ROMANS 16:1-27 [Gospel greetings for the glory of God]
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
Today is Palm Sunday where the church marks Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem in the week before Easter. It was a day when he was honoured as a King who'd come to save his people from their sin. The crowds lined roads, waving palms branches and hailing him as Lord. Today we join those shouts of praise to Christ; the one who unites us, saves us and rules over our lives. Start your time of worship today with these words that declare the greatness of Jesus:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
(Based on Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:9)
SONG: Rejoice (Dustin Kensrue): A call to praise God and gaze upon His glory. A reminder that, even in the midst of our trials and suffering we still have reasons to rejoice in the Gospel.
CCLI Song # 7004663
Dustin Kensrue | Stuart Townend
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Townend Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Lion and the Lamb (Bethel Music): A celebration of Jesus, our saviour, who is both the lion of Judah and the lamb of God.
CCLI Song # 7038281
Brenton Brown | Brian Johnson | Leeland Mooring
© 2015 Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by Song Solutions)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
The sad truth about Palm Sunday is that the same crowds who cried ‘Hosanna’ soon cried out ‘crucify’. It’s very easy to distance ourselves from that but, if we are honest, we see that same rebellion in our own hearts. Our lips say one thing but often our actions say something very different. We treat Jesus differently depending on our mood, our circumstances or our situation.Take time to pray this prayer of confession:
Lord, today we remember your entrance into the city of Jerusalem. The very crowds that praised you would soon turn and demand your death. We confess that our wills are as rebellious as the crowd's. Our faith is often more show than substance; our worship of you is often based more on our feelings than your glory. Our hearts are constantly dissatisfied, trusting in the things of this world to satisfy our needs, instead of following and trusting you, our Saviour.
Have mercy on us, O God. Help us to give to you all that we are and all that we have. Lead us to repentance, forgive what is sinful and to heal what is broken. We confess our need for you, our Saviour, and trust in the work you accomplished for us on the Cross.
Amen
The wonderful truth of the gospel is that because of Jesus we are not treated as our sins deserve. Jesus is a greater Saviour than we are sinners and he invites us to rest in his forgiveness and grace.
SONG: Lamb of God (Vertical Worship): A song that reflects on Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our sin.
CCLI Song # 7032328
Andi Rozier | Jason Ingram | Meredith Andrews
© 2014 Curb Word Music (Admin. by / Small Stone Media BV, Holland (Admin. in the UK/Eire by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org))
All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
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 unties 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.
Why not also take time to pray for our NHS staff. Pray they would be protected, be given energy as they work long hours and that God would use their efforts to help stop the outbreak.
READING: Romans [16:1-27]
Take time to read the bible passage and pray that God would let you hear him speak in his Word.
SERMON Gospel greetings for the glory of God
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: Here is Love (Matt Redman): A reminder of the depth of love that has been shown to us as God sent his son to save us from our sin, this is the greatest demonstration of love.
CCLI Song # 3287884
Matt Redman | Robert Lowry | William Rees
© 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: A Mighty Fortress (Heartsong): A reminder that God is our fortress and shield even in the midst of trial and difficulty. (Lyrics below)
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 thru 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 thru 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 # 2184098
Frederick Henry Hedge | Martin Luther | Tommy Walker
© Words: Public Domain
Music: 1997 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Songs (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
COMMITMENT READING
Whilst so many things are changing rapidly around us it can be very easy to get disorientated. But even though things have changed in our lives, in our world and in our church, our great hope is that our Saviour is never changing. Read this this wonderful truth so full of comfort in times like this:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Heb 13:8
SONG: This I Believe (The Creed) (Hillsong): A song based on the Apostle’s creed that affirms the truths we believe as Christians.
CCLI Song # 7018338
Ben Fielding | Matt Crocker
© 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
BENEDICTION
Finish by remembering the greatness and glory of God as you read from the very end of the book of Romans:
Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!
Amen.
[Romans 16:25-27]
Peace be with you