Reminder: ZOOM Worship for FCC and HCCC

Contact Faith Covenant for more information.
Contact Holy Community for more information.

Below is the reflective, self-paced, Spirit-guided portion of our Sunday worship. It typically includes a message and prayer response or formation practice. Our churches have also begun meeting separately on Zoom for the visible, shared community, Spirit-guided portion of our Sunday worship.

We invite you to make both a part of your worship in this season!

Message – Christ the King (Psalm 100/John 10)

Guided Prayer – John 10

1. Grab a pen or pencil and some paper.
2. Close your eyes. Picture a pasture with a good shepherd and his flock. Really set the scene; use your imagination. Is it very green? Is it hilly, or mostly flat? Can you see or hear water? What does the air smell like? What temperature is it? What does the ground feel like under your feet? Give yourself some time to linger on the scene. Carefully watch the shepherd as he carefully watches his sheep. If you’re feeling artsy, draw or sketch out the scene.
3. After you’ve lingered on the scene for a few minutes, consider a few questions, and write down any thoughts that emerge:
   • What does the voice of the Good Shepherd sound like in this scene? Is it clear? Is it faint or distant? Is it nearby to you?
   • What’s the tone of the Good Shepherd’s voice? Is it comforting? Peaceful? Is it stern? Muddled? Indistinguishable? Unrecognizable?
   • Jesus talks about a thief who comes to try and steal away the shepherd’s sheep. Do you notice the thief skulking around on the landscape? What’s that character up to? How are they seeking to draw sheep away or bring harm to the flock?  
   • Are the sheep all in one spot? Have some wandered off?
   • What about you…? Where are you in this scenario? 
   • The Good shepherd wants to provide and tend and protect and care for you too. The Good Shepherd wants you to find fresh living water, and green pastures, and abundant life…. What would that look like? How do you imagine it?
   • What is the voice of the Good Shepherd saying to you…? Is there a specific invitation in his voice? A command? An encouragement?
4. After jotting down some thoughts and reflections on the scene you’ve imagined, go to prayer. Talk to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, about what you’ve pictured.
5. Listen some more. Is there anything more Jesus wants to say to you?
6. If you would like, you can close your time with this prayer:

Faithful Shepherd,
You are not a hired hand who runs away at the sight of danger;
Your faithfulness was tested
and proven on the wood of the Cross.
Accept the gift of our gratitude
for Your marvelous care.
Help us to hear and follow Your voice.

Watchful Shepherd,
who protects the flock
and searches tirelessly
for those who wander from the fold,
retrieve the lost and bring them home.
Tend and heal their wounds.

Good Shepherd,
who lays down His Life for His sheep,
refresh and strengthen Your people
at the spring of Living Water that never ends.

Amen.

Benediction – Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Receive this song as your sung benediction. Take a few moments to thank God for meeting with you this day!

We are incredibly thankful for your support! We appreciate your faithfulness in the tithes, offerings and each and every gift. We seek to steward them well in this challenging season. Thanks be to God for his provision in every season!