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 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 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.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
The Law of God
Having been created by God, he knows who we are, and how we are mean to live so as to flourish in goodness. To guide us he has given us His Law which summarized in the ten words we call the ten commandments.
(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 love, trust, and obey the Lord alone, seeking Him first in all things.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol. We will worship God as He has revealed Himself, not according to human imagination.
- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. We will honor God’s name in word and deed, using it with truth, honor, and holy purpose.
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. We will set apart the Lord’s Day for worship, rest, and works of mercy.
- Honor your father and mother. We will respect and obey our parents and all lawful authority where due, knowing that all authority comes from God.
- You shall not murder. We will protect and value human life, rejecting hatred, malice, and unjust harm.
- You shall not commit adultery. We will uphold purity and faithfulness in marriage, guarding our hearts and bodies from all impurity.
- You shall not steal. We will respect what belongs to others, practicing honesty, generosity, and good stewardship.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. We will speak the truth in love, defending justice and our neighbor’s good name.
- You shall not covet. We will be content in Christ, rejoicing in what God has given us and resisting envy.
These are the commandments of God. Let us strive to follow them in love and obedience, seeking to live lives that honor Him.
By the grace of God, we will follow God’s commandments with all our heart, soul, and mind.
I Will Delight
VERSE
I will delight in the law of the Lord
I will meditate day and night
Then like a tree firmly planted I’ll be
Grounded in Your Word
CHORUS
Blessed is the one who follows
The way of the Lord
Blessed is the one
Confession of Sin
Though God gave us his law to bless us, the reality is that we have all have failed to keep his law if not in deed, in our thoughts and motives. “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:20)
As such, let us confess our failure to live up to who God created us to be.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your sins have been fully atoned for. You are no longer under the judgment of sin, but have been declared righteous in the sight of God.
Beloved, if you are in Christ, know that you are free from condemnation. Your sins are forgiven, and you stand justified before God.
In Christ, you are pardoned. Thanks be to God!
Run to the Father
VERSE 1
I’ve carried a burden
For too long on my own
I wasn’t created
To bear it alone
VERSE 2
I hear Your invitation
To let it all go
I see it now
I’m laying it down
I know that I need You
CHORUS
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
VERSE 3
You saw my condition
Had a plan from the start
Your Son for redemption
The price for my heart
VERSE 4
I don’t have a context
For that kind of love
I don’t understand
I can’t comprehend
All I know is I need You
CHORUS
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
BRIDGE 1
My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath
Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death
BRIDGE 2
I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
I know I need You now
CHORUS
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
CHORUS 2
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I’m done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart found a surgeon
My soul found a friend
So I’ll run to the Father
Again and again
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 – Judging Rightly (John 7:1-24)
Outline
- Judging Jesus
- Looking At versus Looking Along
- Calculus: Analyzing and Excessive Introspection
- Communion: Enjoying Jesus
Discussion Questions
What from today’s sermon stood out to you? What changes will you make this week?
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
VERSE 1
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
CHORUS
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
VERSE 2
Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
CHORUS
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
VERSE 3
His word shall not fail you He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
CHORUS
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
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.
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
VERSE 1
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for Heaven now to give
He is my joy my righteousness and freedom
My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
CHORUS 1
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me
VERSE 2
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need His power is displayed
CHORUS 2
To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
VERSE 3
No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
CHORUS 3
To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me
VERSE 4
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
CHORUS 4
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
TAG
When the race is complete
Still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Prayers of Intercession
- Neighbors
- David and the Rho’s
- Future of the Nation
- J. Kim
- M. Song and family
- Sister Churches
- The Well, Citizens, Open Door, Living Faith, Redeemer, West Hills
- Spread of the Gospel
- Montebello – Future of Ethos
- H. Soung
- G. Lee
- H. & E. Kang
Benediction – What is the hope with which you go out?
May the Lord nourish your souls with the true Bread from heaven,
May your hearts hunger for nothing less than Him,
and may you be filled with the life that never perishes,
until the day you feast in His presence forever.
Go in peace, and live by faith. Amen.
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 by sharing a meal together.