Kids’ Gratitude Journal Drawings

What are you grateful for today? Spiders? Splash pads? Pokemon? Here are some of the things our kids have been thankful for in the last while. Kids – don’t forget to send your drawings in to your church! Have your parents snap a picture of your work and email it to your church so we can include it next week.

Call to Worship – 1 Timothy 3:16

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body
    and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
    and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
    and taken to heaven in glory.

If you are gathering with others, pray this simple prayer aloud together as we begin worship:

Now, our God we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. Amen.

Song of Worship – “Glorious”

Look inside the mystery
See the empty cross
See the risen Savior
Victorious and strong
No one else above Him
None as strong to save
He alone has conquered
The power of the grave

Glorious, my eyes have seen the glory of the Lord
Glorious, he stands above the rulers of the earth

Look beyond the tombstone
See the Living God
See the resurrected
Ruler of my heart
No one else above Him
None to match His worth
The hope of His returning
Fills the universe

Glorious, my eyes have seen the glory of the Lord
Glorious, he stands above the rulers of the earth

Glorious
Glorious
Lord, You are glorious

Responsive Reading – 1 Timothy 6:15-16

If you are meeting with others, have two people share this reading, one person reading aloud the plain print and the other reading the bold.

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God,
the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him.
No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will.
All honor and power to him forever!
Amen.

Song of Worship – “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee

Camp Hightlight and Conversation

The Apostle Paul is speaking to young Timothy on what he has observed in faith making its way through the generations:

I am reminded of your genuine faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2 Timothy 1:5)

Some in the church are 1st generation Christians. Some are 2nd, 3rd and so on. We know some Palestinian friends who can trace their generational passing down of the faith to the 5th century! Our faith always comes from the faithfulness of another who risks sharing about the good news of Jesus.

Who told you first about Jesus? What was that like? What were your first feelings and thoughts?

Spend a little bit of time reflecting on your first memories of learning about Jesus. If you are with others share your reflections. Kids can get in on this too.

Meeting Jesus isn’t a one time event. We are continually being invited into relationship with God’s Son by his Spirit.

We want you to take a few minutes to identify 2-3 events, programs, relationships, institutions that have been helpful to your meeting Jesus and growing in your faith. What made these so significant to you? How did these shape and grow you? Again, if you are in a group, share this conversation.

Lastly, we as churches are connected with a summer camp, Covenant Heights Bible Camp, at Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park. Some of you have experienced CHBC and some of you hopefully will – soon enough. This is one of the places that has been important to helping to pass on the faith from one generation to the next for this region of Covenant Churches.

Take a few minutes to learn a bit about that camp and see how you can engage even in a season where our kids’ camping experience is postponed.

Offering

The buttons below will take you to more info on giving to your church.

Kids, during this time of giving and thanksgiving fill up another page in your gratitude journal: what are you grateful for today?

Song of Reflection – “Inheritance”

Confession and Assurance

Confession is an opportunity to get honest about how we miss the mark. Hear 1 Timothy 2:11-13 concerning Jesus and us:

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
    we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
    we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
    he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot deny who he is.

There is lots of conditional language here in regards to us. Jesus’ part is sure and steady. He lives, reigns, is just, faithful and can only be who He is. We are the ones in question. We are fickle. We aren’t interested in death, enduring hardship, truth or being faithful. This is why we need confession. Often!

Today we invite you to get honest about your unfaithfulness. The old prayer book invites us to ask forgiveness for the ways in which we have sinned against God in thought, word, and deed – “by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.”

Often, our confession focuses on what we have done – the transgressions that are plain to us, but today we invite you to consider our unfaithfulness in what we have left undone. Spend some time getting honest about the couch potato areas of our life in regards to Christ’s call to faith. Be bold: name these areas, confess them, ask for forgiveness.

Take as long as you need in prayer (together, if you are meeting with others) to confess these sins of omission, using this simple format:

God we ask you to forgive us for _______. Amen.

