Pre-service Reflection
At Ethos as good as it is to meet and greet one another, we try to save this for after the service, and begin service by looking upward to rest in God. Here are a few suggestions for how you can spend this time:
- Sit in silence 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. You may also use a journal to reflect on your previous spiritual experiences this week.
- Scripture Meditation. A) In your Bible, read Hebrews 12:1-2 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 – Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed, written in the fourth century by the Council of Nicaea and later expanded by the Council of Constantinople, holds immense importance for Christians as a foundational statement of faith affirming beliefs in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and essential Christian doctrines, serving as a unifying declaration of core beliefs across Christian denominations and emphasizing unity in essential theological truths.
Let’s stand together as we recite our common faith
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Psalm of Praise – Psalm 27
Let us stand together as we praise the Lord with a responsive reading of a Psalm
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
- The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
- When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
- Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
- One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
- For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
- And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
- Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
- You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
- Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
- For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
- Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
- Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
- I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
- Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Come Thou Fount (A)
VERSE 1
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
VERSE 2
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
VERSE 3
Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Prone to wander Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
VERSE 1
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy – E)
VERSE 1
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want
In green pastures He makes me lie down
He restores my soul
And leads me on for His Name
for His great Name
CHORUS
Surely goodness surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
And I will dwell in Your house forever
And bless Your Holy Name
VERSE 2
You prepare a table right before me
In the presence of my enemies
Though the arrow flies
And the terror of night
Is at my door I’ll trust You Lord
CHORUS
Surely goodness surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
And I will dwell in Your house forever
And bless Your Holy Name
BRIDGE
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
You are on my side
CHORUS
Surely goodness surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
And I will dwell in Your house forever
And bless Your Holy Name
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.
Sermon – The Work of Faith (John6.22-34)
Text Outline
- The Setting (6:22-24)
- The Exposure (6:25-26)
- The Exhortation (6:27-29)
- The Comparison (6:30-34)
Application
- The Priority of faith
- The Appetite for Faith
- The Work of Faith
- The Delight of Faith
- The Fulfillment of Faith
Discussion Questions
Here are five discussion questions aligned with the streamlined outline:
- The Priority of Faith: How does knowing that faith is foundational to the Gospel (John 20:30-31, Romans 1:16-17) influence how you prioritize belief in your own life? What adjustments might help faith become more central?
- The Appetite for Faith: How do you see your “spiritual appetite” influencing your daily choices? What desires or distractions compete with your longing for God, and how can you start to “make room” for the eternal?
- The Work of Faith: Hebrews 12:1-2 calls us to run the race with endurance by fixing our eyes on Jesus. What from Making Space for the Eternal would help you to eliminate distractions from your life so you can fix your eyes on Christ? What from A Weekly Sabbath Schedule could you incorporate into your Lord’s Day?
- The Delight of Faith: Why are you following Jesus? Do you seek temporary blessings or eternal good? How might seeing Jesus as the Son of Man with eternal dominion (Daniel 7:13-14) deepen your relationship with Him?
- The Fulfillment of Faith: In what ways do you see God’s blessings or “signs” in your life pointing you to a greater longing for eternity? How can you begin to view these gifts as invitations to know God more deeply?
Sharing and Prayer Time
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
Once Again (C)
VERSE 1
Jesus Christ
I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times I’ve wondered
At Your gift of life
And I’m in that place once again
I’m in that place once again
CHORUS
Once again
I look upon the cross
Where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy
And I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
VERSE 2
Now You are
Exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens
Where one day I’ll bow
But for now
I marvel at this saving grace
And I’m full of praise once again
I’m full of praise once again
CHORUS
Once again
I look upon the cross
Where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy
And I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
BRIDGE (2x)
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross my Friend
CHORUS (2x)
Once again
I look upon the cross
Where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy
And I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Benediction – What is the hope with which you go out?
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)
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.
- Please let Ellis know which date you are available for a pumpkin patch or apple orchard outing next month.
- 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 by sharing a meal together.