THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 2:23-3:6]
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
One of the glorious truths that anchors our hearts and orientates our lives as Christians is that God is glorious. He is eternal and unchanging- worthy of all our praise. Use this call to worship to remind your heart of the goodness and greatness of God.
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: All Praise to Him (Sovereign Grace): A song of praise that speaks of the power of God which is displayed in creation and in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
CCLI Song # 7096636
Bob Kauflin | Matt Merker
© Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Come Praise and Glorify (Sovereign Grace): A call to praise and glorify the God who has shown his grace to us in Christ.
CCLI Song # 6167664
Bob Kauflin | Tim Chester
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
As we take a moment to confess our sin before God use this prayer to help you:
Father God as we are reminded of your glory and majesty, we confess that so often we forget how far we are from you. We are quick to build ourselves up and quick to look down on others. Forgive us for judging one another, thinking we are better than one another. Remind us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of your standards. We are all undeserving of your grace and yet you have lavishly poured it onto us.
Amen.
Even though we deserved God's judgement, Jesus took the judgement that was ours on the cross so that we might be freed from the power of sin. God tells us in his word that if we repent and turn to Jesus, we find life. Read these words of assurance about our great and perfect saviour now:
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; "by his wounds we have been healed."
(1 Peter 2:22-24)
Jesus secures our forgiveness and we can know deep and true healing from our sin. Let the joy of that rest on your heart as you sing.
SONG: Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.
CCLI Song # 7004664
Augustus Montague Toplady | 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)
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 2:23-3:6] 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: 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
SONG: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Zach Sprowls): A new take on the old hymn, reminding us of the hope we have in the Gospel, that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory.
CCLI Song # 2647652
Charles Wesley
Public Domain
COMMITMENT READING
Through what Jesus has done for us we have a new and wonderful identity. It is so important that we remember that during this time when we can’t gather together as the church. So prepare to close your time of worship with this reminder of who we are as God’s people:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
[1 Pt 2:9]
SONG: Hear the Call of the Kingdom (Stuart Townend & Keith Getty): A song which calls us to lift our eyes to God, and to go to all the world with his compassion, as well as being a reminder of our place as his children.
LYRICS
Hear the call of the kingdom
Lift your eyes to the King
Let His song rise within you
As a fragrant offering
Of how God rich in mercy came in Christ to redeem
All who trust in His unfailing grace
Verse 2
Hear the call of the kingdom
To be children of light
With the mercy of heaven the humility of Christ
Walking justly before Him
Loving all that is right
That the life of Christ may shine through us
King of heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name
Hear the call of the kingdom
To reach out to the lost
With the Father's compassion
In the wonder of the cross
Bringing peace and forgiveness
And a hope yet to come
Let the nations put their trust in Him
King of heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name
CCLI Song # 4930752
Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend
© 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this prayer:
Father God, remind us that we are the family of God, adopted through the Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Help us live in light of our identity as children of God as we begin this new week.
Peace be with you