Happy Mothers Day!
May God meet with you, and comfort you, and refresh you, as you worship with us this weekend.
This worship guide is designed to accompany the May 10 sermon, “We Are: God’s Temple.”
If you are worshiping alone, you are welcome to read the service elements silently, or aloud. I wonder if you’ve been keeping a journal during this pandemic: if so, have that open so you can continue your written conversation with God through worship.
If you’re worshiping with your family, consider including them. The opening Call to Worship is designed to be a call and response. The extended prayer time is open, consider having everyone pray aloud their concerns to God when/if appropriate.
Share this morning with others. If you’re comfortable using social media, take a picture of your worship experience and post it. “Share” the sermon video with others, whether through social media or over a phone conversation with a loved one you’re missing today.
We are likely going to worship this way at least through May. That will be reviewed at this month’s consistory meeting. If you have feedback or input, please contact me!
— Pastor Cody
GOD GATHERS US
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
One reads:
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good:
All read:
His steadfast love endures forever!
One reads:
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
The Lord is my strength and my might;
He has become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good:
All read:
His steadfast love endures forever.
— from Psalm 118:1, 5, 6a, 14, 22-24, 29 —
WE SING OUR PRAISE
You are welcome to sing “Cornerstone” in worship and adoration.
OUR PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
You are invited at this time to pray to God all that is on your heart. It may help you to pray with the Lord’s Prayer:
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”
Pray your love, your thanks, your trust, to God.
Settle into an awareness of His power and His presence with you, as a compassionate Parent.
“Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven.”
Pray for God to rescue us from this pandemic, and from all of its effects:
Pray for God to heal the sick, deliver the dying, and comfort the mourning.
Pray for God to lead our leaders in His truth and justice and wisdom.
Pray for God to take up His throne in our hearts and homes, so that our trust is in Him alone.
“Give us today our daily bread.”
Pray for your needs, and the needs of your family and loved ones.
Pray for those who are hungry, those who are without a paycheck, and for those who cannot find work because of this pandemic.
“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Confess your sins to God in silence, mindful that “He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Confess, too, the unjust systems in which we participate every day. Ask for God’s forgiveness on all of us, for the unintended harm our actions and inaction cause to the vulnerable ones in this world.
And lift up to God those whom you need to forgive: family members, church friends, neighbors, and others. Ask for His help to release these hurts and begin to forgive them.
“Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.”
Pray for those who are anxious and fearful right now, that God would assure them.
Pray for those who are confused and unsure, that God would light their paths.
Pray for those who are lonely, depressed, and traumatized by this, that God would heal their hearts and minds.
Pray for doctors, nurses, caretakers, and case workers, and their families, that God would be their portion as they do His work to heal and care and restore.
Pray for scientists, researchers, and other organizations who are striving to discover solutions to this, that God would lead them to the truth.
Pray for the Church, in all places, that God would send us out to be His witnesses, His priesthood, His agents, to carry out His mission of restoration and reconciliation in faithfulness and humility.
“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.”
Ask God boldly to continue to prove His faithfulness and His power and His love to you always.
Close your prayer with silence, resting in the assurance that God is on the throne, listening to our prayers, and moving swiftly to answer them for His glory and our good.
GOD SPEAKS TO US
Watch the May 10 video “We Are: God’s Temple” at this time.
Pastor Cody will close this worship experience on the video.
GOD SENDS US
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,
— Revelation 1:4-6 —
and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,
and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father,
to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH 