Pilgrim Songs - The Songs of Ascent [Psalm 120]
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
So often we feel our own strength to be small and our own resources to be limited. It might be that you feel that today as you think about the week that has passed and the week that is ahead. But the bible constantly points us to look to God and the strength that is found in him. But we need to do that day by day and moment by moment. So start your time of worship today by anchoring your heart in the constant faithfulness of God:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Great is your faithfulness. The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Great is your faithfulness.
(Based on Lamentations 3:22-25)
God is good and God is faithful. In Jesus he draws us into a deep relationship where we get to experience his power and love towards us. Let those truths stir your heart to sing.
SONG: Fountain of Goodness (Olly Knight): A song of praise, celebrating our God who is the fount of all that is good.
CCLI Song # 6358617
Mike Reeves | Olly Knight
© 2012 Song Solutions Daybreak (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Great is Thy Faithfulness (Austin Stone Worship): A song which reminds us of Gods steadfast love and faithfulness towards us.
CCLI Song # 18723
Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan
© Words: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company
Music: 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
When we're reminded of God's character and that he is the one who brings salvation, we are reminded how often we are quick to forget this. We begin to believe that it is our work and merit that make us right with God. When we do that we take the cross for granted and fail to give God the glory and thanksgiving he deserves. So take a moment in the quiet of your heart to confess that to God now. Confess the ways this week you have been resting on your own goodness and achievement.
One of the joys of we have together as God's people is that, when we forget God's truth, we can remind one another and encourage one another with it together. We can preach the gospel- the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus- again to one another. So let these words of assurance comfort your heart:
For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that none of us can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
SONG: Grace Alone (Kings Kaleidoscope): A song celebrating the grace shown to us in Christ. A reminder that it is only by grace we're saved.
LYRICS
I was an orphan lost at the fall Running away when I'd hear you call
But Father you worked your will
I had no righteousness of my own
I had no right to draw near your throne
But Father you loved me still
And in love before you laid the world's foundation
You predestined to adopt me as your own
You have raised me up so high above my station
I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone
You left your home to seek out the lost
You knew the great and terrible cost
But Jesus your face was set
I worked my fingers down to the bone
But nothing I did could ever atone
But Jesus you paid my debt
By Your blood I have redemption and salvation
Lord you died that I might reap what you have sown
And you rose that I might be a new creation
I am born again by grace and grace alone
I was in darkness all of my life
I never knew the day from the night
But Spirit you made me see
I swore I knew the way on my own
Head full of rocks a heart made of stone
But Spirit you moved in me
And at your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Heaven's citizen by grace and grace alone
So I'll stand in faith by grace and grace alone
I will run the race by grace and grace alone
I will slay my sin by grace and grace alone
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone
CCLI Song # 7004659
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)
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 Songs of Ascent- [Psalm 120] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.
This week we’re beginning a brand 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: O God of Mercy Hear our Plea (Sovereign Grace): A song that pleads with God to hear our prayers as we lament the brokenness of this world.
CCLI Song # 7096628
Brittany Kauflin | Matt Merker
© Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: There is a Fountain: A song with graphic imagery that reminds us of the lengths Jesus went to save us from our sin, the blood that was shed on our behalf.
LYRICS
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
Lose all their guilty stains
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day
And there may I though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
Wash all my sins away
And there may I though vile as he
Wash all my sins away
Dear dying Lamb Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its pow'r
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Be saved to sin no more
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more
E'er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
And shall be till I die
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die
When this poor lisping stamm'ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave
Then in a nobler sweeter song
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
Then in a nobler sweeter song
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
CCLI Song # 27707
Edwin Othello Excell | Lowell Mason | William Cowper
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
COMMITMENT READING
We are a people who depend on Jesus for all we are and all we do. Use this prayer to ask God to help you remember that and live as though it was true.
Father God, we know that we can't do any of this without you. Just as we received Christ Jesus the Lord, help us to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Help us to abound in thanksgiving, giving glory to you in all that we do. Amen.
[Colossians 2:6-7]
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
Close your time of worship with this benediction:
May God make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
[2 Corinthians 9:8]
Peace be with you