ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK
Call to Worship: Psalm 19:7-11
My hope and prayer for you and me is that we leave here this morning not delighting in a song or style, a preacher or a sermon, but in the Word of God. The Word as it is preached, prayed, sung, and read. And the Word that is the Word made flesh - Jesus Christ. Let’s sing about Him, and to Him, and remind one another of His character:
CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED
We have been in the gospel of Mark for the past six weeks, and we have seen again and again, people coming to Jesus not because they treasure Him, but what He can do for them - they wanted signs, wonders, and miracles. And over and over we see Jesus saying that His primary mission is not to perform miracles, but to preach the good news of the Gospel - that God has made way for sinners to be made right with Him through life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. And this morning we are going to learn a new song that is a reminder of Christ’s saving work - we’ll teach you the chorus first, it goes like this:
WE ARE SAVED
Sermon: Mark 4:1-20
I want to encourage you, don’t just sing these words, but let these words be a prayer of increasingly yielding your life to the deep work of the Holy Spirit to produce fruitful soil in your heart. Would you stand if you’re able, we’ll sing:
THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
ABIDE
Benediction: Adapted from 1 Peter 1:23-25
Liturgy
12 February: Liturgy + Set List
BEFORE THE THRONE
Let’s hear God call us to worship from His Word…
Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28-30
Because of Jesus, the invitation is always to draw near to God. Because of Jesus, we can come boldly before the throne of God. Let’s sing with confidence in the person and work of Jesus together:
WHAT YOU SAID
The reality of living in a fallen and broken world means that we can sing words like ‘God, You are good, and You do good,' and wonder if they are actually true. But what we cling to as followers of Jesus is that God Himself steps into the brokenness of our world, and will one day return to make all things new and set all things right. So what is the answer when we look at the brokenness of the world with things like 25,000 people dead, tens of thousands injured, and thousands still missing from an earthquake in Syria and Turkey? I think the answer is grief and lament. Honestly engaging the brokenness of the world, while looking with hope to our soon-returning Savior. We are going to spend some time grieving in prayer together this morning. I will read this prayer first, and then we will pray together:
Almighty God, by your Word you laid the foundations of the earth, set the bounds of the sea, and still the wind and waves. Surround the people of Syria and Turkey with grace and peace, and preserve them through these earthquakes. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, strengthen those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill them with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An Occasional Prayer During Times of Natural Disaster, Book of Common Prayer
We will spend time praying silently in these four categories:
…The people.
…The peacemakers.
…The politicians.
…The pastors.
From Pete Greig, Founder of 24/7 Prayer
HYMN OF HEAVEN
Sermon: Mark 3:7-35
Hear the good news: it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Through the finished work of Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit, would you stand as we sing and celebrate that truth.
YET NOT I BUT THROUGH CHRIST IN ME
I STAND AMAZED
Benediction: Hebrew 13:20-21
5 February: Liturgy + Set List
WHAT YOU SAID
We sang words from Psalm 119, and now we’ll hear God call us to worship from Psalm 119:
Call to Worship: Psalm 119:89-91
GRACE ALONE
BUILD MY LIFE
Psalm 119:17-20
Prayer of Illumination
Sermon: Mark 2:13-3:6
The meeting place between God and man is always and only the God Man, Jesus Christ. Not in your righteousness and good works, but in Christ’s perfect righteousness, and Christ’s completed work. Let’s sing in response to the beauty and truth of the Gospel:
O PRAISE THE NAME (ANÁSTASIS)
LIVING HOPE
Benediction
29 January: Liturgy + Set List
ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING
Call to Worship: Psalm 95:1-7
The One who created and sustains all things is the One who keeps promises, keeps covenant, and keeps faithfulness forever. Let’s sing these truths about God to God, and to one another:
PROMISES
O PRAISE THE NAME (ANÁSTASIS)
Sermon: Mark 2:1-12
The Apostles Creed
Communion
HOLY (JESUS YOU ARE)
Benediction
22 January: Liturgy + Set List
Call to Worship: Psalm 139:1-6
If you are here this morning as a follower of Jesus, you can come boldly to your Father not because of your righteousness but because of Christ’s complete righteousness. We get to celebrate the person and work of Christ together this morning, let’s sing:
HOUSE OF THE LORD
HIS MERCY IS MORE
God’s mercy is greater than all our sins, that is the only reason we can read and pray these words with joy instead of fear:
LEADER:
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
ALL:
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a] Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.LEADER:
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (Psalm 139:7-18)
Sermon: Mark 1:29-45
Elisabeth Elliot says, “Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for You.” The wounded, healing hands of the King who has forgiven us not partially, or temporarily, but forever. Would you stand if you’re able, we’ll sing together:
FORGIVEN FOREVER
The Apostles’ Creed
Baptisms
JESUS PAID IT ALL
Benediction: Based on Isaiah 1:18, Mark 1:45
15 January: Liturgy + Set List
THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
Call to Worship: Psalm 40:5
HOW GREAT THOU ART
ABIDE
That song is taken largely from John 15 - where Jesus says ‘I am the vine and you are the branches, abide in me, and I in you, because apart from me you can do nothing…’
You and I are incapable of saving ourselves, and even beyond that, you and I are incapable of living the life God has called us to live apart from the ongoing work of Christ in us and through us. You and I cannot love God and love our enemies apart from Christ working in us and through us.
