Greet One Another

Before you get into this morning’s service , take a few moments to reach out to a couple people from the extended Church community – maybe a friend or family member who worships with another local church in another place. Send a text message, write a short email, or even make a call (remember when phones were used ONLY for phone calls…?!). If it doesn’t feel too unnatural, consider including these words (or some variation of them) as part of your greeting:

May God bless you and keep you today.

Call to Worship

The final words of the Gospel of Matthew are Jesus’ words to his disciples. They are words that remind us of who God is, who we are, and what we are called to be about as his people:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

If you are meeting with others, read the following responsively as a prayer and call to worship:

We are here to worship you, God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We bring all that we have and all that we are to this moment of worship,
acknowledging your love, grace, and mercy to us.
Accept our worship, our praise, our thanksgiving and our adoration. Free us from the burden of our sin, and from the lure of those distractions which steal our attention away from You.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us –
So that we may experience anew your call to share with all people the good news of Jesus Christ, the One who came to seek and to save the lost among all people. Amen.

Songs of Worship

Be the Center
Jesus be the center
Be my source
Be my light
Jesus

Jesus be the center
Be my hope
Be my song
Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus
Jesus

Jesus be my vision
Be my path
Be my guide
Jesus

Jesus be my vision
Be my path
Be my guide
Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus
Jesus

Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus
Jesus

Be Thou My Vision
Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father thy child shall I be
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee

Riches I heed not nor mans empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heave my treasure thou art

High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heavens joy O bright heavens sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O ruler of all

Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O ruler of all

Kids’ Lesson

Prayers of Confession

The object lesson Julia gave (which is a good one for adults too!) reminds us to pay attention to those things in our life we may have prioritized above or before God himself and our call to be disciples of Jesus.

Where have you allowed the stuff of life (big things, medium things, or little things) to become competition to God ? What is, rather than being another context or situation in which you love and live for God, actually crowding Him out?

What has occupied your thoughts? What have been the preoccupations of your mind lately?

Consider these things, maybe jot down a few thoughts about anything specific that needs to be addressed, then take a physical posture of humility (ie. kneeling, bowing low, holding your hands palms upward in front of you) and pray aloud:

We are sorry, God; hear our repentance for our wayward handling of life. We have squandered time, hoarded money, avoided challenges, and used others. We have borne waiting grievously, illness stubbornly, trials reluctantly, and responsibility half-heartedly. We have doubted your care, mistrusted your providence, distorted your power, and ignored your love. We have neglected our discipleship, injured our relationships, sabotaged our fellowship, and underrated your forgiveness. Forgive us now, we pray, and let us try again, sensitive to your Spirit and committed to your will. Amen.

Offering

The long journey of wonder and obedience is characterized by both receiving and giving. We acknowledge today that work and strength are both gift and responsibility. A portion of the return we receive in wages and gifts belongs to God, who first gave us the gifts of life, strength, and salvation. So we give freely with thanksgiving.

May god make both these gifts and their givers increasingly fruitful for His Kingdom purposes.
Amen.

Sermon

Reflection and Response

Numbers 12 reminds us, as Erik said, that God’s promises aren’t just for individuals but for an entire community. The Christian life – the Kingdom life – is a life together. Think: team sport. The wins and the losses are shared.

For the next few minutes, pray for your faith community. Allow yourself to role the images of their faces before your mind’s eye. Remember their names before God. And pray using these prompts:

• Pray for someone who is frustrated, bitter, angry, or questioning God’s ways and wisdom. Ask God to speak peace to them and remind them of His love for them.
• Pray for someone who is sick or afflicted. Ask God for their healing, and for his merciful help.
• Pray for someone who seems trapped by a sense of guilt, or the weight of the consequences of their own sin or misjudgement. Ask God to give them a deep sense of freedom through the Holy Spirit.
• Pray for someone who is in a season of waiting – someone who is held up, stuck, or in a holding pattern. Ask God to give provision and patience.
• Give thanks to God for where you have seen His goodness – not just in your own life but specifically in the lives of others. Name the special kindnesses you’ve noticed God offer to those around you (that may have even provoked a twinge of jealousy in your own heart).
• And listen. Listen for the guidance of God on how you can practically, tangibly be involved in restoring and refreshing the people in your church and your community with whom you walk the long journey.

Benediction

Invocation Prayer

We try as best we can, to live by bread alone, or pie or cake or sweet rolls.

And then comes your word! In our hearing we are reminded that we live by every word that proceeds from your mouth, promises and gifts, blessings and threats, summons and commands, assurances and requirements.

We thank you for bread, and for the many cakes, pies and sweet rolls that inhabit our life of privilege. While we munch, give us ears, make us better listeners, give us patience with our odd utterances, give us openness to your new utterances, we vow to listen.

We pray in the name of your fleshed utterance become our bread. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

(Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, Prayers of Walter Brueggemann)

Scripture Reading – Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

³ During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’”

¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Song of Worship

The Goodness of Jesus

Come you weary heart now to Jesus
Come you anxious soul now and see
There is perfect love and comfort for your tears
Rest here in his wondrous peace

Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied he is all that I need
May it be come what may that I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus

Come find what this world cannot offer
Come and find your joy here complete
Taste the living water never thirst again
Rest here in his wondrous peace

Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied he is all that I need
May it be come what may that I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus

Come and find your hope now in Jesus
He is all he said he would be
Grace is overflowing from the Saviour’s heart
Rest here in his wondrous peace

Oh the goodness, the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied he is all that I need
May it be come what may that I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus

May it be come what may that I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus

Scripture Reflection

Prayers of Complaint and Confession

God of our yesterday, our today, and our tomorrow:
All is not as we think it should be;
The world is askew, our lives are a mess, our relationships are in tatters, our health is frail.
We fear, and fret, and fume.
All is not as we think it should be.
We grumble, and gripe, and complain, and shout!
All is not as we think it should be!
We stew in our agitations and anxieties,
We store them up in our own hearts,
Or we angrily lay them on the heads of others.
We compulsively hold on to complaints,
We are addicted to ascribing blame,
We lash out at others
Because the world is not as we think it should be.

Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy!

Have mercy on us for forgetting all the ways You have provided in the past.
Have mercy on us for not choosing to turn to you with all that hurts,
and disorients, and perturbs us today.
Have mercy on us for failing to trust Your goodness into the future.

But, all is not as we think it should be…
So, in Your mercy, hear our prayers….

Take a few moments to silently bring your concerns and complaints to God, not just because they represent real problems but also because God is truly good. He is able and willing to help.

Offering

We are always invited to bring our complaints to God. We are also always invited to place our trust in God. In fact bringing our complaints to God and not simply to the water cooler or social media is part of placing our trust in God. So to is giving tokens of our trust in the form of our tithes and offerings. Be encouraged as you give! It shows your trust in God.

Take a moment to make a gift and say thanks for God’s provision in your life. Then just listen to this beautiful rendition of a classic hymn which speaks of God’s holiness. Know that we get to trust in this Holy God and this God will indeed prove trustworthy!

Nathan – HCCC

Scripture Reflection

Song of Worship

Comfort My People
Do you know?
Have you not heard?
Has it been told you from the first?
Have you not understood from the forming of the earth,
He sits enthroned above the world
And spreads the heavens like a tent
A place for us to live in
A place for us to live

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
Do you know?
Who has marked off the heavens with the breath of his word
Do you know?
Comfort my people
Comfort my people says the Lord

He brought out the starry host
And one my one he calls them by name
Why do you still complain that he doesn’t know your ways?
Lift your eyes, and look to see who created all of these
And never more complain that he doesn’t know your ways…

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
Do you know?
Who has marked off the heavens with the breath of his word
Do you know?

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
Do you know?
Who has marked off the heavens with the breath of his word
Do you know?

Comfort my people
Comfort my people
Comfort my people says the Lord

Benediction

Kids Activity

You will need some paper, scissors and colouring tools.

Once Israel was freed from Egypt they find themselves in the wilderness. God’s presence is inside of a big tent called the Tabernacle. Isn’t that awesome kids? God likes to camp just like you do! On the day the tent (Tabernacle) was set up a cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. When the cloud lifted the people knew it was time to pack up and move to the next place God was leading. When it stopped and settled they knew it was time to pitch the tent (Tabernacle) and stay a while! You can read all about this in Numbers 9:15-23)

We want you to draw and colour and cutout your take on the Tabernacle. It should be quite small. No bigger than 1/4 of a piece of paper.

If you have grey (for the day cloud) or red (for the fire cloud at night) this is ideal for what will cover the Tabernacle. Take a sheet and cut it into quarters. Draw a cloud shape on the top one and cut all 4 (or do multiple pages if you want the game to be harder) together so they should be identical.

Now you should have 1 Tabernacle and at least 3-4 clouds that are larger and completely cover the Tabernacle.

The game is to place the Tabernacle under a cloud (maybe tape it to the bottom). Have one person move around all the clouds until 15 seconds have passed. Move them vigorously! Get crazy! When the time is up the ones watching guess under which cloud is the Tabernacle hiding. Take turns and have fun!

The people had to keep their eyes open for when God wanted them to stay and when God wanted them to move on. We are the same. This game helps us remember this!

Call to Worship from Psalm 114

If you are meeting with others, read the following call to worship responsively – one person reading the plain print and another reading the bold print.

When the Israelites escaped from Egypt—
    when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—
the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary,
    and Israel became his kingdom.
The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way!
    The water of the Jordan River turned away.
The mountains skipped like rams,
    the hills like lambs!
What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way?
    What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away?
Why, mountains, did you skip like rams?
    Why, hills, like lambs?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
    at the presence of the God of Jacob.

Songs of Worship – “Strength Will Rise” and “My Hope is Built on Nothing Else”

Strength Will Rise
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

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

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

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

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

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

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the ‘whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in his righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Confession of Sins and Assurance of Pardon

Jesus says to the Pharisees and the disciples in John 10:

Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:7b-10)

In order to enter through the gate, we must confess our sins. Jesus is the gate by which we enter God’s presence. In confessing our sin, we claim the grace of Jesus and our place in the sheepfold of God. Take a few moments to confess your sins to God and ask for his gracious forgiveness. Jesus goes on to say in John 10 that he is the Good Shepherd:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-12)

We have a Good Shepherd who lays down his own life that we might live. He forgives you. He welcomes you as one he knows and loves.

Sermon

Offering

Toward the end of Numbers 10, Moses invites one of his in-laws to join the rest of Israel as God is leading them on a journey to the land of promise. He makes his pitch this way (Numbers 10:29 NRSV):

“We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you’; come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good…”

We invite you to participate in your offering today in this three-fold spirit:

• it is God who has promised good for us and we simply respond in trust
• the journey is one of invitation where we journey as a community in responding together to what God has planned
• this journey of responding to God’s leading and promises should also be good for others in our world (“we will treat you well”)

Guiding God,

You have called us to a journey of new life in your Son Jesus by his Holy Spirit that has been sent to us as a gift. Teach us to seek your Spirit as we respond to your grace and partner together in Good News. Accept our offering as a tangible sign of trust that you have indeed “promised good”. Amen.

Song of Response – “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that You are with me,
Will be with me to the end

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Benediction

Invocation Prayer

Call to Worship – Responsive Reading from Rev. 1:4-8

Pick someone in your midst to do the leader’s part. If you are solo do your best pastor impersonation for the leader and be yourself for the congregation…!

[CONGREGATION:] Grace and peace to you:
[LEADER:] from God who was, and is, and is to come.

Grace and peace to you:
from the Holy Spirit, who is before God’s throne and at work in his church.

Grace and peace to you:
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 and priests to serve his God and Father, 
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Look!
He comes with the clouds of heaven,
and every eye will see him –
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world will lament before him.

Lord our God,
you are the Alpha and the Omega,
who was, and is, and is to come,
the Almighty one. Amen.

Song of Worship

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before thee
Who wert, and art, and evermore shall be

Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide thee
Though the eye of sinful flesh thy glory may not see
Only thou art holy, there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love, and purity

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
All thy works shall praise thy name on earth, and sky, and sea
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Sermon

Song and Prayer

Lion and the Lamb

Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah
He’s roaring in power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before him
Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb
Every knee will bow before him

He’s coming on the clouds, kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break as broken hearts declare your praise
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah
He’s roaring in power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before him
Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb
Every knee will bow before him

So open up the gates, make way before the King of kings
The God who comes to save is here to set the captives free
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah
He’s roaring in power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before him
Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb
Every knee will bow before him

Who can stop the Lord Almighty?
(Repeat)

Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah
He’s roaring in power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before him
Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the lion and the lamb
Every knee will bow before him

Invitation to Pray for the ECCC

Jesus addresses seven churches, but in a sense they stand in place of any and all churches. Take a few minutes to watch this update from the ECCC president, Glenn Peterson, who shares some ways you can pray for our corner of the Church body, and then come to God with whatever prayers the Spirit lays on your heart.

Benediction – Revelation 22:17, 20-21

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Missional Challenge

The message John relays from Jesus to the church at Ephesus contains these words:  “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Other translations use the words “remember your first love.” Jesus commends the Ephesians for many wonderful works, but he wants them to remember to love him as they did at first. Not only him but also one another. Think of the ways you once sought out Jesus, but no longer seek him. Think of the ways you used to show love to one another, but no longer practice. Identify one way you can “remember your first love.” How can you do the work of loving Jesus as you once did? Identify one way you can do the work of loving one another that perhaps you have let slide in these days of social distancing. Reach out to Jesus. Reach out to one another. 

Welcome

Welcome to worship today, and a special welcome to all of those from College Park Covenant Church in Saskatoon who are joining us.

Take a couple minutes to reach out and greet some friends from church who you may not have seen for a while. A quick text checking in could go a long way!

Kid’s Story

What a great story! Horton shows love and faithfulness. Despite any and all opposition Horton stays with his egg, and in the end – SURPRISE! – it proves true that this really was Horton’s egg all along! An Elephant-Bird! Even though it’s not what anyone expected! /

This story sounds something like what 1 John 3:1-2 tells us about God’s love and how we are his children – despite what others might find hard to believe:

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. ² Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

Opening Prayer

God, our Father,
As your true children we gather together today, grateful for Your faithfulness to us. Receive our worship as we remember your great love.
Amen.

Call to Worship

If you are with other’s read the following call to worship responsively, with one person reading the bold print and the other(s) reading the plain print.

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. (1 John 3:1)

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-2)

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us–and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. (1 John 3:16)

O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who spread out the earth on the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever; (Psalm 136:3-9)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.  God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:26)

Songs of Worship – “Your Love Defends Me” and “Good News”

Your Love Defends Me
You are my joy, You are my song
You are the well, the one I’m drawing from
You are my refuge, my whole life long
Where else could I go?

Surely my God is the strength of my soul
Your love defends me, Your love defends me
And when I feel like I’m all alone
Your love defends me, Your love defends me

Day after day, night after night
I will remember, You’re with me in this fight
Although the battle, it rages on
The war is already won
I know the war is already won

Surely my God is the strength of my soul
Your love defends me, Your love defends me
And when I feel like I’m all alone
Your love defends me, Your love defends me

We sing alleluia, You’re my portion, my salvation
Alleluia, You’re my portion, my salvation
Alleluia, You’re my portion, my salvation