After you have finished praying, read and re-read the words below from Titus 2:11. If you are meeting with others have each person, starting with the youngest, take turns reading the verse aloud:

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Sermon – 1 Timothy 6:6-12

Song of Worship – “Sing Alleluia” and Scripture from Titus 3:4-7

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Sun, moon and stars rejoice on high
Praise to the Lord of light divine

Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
Praise the Father above
Sing alleluia
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
For His infinite love
Sing alleluia

Praise to the Giver of good things
Merciful Father, holy King
Join with the angels, sing out loud
Praise Him who reigns above the clouds

Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
Praise the Father above
Sing alleluia
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
For His infinite love
Sing alleluia

O praise Him (when the morning comes)
Alleluia (for the rising sun)
O praise Him (when the day is done)
Alleluia (praise the Lord of love)
Praise Him (alleluia)
Alleluia (alleluia)
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing

Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
Praise the Father above
Sing alleluia
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia
For His infinite love
Sing alleluia

Benediction from Hebrews 13

Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Announcement Concerning Worship Services

Both Holy Community and Faith Covenant are grateful to have to opportunity to return to in-person worship gatherings next Sunday, July 5th, at their respective locations. More details, including service times, and important sign up / registration information, will be communicated from your church via email and be circulated on social media, so please keep an eye out.

We will continue to post these online worship services (which will be right in step with what our in-person gatherings will look like) for those who are not able to be in-person at this time. We will continue to worship and grow together, even if it takes a few different forms!

Doxology

Sing it aloud!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.

Kids’ Gratitude Journal Drawings

Kids – don’t forget to send your drawings in to your church! Have your parents snap a picture of your work and email it to your church so we can include it next week.

Kids Activity

Hey parents and kids. 2 Thessalonians has some advice for how we are to live for Jesus even in difficult times. Paul tells us to “take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Discuss: What does it mean to take a firm stand for Jesus? What is the teaching we are to keep a firm grip on? This is a great opportunity to talk to kids about having hope in Jesus and about living lives of obedience. We find out more about that through the teaching of Scripture. 

Now for some fun! Find something you can stand on that is flat and only a few square feet. Maybe fold a towel in half and put it on the floor. Now have one person stand on the towel while others work to pull them off. This will probably work best with an adult on the towel while a kid tries to shake their stance. Try it standing on one foot. Try it with your arms in the air. Try it on a chair (be safe!). When we stand firm, it’s harder to be moved than if we are off-balance with our feet not planted. Plant your feet and stand firm for Jesus. 

Beginning in Stillness

As you begin this morning of worship, take a few moments to sit quietly and allow yourself to focus attention on God’s presence with you. Play the song below and give yourself to noticing God among you.

Call to Worship, Songs, and Prayer

Responsive Reading – Isaiah 12:2-6

If you are meeting with others, have people take turns reading this passage, switching readers each time the text alternates between plain and bold print.

God, you are the one who saves us.
    We will trust in you.
    Then we won’t be afraid.
Lord, you are the one who gives us strength.
    You are the one who keeps us safe.
    Lord, you have saved us.”
People of Israel, he will save you.
    That will bring you joy like water brought up from wells.
In days to come, the people of Israel will sing,
“Give praise to the Lord. Make his name known.
    Tell the nations what he has done.
    Announce how honored he is.
Sing to the Lord. He has done glorious things.
    Let it be known all over the world.
People of Zion, give a loud shout!
    Sing for joy!
The Holy One of Israel is among you.
    And he is great.”

Thanksgiving and Offering

In 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, Paul writes:

Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. That is only right, because your faith is growing more and more. We also thank God that the love you all have for one another is increasing. So among God’s churches we brag about the fact that you don’t give up easily. We brag about your faith in all the suffering and testing you are going through.

The last months have been a time of plenty of testing – maybe not identical to that which was suffered by the church in Thessalonica, but still a time of trial. We are so grateful for the many ways this faith community – FCC and HCCC – have continued to show care for one another and expressed generosity and a sharing in our ongoing ministry even in difficult times. In keeping with Paul’s prayer at the end of 2 Thessalonians 1, we pray:

…that he will make perfect all that you have done by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory through what you have done. We also pray that you will receive glory through what he has done. We pray all these things in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The buttons below will take you to more info on giving to your church.

Kids, during this time of giving and thanksgiving fill up another page in your gratitude journal: what are you grateful for today?

Sermon – 2 Thessalonians

HERE and HERE are the links to the videos Julia mentions in the sermon.

Prayer Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Eternally righteous God,
merciful judge of all the living,
in your love you called us to share the glory of Christ.
Strengthen our hearts in every good work and word,
that we may be steadfast in your ways
and always believe your truth.
Amen.

