Greet One Another

Once again we “gather” together to worship the living God. The ever present God is with you wherever you are in this moment. He is with those who gather inside a church building. He is with those who gather around a device scrolling through a website. We are the Church, united in Christ. Take a moment to reach out to someone you haven’t touched base with in awhile. Send an e-mail, text, maybe even try a letter! Offer the peace of Christ and know that he is with each of us.

Call to Worship – Psalm 1

Divide the following reading of Psalm 1 among yourselves. If you are participating alone, maybe Facetime or Zoom a friend to walk through this service together.

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do they prosper.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Prayer

God our Creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the Sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. (Covenant Book of Worship)

Song of Worship – Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compasions They fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Kid’s Lesson

Psalm Writing Exercise

As Cody explained, the Psalms are honest expressions of our human emotions. It has been said that the Bible speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us.

This exercise of psalm writing may feel strange to some of you, but give it a go and see how writing your own psalm to God becomes an expression of your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Grab some paper and a pencil and give the following a shot.

Psalm 13 is a prayer asking for God’s help through a long season of struggle. Read Psalm 13. Now write out your own Psalm using these prompts:

O Lord, how long will you ______________________?
How long must I _______________________________?
How long will my enemy/burden _______________?
I need you to _____________.
Don’t let my enemies/burden____________________.
But I trust in your (God’s)_______________________.
I will rejoice because you (God)_________________.
I will sing to the LORD because he is ___________.

You are encouraged to pray the psalm you have written to God. Save it. Pray it every morning or evening this week. Share it with a friend. Share it with a pastor.

Sermon – Psalm 29

Prayer of response based on Psalm 29

Speak O Lord.
Speak your peace over the chaos of our lives. Order our lives. Order us.
Speak O Lord.
Speak your powerful justice over the injustices that abound.
Speak O Lord.
Speak your healing over brokenness and suffering.
Speak O Lord.
Speak your joy into our hearts that we may praise you as you ought to be praised.
In the name of the LORD – who is peace, justice, healing, and joy – amen.

Song of Response – “Our God”

Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like you
None like you
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like you
None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
No one like you
None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Who can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God

Offering and Thanksgiving

One way our lives are oriented toward God is through generosity. In times of abundance we give in gratitude. In lean times we give believing that the One to whom we give is faithful to care for us. We invite you to make your thanks and trust tangible with a gift to a ministry like ours or another Kingdom work as the Spirit directs you.

Benediction

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Our heart is glad in him, because we trust his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Doxology

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