Surely my God is the strength of my soul
Your love defends me, Your love defends me
And when I feel like I’m all alone
Your love defends me, Your love defends me

Good News
Turn your gaze – the kingdom of God has come near
Believe that the good news is here
A new day has finally come
For our God has entered in power and might
And robed with all goodness and light
A new way has finally come

So we lift our hearts to you, our God, in wonder
As we gaze upon the way of Christ our King
For the cross You bore became your glory’s splendor
And for all You’ve done, for who You are are,
We let this good news ring

You are the joy to the brokenhearted
You gave the world a love incarnate
Lord, You have come to us in truth
We forever hold to You

Look beyond, the Kingdom of God will come near
Believe that good news will appear
When that new day has finally come

So we lift our hearts to you, our God, in wonder
As we gaze upon the way of Christ our King
For the cross You bore became your glory’s splendor
And for all You’ve done, for who You are are,
We let this good news ring

You are the joy to the brokenhearted
You gave the world a love incarnate
Lord, You have come to us in truth
We forever hold to You

Let Your joy, O Lord
Be near this day
Let Your joy, O Lord
Be our strength
Let Your joy, O Lord
Be near this day
Let Your joy, O Lord
Be our strength

You are the joy to the brokenhearted
You gave the world a love incarnate
Lord, You have come to us in truth
We forever hold to You
You are the joy to the brokenhearted
You gave the world a love incarnate
Lord, You have come to us in truth
We forever hold to You

Giving Thanks

Take a moment to give thanks to God for his love in whatever way seems fitting to you.

Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon

While God’s love is perfect, ours is not…. 1 John tells us that:

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. (1 John 3:4-5)

Therefore, let us confess our sin:

God forgives and heals us. We need your healing, merciful God: give us true repentance. Some sins are plain to us; some escape us; some we cannot face. Forgive us; set us free to hear your word to us; set us free to serve you. Amen.

Take the next few moments to name those sins before God and ask for his healing forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 tells us that “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Trust these words of assurance:
Jesus Christ died for our sins, not to satisfy an angry God but to reach out with unending love to stubborn and selfish people. We are those people. Let the power of those words sink into you, and be comforted. Your sins are forgiven!

Scripture Reading

Sermon

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Help us to show with our lives that we are your children.
Help us to walk in the truth as we prove that we are your children by the way we love.
Loving one another is not a new instruction from you our Heavenly Father, but like all children we often need a reminder.
Loving one another is not easy. Help us!
Thank you for loving us before we had any inkling of returning love. Thank you for sending Jesus our older brother as the ultimate sign of love.

Amen. (based on 1 John 4:10, 2 John 5-6 and 3 John 11)

Scripture and Reflection

3 John 3 says, “I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you have walked in the truth.” (NRSV)

One of the ways we “walk in truth” is by loving one another and caring for those in need. One of the classic stories that instructs us in this is the story of the good Samaritan. Take a minute to view this fresh take on the story.

Is there someone in need in your life who you can help? Don’t think too hard. Is someone right in your path that is beat up (physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually) that you can care for in a tangible way?

Decide one way you will help AND do something!

Offering – 3 John 1-4

Hear these words as written from the pastor/writer of the letter 3 John to you (insert your name as you read)! Be encouraged to continue to be diligent in the way of Truth with your time, talent, and treasure!

The Pastor, to my good friend ______: How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

Benediction – Revelation 3:20-22

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Missional Challenge

3 John verse 2 says this:
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

The challenge is this. Choose one person and commit to pray for them this week in a 3 John verse 2 kind of way. Pray that they may enjoy good health and physical vitality. Praying that all might go well with them (including their soul) might look like this:
-prayers that this individual might experience peace and not anxiety
-prayers that this individual might embody hope and not despair
-prayers that this individual might be kept from temptation and evil and live righteously
-prayers that this individual might tangibly feel the goodness of community and not the pain of loneliness

At the end of this week check in with that person and be sure to let them know you have been praying for them this week.