This morning, I invite you to worship the risen and reigning Lord Jesus together with us.
As usual, our worship takes place in three sections or movements. The first movement is our approach to God, as He gathers us. This movement is about preparing our hearts to hear God’s Word. Remember, as we use the prayers and Scripture readings in this worship guide, praying and reading out loud, that we are all worshiping together, even if we are apart in our homes this morning.
The second movement is when we listen to God’s Word. I will lead this section from the sermon video, which you can find on YouTube and Facebook.
After the sermon, return to this guide for the third movement, our responding to God’s Word. Discuss, or journal, what you hear God speaking to you, along with any ideas for how to put what you’ve heard into action this week. Close this time with prayer, for yourself, your family, our church family, and for our community and world.
Remember, too, that one of the ways we respond to God’s Word is by contributing — as we are able — to the church and to other ministries and missions, as we advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not have online giving set up, so please mail your offerings to our church, or bring them to the office Monday or Friday morning.
— Pastor Cody
GOD GATHERS US
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Read aloud:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
— Revelation 5:12 —
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
If you wish, you are welcome to listen to and/or sing along with the song “Resurrecting.”
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL — based on Romans 6:1-14
If worshiping with your spouse and/or children, have one person pray this aloud for all.
If worshiping alone, pray this or your own personal confession of sin.
Lord God Almighty,
By the death of Your Son Jesus,
You crucified our old sinful selves,
Freeing us from the tyranny of our evil desires,
And forgiving all our sins.
But we keep on sinning,
Letting our sinful selves to continue ruling us,
Offering our bodies to serve sin and do evil.
Help us to offer ourselves to you again,
As those who have died to sin and live to Christ.
We offer ourselves to you, to be used in doing good,
Living under Your grace.
Through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.
PROMISE OF GRACE
If worshiping with your spouse and/or children, have as many as are able each read one of these passages to each other as a chorus of reminders of God’s amazing grace to us in Christ Jesus.
If worshiping alone, pause after each passage to reflect or write your response of thanks.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
— 1 Peter 1:3-5 (New International Version) —
Christ died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from the dead so that they would live for him.
— 2 Corinthians 5:15, 17 (New Century Version) —
If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!
When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God’s power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead. When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross.
— Colossians 2:12-14 (New Century Version) —
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
— Romans 8:10-11 (New International Version) —
“Death is destroyed forever in victory.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (New Century Version) —
“Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your pain?”
Death’s power to hurt is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But we thank God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
— Colossians 3:1-4 (New International Version) —
If you wish, you are welcome to sing along with “The Church’s One Foundation.”
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Watch the April 19 video “We Are: the Body” at this time.
GOD SENDS US
DISCUSSION
Discuss with each other, or journal on your own, what you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you in this morning’s sermon.
- How is God challenging you today?
- How is God comforting you today?
- What would you like to put into action?
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Take a moment to consider any prayer requests that God has put on your heart. If you are worshiping with your spouse and/or children, have everyone share their concerns.
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
Read aloud God’s sending and blessing for us, His church:
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving, holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
— Colossians 2:6-7, 19 —
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:7 —
Amen!
EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH 