Welcome to sojournmusic.com’s weekly worship music set list review. This set list is from yesterday’s worship service here in Louisville’s Sojourn Church. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led following the Call To Worship, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy.
You can find links to the set lists of this church and many other churches each week in the Worship Blog Carnival at theworshipcommunity.com. And you can learn about some of the songs we sing at Sojourn Gathered each week in advance of the Sunday service by reading my “Getting Ready For Sunday” post each Thursday at Sojourn’s online journal, TravelBlog.
Call to Worship:
Welcome to Sojourn. We are here to worship the God who created us and gives us hope for our lives, our homes and our city. Stand with me and hear His word speak of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones,
Raise a banner over the nations.
The Lord has sent this message to every land:
“Tell the people ‘Look, our Savior is coming.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’”
We will be called “The Holy People” and “The People Redeemed by the Lord.”
And His City will be known as “The Desirable Place” and “The City No Longer Forsaken.
- Isaiah 62:10-12
In Jesus Christ we are His holy people, the redeemed of the Lord.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Song: A City No Longer Forsaken written by Sojourn East Campus Worship Director Jamie Barnes. You’ll find this song on Jamie’s new The Mercy Seat EP, one of two EP’s we packaged together and released last Tuesday. We’re overwhelmed by the positive response — the new release spent much of last week in iTunes’ Top Ten Christian/Gospel downloads list.
Holy God,
We thank you for the promise of renewal that Christ brings.
Lord our hearts are heavy for the broken lives and hurting homes of Louisville.
Through the mediating blood of our merciful Savior, Jesus hear our cries.
For the poor and homeless of our city, Lord, extend your mercy.
For the lonely and forgotten of our city, Lord, extend your love.
For the abused and the oppressed of our city, Lord ,extend your justice.
For those that do not know the good news of the Gospel, Lord make yourself known.
May your justice roll like a river and your righteousness like a never ending stream.
In the name of Jesus Christ, heal our broken City. Amen.
Song: Let Justice Roll Like A River written by me and a great co-writer, Rebecca Elliott (Rebecca and I also wrote “All I Have Is Yours” together). This modern hymn of repentance and social justice fit well with today’s “Church On Mission” sermon theme:
Forgive us Lord, for passing by when children cry for bread
Forbid it Lord, that justice lie in tatters cold and dead
Outside these walls run desperate streets
Where greed is law, and life is cheap
We bar the doors, refuse to see or
Or hear the words you said:
“Let Justice roll like a river — like a river, let it roll!”
Song: Abiding City written by Sandra McCracken, a favorite songwriter within the Sojourn Community. This song reminds us that, even as we work for the good of the city of Louisville, we long for the New Jerusalem, promised to us in the Word of God:
Spirit, heal our neighborhood
Until your kingdom-work is done
Teach us what is just and good
As we look for the city which is yet to come
Assurance/Peace:
As God’s church we are to be a people that show mercy and love to each other and to our city. This is what it means to be His Church:
We are a chosen people. We are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us out of the darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9
Let’s show goodness now as we greet one another here today.
Giving:
Hear the simple words of Jesus:
Freely you have received, so freely give.
—Matthew 10:8,
Christ unites us as a people and unites us on mission in His Church. Together, our worship continues as we give with joy and with purpose. Lets ask God to bless these gifts:
God, all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours,
and you rule over all. Therefore, Lord, receive these offerings,
our tangible expressions of love and gratitude.
Transform them into a source of life for many,so that your kingdom may grow on this side of eternity. Help us to not horde our treasures on this side of eternity, but to look forward with hope to the enduring treasures of the new Heavens and Earth to come. We offer in Jesus name, Amen.
Then our pastor preached the penultimate sermon in our Faithmapping series, from Mark 6:6-13. The sermon focused on our identity as missionaries — not just a select group of Christians, but the entire Church’s identity as missionaries. You can hear Sojourn sermons from our free Sojourn Church iTunes podcast, or from the Resource Library at sojournchurch.com.
Song: Sovereign Grace, O’er Sin Abounding hymn text by John Kent; music by Sandra McCracken. This was our communion hymn of the week, which we sang as we walked forward to receive the bread and cup:
What from Christ our soul can sever,
Bound by everlasting bands?
Once in Him, in Him forever;
Thus the eternal covenant stands.
None shall take Thee
From the strength of Israel’s hands.
Reading:
Let make this commitment together:
Now, in Jesus Christ, we are a light to the world – a city on a hill. Because God has made us light-bearers, we cannot be hidden, but instead He puts on a stand for all to see the illumination of His glory. Because God has elevated us in His Son, may we be open and generous with our lives so that others will be open to God, our generous Father in Heaven.
-Based on Matthew 5: 14-16
Song: God of This City by Bluetree. It helps to remember that God is in control. He calls us to mission in our neighborhoods, city and the world, but He doesn’t shoulder us with responsibilities only He can handle. His Word tells us that He goes before us into battle:
You’re the God of this city
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation — You are
Song: Mission’s Flame written by Matt Redman. This is a strong “song for the sending” any week, and particularly in services where the focus is on mission and service:
Let worship be the heart of mission’s aim
To see the nation’s recognize Your fame
‘Til every tribe and tongue voices Your praise
Send us out
Benediction:
Leave here to bear witness to Christ in faithfulness to the Scriptures,
in harmony with God’s mission, and in unity with all Christ’s people.
Peace be with you.
