23 July: Liturgy + Set List

July 23, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Liturgy, Set List, Worship Leaders

PROMISES
Call to Worship: Psalm 36:5-9
One of the lies we are tempted to believe is that everything hangs on us. That we feast on the abundance of our own house. That we feast on the abundance of our own effort, labor, and work. And one of the reasons it is essential to make gathering with the people of God a weekly habit is because God in his kindness uses His Word, His Spirit, and His people to confront and expose the lies that we believe, and the lies that we live. We gather this morning acknowledging that in God there is no lack, no need, and He invites His people to feast on the abundance of His house, and drink from the river of God’s delights. He is good, and generous, and kind. Let’s sing to him together…
GOODNESS OF GOD
I SHALL NOT WANT
Sermon: Exodus 20:14
The Apostles’ Creed
Communion
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD
Benediction

Engaging the Holidays

July 14, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Liturgy, Worship Leaders, Worship Teams

where I serve, is how we appropriately engage, and speak to cultural holidays… or not.

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the 4th of July, Memorial Day, the list is endless…

From my observation, many churches fall into one of two categories - all in, or completely ignore. The churches that are all, adapt and orient their service around acknowledging and celebrating these particular holidays. They change their songs to fit, tailor a sermon to match, and have decor and announcements that are designed to highlight the holiday. Those in the completely ignore category don’t acknowledge anything - and apart from the cultural reminders - endcaps at every store, and themed emails from every online retailer, no one would even realize it was a holiday.

Personally, I lean more toward the latter than the former. But I believe there are at least two significant reasons why our people can benefit from acknowledging holidays in our corporate gatherings:

First, when we acknowledge current events or cultural holidays, it is a chance to reframe people’s identity and understanding around the person and work of Christ. To shape their minds, hearts, and affections Scripturally, rather than culturally. To rightly situate the values of the world inside the values of the Kingdom of God.

Second, Scripture tells us to remember. And we are people prone to forget. We should celebrate, but we should also lament. We should rejoice but also grieve. Let’s use cultural holidays to acknowledge not just the joys, but also the sorrows of living in a broken world, as we point our people toward the deeper, truer, eternal hope of Christ.

9 July: Liturgy + Set List

July 09, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Set List, Liturgy, Worship Teams, Worship Leaders

REJOICE
Call to Worship: Psalm 19:1-6
Scripture tells us ‘…out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.’ So often people believe faith, or religion is about doing the right things and avoiding the wrong things. But the truth our actions and behaviors flow from our hearts. And here, the Psalmist beholds the glory of God in creation, and from His heart flows this final verse:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
This is my hope and prayer for you and me this morning - that we would behold the glory of God, and from our hearts would flow worship and obedience in all of life. Let’s sing:
THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
ALL HAIL KING JESUS
Sermon: Exodus 20:13
HYMN OF HEAVEN
COME THOU FOUNT
Benediction

2 July: Liturgy + Set List

July 02, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Set List, Liturgy

CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED
Good morning, Life Church. Welcome to worship with us on this Lord’s Day, this Family Worship Weekend, and this Fourth of July Weekend. It is right and good for us to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this country, but if you’re here as a follower of Christ, you know that everything good is from God. But you also know that every good thing we experience on this side of eternity is only a shadow, only an arrow of the true freedom that is available to all people through Christ. Freedom that is not determined by countries, governments or politics. So I hope as you celebrate these freedoms this week that you take it as an opportunity to lift your eyes to the deeper, truer freedom in Christ. Let’s hear God call us to worship from His Word:
Psalm 145
WHAT YOU SAID
HOLY (JESUS YOU ARE)
Sermon: Exodus 20:12
Reflection Questions
The Apostles’ Creed
Communion
FORGIVEN FOREVER
Benediction

Affirmations

June 23, 2023 in Liturgy, Corporate Worship, Worship Teams, Worship Leaders

Whether it is during baptisms, parent commissioning (child dedication), or affirming new elders, our church has been using consistent, repeated affirmations for these times of events in the life of our church. Why?

Although, we have classes, courses, and training for each of these aspects for baptismal candidates, families wanting to dedicate their children in church, and the role of elder - it is not something that every member, attendee, or visitor to our church understands. Affirmations are a way of helping instruct not just the people participating, but the whole Body in the meaning, purpose, and expectation for each of these celebrations in the life of our church. Some of these affirmations we have pulled from the historic church, some we piecemeal together, always there is an aspect of question and response from the candidate, and closing with question and response to the body of Christ.

BAPTISM AFFIRMATIONS

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to redeem the world, do you love and trust him as the one who saves you from your sin, and do you with repentance and joy embrace him as the Lord of your life?
I do.
Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God, revealing Christ and his redemption?
I do.
Do you promise to do all you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen your love and commitment to Christ by sharing faithfully in the life of the church, honoring and submitting to its authority; and do you join with the people of God in doing the work of the Lord everywhere?
I do.
Brothers and sisters, we now receive (NAME) into Christ’s church. Do you welcome (HER/HIM) in love, and do you promise to pray for, encourage, and help (HER/HIM) in the faith?
We do, God helping us.

