Worship

Prelude: “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” (Annette Sprinkel, Pianist)

Gathering Hymn: WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS THIS (85)

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship: (based on Isaiah 55:2, 11-12; John 4:24)

One: Let us worship God, for whom our souls thirst and our bodies long.

All: Listen, listen to me, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

One: We have come to hear the Word God has sent.

All: God’s Word will not return empty but will accomplish through us his holy purpose.

One: Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

All: Then we will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will sing and the trees of the field will clap their hands.

HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE YOUR NAME (460)

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Forgiveness:

One: O Lord, you desire truth in our inward being;

All: teach us wisdom in our secret heart.

One: Send out your light, send out your truth,

All: and let them lead us to our home.

One: Take from us the weight of our sin,

All: that room might be made for the spirit of truth.

One: If we prepare a dwelling place, that spirit will abide within us, and the truth will set our spirits free.

All: Then shall we love not only in word or in speech; then shall we love in deed and in truth, and by this know that our service is faithful.

One: O Lord, you desire truth in our inward being;

All: teach us wisdom in our secret heart. Amen.

One: 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:

All: Through Christ, our minds and hearts are cleansed, healed, and renewed!

(based on Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV)

First Scripture Lesson: Psalm 84:1-7 (p.584)

Prayers of the People & THE LORD’S PRAYER

GLORIA PATRI

Anthem: “Instrument of Peace” (solo)

Sermon: “Holy Spaces and Spheres”                  

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4; 12-17 (p.1167)

Closing Hymn: I WANT TO WALK AS A CHILD OF THE LIGHT

I want to walk as a child of the light

I want to follow Jesus

God set the stars to give light to the world

The star of my life is Jesus

 REFRAIN:

In Him there is no darkness at all

The night and the day are both alike

The Lamb is the light of the city of God

Shine in my heart Lord Jesus

I want to see the brightness of God

I want to look at Jesus

Clear Sun of righteousness shine on my path

And show me the way to the Father      (REFRAIN)

I’m looking for the coming of Christ

I want to follow Jesus

When we have run with patience the race

We shall know the joy of Jesus              (REFRAIN)

 Word and Music Kathleen Thomerson, © 1970, 1975 Celebration TUNE:HOUSTON

Benediction

• There were many times in the Old Testament when God’s people consecrated spaces (tent, temple, ark, altar, land) and used exclusively where the presence and holiness of God rested. In Psalm 84 the writer expresses his love and longing for the living God and His house in verses 1-2. How do you cherish and yearn for spending time with the Lord and worshiping in His house?
• Reread Psalm 84:6-7 God’s people were on pilgrimage and went through the Valley of Baca (place of tears and struggle).   In your faith journey, can you give an example when you dealt with tears of difficulty and experienced the strength of the Lord, in hardship? In the midst of the Valley, how do you and I “make it a place of springs”? In bringing the holiness of God to spaces and spheres where there is brokenness and pain, what are ways we make the presence of God a place of refreshment, healing, restoration?
• Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites went to the temple to meet with God, to be in His presence. In the New Covenant, we experience some new realities. Read the following Scriptures and describe the blessings with God’s presence in and among His people today: 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-22.
• Reflect on the three statements of our identity in Christ given in Colossians 12 a- God’s chosen ones, holy, and beloved. What’s your response to hearing that this is who you are in Christ?
• Which virtue listed in verses Colossians 12b-16 of how we live out our holy behavior is evident in your life? Which one is a growing edge you want to intentionally commit to developing with God’s help?
• In verse 17 it says – And in whatever you do, do it all, in the name of the Lord Jesus… What is the space or sphere (workplace, school, home, neighborhood, group, etc.) you want to set apart, to bring the holiness of God and the Lordship of Christ into that area?