Order of Service for Worship at Home
April 26th, 2020
Moment of Silence - Pray silently, remember that you are in the presence of God and humble yourself before him.
Opening Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33
Prayer of Praise
A suggested prayer of praise: Our Father in heaven, we praise you because you are unchanging. Everything we know is constantly changing, from the natural world around us, to our specific circumstances; even we are changing all the time. But not you. You are the same yesterday, today and forever, and we praise you. Your love and mercy towards us never ceases. As many new mornings, new trials, new seasons of life that we face, your steadfast love is ever present for us, and always sufficient. Thank you for your great consistency towards us Father. Your unchanging love is life to us. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Song 1: Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed thy hand hath provided -
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]
Reading: Romans 3:9-20 (read in preparation for confession)
Prayer of Confession
A suggested prayer of confession: Our Father, as we read this passage we are reminded that we were born under sin, and that apart from your saving grace we would still be bound in it and under condemnation. Despite all the evidence of grace in us, there is still enough indwelling sin in our hearts and lives to prove that we are not righteous in and of ourselves. We confess that we did not seek you until you first awakened us in faith, and that even now we are so slow to seek you sometimes. Forgive us. We confess how quickly we turn aside from what you have said is good to do our own will. Forgive us. We confess how often we are willing to deceive others, to exaggerate or twist the facts, or tell half truths, and sometimes our conscience isn’t even bothered by our lies. Forgive us. We confess that we sometimes speak or think evil of one another, or even curse one another. Forgive us. We are ashamed to think of how often our paths lead to hurt and division and not to peace, and of how little we fear you. Our mouths should be stopped by our sin, and yet we are still proud and willful so often, forgive us! Were we to be judged for our sin against you we would rightly be condemned to hell. And yet, we know that the gospel is true, and you have forgiven us and justified us in Jesus Christ. We thank you Lord, and we pray in His name, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Romans 3:21-26 (remember that the gospel is true and that God loves to save sinners)
Song 2: Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
Song 3: Pass Me Not
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others thou art smiling,
Do not pass me by.
Saviour, Saviour, hear my humble cry;
While on others thou art smiling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.
Trusting only in thy merit,
Would I seek thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by thy grace.
Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside thee?
Whom in heav'n but thee?
Video Devotional (or read James chapter 1)
Song 4: Immortal Invisible
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!
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 Grace Church here in Roanoke and around the world. You can give online here: https://gcrva.churchcenter.com/giving