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 Psalm22.1-5 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 (D)
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 (D)
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:
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).
In Christ, your sins are forgiven. In Christ, God is with you. Rest in the assurance of His abiding presence.
Thanks be to God!
Build My Life
VERSE 1
Worthy of every song
We could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise
We could ever bring
Worthy of every breath
We could ever breathe
We live for You
VERSE 2
Jesus the name above
Every other name
Jesus the only one
Who could ever save
Worthy of every breath
We could ever breathe
We live for You
CHORUS
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
VERSE 1
Worthy of every song
We could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise
We could ever bring
Worthy of every breath
We could ever breathe
We live for You
VERSE 2
Jesus the name above
Every other name
Jesus the only one
Who could ever save
Worthy of every breath
We could ever breathe
We live for You
CHORUS
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
BRIDGE
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
CHORUS
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
BRIDGE
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
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 Presence of God (Matthew28.18-20)
Outline
- Who am I? (Ex3)
- Are you with me? (Ex33)
- What do you see me? (Gen22)
- Who does it? (Gal2.20)
Discussion Questions
What from today’s sermon stood out to you? What changes will you make this week?
Goodness of God
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
TAG
Oh I’m gonna sing
Of the goodness of God
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.
Hymn of Heaven
VERSE 1
How I long to breathe the air of Heaven
Where pain is gone
And mercy fills the streets
To look upon the One
Who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity
CHORUS 1
There will be a day
When all will bow before Him
There will be a day
When death will be no more
Standing face to face
With He who died and rose again
Holy holy is the Lord
VERSE 2
And every prayer
We prayed in desperation
The songs of faith
We sang through doubt and fear
In the end
We’ll see that it was worth it
When He returns
To wipe away our tears
CHORUS 1
There will be a day
When all will bow before Him
There will be a day
When death will be no more
Standing face to face
With He who died and rose again
Holy holy is the Lord
VERSE 3
And on that day
We join the resurrection
And stand beside
The heroes of the faith
With one voice
A thousand generations
Sing worthy is the Lamb
Who was slain
TAG
Forever He shall reign
CHORUS 2
So let it be today
We shout the hymn of Heaven
With angels and the saints
We raise a mighty roar
Glory to our God
Who gave us life beyond the grave
Holy holy is the Lord
TAG
Holy holy is the Lord
Prayers of Intercession
- Neighbors
- David and the Rho’s
- Fire Victims
- Future of the Nation
- J. Kim
- M. Song and family
- Sister Churches
- 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 go before you to guide you,
May He stand behind you to guard you,
May He walk beside you to befriend you,
And may His presence dwell within you,
Filling you with His peace,
Strengthening you with His grace,
And leading you ever deeper into His love.
Go in the presence of the Lord,
For He has promised,
‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’
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.