ELDER AFFIRMATION VOWS

Do you reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God; totally trustworthy, fully inspirited by the Holy Spirit, the supreme, final, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
Do you acknowledge a call, so far as you know your own heart, to accept the office of elder, with a sincere desire to promote the Gospel?
Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in your promoting the truths of the Gospel and in protecting the unity and peace of the Church, whatever persecution or opposition may arise to you on that account?
Will you seek to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as an elder, whether personal or relative, private or public; and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your manner of life, and to walk with exemplary piety before this congregation?
Are you now willing to take responsibility in the life of this congregation as an elder, and will you seek to discharge your duties, relying upon the grace of God in a way that the entire Church of Jesus Christ will be blessed?
Elder Candidate: By God’s grace, I do.
To the congregation:
Do you affirm your confidence in the qualifications and calling of this man?
Do you resolve to love, encourage, and support his family, respecting them always as his first ministry priority?
Do you commit to fervent and regular prayer on behalf of all our elders, our staff, and the ministry of Life Church?
Congregation: By God’s grace, we do.

PARENT COMMISSIONING

Do you recognize that your child is a gift from God, and that you are responsible to train and instruct this child in the things of God?
We do.
Do you this day pledge as parents that you will teach God’s Word to your child and live out His Word in your home?
We do.
Do you commit to loving your child and teaching your child to obey God’s commands and the truths of Jesus Christ in your daily lives so that your child may know Him as Lord?
We do.
Do you commit to the local body of believers to seek accountability and teach your child to seek accountability within the church community?
We do.
Life Church, will you be faithful as brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage and support this family in their Christian walk as parents? Will you be faithful in praying for their children, that they will grow to love Christ and trust in Him?
We will.

18 June: Liturgy + Set List [Mill River]

June 18, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Liturgy, Set List

Good afternoon and Happy Father’s Day - these holidays can often be complicated for us as people, and bring up complicated things in us. And perhaps that is compounded for you when you realize, of all the ways God could have revealed Himself, He has chosen Father. But if you’re here as a follower of Christ, you have a Heavenly Father who has only, ever, and always dealt bountifully with you. Let’s hear God call us to worship from His Word:

Call to Worship: Psalm 116:1-7

HOLY HOLY HOLY
LORD, I NEED YOU
BUILD MY LIFE
Sermon: Galatians 2:11-14

18 June: Liturgy + Set List

June 18, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Set List, Liturgy

THE SOLID ROCK
Good morning, and welcome to worship on this Lord’s Day, and Happy Father’s Day. I said on Mother’s Day, I’ll say again today - these holidays can often be complicated for us as people, and bring up complicated things in us. And perhaps that is compounded for you when you realize, of all the ways God could have revealed Himself, He has chosen Father. So as we focus our hearts, minds, and lives around God together this morning, I want to read this prayer to remind us of our good and gracious Heavenly Father.

Father’s Day Prayer

God, You are our Father
We are the sheep of Your pasture
The work of Your hand
You have loved us with an everlasting love
You have welcomed us into Your family
We are Your dearly loved children
Nothing can separate us from Your love
You discipline those You love
Your anger is for a moment,
But Your favor lasts a lifetime
You have called us by name, we are Yours
You know us for You have made us
You have shown us Your love in sending Your Son
Nothing is hidden from You
You quiet us with Your love
And You delight over us with singing
You comfort us in our distress
You are the giver of every good and perfect gift
No good thing do you withhold
See what kind of love the Father has given
That we should be called children of God,
And so we are
From Is 64:8, Ps 100:3, Ephesians 5:1, Heb 31:3, Eph 1:5, Rom 8:38-39, Pr 3:12, Ps 30:5, Is 43:1, Rom 4:8, Heb 4:13, Zeph 3:17, Ps 86:7, Jam 1:17, Ps 84:11, 1 Jn 3:1

We have heard who our God is, let’s hear Him call us to worship through His Word:

Call to Worship: Psalm 116:1-7

Whatever your experience of your earthly father, if you are here this morning as a follower of Jesus, You can return to rest, because your Heavenly Father has dealt bountifully with you. Let’s sing:

GOD, YOU’RE SO GOOD
ABIDE
Sermon: Exodus 20:7-11
Theologian and Philosopher Dallas Willard was once asked ‘How would you describe God in one word?’ He thought about I for a moment and said ‘…Relaxed.’
Perhaps one of the most offensive and subversive realities of keeping the Sabbath is how it forces us to reckon with the reality that we are not God. That we are not self-sufficient, and we are so much more limited than we would like to admit. But every night as you put your head on a pillow to go to sleep, and every time you break in your day to eat, you are admitting to yourself, your body, and the world that you are limited and dependent. We are called to be conformed fully to God, in our labor and in our resting. Let’s sing to the God who is holy, set apart, and calls us to the same…
HOLY FOREVER
LIVING HOPE
Benediction

