Sunday, May 29, 2022 - What can God help you to let go of?
Playlist Online
Welcome
*Hymn 390 Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord! (In Person Only)
(sing through twice)
*Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
*Hymn 390 Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord! (In Person Only)
(sing through once)
Prayer for Letting Go (responsive) (In Person Only)
Hymn 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (In Person Only)
(first verse)
Assurance of God’s Love (responsive) (In Person Only)
Hymn 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (In Person Only)
(second verse)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 11:4-10 Common English Bible Translation
Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. “I was in the city of Joppa praying when I had a visionary experience. In my vision, I saw something like a large linen sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners. It came all the way down to me. As I stared at it, wondering what it was, I saw four-legged animals-including wild beasts-as well as reptiles and wild birds. I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’ I responded, ‘Absolutely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ The voice from heaven spoke a second time, ‘Never consider unclean what God has made pure.’ This happened three times, then everything was pulled back into heaven. (Question: Have you ever thought something was so important only later to realize it wasn’t?)
Hymn 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (In Person Only)
(third verse)
Acts 11:11-14
At that moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Spirit told me to go with them even though they were Gentiles. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered that man’s house. He reported to us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He will tell you how you are and your entire household can be saved.’(Question: How often do you let new information change your actions?)
Acts 11:15-18
When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on us in the beginning. I remembered the Lord’s words: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then who am I? Could I stand in God’s way?” Once the apostles and other believers heard this, they calmed down. They praised God and concluded, “So then God has enabled Gentiles to change their hearts and lives so that they might have new life.” (Question: What must happen in your life to change your beliefs, actions, and relationships?)
Hymn 418 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling (In Person Only)
(verse one)
Acts 11:19-21
Now those who were scattered as a result of the trouble that occurred because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They proclaimed the word only to Jews. Among them were some people from Cyprus and Cyrene. They entered Antioch and began to proclaim the good news about the Lord Jesus also to Gentiles. The Lord’s power was with them, and a large number came to believe and turned to the Lord. (Question: What do you think is the good news about Jesus?)
Acts 11:22-26
When the church in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw evidence of God’s grace, he was overjoyed and encouraged everyone to remain fully committed to the Lord. Barnabas responded in this way because he was a good man, whom the Holy Spirit had endowed with exceptional faith. A considerable number of people were added to the Lord. Barnabas went to Tarsus in search of Saul. When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They were there for a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching large numbers of people. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first labeled “Christians.” (Question: How will you celebrate the things God helps you let go of?)
Hymn 418 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling (In Person Only)
(verse three)
Reflection Together (In Person Only)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the Brief Statement of Faith
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Special Music (In Person Only)
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
*Closing Hymn 263 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! (In Person Only)
(first, third, fourth verses)
*Benediction
Hymn List
69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
263 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!
390 Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord!
418 Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
Sermon Series – The questions that gnaw at us
June 5th – Who is God calling you to be?
June 12th – Finding your voice when you feel like no one is listening?