Worship Resources for Sunday June 7th

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

CALL TO WORSHIP

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

We gather to meet with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
To be aware of your presence in our day.

For you, Lord, are here now; your Spirit dwells within us.
We bring you our worship, and offer you our praise.
Make us aware as you walk beside us.
Thank you that we do not make the journey alone.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, draw near to us as we draw near to you. Amen

(“Sunday Mid-day Prayer,” by Dot Woods, adapted)

MUSIC

Praise The Lord Ye Heavens
Written by Eric J. Marshall ©2014, CCLI #7026992
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team

CONFESSIONAL PRAYER

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

Holy and merciful God, in Your presence we confess our sinfulness,
our shortcomings, and our offenses against You.
You alone know how often we have sinned
        in wandering from Your ways,
        in wasting Your gifts,
        in forgetting Your love.

Have mercy on us, O Lord,
as we humbly repent for all we have done to displease You.
Forgive our sins,
and help us to live in Your light
and walk in Your ways,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

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 1:19)

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

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.

WORD

Holy – Week One

INTRODUCTION
Most of us connect the word “holy” to the concept to moral behavior. When thought of in this way, holiness is mostly defined by the absence of something – namely, sin or impurity – rather than the presence of something.

The Hebrew word that is often translated “holy” is the word Qadosh.

This word first appears in Genesis 2:3, “So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.”(NRSV)

The first thing called holy in the scriptures is the sabbath day because it is set apart.

The second time qadosh appears is in Exodus 3:1-6 In this story, the presence of God is so unique and powerful that it makes the ground around his presence holy.

HOLY DEFINED
So, what does it mean to be holy? Set apart (as in the Sabbath day from creation) & unique (as in the presence of God that radiates out from the burning bush and makes the ground holy). Holiness is a biblical word that means “unique and set apart.”

The first time God is called holy is Exodus 15:11,
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?”

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you.” -1 Samuel 2:2

Calling God holy is a way of recognizing his unique character and role. He is the creator and author if life; the Divine First Cause and as such, is unique, powerful, beautiful and good. It turns out, holiness is not just the absence of sin or impurity, but the presence of beauty, power, and goodness.

God is like the sun.

God is uniquely holy, but other things can be holy as well! Throughout the biblical narrative….

• People are called holy in Deuteronomy 7:6 (For you are a people holy to the Lord your God)
• Places are called holy in Ezekiel 42:13 (locations in the temple)
• Things are called holy in Exodus 40:1-10 (instructions to consecrate things in the Temple)
• Time is called holy in Leviticus 23:1-2 (speaking about festivals)

HOLINESS INVITES US
Like the sun, God’s holiness is meant to be shared.

God’s holiness doesn’t distance us from God, but invites us to experience and share in the beauty, goodness, and life-giving force of God.

This series is a journey through the biblical story of discovering how God’s people are invited to participate in His holiness.

Holiness IS NOT just an ethic. It is the radiant beauty of God and an invitation for us to participate in God’s character.

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.

BENEDICTION

Dear God,
Pour mercy into our hearts and souls,
giving us eyes to see and ears to hear your gift
in every person
every place
every moment;
For your greatness is seen in all the world:
may our words and actions be our praise of you
reaching up and out
into your Kingdom,
made real for us in Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

(Adapted from Rev. Fiona J. Reynolds)