Thank you for worshiping together with us, apart. If you are worshiping alone, you are welcome to light a candle, and open a journal to write down your prayers and thoughts with God. If you are worshiping with your spouse, share the scripture readings and the prayers, so that you can lead each other in worship. If you are worshiping with your kids, consider ahead of time how you might let them pray or read or share during this worship experience.
(You may download this order of worship as a .pdf, as well)
Before you start, find the March 22 YouTube video, “I AM: the Image of God,” and play it at this point. There will be links to videos of worship songs and hymns in the video’s description: you are welcome to sing along as part of this liturgy, if you so choose.
GOD GATHERS US
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,
let us look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of God.
Let us consider him who endured such hostility from sinful people,
so that we may not grow weary or lose heart.
from Hebrews 12:1-3
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Holy and loving God,
as we worship You today,
we long for your Spirit to both comfort and challenge us,
to help us become more holy and more loving.
In a world that does not understand repentance,
we pray for new understanding, humility, patience, and discipline
that will help us die to sin and live for Jesus. Amen.
[You are welcome to sing “What a Beautiful Name” and “Cornerstone” at this time.]
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
Let us pray:
1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are brought to an end by Your anger;
by Your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before You,
our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
9 For all our days pass away under Your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of Your anger,
and Your wrath according to the fear of You?
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on Your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let Your work be shown to Your servants,
and Your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalm 90
PROMISE OF GRACE
Hear the good news for you in Christ Jesus:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
GOD SPEAKS TO US
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord God,
help us turn our hearts to You and hear what You will speak,
for You speak peace to Your people
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
from Psalm 85:8
GOD’S WORD IN SCRIPTURE & SERMON
Continue the March 22 YouTube video, “I AM: the Image of God” at this point.
PRAYER FOR BLESSING ON GOD’S WORD
Guide us, O God,
by Your Word and Spirit,
that in Your light we may see light,
in Your truth find freedom,
and in Your will discover Your peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
GOD SENDS US
DISCUSSION
Discuss with each other, or journal on your own, what you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you.
- How is God challenging you today?
- How is God comforting you today?
- What would you like to put into action?
[You are welcome to sing “Jesus Paid It All” at this time.]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Take a moment to consider any prayer requests. If you are worshiping with others, share them aloud together.
Then spend a few minutes in prayer for one another, our community, and the world.
Close with the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
SENT WITH GOD’S BLESSING
3 Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins
to deliver us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3-5, ESV
EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH 