PILGRIM SONGS - THE SONGS OF ASCENT [PSALM 125]
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
God’s word is full of reminders and testimonies that God is the safest refuge we can know. In times of difficulty, trouble or when we feel we are carrying a very heavy burden we can find rest and safety in him.
Psalm 18 vs 2-3 says,
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress
And my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
In the face of brutish enemies God comforts his people in Nahum 1 vs 7 saying,
“The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows those who take refuge in him.”
Today we want to praise God that he is our rock. Like an eagle he spreads his wings around his people. He knows you, you who take refuge in him.
SONG: Rock of Ages (Dustin Kensrue): A reminder that God is the rock and refuge who cleanses us from our sin.
LYRICS
Rock of ages cleft for me Let me hide myself in Thee
Let the water and the blood
From Thy wounded side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure
Save from wrath and make me pure
Not the labours of my hands
Can fulfil the law's commands
Should my passion never fade
And my efforts all be weighed
All for sin could not atone
You must save and You alone
Rock of ages
No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee
Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to the cross I cling
Naked come to Thee for dress
Helpless look to Thee for grace
Wretched to the fount I fly
Wash me Saviour or I die
Rock of ages
No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee
And while I draw my final breath
I'll rest upon Your grace
And when I close my eyes in death
I'll wake to see Your face
Rock of ages No one takes Your life
Yet You died that I might live
Costly grace You freely give
Rock of ages
You have paid the price
You were cleft to cover me
Let me hide myself in Thee
CCLI Song # 7004664
Augustus Montague Toplady | Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: A Mighty Fortress (Heartsong): A reminder that God is our fortress and shield even in the midst of trial and difficulty.
LYRICS
A mighty fortress is our God A bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow'r are great
And armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal
If we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God's own choosing
You ask who that may be
Christ Jesus it is He
The Lord of Hosts His name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle
And tho' this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
And tho' this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
A Mighty Fortress is our God
His kingdom is forever
His kingdom is forever
If we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
CCLI Song # 5305221
Martin Luther
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
We know from God’s word that he is our rock and our refuge. We can tell stories of times in our lives where we have known that truth personally. Yet we also know that we are easily shaken and unsettled. We leave the shelter of God for many reasons and go to many different places.
Trials and tribulations can sometimes leave us feeling like a ship tossed around in a storm.
We want to pause this afternoon to confess that we are so different to you, our God. You are strong and secure, you know us and want us to find shelter in you.
Our troubled hearts are easily unsettled. We find it hard to trust in you, we look to many other places for security.
We confess our weakness and wanderings to you, our loving God, we are sorry when we don’t embrace you as our rock and refuge.
Moving out of confession we take joy in remembering our Saviour Jesus, who died that we might find refuge from our sin in him, our hope and security rests on what God has done. So we praise you God that in you we can know refuge in this life and the life to come.
SONG: In Tenderness (Citizens): A wonderful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
CCLI Song # 6536051
Nate Garvey | W. Spencer Walton
© Words: Public Domain
Music: 2013 It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
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 The Psalms Of Ascent- [Ps 125] 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 is the Lord of All (Olly Knight): A glorious reminder that Jesus reigns over all. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
CCLI Song # 7141648
Olly Knight | Rob Shillito
© Olly Knight Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Never Alone (Emu Music): A song which reminds us that because of everything Jesus endured on the cross for our sakes, we can live secure in the knowledge that our God will never forsake us.
LYRICS
We're not alone for Christ is here Immanuel our God come near
We're not alone for to our world
Jesus has come eternal Word
And as he speaks our souls laid bare
Naked ashamed sin is made clear
And yet he clothes us in his love
Never alone Christ is with us is with us
The longest walk earth's darkest day
The pressing crowd his mounting pain
A heavy load of grief and shame
Breathless that we should breathe again
Father forgive them comes his cry
Silence from God blackens the sky
A creeping dread in every heart
Lost in the world now God departs God departs
The dawn will come the sun will rise
Out of the grave we'll see hope's light
Tomb opened wide stone rolled away
Morning has come a brand new day
He isn't here the angel said
He is alive no longer dead
Our hearts are lifted souls raised high
Christ is with us Christ is our life he's our life
Never alone is now our cry
In joy in grief in lonely sin
Never alone for Christ is ours
He lives in us we live in him
And 'til we reach that final day
When fears are gone cast far away
We'll live secure trust in his love
Never alone Christ is with us he's with us
CCLI Song # 4928159
Philip Percival | Simone Richardson
© Words: 2006 Richardson, Simone
Music: Percival, Philip (Admin. by Philip Gordon Percival)
COMMITMENT READING
Our hope and refuge is in our God, who not only initiated bringing us to salvation in him but who will hold onto us till the very end. That is the God who we can trust in the midst of our circumstances.
Paul wrote on this, saying:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
(Philippians 1vs 3-6)
SONG: Defender (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song which reminds us that when we cry out to God, he hears us, and that we need not fear because we can place our hope in him.
CCLI Song # 7032881
Chad Gardner | Zach Bolen
© 2014 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Remaining portion is unaffiliated
BENEDICTION
Every week we close our times of worship with a benediction. Here these words as we finish today:
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
(2 Thessalonians 2 vs 16-17)
Peace be with you