An End in Sight [Mark 4:35-41]
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
The Psalms are full of God’s people facing times of uncertainty and danger. They are always honest about how that leaves them feeling. But as well as honest they are also filled with hope as they boldly affirm God’s goodness and grace.Start this time of worship with the words of the Psalmist:
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
[Psalm 102: 1-2; 25-28]
SONG: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Matt Redman): A song directing our hearts to God, reminding us of the endless reasons we have to offer all of our praise and worship to Him.
CCLI Song # 6016351
Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman
© 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing UK)
SONG: Indescribable (Chris Tomlin): A song of praise and worship to God who's glory and majesty can be seen in all of his creation.
CCLI Song # 4403076
Jesse Reeves | Laura Story
© 2004 Laura Stories (Admin. by Integrity Music)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Today we start a new sermon series called ‘An End in Sight’. Each week we will be thinking about a particular concern that the virus outbreak has caused. This week we start by thinking about fear.
Fear can so often overwhelm us. We feel its icy hands grip us and, just like Jesus’ disciples in the storm, we cry out to God ‘don’t you care about us?’.
Take time now to speak honestly to God about your own fears. Be specific and name them before him.
One of the beautiful images the bible uses to help us address our fears is to speak of Christ as the Good Shepherd who cares for us his flock. He is the one who loves and cares for each of us as his people. Hear the words of Psalm 23
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
[Psalm 23:4]
The comfort that we have as we face our fears is that, in Christ, God is with us. That he will never leave us or forsake us. That even in the darkest valley he walks by our side.
This next song reminds us of that wonderful truth
SONG: Oh God (Dustin Kensrue): An assurance that God is present with us in our struggles, when we feel alone and far from Him he is with us. A wonderful reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
LYRICS
In the valley, O God, you're near
In the quiet, O God, you're near
In the shadow, O God, you're near
At my breaking, O God, you're near
You're near
O God, you never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life
In my searching, O God, you're near
In my wandering, O God, you're near
When I feel alone, O God, you're near
At my lowest, O God you're near
You're near
O God, you never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life
Height nor depth
Nor anything else can pull us apart
We are joined as one by your blood
Hope will rise
As we become more than conquerors
Through the one who loved the world
O God, you never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life
O God, you never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life
CCLI Song # 6534493
Zach Bolen
© 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 unties 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.
Let’s also use this prayer as we pray for our government:
Almighty God,
All authority is yours, but you have given authority to leaders to protect and guide us. Today, we ask that you would give all our leaders wisdom, discernment, strength, and resolve. Keep them healthy, safe, and rested so that they can continue to guide us through this troubling time.
Give our government leaders wisdom about what needs to be done to stop the virus and stabilise our economy.
Give our medical leaders insight into how to stop the virus. Strengthen their resolve and honour their hard work in creating a treatment for COVID-19.
Give our civic leaders inspiration, courage, joy, and strength to meet the needs of their communities.
And help us as the church to live showing hope of Jesus as our great King to those around us.
In his great name,
Amen
SERMON An End In Sight- [Mk 4:35-41] An end to fear Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week is the first in our new series ‘An End in Sight’. We have created a dedicated page to make them easy to share with your non-Christian friends and family. 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: Oceans (Hillsong): A song that reminds us of God's leading and the Spirit's guiding, even when we are fearful and life feels uncertain.
CCLI Song # 6428767
Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm
© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
SONG: Defender (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song which reminds us that when we cry out to God, he hears us, and that we need not fear because we can place our hope in him.
CCLI Song # 7032881
Chad Gardner | Zach Bolen
© 2014 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Remaining portion is unaffiliated
COMMITMENT READING
Jesus offers us great comfort and peace in the face of our fears and concerns. He faced the storm of God’s righteous anger against sin to welcome us into the calm of his care. Read this wonderful confidence that we can have in Jesus:
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
[Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 27:1-2]
SONG: It Is Well (Matt Redman): A new song with a familiar chorus, this song reminds us that through trials and hardship, God is with us and we can rely upon him.
CCLI Song # 7043170
Beth Redman | Matt Redman
© Said And Done Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Finish your time of worship with this benediction.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
[2 Thessalonians 2:16-17]
Peace be with you