PILGRIM SONGS - THE SONGS OF ASCENT [PSALM 122]
During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home. You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing. Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday. As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.
As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church.
CALL TO WORSHIP
When we turn our hearts to the praise and worship of God it is good to remember that we are not alone. We’re not alone in that through faith in Jesus we are united to millions all around the world who worship God. But we’re also not alone in the sense that creation itself pours out praise. The world belongs to God and therefore speaks of his greatness. So when we praise and worship we are taking our place in the great symphony of praise that goes up every moment of every day. Let Psalm 19 draw you into that symphony today:
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
[Psalm 19:1-10]
SONG: Indescribable (Chris Tomlin): A song of praise and worship to God who's glory and majesty can be seen in all of his creation.
CCLI Song # 4403076
Jesse Reeves | Laura Story
© 2004 Laura Stories (Admin. by Integrity Music)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: Behold our God (Sovereign Grace): A song declaring the beauty and glory of God, calling us to look again and behold Him afresh.
CCLI Song # 5937510
Jonathan Baird | Meghan Baird | Ryan Baird | Stephen Altrogge
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
As we hear and sing of the glory and majesty of God, we are humbled before him. When we see his holiness we are reminded of our brokenness. We become aware of the sin that separates us from God and means that on our own we have no hope of living up to his standard. Each week we take a moment to confess our sin before God, to come before him in humility. Use this prayer as you take time to confess today.
Lord, may we have the eyes to see your holiness and see our failing. May we know the depths of our sin and the heights of your holiness. Forgive us for sinning against you, and forgive us for sinning against one another. Through the blood of Jesus, we plead for mercy and grace, knowing that because of Jesus, you welcome and forgive sinners like us. It's through his name we ask all these things,
Amen.
SONG: Forgiven (Sovereign Grace): A song of confession and assurance that reminds us we are forgiven through the blood of Christ, despite the ways we fail God and fail one another.
CCLI Song # 7096634
Brittany Kauflin | Kate DeGraide | Rebecca Elliott
© Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity Music)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unites us together in Jesus.
We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead.
SERMON Pilgrim Songs- [Psalm 122] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re continuing in our new series entitled ‘Pilgrim Songs’. Click here where you will find this week’s sermon.
RESPONSE
Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.
SONG: Jesus Paid it All (Kings Kaleidoscope): A hymn that centers on the price Jesus paid to save us from our sin and the new life we are raised to in Christ.
CCLI Song # 7065567
Chad Gardner
© 2015 Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Made Alive (Citizens): A song that reminds us of the new life we can know in Christ. A celebration that we’ve been brought from death to life in Jesus
CCLI Song # 6534390
Brian Eichelberger | Zach Bolen
© 2013 E On The Eye Chart (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Erase And Rewind (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Songs From The Penalty Box (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
COMMITMENT READING
In the psalms of ascent the theme of pilgrimage in the Christian life is brought into clear focus. Like those first pilgrims, we are all on a journey of faith that will end when Christ returns and ushers in the new creation in all its glory. As we look forward to this great hope, Jesus gives us his peace to rest in and comfort us in this life now.
Hear his words of assurance:
‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’
[John 14:27]
SONG: In Christ Alone: A glorious reminder that it is only in Christ that our hope can be found. In him our sin has been taken away, we are free from the grip of death and we stand secure.
CCLI Song # 3350395
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
BENEDICTION
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Rom 15:5-6]
Peace be with you