereign Grace Worship (Capitol CMG 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.
ALL: 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.
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.
ALL: 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.
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 racial injustices; specifically, that God would bring hope, reconciliation, and restoration through the good news of His Son.
- Pray for those in authority at every level in our country, that they would govern wisely and justly.
Listen to Sermon
“The Love of God”
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
preached by Pastor Don Willeman
Song of Response
(sing as a group and/or sing along to recorded versions)
AND CAN IT BE?
(Charles Wesley, 1738)
(Charles Wesley, 1738)
And can it be that I should gain,
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray.
I woke the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off my heart was free.
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus and all in Him is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
PUBLIC DOMAIN
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray.
I woke the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off my heart was free.
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
No condemnation now I dread,
Jesus and all in Him is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
PUBLIC DOMAIN
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”
Sharing Time
(have everyone share one thing that struck them from the sermon)
Closing Meditation
Psalm 118 (ESV)
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: 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!
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!