This worship guide is also available in .PDF form here: https://revmontoya.faith/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Worship-from-Home-week-3-.pdf
(Clicking on the text underlined in blue will take you to Youtube videos. Most are songs, except for the Sermon, “Birth Pangs”)
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)
Pray: God of Israel, with expectant hearts we your people await Christ’s coming. As once he came in humility, so now may he come in glory, that he may make all things perfect in your everlasting kingdom. For he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Sing or Listen: Traditional: The Church’s One Foundation
Contemporary: Lord, I Need You
Confess: O God, our great shepherd, you tenderly gather us as lambs, carrying us with your all-embracing love. Yet, like sheep, we wander from you: following our own ways, ignoring your voice, distrusting your provisions. Forgive our stubborn rebellion, our hardened hearts, our lack of trust. Refresh us once again by your quiet waters of mercy and restore our souls by your redeeming love. Guide our paths, that we might follow you more closely. Through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, we pray. Amen
Be: Sit (or stand) in silence for one minute.
Be Assured: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
Read God’s Word:
Psalm 102:12-17 (New Revised Standard Edition)
But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.
You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
For your servants hold its stones dear, and have pity on its dust.
The nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory.
For the Lord will build up Zion; he will appear in his glory.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.
Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 (New Revised Standard Version)
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Listen to the Sermon: “Birth Pangs”
Think or Discuss: Think back to a painful transition that led to a new way, a new path in the world. How did (or do) you hold that pain alongside the new things that were born out of it?
Do: Start a new tradition, hopefully that (safely) fills your soul and brings together your family, neighbors, and community.
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: A Mighty Fortress
Contemporary: Days of Elijah
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) Have conversations with loved ones about pain and grief; this is not only about death, but about missed opportunities, lost jobs, canceled or rescheduled weddings, vacations, graduations. That grief is real and is worthy of conversation and prayer.