Preparation (9:45AM)
This is a time to look upward and to commune with the Lord.
- Sit in silence for five minutes to “just be.” Just be “still” to know that God is “good.” Try to still your busy mind and put it into a mode of listening. If you find “thought monkeys” that disturb your silence, jot them down, and then continue in silence.
- Praying Psalm 139 A) In your Bible, read Psalm 139 slowly, pausing between clauses. B) After a minute of silence, read it again and look for words or phrases that catch your attention. C) Recite only the last two verses (vv. 23-24) as an earnest prayer asking the Lord to examine and reveal what is in your heart: “What might God want to say to me specifically?” D) Turn the previous question into a prayer, and then write down anything God might be saying to you. E) Be still and silent, and then ask yourself and God, “What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given?”
Kindness: How do we know God is good?
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17–18)
We know God is good because He is always thinking and caring for us.
Sing Together: Good and Gracious King
VERSE 1
I approach the throne of glory
Nothing in my hands I bring
But the promise of acceptance
From a good and gracious King
VERSE 2
I will give to You my burden
As You give to me Your strength
Come and fill me with Your Spirit
As I sing to You this praise
CHORUS
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome I lift my voice
To the King in need of nothing
Empty handed I rejoice
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome with joy I sing
By Your love I am accepted
You’re a good and gracious King
VERSE 3
O what grace that You would see me
As Your child and as Your friend
Safe secure in You forever
I pour out my praise again
CHORUS
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome I lift my voice
To the King in need of nothing
Empty handed I rejoice
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome with joy I sing
By Your love I am accepted
You’re a good and gracious King
BRIDGE
Holy Holy Lord Almighty
Good and gracious
Good and gracious
Holy Holy Lord Almighty
Good and gracious King
CHORUS
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome I lift my voice
To the King in need of nothing
Empty handed I rejoice
You deserve the greater glory
Overcome with joy I sing
By Your love I am accepted
You’re a good and gracious King
Atonement: How does God makes us one with him?
God deserves the greater glory, because he showers us with good and perfect gifts everyday that should cause us to give thanks without ceasing. And yet, our hearts are filled with resentment, discontent, and complaining. Even more, we would steal that glory for ourselves. We would even crucify his own son which we did with our sin.
But praise God, that the cries of calvary where our savior was crucified are also cries of love. And by his death, we are made at one with God.
Take this time to confess the sins that crucified your Savior, and glory in the cross where you are forgiven and freed.
Sing Together: His Mercy Is More
VERSE 1
What love could remember
No wrongs we have done
Omniscient all knowing
He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea
Without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
CHORUS
Praise the Lord
His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness
New every morn
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
VERSE 2
What patience would wait
As we constantly roam
What Father so tender
Is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest
The vilest the poor
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
CHORUS
Praise the Lord
His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness
New every morn
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
VERSE 3
What riches of kindness
He lavished on us
His blood was the payment
His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt
We could never afford
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
CHORUS
Praise the Lord
His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness
New every morn
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
TAG
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
TAG
So much
Stronger than darkness
New every morn
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
Instruction: What does God expect of you?
Scripture: Romans 12:3-8
Sermon: How to Think of Yourself
Sacrifice/Surrender: How can I offer my life to God?
Having a sober understanding of ourselves we know we are momentary and insignificant in ourselves, however because we belong to God we have eternal glory waiting for us. Therefore we can surrender ourselves into the grace of God.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18)
Sing Together: The Goodness of Jesus
VERSE 1
Come you weary heart now to Jesus
Come you anxious soul now and see
There is perfect love
And comfort in your tears
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
VERSE 2
Come find what this world cannot offer
Come and find your joy here complete
Taste the living water
Never thirst again
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
VERSE 3
Come and find your hope now in Jesus
He is all He said He would be
Grace is overflowing
From the Saviour’s heart
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
TAG
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
Communion with Christ: How can we remember our union with Christ?
Heidelberg Catechism
Question 1:
What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer:
- That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
“Comfort is a calming, a stirring to life, a setting upright of soul, in which, however, we are sensible of the pains and needs of the body.”
