“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2)
Sing – How Marvelous
Jerry – HCCC
Message – Apostles’ Teaching
Song of Response – Yet Not I but through Christ in me
Gavin – HCCC
Benediction – Isaiah 60:19-20
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
In this conversation Pastors Erik, Cody and Gavin begin a new series of conversations on the book of Acts; today we discuss chapters 1-4. Read that section of Scripture and, listen to the audio of the conversation. Then, chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and responses to these three questions:
What word, phrase, or theme most resonated with you personally as you read this section of Scripture?
What does this portion of Scripture invite us to as a community of disciples?
If you’re sitting down with these chapters, what drink or snack would pair best with the reading?
Next week we will pick up the conversation and discuss Acts 5-8. Read those chapters and join the conversation!
We invite you to our Good Friday Zoom service at 10:15am. See your church email for the link.
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NLT)
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!
Winnipeg Covenant 