Welcome to sojournmusic.com’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, 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.
Prelude: God of Wonders written by Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong.
Call to Worship:
We gather to worship and respond to a compassionate God who knows every aspect of our lives. We don’t have to pretend like life is without pain or darkness. We can openly bring our brokenness to Him because He is faithful to listen and grant us mercy. Let’s echo the response of the Psalmist:
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, save me!”
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
-Psalm 116:1-7
Song: Before the Throne of God Above by Charitee Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook. We recorded this hymn on our Before The Throne album.
Confession:
Let’s pray:
Lord, we come to You as sinners overloaded with sorrow and guilt.
You have called us to leave every concern to You as our Great Shepherd.
Revive our hearts and help us to rest in your promises.
God, help us to see that Jesus’ blood is our hope.
Forgive us for our unbelief and our half-hearted living.
Let the weeds of doubt that grow in our souls be cut at their roots.
Abide in us, gracious God, and restore to us the joy of your salvation.
In Jesus name, Amen.
-adapted from The Valley of Vision
Song: The Water and the Blood written by Neil Robins and David LaChance, recorded on our album The Water And The Blood.
Song: Beautiful Savior written by Stuart Townend.
Assurance/Peace:
Peace and rest from God is shown to us in this way:
To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:12-14
God lives with us and that should influence how we live together. Let’s practice reaching out to each other with generosity and affection as we welcome each other here today.
Giving:
Then our preacher taught from Mark 1:35 and 6:31 – “Rest in Retreat.” This was part of our Rest summer sermon series. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.
Song: Beautiful Scandalous Night written by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong.
Reading:
Christ endured the most painful and shameful death so that you and I could have the hope of true rest with God. Hear what our Lord has done for us:
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. – Romans 5:6, 9-11
Song: In Christ Alone written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
Song: Cling to the Crucified by Kevin Twit, based on the anonymously written hymn text from Bonar’s “Consolationis.”
Benediction:
As we depart, let us cling to our Savior while reaching out to the restless world with the good news of the Gospel. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.
Love this. Very helpful and encouraging. Thank you.