Song of Worship – “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

Christ Whose Glory
Christ, whose glory fills the skies
Christ, the true, the only Light
Sun of Righteousness arise
Triumph o’er the shades of night
Triumph o’er the shades of night

Hallelujah! O praise Him whose glory fills the skies
Hallelujah! O praise the true Light
Hallelujah! O praise Him who triumphs over night
Hallelujah! O praise Jesus Christ

Christ, O radiance divine
Scatter all my unbelief
Break into this soul of mine
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief

Christ be ever on display
Bring the dark unto its end
More and more ’til glorious day
And the Light himself descends
And the Light himself descends

Benediction – 1 Timothy 1:17

The eternal King will never die. He can’t be seen. He is the only God. Give him honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Doxology

Sing it aloud!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.

Kids’ Gratitude Drawings

Kid’s Activity

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Paul tells us to “Be kind two one another and build each other up.” Kindness goes a long way in showing each other love. How can you be kind to someone today in an extra special way? How can you work on being kind in regular ways every day? Grab some blocks, LEGO, paper, whatever you’ve got and build a kindness tower. Maybe write the verse on your tower or attach it to the top. How high can you build your kindness tower?

Call to Worship, Songs, and Confession

Scripture Reading – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Thanksgiving and Offering

The buttons below will take you to some info on how you can give to your church.

Kids, during this time of giving and thanksgiving fill up another page in your gratitude journal: what are you grateful for today? And don’t forget to have your parents send in a picture of your journal so your drawing can get included in the service next week!

May God multiply these gifts and make use of them for His Kingdom and Glory, and may He bless those who give in worship and faith. Amen.

Greet One Another

Take a few minutes to greet others in your faith community who you haven’t seen in a while – send a text, or make a quick call to check in on one other.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:26, Paul encourages people to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” Sooo… maybe send a kiss emoji? That might take explaining if they aren’t also walking through this service. Use your best judgement!

Lectio Divina with 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

Song of Worship – “Jesus Blessed Lord”

Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim
Hail him, the everlasting name
Sing, O Church, come and bring your hearts again
Bless Him, the Lord

Praise Him, Praise Him
Jesus Blessed Lord

For our sins He suffered, bled and died
Hail Him, the Christ, the crucified
Son of Man, Son of God who bore our pain
Bless Him, the Lord

Heaven’s voice, O majestic anthems ring
Crown Him, the Prophet, Priest, and King
Christ will come and we shall, on that day,
Bless Him, the Lord

There is no other name by which we are saved
Let the people rejoice, He has conquered the grave
Jesus, Blessed Lord

Benediction – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Doxology

Sing it aloud!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.

Kid’s Activity

Colossians 2:6-7 says:

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Plants send their roots into the soil to absorb nutrients. That’s how they grow!

Kids – during the sermon time, go on a backyard hunt for some dandelions. See if you can dig up the whole root! You might have to use a small shovel to get at it. It’s amazing how long some dandelion roots are!

Remember: when OUR roots are deep in Jesus, we grow and grow in faith, and you’ll overflow with thankfulness! Remember those verses when we get to our gratitude journals during the offering!

Gathering, Songs, and Prayer

Offering

The buttons below will take you to some info on how you can give to your church.

Kids, take some time now to fill up another page in your gratitude journal: what are you “overflowing in thankfulness” for today? And don’t forget to have your parents send in a picture of your journal so your drawing can get included in the service next week!

May God multiply these gifts and make use of them for His Kingdom and Glory, and may He bless those who give in worship and faith. Amen.

Prayer for Unity

Our world is full of disunity. This is always true but we have felt this in a more obvious way these last few weeks. This is a problem as old as Cain and Abel. This is not how God intends for his children to live. Paul knows the call to unity is as important a call as any for the church.

In Paul’s letters to every single church community we have spent time with, there is a call to unity. Hear the call. Read these short verses.

To the church in Rome:

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To the church in Corinth:

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

To the church in Galatia:

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

To the church in Ephesus:

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

To the church in Philippi:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

To the church in Colossae:

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Which one stands out for you? Which one calls to you a little louder than the rest? If you are in a group spend a little time talking about why the one you chose speaks loudly to you?

Use the verse to form a prayer. Maybe just repeat a line or a word and lift it to Jesus, as hope for our world.

Sermon – Philemon

Responding in Prayer

Take a few moments to reflect on these questions posed in the sermon, and to respond to God in silent prayer.

Charge from Colossians

Benediction – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Doxology

Sing it aloud!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.