PILGRIM SONGS - THE SONGS OF ASCENT [PSALM 123]
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 wonderful experiences of listening to a great song, reading a great poem or watching great film is that we find someone else expressing a truth that we have felt but lacked the words to say. As we hear or read it we say ‘that’s exactly what I feel too’ and their words help us to express our feelings. Well in the bible God has given us words to express our praise and worship of him. Over and over again as we read the bible we find ourselves saying ‘that’s exactly what I feel’. That means we don’t have to be eloquent, we don’t all need to be poets to find the right words to praise God. He gives us words that can express our praise. So use these words from [Psalm 36] and as you say them make them your very own.
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
[Psalm 36:5-9]
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 # 7032878
Chad Gardner
© 2014 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Everlasting God (Brenton Brown): A song affirming the eternal, unchanging nature of God who never tires or grows weary.
CCLI Song # 4556538
Brenton Brown | Ken Riley
© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
The gospel offers us the great hope that our salvation does not rest on our good works and performance but instead is by God’s free grace. We take hold of that grace through repentance and faith and we rejoice that God is gracious and merciful. Our great hope is that, in Jesus, God gives us this invite:
“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
[Is 45:22]
But we never stop needing to turn to God in repentance and faith. We never stop needing to confess our sin and live out the truth of who we are through faith in Jesus. Use this prayer as you take time to confess your sin today.
Father, make me a chief repenter. Let me be the first to admit my fault, and to repent quickly- without grudging, without excuses, without bitterness. Help me to know that repentance is a path through grief to greater joy.
Amen
[Prayer taken from The Way of Wisdom, by Tim & Kathy Keller]
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 Pilgrim Songs- [Psalm 123] 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: The Power of the Cross (Stuart Townend): A reflection on the cross of Jesus and the power of his death to achieve forgiveness for us.
CCLI Song # 4490766
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend
© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: A song that reflects on the cleansing and purification from sins we can know because of the blood Jesus shed on our behalf.
LYRICS
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon this I see:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know;
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
CCLI Song # 21332
Robert Lowry
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
COMMITMENT READING
Let’s prepare to end this time of worship by reminding ourselves of where we should fix our eyes as we set out into a new week:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12:1-2]
SONG: Lion and the Lamb (Bethel Music): A celebration of Jesus, our saviour, who is both the lion of Judah and the lamb of God.
CCLI Song # 7038281
Brenton Brown | Brian Johnson | Leeland Mooring
© 2015 Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by Song Solutions)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.’
[Num 6:24-26]
Peace be with you