PILGRIM SONGS - THE SONGS OF ASCENT [PSALM 127]
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 reasons that we have to praise God is that he is everlasting. That means that he isn’t subject to time like we are. So many of our frustrations and limitations flow from the fact that we never have enough time to do what we want to do. That is a humbling experience - a reminder of our human limitations. But the wonderful truth is that God is powerful in ways that we are not, so start your time of worship today with these words from the Old Testament:
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: Come Praise and Glorify (Sovereign Grace): A call to praise and glorify the God who has shown his grace to us in Christ.
LYRICS
Verse 1
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
Chorus
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
Verse 2
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
Verse 3
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
CCLI Song # 6167664
Bob Kauflin | Tim Chester
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Everlasting God (Brenton Brown): A song affirming the eternal, unchanging nature of God who never tires or grows weary.
LYRICS
Verse
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Pre-Chorus
Our God You reign forever
Our Hope our strong Deliv'rer
Chorus
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
CCLI Song # 4556538
Brenton Brown | Ken Riley
© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
In the Psalm we will be looking at today we are told that so many of our concerns and worries come from a failure to see that God is at work.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
[Ps 127:1-2]
Because we forget that it is God who is at work underneath everything we do, and that God is the giver of every good thing we have, we find our worry and toil increasing. Ultimately, we start to believe that we are in control instead of trusting that God is. So take a moment to confess the way that you wrongly believe you are in control of your life and the world.
The gospel gives us peace. We can humbly admit that we do not have the kind of control we like to think we have but also know that in Christ God rules and reigns for the good of his people. That is a wonderful place from where we can serve God and serve others in world with joy and gladness.
SONG: You Alone Can Rescue (Matt Redman): A reminder that it is Jesus who saves us from our sin, he came into this world to rescue the lost and is worthy of all of our praise.
LYRICS
Verse 1
Who O Lord could save themselves
Their own soul could heal
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
(REPEAT)
Chorus 1
And You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
Verse 2
You O Lord have made a way
The great divide You healed
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes Your love goes further still
Chorus 2
And You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise
You alone
Bridge
We lift up our eyes
Lift up our eyes
You're the giver of life
We lift up our eyes
Lift up our eyes
You're the giver of life
(REPEAT 4X)
Ending
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone
CCLI Song # 5376377
Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman
© 2008 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing UK)
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 127] 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: Build this House (Lou Fellingham): A song based on Psalm 127 which reminds to build our lives upon God, and how much we rely on him as a protector and provider.
LYRICS
Verse 1
All I have and all I am is Yours
There's nothing that I have on earth
That doesn't come from You
I lay aside my pride and worldly worth
To serve You is the greatest
Thing that I could ever do
Chorus
For unless You build this house
I am building it in vain
Unless the work is Yours
There is nothing to be gained
I want something that will stand
When Your holy fire comes
Something that will last
And to hear You say well done
Giving glory to You Lord
Glory to You Lord
Verse 2
So easy to desire what others have
Instead of seeing all the gifts
That You have given me
So help me fan the flame which You began
And burn in me a love for You
That all will clearly see
CCLI Song # 4718565
Lou Fellingham | Mike Busbee | Nathan Fellingham
© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
The Livingstone Collective (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: All I Have is Christ (Sovreign Grace): A song which points us back o the cross amidst life’s hardships, and reminds us that we can rely upon Jesus’ steadfast love for us.
LYRICS
Verse 1
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
Verse 2
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God's love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Chorus
Hallelujah all I have is Christ
Hallelujah Jesus is my life
Verse 3
Now Lord I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
O Father use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
CCLI Song # 5174122
Jordan Kauflin
© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
COMMITMENT READING
Let’s prepare to end this time of worship by remembering that all of our confidence as a church is that Jesus grows and builds us:
Jesus said:
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” [Mt 16:18]
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
[1 Cor 3:6-7]
What hope and confidence we can have that Jesus is at work to bring growth and fruit.
SONG: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) (Chris Tomlin): An adapted version of the old hymn, celebrating the grace we have received from God and the freedom we can know in Christ.
LYRICS
Verse 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
Verse 2
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Chorus
My chains are gone I've been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing grace
Verse 3
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
Verse 4
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
CCLI Song # 4768151
Chris Tomlin | John Newton | Louie Giglio
© 2006 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
[2 Peter 3:18]
Peace be with you