An End in Sight [Mark 15:25-39]
During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home. You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing. Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday. As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.
As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church.
CALL TO WORSHIP
In uncertain times it is good for us to remind our hearts that Jesus is our risen King who rules and reigns. That isn’t a distant truth but a daily hope. Today we remember that out of nothing God created the heavens and earth. We also remember that God raised Jesus from the powerlessness of death to the power of his right hand.
So start your time of worship with this prayer as you remember the reality of Jesus.
We give you thanks, great God, for the hope we have in Jesus, who died but is risen and rules over all. Because he lives, we look for eternal life, knowing that nothing past, present, or yet to come can separate us from your great love made known in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
SONG: Look and See (The Village Church): A song that helps us gaze upon Christ, to direct our praise and worship to him, the one who has redeemed us.
CCLI Song # 6550721
Michael Bleecker | Ross King
© 2012 Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker)
Simple Tense Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Rejoice (Dustin Kensrue): A call to praise God and gaze upon His glory. A reminder that, even in the midst of our trials and suffering we still have reasons to rejoice in the Gospel.
LYRICS
Come and stand before your maker
Full of wonder full of fear
Come behold his power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near
For the one who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting love
Rejoice
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice
He is worthy of all praise
Rejoice
Sing the mercies of your king
And with trembling rejoice
We are children of the promise
The beloved of the Lord
Won with everlasting kindness
Bought with sacrificial blood
Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a father
Who will never let them go
Rejoice
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice
He is worthy of all praise
Rejoice
Sing the mercies of your king
And with trembling rejoice
All our sickness all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill
He has walked this path before us
He is walking with us still
Turning tragedy to triumph
Turning agony to praise
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazed
Rejoice
When you cry to him he hears your voice
He will wipe away your tears
Rejoice
In the midst of suffering
He will help you sing
Rejoice
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice
He is worthy of all praise
Rejoice
Sing the mercies of your king
And with trembling rejoice
CCLI Song # 7004663
Dustin Kensrue | Stuart Townend
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Townend Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We are in a sermon series called ‘An End in Sight’. Each week we are thinking about a particular concern that the virus outbreak has caused. This week we are thinking about loneliness.
For many people this time in lockdown has been one of painful isolation. Unable to be physically close to family and friends has left many feeling lonely. That’s a horrible experience for anyone. But today we will look at how Jesus faced the complete isolation and loneliness of bearing our sin on the cross. Hear these words that Jesus cried out from the cross:
Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Mark 15:34]
Jesus experienced the isolation and forsakenness that our sin deserved. Take a moment to reflect on what that shows you about the seriousness of our sin but also the love of God.
The gospel says that Jesus became forsaken so that we might never need to be. So rejoice today in the hope that even though we might feel alone we have the powerful comfort of God’s presence with us always.
SONG: Nothing in All the Earth (Sovereign Grace): A song based out of Romans 8:31-39 that speaks of the unbreakable love of God which nothing can separate us from.
LYRICS
What shall separate us from Your love
Can years of sorrow break eternal bonds
Can condemnation ever raise its voice
Against the pardon of the blood of Christ
Though our journey here is long
This will be our triumph song
Nothing in all the earth
Not any height above
Could ever tear us from Your everlasting love
Nothing in all the earth
Not any height above
Could ever tear us from Your everlasting love
What shall separate us from Your love
For now the sting of death is overcome
And all the powers of this world must fall
Before Your feet because You rule them all
Though our journey here is long
This shall be our triumph song
Nothing in all the earth
Could ever tear us from
Your everlasting love
CCLI Song # 7001323
Joel Sczebel
© 2013 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity Music)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unites us together in Jesus.
We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead.
SERMON An End In Sight- [Mk 15:25-39] An end to loneliness Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re continuing in our new series ‘An End in Sight’. We have created a dedicated page to make them easy to share with your non-Christian friends and family. Click here where you will find this week’s sermon.
RESPONSE
Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.
SONG: How Deep the Father’s Love (Kings Kaleidoscope): A reflection on the depth of God’s love shown to us in the cross of Christ.
LYRICS
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts no pow’r no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
CCLI Song # 1558110
Stuart Townend
© 1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Never Alone (Emu Music): A song which reminds us that because of everything Jesus endured on the cross for our sakes, we can live secure in the knowledge that our God will never forsake us.
LYRICS
We're not alone for Christ is here
Immanuel our God come near
We're not alone for to our world
Jesus has come eternal Word
And as he speaks our souls laid bare
Naked ashamed sin is made clear
And yet he clothes us in his love
Never alone Christ is with us is with us
The longest walk earth's darkest day
The pressing crowd his mounting pain
A heavy load of grief and shame
Breathless that we should breathe again
Father forgive them comes his cry
Silence from God blackens the sky
A creeping dread in every heart
Lost in the world now God departs God departs
The dawn will come the sun will rise
Out of the grave we'll see hope's light
Tomb opened wide stone rolled away
Morning has come a brand new day
He isn't here the angel said
He is alive no longer dead
Our hearts are lifted souls raised high
Christ is with us Christ is our life he's our life
Never alone is now our cry
In joy in grief in lonely sin
Never alone for Christ is ours
He lives in us we live in him
And 'til we reach that final day
When fears are gone cast far away
We'll live secure trust in his love
Never alone Christ is with us he's with us
CCLI Song # 4928159
Philip Percival | Simone Richardson
© Words: 2006 Richardson, Simone
Music: Percival, Philip (Admin. by Philip Gordon Percival)
COMMITMENT READING
Jesus’ life death and resurrection offer us the deep hope of God’s constant and unceasing presence. During his life on earth Jesus was criticised for being a ‘friend of sinners’ [Lk 7:34]. Whilst it was meant as an insult for us it is a precious hope. Jesus was a friend of sinners in that he came to save sinners and welcomes broken people like us who have put our faith in Him. His friendship brings the assurance that we are never truly alone and the hope that one day we will be with him for ever.
SONG: Saviour of the World (Ben Cantelon): A celebration of Jesus our saviour who gave his life as a ransom for many.
CCLI Song # 5742169
Ben Cantelon
© 2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Finish your time of worship with the confidence that because of the work of Jesus we are adopted and belong to a new family.
We are the family of God, adopted through the Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit we can confidently live as children of God.
Peace be with you