Worship Guide for Sunday, APRIL 5TH

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Tips for Working through the Order of Worship

We encourage that someone takes the lead in prompting through the prayers, reading, and discussion questions below, as many sections will have a “leader” and a response by “everyone.” Accordingly, each participant is encouraged to follow along on their own device (or displaying this on a screen everyone can see). *Underlined Text is meant to be read together, corporately. Links to the songs have been provided if they would be useful for singing together.

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CALL TO WORSHIP
Colossians 3:16-17

SINGING
Yes I Will
(Vertical Worship)

Lyrics:

RESPONSIVE READING
This excerpt comes from from the Heidelberg Catechism (learn more here and here), written in 1563 with a particular focus on how the doctrines of the Christian faith provide comfort & hope to believers.

Leader: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Everyone: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death — to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 133 & 134

SERMON
”The Good & Pleasant Place” (Psalms 133-134)

DISCUSSION & PRAYER

Based on Psalms 133-134 & Pastor Pat’s Sermon, discuss the following questions:

1. Are you currently “dwelling in unity” with brothers & sisters in Christ? How can we prioritize & maintain this unity, even in the midst of our current circumstances?

2. How can this unity be a blessing both to the church & to the world right now?

3. How can we practically participate in the life of blessing that is described in these chapters this week?

Spend a few minutes praying together for the following:

• Pray that we would be a community that “dwells in unity” as we are bonded together by the good news of the gospel of Christ.

• Pray that the blessing of dwelling in unity would overflow to our community & to those who are in need of the good news of the gospel

• Continue to pray for the Lord to slow the spread of the virus, to heal the sick, to protect those on the front lines of health care, and for leaders making difficult decisions in our city & country.

CONFESSION OF SIN, COMMUNION, & ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*The Lord’s Supper is a meal instituted by Jesus for his followers to specifically remember his death on our behalf (see Matt. 26:26-28 & 1 Cor. 11: 23-26). Partaking in the bread and the cup together is a reminder of where our hope is rooted, and prepares us for the marriage supper of the Lamb that is to come in the New Heavens & the New Earth. Accordingly, only Christians (and Christians with a clear conscience) should partake in this meal. A confession of sin & assurance of pardon bookend communion below to capture our need and response to the death of Jesus.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Leader: O gracious and gentle and condescending God, God of peace, Father of mercy, God of all comfort: we confess before you the evil of our hearts; we acknowledge that we are too inclined toward anger, jealousy, and revenge, to ambition and pride, which often give rise to discord and bitter feelings between others and us. Too often have we thus both offended and grieved you, O long-suffering Father.

Everyone: Forgive us this sin and permit us to partake of the blessing you have promised the peacemakers, who shall be called the children of God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

COMMUNION

Leader:
The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Colossians 3:12-15)

Leader: Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Everyone: And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

Thanks be to God!

SINGING
Singing in the Victory
(The Austin Stone)

Lyrics:

BENEDICTION

GIVING

In this unique & difficult time, it's important to remember that the Lord is still at work. We anticipate there being many ministry needs and opportunities in the coming days and weeks. As you are able, consider giving to support the mission & vision of The King’s Church.