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.
- Scripture Meditation. A) In your Bible, read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 slowly, pausing between clauses. B) After a minute of silence, read it again and look for words or phrases that catch your attention. C) Read it a third time and begin to wonder: “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?”
Invocation – Calling Upon God
Welcome to Ethos Communion Church. Ethos exists to foster communion with the Triune God in a way that leads to spiritual peace, holistic transformation of character, communion with the visible body of Christ, and the making of disciples from all cultures and generations all to the glory of God.
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 124:8
As we begin our worship service, let us quiet our hearts and minds, and turn our attention to the One who is worthy of all our praise.
Confession of Faith – Heidelberg Catechism Q1
The Heidelberg Catechism, crafted in 1563, is a foundational text in Reformed Christian worship, presenting the essentials of faith through a resonant question-and-answer format. It deepens our understanding of faith, sin, and grace, guiding and comforting congregants in their spiritual journey. This catechism remains a vital tool for personal reflection and communal devotion, enriching our worship experience.
Let’s stand together as we recite our common hope.
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own,
but belong with body and soul,
both in life and in death,
to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.He has fully paid for all my sins
with his precious blood,
and has set me free
from all the power of the devil.He also preserves me in such a way
that without the will of my heavenly Father
not a hair can fall from my head;
indeed, all things must work together
for my salvation.Therefore, by his Holy Spirit
he also assures me
of eternal life
and makes me heartily willing and ready
from now on to live for him.
Psalm of Praise – Psalm 98
Let us stand together as we praise the Lord with a responsive reading of Psalm 98
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
1 Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Hymn of Praise – All Glory Be to Christ (D)
VERSE 1
Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
VERSE 2
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is Your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ
CHORUS
All glory be to Christ our king
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
VERSE 3
His will be done His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
VERSE 4
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ
CHORUS
All glory be to Christ our king
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
VERSE 5
When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new
VERSE 6
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ
CHORUS
All glory be to Christ our king
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
Confession and Complaint
You may be seated.
Having considered and praised the goodness of God, we now turn to confessing and complaining to God because things are not yet as they ought to be.
We cry out to you, O Lord, for the brokenness we experience in this world. Our hearts are heavy with the pain and suffering that surround us, the injustices that prevail, and the sorrow that fills our lives. We lament the effects of sin that have marred your creation and brought about so much grief. Our own sins and the sins of others contribute to this brokenness, and we grieve over the pain it causes.
Take a moment to lament the brokenness in this world.
Most holy and merciful Father; we acknowledge and confess before you our sinful nature—prone to evil and lazy in good—and all our shortcomings and offenses. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your way, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. But you, O Lord, have mercy on us, who are ashamed and sorry for all the ways we have displeased you.
Take a moment to confess your personal sins.
Assurance of Pardon
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.…He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Ps. 103:8, 10–14)
Believe this Gospel and go forth to live in peace. Amen.
Hymn of Thanksgiving – Goodness of God (G)
VERSE 1
I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God
CHORUS
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
VERSE 2
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest nights You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
I have lived in the goodness of God
CHORUS
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
BRIDGE
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
CHORUS
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
The Law of God
Having received the grace of the Lord, he then calls us to live in the newness of this life in Christ by obeying his commandments by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us stand together.
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
Let us now hear the commandments of God as given to us in Scripture.
We will listen and obey.
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
We will worship the Lord our God and serve Him only.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol.
We will worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, without idols or images.
- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
We will honor the name of the Lord and speak of Him with reverence.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
We will set aside time for rest and worship, honoring the Sabbath day.
- Honor your father and mother.
We will respect and care for our parents and those in authority.
- You shall not murder.
We will value and protect human life as sacred.
- You shall not commit adultery.
We will honor marriage and maintain faithfulness in relationships.
- You shall not steal.
We will respect others’ property and rights.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
We will speak truthfully and with integrity.
- You shall not covet.
We will be content and grateful for what we have, avoiding envy and greed.
These are the commandments of God. Let us strive to follow them in love and obedience, seeking to live lives that honor Him.
We will follow God’s commandments with all our heart, soul, and mind.
Prayer for Illumination
You may be seated.
As we prepare to hear the word of God, let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination.
Scripture Reading (Matthew 5:1-12)
Please stand for the reading of God’s word.
Sermon – Blessed are The Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
Prayers of Intercession
Having partaken of the body of Christ we now want to intercede on behalf of his body, the church and also for the world. Let’s pray together.
Topics:
- Pray for one another to know the peace of God that goes beyond understanding
- Pray for the world (friends, family, neighbors)
- Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in other local churches around the world
- Let’s pray that the Lord would send us more workers to help in this work of the Harvest
All these mercies we ask in the name of Jesus,
who ever sits at your right hand, O Father.
He it is who is our intercessor,
and it is through him
that we are taught to pray, saying,
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever. Amen.
Doxology (E)
Let us now sing the doxology in praise to our triune God.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Meaning of Communion with Christ
You may be seated.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33)
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Communion Prayer
Let us give thanks to the Lord for this spiritual meal he has given to us.
Communion
- 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.
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn of Thanksgiving – In His Time (D)
VERSE 1
In His time in His time
He makes all things beautiful
In His time
Lord please show me ev’ry day
As You’re teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say
In Your time
VERSE 2
In Your time in Your time
You make all things beautiful
In Your time
Lord my life to You I bring
May each song I have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing
In Your time
Benediction – What is the hope with which you go out?
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13)
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 share a meal together.