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
We were made to know and enjoy God but the great disaster at the start of creation was that sin disrupted our knowledge and enjoyment of God. But the gospel is the wonderful news that in Christ we are untied to God. That our great creator becomes our father. Use the words of this Psalm as a reminder to your heart of how we can now both know and enjoy God:
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
[Psalm 63:1-5]
SONG: Come Praise and Glorify (Sovereign Grace): A call to praise and glorify the God who has shown his grace to us in Christ.
LYRICS
Come praise and glorify our God
The Father of our Lord
In Christ He has in heav'nly realms
His blessings on us poured
For pure and blameless in His sight
He destined us to be
And now we've been adopted through
His Son eternally
To the praise of Your glory
To the praise of Your mercy and grace
To the praise of Your glory
You are the God who saves
Come praise and glorify our God
Who gives His grace in Christ
In Him our sins are washed away
Redeemed through sacrifice
In Him God has made known to us
The myst'ry of His will
That Christ should be the head of all
His purpose to fulfill
To the praise of Your glory
To the praise of Your mercy and grace
To the praise of Your glory
You are the God who saves
Come praise and glorify our God
For we've believed the Word
And through our faith we have a seal
The Spirit of the Lord
The Spirit guarantees our hope
Until redemption's done
Until we join in endless praise
To God the Three in One
To the praise of Your glory
To the praise of Your mercy and grace
To the praise of Your glory
You are the God who saves
CCLI Song # 6167664
Bob Kauflin | Tim Chester
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
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.
LYRICS
To Him be the glory for all He has done
Praise to the Father who gave us His Son
A ransom for many He bled and died
Then rose in victory enthroned on high
To Him be the glory in heaven and earth
All of creation is shouting His worth
The saints and the angels all live to proclaim
The wonderful story the glorious Name
Oh look and see our God and celebrate
The power of the cross and the empty grave
And now we're free let the redeemed
Lift up your heads
Oh look and see our God
To Him be the glory He's coming again
And all of the sadness will come to an end
Oh what a reunion the bride and her King
Forever we'll praise Him forever we'll sing
Oh look and see our God and celebrate
The power of the cross and the empty grave
And now we're free let the redeemed
Lift up your heads
Oh look and see our God
Glory glory to our God glory glory to our God
Glory glory to our God glory glory to our God
(REPEAT)
Oh look and see our God and celebrate
The power of the cross and the empty grave
And now we're free let the redeemed
Lift up your heads
Oh look and see our God
CCLI Song # 6550721
Michael Bleecker | Ross King
© 2012 Bleecker Publishing (Admin. by Michael Bleecker)
Simple Tense Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In the parables of Jesus that we are looking at together today in Mark chapter four, we are told that the Kingdom of God is like a seed. One of the things that means is that growth and fruit, from God’s perspective, often follow a different timeline to what we expect. Instead of accepting that in faith too often we find our hearts inpatient and frustrated. We think something must have gone wrong, feel we have a better plan and even begin to doubt God’s love and kindness towards us. Use the words of this prayer as you speak to your father about how often you fail to trust his timing:
Father, forgive our impatient hearts that believe our timing is better than yours and our plans wiser than yours. Help me to remember that the kingdom grows at your pace and in your ways. Let me trust your ways even when they seem mysterious to me. Instead of measuring you by my limited understanding, let me look to your steadfast love shown to me in Jesus and find my heart at rest in him.
Amen
SONG: Forgiven (Sovereign Grace): A song of confession and assurance that reminds us we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, despite the ways we fail God and fail one another.
LYRICS
Lord forgive us for our pride
When our faith becomes a show
Dressed in righteous deeds to hide
All the stains below
We have judged Your sons and daughters
For the sin that is our own
May we now forgive each other
And lay down our stones
Forgiven forgiven
Through the blood of Christ
We are forgiven
Lord forgive us for our love
Of the things we wish to own
We forsake the feast above
For all the crumbs below
Though You've made us sons and daughters
We do not the world disown
May we find our greatest treasure
Is in You alone
Forgiven forgiven
Through the blood of Christ
We are forgiven
Lord forgive us for our shame
When we can't release the past
When we're quick to take the blame
But forget we're free at last
We avoid Your sons and daughters
For the fear we don't belong
Give us eyes to see each other
Through Your only Son
Forgiven forgiven
Through the blood of Christ
We are forgiven
CCLI Song # 7096634
Brittany Kauflin | Kate DeGraide | Rebecca Elliott
© Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
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 The Gospel of Mark- [Mk 4:1-34] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re continuing our 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: How Deep the Father’s Love: 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: In Tenderness (Citizens): A wonderful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
LYRICS
In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God
He died for me while I was sinning
Needy and poor and blind
He whispered to assure me
I've found thee thou art Mine
I'd never heard a sweeter voice
It made my aching heart rejoice
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God
Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise
With all adoring wonder
His blessings I retrace
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sing His praise
Oh the love that sought me
Oh the blood that bought me
Oh the grace that brought me to the fold of God
Grace that brought me to the fold of God
CCLI Song # 6536051
Nate Garvey | W. Spencer Walton
© Words: Public Domain
Music: 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
Use this prayer to guide your heart as you come to the close of this time of worship:
All wise and all loving Father, I praise you that the kingdom you are building is unstoppable. I thank you that King Jesus is on his throne and that nothing can stand in the way of his plans. May I learn that I have a part to play in those plans but that the growth is always down to you.
Amen
SONG: When I Survey: A reflection on the cross of Jesus, focusing on the blood shed for to save us from our sin
LYRICS
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all
CCLI Song # 5120516
Isaac Watts | Tim Hughes
© 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
Finally, brothers and sisters, would we rejoice and aim for restoration. Let us comfort one another, agree with one another and live in peace; knowing that the God of love and peace will be with us.
[2 Corinthians 13:11]
Peace be with you