In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss the last week (plus one day) of the story of Jesus, day by day. Read the Gospel of Mark, chapters 11-16 and listen along to the audio of the conversation. Make this part of your Easter preparation.
Next week for the podcast, we begin a conversation on the book of Acts discussing chapters 1-4! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Psalm 118 – the same psalm from which comes the Palm Sunday declaration of “Hosanna!” – begins with the words: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Take some time to give thanks for all the ways God shows his love to you. You’re encouraged write them out – make a list!
Song of Worship – “Hosanna”
Gavin – HCCC and Cody – FCC
Praise is rising, eyes are turning to you We turn to you Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for you We long for you
‘Cause when we see you we find strength to face the day In your presence all our fears are washed away Washed away
Hosanna! Hosanna! You are the God who saves us Worthy of all our praises Hosanna! Hosanna! Come have your way among us We welcome you here Lord Jesus
Hear the sound of hearts returning to you We turn to you In your kingdom broken lives are made new You make us new
Scripture Reading – Mark 11:1-10
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Sermon – Mark 11:1-10
Gavin – HCCC
Reflection and Prayer
Consider the following questions prayerfully. Dialogue with God about them and respond in prayer.
What acts of simple, tangible, hands-on service is Jesus inviting you be part of as we near the celebration of Easter?
What does it look like for you to respond to the Good News of King Jesus in a genuine act of praise today?
Offering
An act of giving financially can be both an act of service and of worship. May God bless those who share and respond in this way.
How deep, how wide, is the love of Christ How tender be his mercies His faithfulness with the morning rise In patience He does wait for me How high above is your wisdom Lord How great are thoughts of eternity Wisdom and scorn bore the cross of Christ And on that cross you thought of me On that cross you thought of me
Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna to the King Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna to the King
What gracious heart has embraced the earth What splendour robed in majesty The Sacred One ever wrapped in light Whose beacon ever shines on me Whose beacon ever shines on me
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LordAlmighty Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LordAlmighty Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
What vision calls out as deep to deep What sight does the eye ever long to see? What end lays hope for the weary plight A God who will come and will set us free!
Scripture Reading – Psalm 118:25-27
Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.
Announcements for Holy Week
Maundy Thursday: We will be sending out some music and prayers to accompany your evening meal. Good Friday: Faith Covenant and Holy Community will have a service of worship and prayer via ZOOM at 10:15am. Easter Sunday: Check with your church (FCC or HCCC) for their service times and plans!
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Julia, and Gavin discuss chapters 30-31 of Proverbs and finish up their journey with that book. Read those two very fun chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
What verses or particular proverbs most caught your attention when reading this section?
How do you see the wisdom of Proverbs in this section reflected in the wisdom of Jesus in the Gospels?
What is one practical step people in the faith community could take toward living more wisely?
What simple drink OR snack would you pair with this selection of Proverbs (it’s fasting season – keep it simple!)?
Next week for the podcast, we have a Holy Week special! So, look forward to that! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Psalm 121 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Prayer
Psalm 121 is a prayer of ascent because it was prayed by Jews heading up the hill into Jerusalem. They would look up and see the temple, a reminder of God’s presence and protection. A reminder that their help comes from the God who made heaven and earth. By the time Jesus makes his declaration in Mark 13 that the temple would be destroyed, the people had forgotten that the temple was not meant to replace God. It was meant to facilitate worship of God.
Take a few moments to sit in silence and recognize that while we are not in a church building, God is present with his church. Take some time to recognize that even as you are turning your attention to God, he has not stopped his attention on you.
Give Me Jesus
Cody – FCC
In the morning when I rise In the morning when I rise In the morning when I rise Give me Jesus Give me Jesus Give me Jesus You can have all this world Just give me Jesus
Scripture: Mark 13:1-2
As he [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”
Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Sermon – Mark 13
Julia – HCCC
Song of Response/Confession
May this song be your prayer of confession as you bring yourself to Jesus and remember it is all about him.
Gavin – HCCC
Heart of Worship
When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that’s of worth That will bless Your heart I’ll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it When it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth No one could express How much You deserve Though I’m weak and poor All I have is Yours Every single breath I’ll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus
Go from this time of worship through prayer, Scripture, and song to your regular every day moments of living for the glory of Jesus Christ – for this is worship. Amen.
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 25-29 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
What verses or particular proverbs most caught your attention when reading this section?
How do you see the wisdom of Proverbs in this section reflected in the wisdom of Jesus in the Gospels?
What is one practical step people in the faith community could take toward living more wisely?
What simple drink OR snack would you pair with this selection of Proverbs (it’s fasting season – keep it simple!)?
Next week we continue our conversation on the Proverbs discussing and finish it up with chapters 30-31. Read those two chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Jesus tells Martha, in John 11, that her brother Lazarus who has died will be raised up. Martha replies (Message translation) “I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.” To which Jesus replies, “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life.”
What part of your existence needs Resurrection and Life right now, this very day? Perhaps jot it down… think on it… and then listen to the song below.
Cody – FCC
Sermon
Grab a bible (or use your bible app) and open to Mark 12:18-27 prior to pressing play below.
Song of Response/Benediction
May this song be your prayer of response and your benediction as you go from this space and on with your day…
Gavin – HCCC
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer There is no more for heaven now to give He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus For my life is wholly bound to him Oh how strange and divine I can sing “all is mine” Yet not I but through Christ in me
The night is dark but I am not forsaken For by my side my Saviour he will stay I labour on in weakness and rejoicing For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my shepherd will defend me Through the deepest valley he will lead Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome Yet not I but through Christ in me
No fear I dread, I know I am forgiven The future sure, the price it has been paid For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated Jesus now and ever is my plea Oh the chains are released I can sing “I am free” Yet not I but through Christ in me
With every breath I long to follow Jesus For he has said that he will bring me home And day by day I know he will renew me Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus All the glory evermore to him When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat “Yet not I but through Christ in me”
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 20-24 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
What verses or particular proverbs most caught your attention when reading this section?
How do you see the wisdom of Proverbs in this section reflected in the wisdom of Jesus in the Gospels?
What is one practical step people in the faith community could take toward living more wisely?
What simple drink OR snack would you pair with this selection of Proverbs (it’s fasting season – keep it simple!)?
Next week we continue our conversation on the Gospel of Mark discussing Proverbs 25-29. Read those chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
In this season of Lent, we go with Jesus on his journey toward the cross. In Mark’s account of these days, Jesus asks a lot of questionsand we continue to sit with some of these questions allowing the Spirit to stir us through them.
Call to Worship – 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
If you are meeting with others, take turn reading lines from this prayer from Scripture. If you’re a household with kids, maybe have the kids read the plain print while an adult reads the bold.
Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might to make great, and give strength to all. Now, our God we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. Amen.
Songs of Praise – “10,000 Reasons” and “Who You Say I Am”
Gavin and Mark – HCCC
10,000 Reasons Bless the Lord, oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning It’s time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the Lord, oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship Your Holy name
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger Your name is great and Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord, oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship Your Holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years, and then forevermore
Bless the Lord, oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship Your Holy name
Who You Say I Am Who am I that the highest King Would welcome me? I was lost but He brought me in Oh His love for me Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me His grace runs deep While I was a slave to sin Jesus died for me Yes He died for me
Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am In my Father’s house There’s a place for me I’m a child of God Yes I am
I am chosen Not forsaken I am who You say I am You are for me Not against me I am who You say
Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am In my Father’s house There’s a place for me I’m a child of God Yes I am
Scripture Reading – Mark 12:13-17
Before you watch the sermon video, read the text from Mark 12.
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
Now, after this reading, allow your imagination to do some work recreating the scene. Jesus in in Jerusalem here – near the hubbub of the temple. Pay special attention to any details in the text. If you were there, what would you see, hear, smell…? What are the expressions on the faces of those in the story? What is the tone of their voices? After doing some imagining, read the text one more time.
Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
Sermon – Mark 12:13-17
Gavin – HCCC
Responding in Prayer
Take a few minutes to quietly sit with the question “What does it mean to give all that YOU have and all that YOU are to God?” Pray. Ask God for some insight on how He is inviting you to respond to Him now, and listen for His answer.
Song of Worship – “I Surrender All”
Jerry – HCCC
All to Jesus I surrender All to him I freely give I will ever love and trust him In his presence daily live
I surrender all I surrender all All to thee my blessed Savior I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender Humbly at his feet I bow Worldly pleasures all forsaken Take me Jesus Take me now
I surrender all I surrender all All to thee my blessed Savior I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender Make me Savior wholly thine May the Holy Spirit fill me May I know thy power divine
I surrender all I surrender all All to thee my blessed Savior I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender Lord I give myself to thee Fill me with thy love and power Let thy blessings fall on me
I surrender all I surrender all All to thee my blessed Savior I surrender all
Offering
Lord Jesus Christ, we kneel before You – our Lord and our King; help us to see and know Your unending love for us, so that we may place at your feet all that we have and are. Amen.
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss chapter 15-19 of the book of Proverbs. Read those chapters, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these four questions:
What verses or particular proverbs most caught your attention when reading this section?
How do you see the wisdom of Proverbs in this section reflected in the wisdom of Jesus in the Gospels?
What is one practical step people in the faith community could take toward living more wisely?
What simple drink OR snack would you pair with this selection of Proverbs (it’s fasting season – keep it simple!)?
Next week we continue our conversation on the Gospel of Mark discussing Proverbs 20-24. Read those chapters and tune back in next Wednesday! And don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!