11 June: Liturgy + Set List [Mill River]

June 11, 2023 in Liturgy, Set List

Call to Worship: Psalm 95:1-8

Every person on the planet is a recipient of God’s common grace. But if you’re here this afternoon as a follower of Christ, you have also received God’s saving grace, and the grace that saves you is the grace that keeps and sustains you. And together we’re going to sing about the about God’s common grace, his saving grace, and his sustaining grace.

ABIDE
COME THOU FOUNT
GOODNESS OF GOD
Nicene Creed
Sermon: Galatians 2:6-10
Communion
Benediction

4 June: Liturgy + Set List

June 04, 2023 in Corporate Worship, Liturgy, Set List

GRACE ALONE
Call to Worship: Psalm 24
There is only one who has clean hands and a pure heart. There is only one who has never lifted up his soul to what is false and has not sworn deceitfully. There is only one who has continually constantly sought the face of God - and that is the God man, Jesus Christ. And if you’re here this morning as a follower of Christ, you are covered in the perfect and complete righteousness of Christ. And because of Christ we can respond lifting up clean hands, pure hearts, lifting up our souls, and seeking God because of Christ. Let’s look to Him together. Let’s sing together…
GOD YOU’RE SO GOOD
DOXOLOGY|AMEN
Sermon: Exodus 20:4-6
Repentance, turning away from our sin and turning toward Christ is not a one time act when you first become a follower of Christ. Repentance is the continually posture of heart as every follower of Jesus. And my hope and prayer for you and for me this morning is that God, through His Spirit has revealed to you the subtle and significant idols of our hearts. The places where you have exchanged the glory of the Creator, for created things. And if the Spirit is speaking to you, and revealing those things to you, that is God’s kindness toward you because it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. I am going to pray, and then we will pause for a few moments to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, to reveal to you, and then together we will confess our sin to God and to one another. Let’s confess our sins to God and one another:

Merciful God,
We confess that we have sinned against You
in thought, word, and deed,
By what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In Your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
And direct what we shall be,
So that we may delight in your will and walk in Your ways, To the glory of Your holy name.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Book of Common Prayer]

O PRAISE THE NAME (ANASTASIS)
HOW GREAT THOU ART
Benediction

28 May: Liturgy + Set List

May 28, 2023 in Liturgy, Set List, Church Calendar, Worship Leaders, Worship Teams

HOUSE OF THE LORD
Good morning Life Church, and welcome to worship with us on this Memorial Day Weekend, and this Family Worship Weekend. One of the reasons that we can gather in freedom to worship in this country is that for generations men and women have laid down their lives to secure and sustain the freedoms we enjoy. That is what our culture is celebrating this weekend, and that is right and good. But what we know as followers of Christ is that the freedoms we enjoy in this country are only a shadow of the freedom that ours in and through Christ. Because He has set us free from the law of sin and death. Let’s celebrate the freedom that we have in this country, but if you are here this morning as a follower of Christ, let’s celebrate the freedom that is ours through Christ. Let’s hear God call us to worship from His word:
Call to Worship: Psalm 1:1-2
Let’s look to Christ, the One who fulfills the law.
ALL I HAVE IS CHRIST
BE THOU MY VISION
Sermon: Exodus 20:1-3
Everyone, everywhere, always, is a worshiper. But right worship begins not with us, but when God reveals Himself as the only one worthy of our worship - ‘I AM the Lord your God, worship me alone.’ Right worship is a result of the Holy Spirit leading you in all truth to behold the person and work of Christ. And this morning is Pentecost Sunday, the day when the global church remembers and celebrates the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower the life of every believer. To empower right worship. And so as we remember this day and the sending of the spirit we are going to pray these words together. I will read this through one time so you can hear these words, and then together we will pray these words.

Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer

THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
ONLY A HOLY GOD
Benediction

21 May: Liturgy + Set List [Mill River]

May 21, 2023 in Liturgy, Set List

Call to Worship: Psalm 40:5, 16-17

One of the things we do when we gather is recount the wondrous deeds of the Lord, not just sing those truths to God, but to one another. So I want to encourage you as we sing to hold in your heart and in your mind a specific example from this past week or month of the wondrous deeds of the Lord, and sing from that place. Sing in response to that truth to your brothers and sisters.

KING OF KINGS
JESUS PAID IT ALL
WHO YOU SAY I AM
Sermon: Galatians 1:13-24
Benediction

21 May: Liturgy + Set List