Order of Service for Worship at home, Sunday, May 17, 2020
Moment of Silence: Pray silently. Remember that you are in the presence of God and humble yourself before him.
Opening reading: Psalm 147
Prayer of praise: Our Father and God, through the grace of your Son, Jesus, and in the power of your Holy Spirit, we come now to praise you today for who you are and what you have done. You build up Jerusalem, the city of your people. You gather the outcasts, like us, unworthy but redeemed by your mercy. You heal the broken hearted, even as you have healed us who were broken by our sin and suffering. You have bound up our wounds. You are our Creator, and the Creator of all things. The stars are your handiwork, your property. You number them and name them. Your power is immeasurable. In your love, grace, and goodness, you lift the humble. In your justice and holiness, you judge the wicked and the unrepentant, but you delight in those who fear You, who hope in you and in your steadfast love. Help us now to worship you and to sing praises to your name with the thanksgiving which you deserve. We pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself as a ransom for many, Amen.
Song 1: All Hail the Power
1 All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
2 Crown him, ye martyrs of your God,
who from his altar call;
extol the Stem of Jesse's rod,
and crown him Lord of all;
extol the Stem of Jesse's rod,
and crown him Lord of all.
3 Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
ye ransomed of the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all;
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
4 Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go, spread your trophies at his feet,
and crown him Lord of all;
go, spread your trophies at his feet,
and crown him Lord of all.
5 Let ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tribe,
on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all;
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
6 O that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall;
we'll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all;
we'll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all.
Reading: Ephesians 5:6-21 (Read in preparation for confession)
Prayer of Confession: Dear Lord, your word reminds us of our shortcomings and sins. We would confess to you today that we have not lived as children of light as we should. Forgive us we pray. We have neglected to seek your will. We have sometimes relished sinful things rather than to expose them for what they are. Oh Father, be merciful to us. We have wasted time. We have sought pleasure in sinful ways. Oh, God cleanse us of our guilt and the stains of sin on our hearts and minds. We have forgotten to be thankful. We have not been faithful agents of grace to our brothers and sisters. We have resisted those to whom we should submit. Oh Lord, be merciful and forgive us of every sin for we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Assurance of pardon: Ephesians 1:7-10, In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
(Remember that the gospel is true, and that God loves to save sinners.)
Song 2: O Great God
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven's joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life
That's dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
Song 3: Speak O Lord
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
Video Devotional (or read 1Peter 5:6-10)
Song 4: God Moves in A Mysterious Way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines
With never-failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs
And works His sovereign will
So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You
O fearful saints new courage take
The clouds that you now dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face
So God we trust in You
O God we trust in You
When tears are great
And comforts few
We hope in mercies ever new
We trust in You
God’s purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain
Closing Prayer: Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. (2 Co. 13:14)
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
*** 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