March 22, 2020
Worshiping at Home, March 21-22, 2020
(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos. Most are songs, except for the Sermon, Simple and Beautiful)
All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)
A .pdf version of this guide is available here: https://revmontoya.faith/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Worship-from-Home-electronic-1-1.pdf
Pray: Lord Jesus, we walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death. Let us find our life in you, O Lord. Banished from the Garden of Eden for our rebellion, we long for the garden of Paradise. O Lord, you are the Christ. Remember us in your kingdom. We come to hear you speak of your love for us. You have the words of eternal life. Amen.
Sing or Listen: Traditional- I Sing the Almighty Power of God
Contemporary: Your Grace is Enough
Confess: God of compassion, you are slow to anger and full of mercy, welcoming sinners who return to you with penitent hearts. Receive in your loving embrace all who come home to you. Seat them at your bountiful table of grace, that, with all your children, they may feast with delight on all that satisfies the hungry heart. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute.
Be Assured: The Lord God said: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Brothers and sisters: In Christ, all God’s promises are “Yes.” Hear the good news: Through Christ, our minds and hearts are cleansed, healed, and renewed! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen.
Read God’s Word:
Psalm 89: 1-4 (New Revised Standard Edition)
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
‘I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’”
Mark 12:28-34 (New Revised Standard Version)
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Listen to the Sermon: “Simple and Beautiful”
Think or Discuss: Sometimes the hardest things to do are the ones that seem simple at first. What is something in your life that seemed simple but ended up being difficult?
Do: Reclaim a forgotten and simple routine or activity, and turn it into a time for beauty, love, reflection, or quiet. This may be something that was discarded because it was no longer deemed “useful” or it took up too much time.
Pray: Use this time to pray, silently, at first, and then for others who need your prayers.
Finally, pray the Lord’s Prayer. (Our Father…)
Sing or Listen: Traditional- Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Contemporary: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Bless and Be Blessed: May the God of Peace and the Peace of God be with you always.
After Worship, Our Service begins…
Serve: (Safely) Do something simple for one of your neighbors. Provide them with a good or service that leaves them with a smile on their face.
All Prayers are from the Book of Common Worship (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018)
And The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources and Baker Books, 2013)