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A day set aside to remember and celebrate the life and ongoing work of Dr. King. And remembering is right and good. But I think as followers of Jesus it is also right to be challenged by Dr. King’s faith in action. And as we remember, and are challenged by the ongoing work or racial justice in our country and around the world, and as we remember and are challenged by the counter-cultural life that God calls us to live as His followers, and as we are increasingly aware of our need for Christ to work in us and through us, we are going to pray. I will read this corporate prayer first so you can see and hear the words, and then we will pray this together.
Corporate Prayer:
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations to the glory of your holy name; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [Book of Common Prayer]
Sermon: Mark 1:14-28
Repent and believe the Gospel - that is the invitation of Christ in this passage, but it is also the invitation of Christ for every person here, whether you are a follower of Jesus or not. Let’s use these next songs as prayers of repentance and belief. Would you stand if you’re able, we’ll sing together…
THERE IS A REDEEMER
SON OF SUFFERING
Benediction: Matthew 28:18-20
8 January: Liturgy + Set List
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK
Call to Worship: Psalm 119:17-20
My hope and prayer for this morning and the year ahead is that we will be people who have souls that are consumed with the things of the Lord, not just the things of the world. Let’s sing to that end:
CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED
THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
Sermon: Mark 1:1-14
Brothers and sisters, hear the good news - Christ has come and will come again. Let’s join in the ancient praise of all God’s people proclaiming that good news.
RAISE UP THE CROWN (ALL HAIL THE POWER)
GOD SO LOVED
Benediction: Hebrews 4:14-16
1 January: Liturgy + Set List
BEHOLD
Call to Worship: Psalm 118:14-17
Welcome to worship with us on this final day of the Christmas season, and the first day of the year. We are glad you have joined us to do precisely what we have read in those verses - to declare the wondrous deeds of the Lord. A new year can bring excitement, anxiety, fear, or worry. But as followers of Christ, we can rest in the reality that there is no portion of the year ahead that God does not know deeply, intimately, and completely. And if you are here this morning as a follower of Christ, there is nowhere you will go this year that Christ will not go with you. We will spend some time praying together using Psalm 16 - I will read a portion of the passage, and then give you a prompt for prayer, and leave some time for you to pray silently in your own heart. Let’s continue in worship through prayer…
Psalm 16:
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
Take a moment to reflect, remember, and name evidences of God’s care and kindness to you in 2022.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
Will you take a moment to name and confess to God the places of fear, anxiety, worry, or uncertainty about the year ahead.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Will you take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to press these truths deeply into your heart in the year ahead.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
KING OF KINGS
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
Reading: Luke 2:41-52
Sermon: John 20:1-18
My only hope, your only hope in 2023 is not resolutions, but resting in the unchangeable character of God. All things are passing away - including you and me - but God’s Word never passes away - God never changes. So would you stand and sing these next two songs as prayers looking ahead to this year, and fixing our eyes on the Risen, Author, and Perfector of our faith…
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
You will recognize the melody of this next song, but the words may be new. Let’s sing together…
ALL GLORY BE TO CHRIST
Benediction: John 20:30-31
18 December: Liturgy + Set List
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Call to Worship: Zechariah 13:1, Psalm 87:1-3, 7
Advent is a season of longing, and something about this season highlights for me how many of the longings and desires of my heart go unfulfilled on this side of eternity. But every desire should be an arrow that points us to the source of our greatest desire: God Himself. As we sing these Advent and Christmas songs that speak to our longings, we can be honest with God and with one another, as we look to Jesus the One who is the fulfillment of our deepest longings. Let’s sing…
