Order of Service for Worship at Home, May 3, 2020
Moment of Silence: Pray silently. Remember that you are in the presence of God and humble yourself before him.
Opening reading: 1Thessalonians 1
Prayer of praise: Dear Father in heaven, we praise you for the grace and peace you have poured out on us through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you that, like the Thessalonians so long ago, we too have received the gospel and been enabled by the Holy Spirit to believe and to turn from the vain idols we worshipped. We praise you for calling us along with people from every tribe and tongue to serve you.
Help us now to please you in our words and thoughts. Be glorified in our worship and in the worship of your people everywhere throughout the earth today. May your kingdom come and your will be done and may the name of Christ be glorified. In His name we pray, Amen
Song 1: Hallelujah Praise Jehovah
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes,
nor for help on man depend;
he shall die, to dust returning,
and his purposes shall end.
Happy is the man that chooses
Israel's God to be his aid;
he is blessed whose hope of blessing
on the Lord his God is stayed.
Heav'n and earth the Lord created,
seas and all that they contain;
he delivers from oppression,
righteousness he will maintain.
Food he daily gives the hungry,
Sets the mourning prisoner free,
raises those bowed down with anguish,
makes the sightless eye to see.
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
and the stranger he befriends,
helps the fatherless and widow,
judgment on the wicked sends.
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever,
through all ages he is King;
unto him, your God, O Zion,
joyful hallelujahs sing.
Reading: 1Thess. 4:1-12 (Read in preparation for confession)
Prayer of Confession: Heavenly Father, this passage reminds us that despite your great mercy to call us your children and to grow us in godliness, we have far yet to go. We have not obeyed your command to walk in purity as we should. We have too often used our minds, our eyes, our tongues, our hands, and our feet to indulge our flesh in sinful ways. Oh, God forgive us. We have too often turned a cold heart toward our neighbor and even our family members. We have not loved them as we love ourselves. Dear Lord, please forgive us. We confess we have been slothful in our responsibilities. Father, forgive us for these and all our sins, renew a right spirit within each of us, for the sake of Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen
Assurance of pardon: 1 Thess. 4:13-18 (Remember that the gospel is true and that God loves to save sinners.)
Song 2: Wondrous King All Glorious
Wondrous King, all glorious, Sovereign Lord victorious,
O, receive our praise with favor!
From thee welled God's kindness, Though we in our blindness
Strayed from thee, our blessed Saviour.
Strengthen thou, Help us now;
Let our tongues be singing,
Thee our praises bringing.
Heavens, spread the story, Of our Maker's glory,
All the pomp of earth obscuring.
Sun, thy rays be sending, Thy bright beams expending,
Light to all the earth assuring.
Moon and star, Praise afar
Him who glorious made you;
The vast heavens aid you.
O my soul, rejoicing, Sing, thy praises voicing,
Sing, with hymns of faith adore him!
All who here have being, Shout, your voices freeing,
Bow down in the dust before him.
He is God, Sabaoth;
Praise alone the Saviour,
Here and there for ever.
Hallelujahs render, To the Lord most tender,
Ye who know and love the Saviour.
Hallelujahs sing ye, Ye redeemed, O, bring ye
Hearts that yield him glad behavior.
Blest are ye, Endlessly;
Sinless there for ever,
Ye shall laud him ever.
Song 3: Christ is Mine Forevermore
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall, his love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore
Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes his work in me
Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for his name
But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And he has said he will deliver
Safely to the golden shore
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore! (x3)
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
Video Devotional (or read Mark 4:30-34)
Song 4: Streams of Living Water Flow
See, from Zion's sacred mountain,
Streams of living water flow.
God has opened there a fountain
That supplies the plains below.
They are blessed, They are blessed
Who its sovereign virtues know.
Through ten thousand channels flowing,
Streams of mercy find their way.
Life and health and joy bestowing
Making all around unstained.
O believer, O believer
All thy sins are washed away.
Gladdened by the flowing treasure
All enriching as it goes.
Lo, the desert smiles with pleasure
Buds and blossoms as the rose.
Every sinner, every sinner
Sings for joy where'er it flows.
Trees of life the banks adorning,
Yield their fruit to all around.
Those who eat are saved from mourning,
Pleasure comes and hopes abound.
Fair their portion, Fair their portion
Endless life with glory crowned.
O believer, O believer
All thy sins are washed away.
Closing prayer
Doxology
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
Amen
*** Giving: Remember that, even though we aren’t meeting and can’t take up an offering, we’ve still covenanted together to give of our financial resources to the work of the Grace Church here in Roanoke and around the world. You can give online here: https://gcrva.churchcenter.com/giving