“…What is your comfort? Whatever your sins, whatever your health condition, whatever your social, economic or any other circumstances, where do you find the comfort and consolation that helps you persevere? We need comfort when we are mourning, when we feel miserable, when we are crying. No one can go through life without experiencing seasons of sorrow. When you do, you need comfort. You may have good people around you who offer words of consolation. But where do you find a true, deep and lasting comfort, not only in this life, but also in death—and beyond?
The answer is striking: I am not my own. I belong to him who is the greatest possible blessing, not only for my soul but even for my body; not only during my entire life here on earth, but also in the face of death. (The Heidelberg Diary, pp. 20-21)
As long as I am my own and must rely on myself alone, I must provide for myself. Cares bring and increase trouble, but give no comfort. But if Christ is my Lord and I am His property, He therefore cares for me, and this stills all care and unrest, and gives the true comfort. 1 Pet. 2:9, Rom. 14:8. See Mark 8, on the feeding of the four thousand. Luke 22:35, John 10:15. (Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism, p. 2)
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Lord’s Supper
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1Corinthians11.23-29)
- In this passage we see that the Lord’s Supper should be taken: 1) Sentimentally, 2) Expectantly, 3) Carefully
- Because of the significance of the Lord’s Table, only baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ should partake.
- Also, if you are willingly living in sin, you should refrain.
- If you are unable to partake of the Lord’s Table today, you may still partake of Christ! The Lord’s Table is just an aid in your relationship with Christ. Without it, you can still go to Christ.
- There are some prayers below that you may use to guide you.
Prayer for those searching
Oh God, I am discovering that the more I have, the more I need to have, the more I am loved, the more I need to be loved, the more I achieve, the more I need to achieve. Nothing seems to satisfy me. “Nothing tastes.” Could it be, as someone once said, that “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” Dear God, if this is true, and if as the Bible teaches there is life and life eternal in Christ alone, please guide me to him. Open me to the reality of the one who alone can satisfy my restless heart. Give me the courage to believe that which I cannot see but can understand through your Word, sacraments and church family. Lord I want to believe, please help me in my unbelief! Amen.
Prayer of belief
Lord God, I now see that I am weaker and more flawed than I ever before believed, but in Christ, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. Even as I have not loved you or my neighbor with all of my heart, you have shown your love for me in that while I am still sinning, Christ died for me and took upon himself the condemnation that I deserve. I now know that You owe me nothing for my efforts, but you offer acceptance, love and blessing into all eternity because of Christ’s efforts on my behalf. I therefore ask that you would enable me to turn away from trusting in my own efforts to gain your acceptance and forgiveness, and trust in the perfectly righteous efforts of Christ on my behalf in order to be accepted by you and entered into your holy family. And just as you raised Christ from the dead, so too I ask that you would give me a new life in Christ, one that will lead eventually to heaven itself. Thank you for Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to believe in him alone for my salvation. And as You have called us to follow You in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in Your church, grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with Your people, and live in the fullness of Your Spirit. Amen.
Communion with body of Christ: How can we serve one another?
Intercession
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18–20)
Take this time to pray for the people seated near you. Also, pray for Ethos Communion Church, as well as other churches you know of.
Commission to the World: How can we serve the world?
Intercession
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)
“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—” (Colossians 4:3)
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,” (1 Timothy 2:1–3)
Take this time to pray for open doors for missionaries and evangelists to proclaim the gospel with boldness and winsomeness and pray for those in authority may govern well in order to provide conditions for the church to thrive in its ministries.
Sing Together: He Will Hold Me Fast
VERSE 1
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast
CHORUS
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
VERSE 2
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast
CHORUS
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
VERSE 3
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last
CHORUS
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Benediction: What is the hope with which you go out?
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26)
Announcements
- Tithes and offerings may be given online at EthosChurch.Co. FYI the fees are 2.15% + $0.30/donation for credit and debit card donations, and 0% + $0.30 per ACH bank transfer donation. So using your bank is preferred.
- Having looked upward during the worship service, we now want to look outward, in sharing the love of Christ we have in our hearts for one another. To do that, food always helps, so following the service we will have a refreshment hour followed by a meal. Today’s menu: Grass-fed Beef Hamburgers