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 Revelation 21:1-8 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 1
Let us stand together as we praise the Lord with a responsive reading of a Psalm
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (C)
CHORUS
Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
VERSE 1
The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
CHORUS
Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
VERSE 2
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
CHORUS
Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
VERSE 3
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
CHORUS
Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Amazing Grace (D)
VERSE 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
VERSE 2
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed
CHORUS
My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing Grace
VERSE 3
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
CHORUS
My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing Grace
VERSE 4
The Earth shall soon
Dissolve like snow
The Sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
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 Timelessness of the Sabbath (Genesis2.1-3)
WSC Question 60
How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, (Exod. 20:8,10, Exod. 16:25–28) even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; (Neh. 13:15–19) and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’ s worship, (Luke 4:16, Acts 20:7, Ps. 92, Isa. 66:23) except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. (Matt. 12:1–31)
WSC Question 61
What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, (Amos 8:5, Mal. 1:13) and the profaning the day by idleness, (Acts 20:7,9) or doing that which is in itself sinful, (Ezek. 23:38) or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. (Jer. 17:24–26, Isa. 58:13)
Passages:
- Genesis 2:1-3, Ex20:8-11, Deut5:12-15, Isa56:1-8, Isa58:13-14, Neh13:15-18; Mark2:23-28, Col2:16-3:4, Hebrews4:8-13; Revelation21:1-4
Outline
- Perpetual Principle (2Timothy3.16-17; Matt19.4-6; Mark2.27)
- Time is the issue (Mark2.28; Matt6.34)
- Quality Time (Genesis3; 1Jn2.15-17)
- Eternity (Heb4.8-13; Heb12.1-2; Rev21)
Spiritual Drills – Muscle Memory
- Heaven only drill (Col3)
- Future past hands drill (Eccl3.11; Matt6.34; Rom8.28)
- God is good…all the time, and all the time…
- Meditate day and night (Psalm1; 2Tim3.16-17)
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to view the Sabbath as a “perpetual principle” established before the Fall? How does this shape your understanding of rest as a gift of grace (Mark 2:27)?
- How does the 4th commandment challenge our tendency to idolize time? In what ways does resting in the Lord help you combat anxiety about the past or future (Matthew 6:34; Ecclesiastes 3:11)?
- Reflect on the idea of Sabbath as “quality time” with God. How does prioritizing communion with Him transform your experience of rest (Isaiah 58:13-14)?
- What parallels can be drawn between the choice of the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3 and the choices you make on the Sabbath? How does this impact your approach to spiritual priorities (1 John 2:15; Colossians 2:16-3:4)?
- How does the Sabbath point to ultimate rest in eternity? In what ways does practicing Sabbath today prepare you for the eternal rest described in Hebrews 4:8-13 and Revelation 21:1-4?
- What spiritual drills can you practice on the Lord’s Day to develop spiritual muscle memory?
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
I Offer My Life (C)
VERSE 1
All that I am all that I have
I lay them down before You O Lord
All my regrets all my acclaim
The joy and the pain
I’m making them Yours
VERSE 2
Things in the past things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams
That are yet to come true
All of my hopes all of my plans
My heart and my hands
Are lifted to You
CHORUS
Lord I offer my life to You
Everything I’ve been through
Use it for Your glory
Lord I offer my days to You
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer You my life
VERSE 2
Things in the past things yet unseen
Wishes and dreams
That are yet to come true
All of my hopes all of my plans
My heart and my hands
Are lifted to You
CHORUS
Lord I offer my life to You
Everything I’ve been through
Use it for Your glory
Lord I offer my days to You
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer You my life
BRIDGE
What can we give
That You have not given
And what do we have
That is not already Yours
All we possess are
These lives we’re living
And that’s what
We give to You Lord
CHORUS
Lord I offer my life to You
Everything I’ve been through
Use it for Your glory
Lord I offer my days to You
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer You 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.
- 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.