COME THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS | JESUS WHAT A FRIEND FOR SINNERS
I SHALL NOT WANT
Reading: Luke 2:8-21
Sermon: John 4:1-24
Scripture tells us that no one seeks God. If you are here this morning as a follower of Jesus, you are not following Jesus because you went looking for Jesus, rather, like the woman at the well, you were searching for life, hope, and fulfillment on your own when Jesus moved toward you. He is the One that we adore because He has revealed himself to us. Would you stand if you’re able, let’s sing…
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
JOY TO THE WORLD (UNSPEAKABLE JOY)
Reading: John 7:37-39
Advent Candle Lighting/Benediction
11 December: Liturgy + Set List
BEHOLD
Call to Worship: Psalm 34:1-5
Good morning and welcome to worship on this third Sunday of Advent. That is why we gather, to look to the One who is glorious, to look to the One who is fully God, and yet fully man. To the One who set aside His glory to take on our flesh in complete humility. We look to the One who made us, sustains us, redeems us, and loves us. Let’s sing…
GRACE ALONE
SILENT NIGHT (SON OF GOD, SON OF MAN)
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
Sermon: John 3:1-15
So many stories in Scripture close and we are left to wonder, what happened next? Do you know we see Nicodemus one other time in Scripture? When Jesus is crucified, two men come to care for His crucified body - Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus. My dad says often ‘No true encounter with Christ ever leaves us the same.’ Nicodemus encountered Jesus and it didn’t just make him a better version of Himself, it made him a new person. That is what we all need - to encounter Christ and be transformed from death to life. Let’s sing in response to God’s Word preached:
O HOLY NIGHT (O HEAR THE GOSPEL STORY)
Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
Advent Candle Lighting/Benediction
4 December: Liturgy + Set List
JOY TO THE WORLD (UNSPEAKABLE JOY)
Call to Worship: Isaiah 55:1-2,6-9
Advent confronts us with the reality that from our physical needs to our spiritual needs, and our greatest need - to be made right with God the Father - you and I are incapable of saving ourselves. But Advent reminds us that God is with us, God is among us, God is for us, and God saves us. That is the good news of great joy - that we cannot save ourselves, but God, in and through Christ saves us. Let’s sing and celebrate together:
GREAT THINGS/ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
TRISAGION
Reading: Luke 1:39-45
Sermon: John 2:1-12
I think about how in the Old Testament, Moses - this towering figure, the servant of the Lord asks God, ‘Show me your glory.’ And God says, ‘No… but I will let my glory pass by you.’ A little later on King David - this man after God’s own heart says, ‘There is one thing I ask of the Lord, there is one thing I desire, one thing I seek after - gaze upon the beauty and glory of the Lord and to dwell in his house forever.’ The New Testament tells us that we see ‘the glory of God in the face of the Son.’ Brothers and sisters, if you are here as a follower of Jesus, you have seen and experienced the glory of God in a way that Moses and David never did. Let Advent be a reminder to you to cease striving, and simply receive. Let’s celebrate God’s revealed glory, would you stand if you’re able, we’ll sing together.
A THOUSAND HALLELUJAHS
BEHOLD
Reading: John 1:9-14
Benediction/Advent Candle Lighting
27 November: Liturgy + Set List
CROWN HIM (CHRISTMAS)
Call to Worship: Isaiah 40:3-8
Welcome to this first week of Advent. This season of life in the Church is where we look back on the coming of Christ and look forward to His return. If Christ has come, He will come again. Every song we will sing this morning is looking back on Christ’s first coming and looking forward to His return. Let’s sing together:
JESUS!
O COME O COME EMMANUEL
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon: John 1:43-51
The season of Advent is a reminder that God rarely comes to us in the way, we would expect. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe is born as a helpless baby. The One who is holy is also the One who moves near. Though He has all the riches of heaven, He lays aside His glory and takes the form of a servant. He is transcendent and immanent. Come and see brothers and sisters, come and see.
HOLY (JESUS YOU ARE)
COME THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS
Reading: John 1:1-5
Benediction/Advent Candle Lighting