Worship Resources for Sunday July 19th
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! It’s easy to join! Just click here.
CALL TO WORSHIP
From Matthew 11, Jesus offers us these words….
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens,
come to me and I will give you rest.
Accept my teachings and learn for me.
I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls.
The teaching I ask you to accept is easy;
the load I give you to carry is light.
[Breathe]
Come and rest.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace,
So that we can return to the world.
To learn and serve
MUSIC: NONE BUT THEE
CCLI #6291877 | Eric J. Marshall and John Fellows © 2011
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team
CONFESSIONAL PRAYER
Please join in on the bolded lines.
God, we confess that we don’t always understand our own actions.
We clearly know what is right—what you expect of us—
but we don’t always do it.
We also clearly know what is wrong—
the thoughts and actions that hurt others and offend you—
but we do these things anyway.
Forgive us!
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
set us free from the sin that controls us.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
People of God, know this:
Our God is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.
When we stumble, he is there to catch us;
when we are weighed down, he is there to lift us up.
So be at peace: your sins are forgiven.
All: Thanks be to God
MUSIC: GIVE US YOUR HEART
CCLI #7080403 | Ashlyn Clift, Charles Groves, Jake Richards, Lauren Wells, Mackenzie Fessler, Jordan Merritt, and Melanie Tierce
© 2016
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team
WORD
Practical Holiness
Sermon Scriptures:
Romans 8:12-25 (NRSV)
RECAP
Holiness –
Is for all (people, places, things, time)
Cleanses impurity rather than requiring purity
Is limitless in nature and always moving and working
Results in healing and restoration
How do we apply these concepts of holiness to our lives?
CHOICES MATTER
Romans 8:13, “for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
We have a certain obligation to choose which way we will live; according to the flesh or by the Spirit.
These choices have clear trajectories: life vs death.
Those who choose to live the life of the Spirit are not left to slave it out on their own, rather they are brought into the family, made siblings with Christ and children of God, beneficiaries of the life and power promised to us.
However, holiness is not about perfection in action; it’s about openness to the transforming work of the Spirit.
This leads us to our first key for successfully living a life of holiness. When we fail, individually and socially, will we be quick to confess and seek reconciliation?
If the answer is yes, we are walking in the way of holiness.
HOPE IN ACTION
Romans 8:18-19, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God”
The life of faith and holiness is not one devoid of suffering. How do we process the idea that God’s work in us and the world is making any difference? Verse 24 holds the key—HOPE.
Romans 8:24, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope.”
We long for things to get better. We long for victory over burdens or addictions. We long to see all people be treated with equity and given the same chance at life and happiness despite the color of their skin. We know what we are aiming for, but it seems so far away.
Should we just give up? Quit? Throw in the towel? We can’t give up. God’s kingdom does not give up!
This leads us to our second key for success in living a life of holiness. Apathy, complacency, inaction—these are not qualities of holiness. Life lived with the Spirit is a life of action and intentionality.
When it comes to recognizing injustice, pain, hurt, brokenness, and death, holiness calls us to compassion, mercy, generosity, effort, and camaraderie.
As we heard in the message last week, we are invited to lay the healing leaves of the Tree of Life on the hurts we experience, both personally and socially.
Considering how to take action against the brokenness, hurt, and pains we experience personally and socially is challenging. And just like childbirth, there is no quick fix.
You must commit to the process; good, bad, and ugly. But take courage that you are not alone, the Spirit is with you, and your fellow Christians are with you.
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 THE MYSTERY OF FAITH
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
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.
BENEDICTION
Please join in on the bolded lines.
God of Wisdom, help us sort out what it means to be faithful in these challenging days.
God of Strength, give us courage to act boldly in accordance with your kingdom.
God of Mercy, help us to love others well, even when it costs us something.
God of Holiness, transform us so that we may reflect your goodness to the world around us.
Go in peace, with the strength of the Spirit.