Greeting One Another with Love

As you begin this time of worship and reflection, take a moment to consider who you might encourage with some loving words today. Send two people a text or an email – or give them a call; greet them in love. Go for it. Do it now. Here’s some music for you to listen to as you do.

Scripture Reading – Psalm 136:1-3, 23-26

If you’re with others, read the following as a call and response with one person reading the bold print, and another reading the response in plain print.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.

Song of Worship – “Reckless Love of God”

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God

There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God

Message – Mark 7

Kids, don’t forget to break out your coloring and activity pages as the sermon gets underway.
Parents, if you need to download another copy of those pages, you can find them HERE.

Reflecting on Love in Mark’s Gospel

Love is the very center – the heart – of the Gospel of Jesus. Take a few minutes to slowly read through these verses that speak specifically of “love” in Mark’s telling of Jesus’ story. After each short reading there are prompts and invitations to pray.

Song of Worship – “Thy Mercy”

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song
The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I’ve found

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine

Offering

We give not only as an act of obedience, but as an expression of gratitude and love for the gracious kindness and love God has shown to us. May God nurture love in us as we learn to give.

Benediction – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Announcement

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of preparation and a countdown to Easter. Check back here on Wednesday, February 17th, for a service you can participate in as you enter this season.