The Gospel of Mark [Mark 1:1-8]
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
God is always worthy of our praise. His greatness and glory are unlike anything or anyone else. But our hearts need constant reminders of that. This Sunday is a moment that God can use to draw you back to himself. To remind you of his glory. Read these words from the Old Testament to stir you to praise and worship today:
Praise be to you, LORD, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
(1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
SONG: How Great is our God (Chris Tomlin): A song of praise and worship to our God who is name above all other names and majestic in glory.
CCLI Song # 4348399
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves
© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: All Creatures of our God and King: A song of praise and worship of our God, the author and sustainer of life.
CCLI Song # 2846264
St. Francis of Assisi | William Henry Draper
Public Domain
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In the passage we will be thinking about today John the Baptist talks about the greatness of Jesus. John says that he has come to prepare the way for one who is unimaginably greater than he is. He says:
“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
(Mark 1:7)
Yet so often we treat Jesus as the one who should do what we command; we think that he should take orders from us. Whilst we might never say that our actions and feelings often reveal that our hearts think it. So take a moment to confess how, even this week, you have acted as though you were greater than Jesus.
Use this prayer to ask God to help you:
Father, we thank you that Jesus, in spite of his unimaginable greatness, came to serve us. But we thank you that he is not only a servant but a King. We are so sorry for when we act as though we’re the ones who should call the shots. Help us to have the posture and heart of John the Baptist. Would our lives mirror John’s desire for Christ to increase and our selves to decrease.
Amen.
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.
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 The Gospel Of Mark- [Mk 1:1-8] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re starting a new series ‘The Gospel of Mark’. 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: I Stand Amazed: A hymn that speaks of the wonder and awe we experience as we are faced with the love of God shown to us in Christ.
CCLI Song # 4674207
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel | Chris Tomlin
© sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Jesus (Citizens): A song that celebrates our saviour Jesus, who sacrificed himself, giving up his crown to save us from our sin.
LYRICS
The King of all Creation
Set aside His crown
A servant to the father's love
Descended from His throne above
Author of Salvation
Giver of new life
Crucified to pay for sin
Our righteousness is in the name of
Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign
God of Resurrection
Conqueror of death
Ruler over everything
The Lord of lords and King of kings is
Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign
Highly exalted is the name of Jesus Christ
Heaven and earth declare all praise to Jesus Christ
Highly exalted is the name of Jesus Christ
Heaven and earth declare all praise to
Jesus every heart and tongue confess
Your name above all names
All things of this earth belong to You
Forever you will reign
CCLI Song # 6534448
Brian Eichelberger | Zach Bolen
© 2013 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)
COMMITMENT READING
In our gatherings as a church we often affirm our faith and what we believe by reading the Apostle's Creed together. The Apostle's creed is a summary of what the church believes and teaches. Even in this time where we cannot be together, as you say the Creed today, you join Christians past and present, and from all over the world, in proclaiming our common faith. You'll notice the word 'catholic' is used which simply means the 'whole church'.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
SONG: This I Believe (The Creed) (Hillsong): A song based on the Apostle’s creed that affirms the truths we believe as Christians.
CCLI Song # 7018338
Ben Fielding | Matt Crocker
© 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship today with this benediction:
May we know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
Peace be with you