PILGRIM SONGS - THE SONGS OF ASCENT [PSALM 131]
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
Lots changes very quickly in our world. Especially during this time where the news moves so fast and the world we live in can look different from week to week. Against that background of change it is a wonderful anchor for us to remember that God is gloriously unchanging. Use these words from Psalm 102 to draw your heart to that hope today.
You, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your fame endures through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
[Psalm 102: 12, 25-27]
SONG: Cornerstone (Hillsong): A song reflecting on the wonderful truth of Christ as our Cornerstone. A reminder that our hope and trust should always be built on Jesus and His saving work on the cross.
LYRICS
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name
(REPEAT)
Chorus
Christ alone cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour's love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
Verse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
Interlude
He is Lord Lord of all
Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
CCLI Song # 6158927
Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan | William Batchelder Bradbury
© 2011 Hillsong MP Songs (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
SONG: Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue): A song celebrating the grace shown to us in Christ. A reminder that it is only by grace we're saved.
LYRICS
Verse 1
I was an orphan lost at the fall
Running away when I'd hear you call
But Father you worked your will
I had no righteousness of my own
I had no right to draw near your throne
But Father you loved me still
Chorus 1
And in love before you laid the world's foundation
You predestined to adopt me as your own
You have raised me up so high above my station
I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone
Verse 2
You left your home to seek out the lost
You knew the great and terrible cost
But Jesus your face was set
I worked my fingers down to the bone
But nothing I did could ever atone
But Jesus you paid my debt
Chorus 2
By Your blood I have redemption and salvation
Lord you died that I might reap what you have sown
And you rose that I might be a new creation
I am born again by grace and grace alone
Bridge
I was in darkness all of my life
I never knew the day from the night
But Spirit you made me see
I swore I knew the way on my own
Head full of rocks a heart made of stone
But Spirit you moved in me
Chorus 3
And at your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Heaven's citizen by grace and grace alone
Ending
So I'll stand in faith by grace and grace alone
I will run the race by grace and grace alone
I will slay my sin by grace and grace alone
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone
CCLI Song # 7004659
Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In the Psalm we will be looking at today we are called to live in a position of humble trust in God.
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
[Psalm 131:1-2]
But we find that so hard to do. We so often find that our hearts are the very opposite; we are proud and we are haughty. Like our spiritual parent Adam, we still grasp for greatness and independence from God. Our default ambition is to grab the power and glory for ourselves. Take some time to confess to God the ways that pride and self-centredness show themselves in your life.
The gospel shows us that instead of seeking power and glory for himself, Jesus laid aside all that was rightfully his to rescue us from sin. In perfect humility Jesus stepped into the world as a servant to give his life and rescue us. As we place our trust in him we find our experience of the peace and calm the Psalm speaks of growing and growing.
SONG: Lead us Back (Sojourn): A song of confession that we so often seek security, comfort and the worship of other idols above God. A plea that God would lead us back to life in him.
LYRICS
Verse 1
Falling down upon our knees
Sharing now in common shame
We have sought security
Not the cross that bears your name
Fences guard our hearts and homes
Comfort sings a siren tune
We're a valley of dry bones
Lead us back to life in you
Verse 2
Lord we fall upon our knees
We have shunned the weak and poor
Worshipped beauty courted kings
And the things their gold affords
Prayed for those we'd like to know
Favor sings a siren tune
We've become a talent show
Lead us back to life in you
Verse 3
Lord you've caused the blind to see
We have blinded them again
With our man-made laws and creeds
Eager ready to condemn
Now we plead before your throne
Power sings a siren tune
We've been throwing heavy stones
Lead us back to life in you
Ending
We're a valley of dry bones
Lead us back to life in you
We've become a talent show
Lead us back to life in you
We've been throwing heavy stones
Lead us back to life in you
CCLI Song # 4878333
Bobby Gilles | Brooks Ritter
© 2006 Gilles, Bobby (Admin. by Robert E. Gilles Jr.)
Sojourn Community Church
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 Pilgrim Songs- [Psalm 131] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re continuing in our new series entitled ‘Pilgrim Songs’. 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: Jesus Paid it All (Kings Kaleidoscope): A hymn that centers on the price Jesus paid to save us from our sin and the new life we are raised to in Christ.
LYRICS
Verse 1
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness
Watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all
Verse 2
Lord now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Jesus died my soul to save
And melt my heart of stone
Chorus
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Verse 3
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat
Bridge
Oh praise the One
Who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
Oh praise the One
Who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
(REPEAT)
CCLI Song # 7065567
Chad Gardner
© 2015 Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: There is a Fountain: A song with graphic imagery that reminds us of the lengths Jesus went to save us from our sin, the blood that was shed on our behalf.
LYRICS
Verse 1
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
Verse 2
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day
And there may I though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
And there may I though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Verse 3
Dear dying Lamb Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow'r
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more
Verse 4
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
Verse 5
When this poor lisping stamm'ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler sweeter song
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
Then in a nobler sweeter song
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
CCLI Song # 27707
Edwin Othello Excell | Lowell Mason | William Cowper
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
COMMITMENT READING
Prepare to close your time of worship today with this wonderful reminder of how Jesus has served us:
have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!
[Php 2:5-8]
SONG: It is Finished (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that our sin has been dealt with in Jesus' death and resurrection, our redemption has been accomplished.
LYRICS
Verse 1
There's no deed that can redeem us
There's no rite nor magic word
Only by the work of Jesus
Can salvation be secured
Chorus
It is finished He has done it
Let your weary heart rejoice
Our redemption is accomplished
Raise a shout with ragged voice
And go bravely into battle
Knowing he has won the war
It is finished lift your head (and weep no more)
Verse 2
There's no sacrifice to offer
There's no penance to complete
Freely drink of living water
Without money come and feast
Bridge
And let every sinner rejoice
Hear the dying victor's cry
Raise up your voice
Sing it out through earth and sky
CCLI Song # 7004660
Brian Eichelberger | Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
[Colossians 3:15]
Peace be with you
