Worship Resources for Sunday May 17th

We encourage you to read and reflect on these scriptures, songs, notes, and prayers as we look forward to our time of worship together this coming Sunday.

Please print this guide or have it handy in digital format for use during the service.

And don’t forget to join us Sunday immediately following the service in our virtual foyer for a group video chat! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/202653556

SERMON SCRIPTURE

In the days leading up to our Sunday gathering, please read through the sermon scripture as the Holy Spirit prepares your heart for the sermon inspired by this passage.

2 Corinthians 11:21b-30 (NRSV)

MUSIC

The music selection this week is a favorite of ours at Emmaus. The lyrics so poetically express God’s unwavering grace for us, even when our own hearts are prone to wander. This multigenerational, socially distanced version of Come Thou Fount comes from Good Shepherd church in New York. Any Sufjan Stevens fans out there will especially appreciate the intro.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

The Spirit of God bids us, “Come.”
Let everyone who hears within their hearts “Come.”
Hear the whole earth rejoice and the coastlands sing of our God’s steadfast love.
We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God.
We give thanks for God sets us free!
Let everyone who is thirsty for the Spirit “Come.”
Let anyone who wishes “Come,” and receive the water of life as a gift.
We come to rejoice in the Holy One, our God.
We give thanks for God’s steadfast love that brings joy to our hearts in the night,
lights our lives like the dawn, and sets us free.
Amen.

(Written by Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson – adapted)

CONFESSIONAL PRAYER

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent,
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.

(The Book of Common Prayer 2019)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

All: Thanks be to God

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

As we pray together, we invite you to share your own requests and testimonies with us this week. If you have a request you can share it live in our video stream chat, or you may email us at emmausroadfc@gmail.com

WORD

Whatever The Hardship, Keep Rising Up
2 Corinthians 11:21b-30 (NRSV)

PAUL’S “BOAST”

Paul recounts his own life beginning with all the reasons he would have to boast in the same style and manner as was typical in Roman culture, but then he turns it on his head. He recounts his suffering! It would be like you and I putting all the reasons we shouldn’t be hired on our resume!

Paul does this to make a point. First, he is trying to expose the Roman culture of achievement and boasting by making a parody of it.

Secondly, while he lists these things as comic parody, the suffering throughout his life was very real and he wants to make a point about suffering. Principally, in our weakness, we are strong.

OBSERVATIONS

Two observations that speak into our current context:

1. God does not promise us a shortcut around hardships. He promises his presence and strength through it.

Sometimes Christians say, or imply, that their faith will protect them from getting sick. This is not God’s promise and never has been! Refraining from gathering together or hugging your grandma in the midst of a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease is not a lack of faith; it’s caring for those around you.

There are stories of our ancient brothers and sisters in the faith caring for the sick when others refused to do so. They didn’t care for the sick with the belief that God would protect them from getting sick! Many did get sick and died. They cared for the sick because they belong to the resurrection people of God and refused to fear death because of the hope of resurrection.

2. COVID-19 is teaching all of us what it is like to live without fear…as only hardship can.

It is one thing to say we don’t live with fear while we live comfortable lives in our safe neighborhoods, secure jobs, and well-funded 401k’s. It is quite another to say we live without fear when faced with a pandemic.

One of the keys ways I’ve been working my faith is through the way that we pray as a family. We thank God for our health, we pray for God’s protection, but we also pray that we would receive whatever comes without fear in the confidence that God’s presence and strength will be with us whatever comes to pass.

My faith is not in my ability to sanitize surfaces, wash my hands properly, and not touch my face. My faith is in Jesus who promises his presence and strength regardless of what comes.

CONCLUSION

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

During our time, I pray that despite the hardship, we’ll keep rising up! We’ll keep rising up with fellowship, discipleship, worship, and partnership. I pray that we’ll be stronger as a result because we learn to live without fear and draw upon the strength of God who is in us.

TABLE

Prepare the elements of “bread” and “wine” for use as we gather around The Lord’s Table. These can be any items convenient around the home that symbolize these for you. 

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Leader: In unity with the Church throughout the ages, we confess our faith: 
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven,
        hallowed be your Name,
        your kingdom come,
        your will be done,
        on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
        as we forgive those
        who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, 
        and deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, 
        and the power,
        and the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

BENEDICTION

I bless you with joy;
May you find moments of laughter and bliss in the midst of suffering and distress
May you cherish those times and may they sustain you.
I bless you with the fruits of humility;
May your humble and sacrificial actions be instrumental in preserving your community
And loving your neighbors
I bless you with peace;
In the face of financial hardship and uncertainty
May you know the faithful presence of the God who provides
Be at peace.
Wash your hands.
Love your neighbors.
You are not alone.

(A Benediction for the Pandemic, Written by Emily Swan and Ken Wilson)