Today is the third week of Eastertide.
Easter has implications.
Jesus is – right now – the reigning and ruling King of the Universe.
Envisioning Jesus as the King he is also has implications.
We are called to a life of faith that involves not just thinking well of Jesus
but aligning every aspect of our lives to Jesus…
pursuing a Jesus-shaped life.
Today we begin to explore the implications of living in a world
where a resurrection has happened.
Gathering Time
Heart of Worship - I Surrender All RW.mpRandy Wolthuis
Declaration of Trust & God's Greeting
People of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Praise to Our Risen King
"I Give You My Heart" (Shane and Shane)
(Listen to the first chorus as we come before God and then join the singing)
This is my desire - to honor you
Lord, with all my heart I worship you
All I have within me - I give You praise
All that I adore is in you
Lord I give you my heart - I give you my soul
I live for you alone
Ev'ry breath that I take - ev'ry moment I'm awake
Lord, have your way in me
Scriptural Affirmation (Romans 6:8-11)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,
he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
The death he died, he died to sin once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way,
count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Mercy every morning, rising like the dawn
God of all creation, the wonder of it all
You're the song of freedom, you're the only way
Every new beginning is by grace
Chorus
Up and alive in Jesus - into a life of freedom
Hallelujah, Christ is risen!
Up from the grave you raised me - out of the darkness saved me
Hallelujah, Jesus Savior!
You can still the panic, you can break the chains
You're the only healer, the greatest ever name
Through the cross forgiven, everything has changed
Every new beginning is by grace (chorus)
Ohh, oh-oh-ohh
Bridge
Worthy, worthy
you're the only name we're singing
Holy, holy
to you the highest praise! (2x, then chorus)
Time of Confession
Call to Confession (based on Matthew 22:37-40)
Our Lord Jesus said:
"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind."'
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it:
'You shall love your neighbors as yourself.'
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
As God has instructed us in these great commandments,
and because we have not lived in full obedience, let us now confess our sins to God, trusting Christ as our Savior and Lord.
Prayers of Confession
O God, you have shown us the way of life through your Son, Jesus Christ.
We confess with shame our slowness to learn of him,
our failure to follow him, and our reluctances to bear the cross.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
God of grace, we confess that we have elevated the things of this world above you.
We have made idols of possessions and positions and people
and have not taken the time to worship you.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
We have served our own self-interest instead of serving only you and your people.
We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded
and are not willing to take the risks and make the sacrifices that love requires.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
Holy Father, look upon us with kindness and grace.
Rule in our homes and in all the world;
show us how to walk in your paths, through the mercy of our Savior.
Amen.
Words of Assurance (Romans 5:8)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Sharing Christ Peace
Because God has given us his peace, we are invited to share the peace of Christ with others. Whether digitally through a text message or by turning to someone next to you, share the peace of Christ now with the words: "The peace of Christ be with you!" If you are on the receiving end of these words, you are invited to reply, "And also with you."
The Peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
"God Story" Christian Verwys
Prayers of the People Janna Kooi
During today's prayers there will be some sections of silence
as an opportunity for you to lift names aloud to God.
And the prayer closes with 3 verses of "Lord, Speak to Me."
Prayers of the People 4.26.2020.Janna Kooi
Offering
A life of generosity, for all who know Christ, means the opportunity to draw closer to God, now and in eternity. It means joy, a fulfilled heart, and the potential to store up treasures in heaven. Once you take hold of it, once you begin to feel the change generosity brings into your life, you will feel a strong calling to share the message with others.
Please consider continuing to give or setting up giving by clicking HERE.
Word of God
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV),
Luke 6:12-19 (NIV) Randy Wolthuis
Randy Reading Scripture for April 26Randy Wolthuis
Message: "Becoming Like Jesus" Jon Sherrill
Series: Following Jesus
fifthrc-042620Jon Sherrill
Our Response
"Be Thou My Vision" (Audrey Assad) This video does contain song text...
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom and thou my true Word
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one
Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all!
Benediction
Option: as an individual or quarantine family, create/add movements for each line below -
we will use this benediction throughout this sermon series.
God go before you to lead you,
God go behind you to protect you,
God go beneath you to support you,
God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid.
May the blessing of God the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you.
Do not be afraid.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
Song of Dismissal: “Christ Be in My Waking” Stuart Townend/Simon Brading
Christ be in my waking as the sun is rising
in my day of working, with me ev'ry hour
Christ be in my resting as the day is ending
calming and refreshing, watching through the night
Christ be in my gladness, for the joy of living
thankful for the goodness of the Father's hand
Christ be in my sorrow in my day of darkness
knowing that I follow in the steps he trod
Chorus
Jesus, this is my devotion
all my life to know you
ev'ry day to walk with you
Savior, you're my deepest longing
you're the One I live for
Teach me Lord to walk with you
Christ when hope has faded, nothing left to cling to
every pleasure jaded, every well is dry
Christ the loving Shepherd draws me with his kindness
leads me from the desert to the streams of life (chorus)
Christ be in my waking as the sun is rising
in my day of working, with me ev'ry hour
Christ be in my resting as the day is ending…
Postlude: "Christ Be in My Waking" acoustic instrumental
"Following Jesus" Video Class, Mondays at 7:00PM
*If you need the link or phone number to connect with this class
email info@fifthrc.org for details to join in
"God Stories"
If you’d like to offer a written, audio, or video testimony, email godstories@fifthrc.org.