Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Ecclesiastes Series | Is It All So Vain? (Eccles. 1:1-11) + Saturday, February 2






Living for experiences, I romanticize thrill. Maximize my achievements, but I'm not satisfied still. I'm realizing that all my striving is chasing wind. But You free'd me, so I can just be. Nothing to prove, nothing to lose. Dust to earth and ash to ocean, evanescent, fading fast, You are all I really have. I'm not home till heaven opens. Life's a vapor while it lasts, You are all I really have. The vapor of humanity, a tapestry of vanity, the cycle of depravity, a carousel of fantasy; don't let me fall apart. Be near my wandering heart. Hold me closely through this race. Help me embrace Your pacing. + Kings Kaleidoscope, "DUST"


Welcome! Bienvenido! Akwaaba! Mirë se vjen! خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte! You are known and you are loved by Jesus. We invite you to join with us as we remember together the history-altering, world-restoring, personally-transforming Gospel: the Good News that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to redeem and restore what we have broken; forgive us and heal us; and bring His Kingdom of justice, mercy, and whole-making peace to our world.

Sermon Audio | Ecclesiastes: Is It All So Vain?

Sermon Scriptures | Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Sermon Book Recommendations | 

Land of the Rising Sun
Ike Ndolo, 2012 A.D.

The dark is groaning,
The tomb is reaching out.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!
The crows are circling,
The jackal waits in the dark.
Oh, but they can't have me!
Oh, but they can't have me!

I belong to the land of the rising Son
Where the grave is no more,
The war has been won!
I belong to the land of the rising Son,
I belong to You, I belong!


The world is in my bones,
It makes me wrestle with You.
Oh, but You have claimed me!
Oh, but You have claimed me!
No matter how far I've gone,
Even to the devil's table.
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
Oh, my God, You've claimed me!
(Chorus)

Through my wandering and my failing,
And my doubting, I belong!
Through the fire and the darkness,
Through the sadness, I belong!
I'm just a rebel who's tired of fighting,
So I'm laying down these arms.
The sun is rising, the sun is rising,
The sun is rising! (Chorus)

This Glorious Grace
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.

God, I need You, I need You, I need You,
With every breath, every pulse of my heart.
Christ have mercy, have mercy, let mercy abound,
I need You, I need You now.

God, pour out Your grace, glorious grace
That I would be held by Your perfect embrace!
I am undeserving, You are high and worthy,
All of our praise for this glorious grace!


God we're longing, we're longing to see You,
In Your presence all darkness will fade.
Shine Your glory, Your glory, let glory surround,
We're longing to see You now. ("We" Communal Chorus)

God, Your grace like rising seas
Has swallowed death and sin in me! (Repeat)

Glory to our God who saves,
Jesus Christ, our glorious grace!
("We" Communal Chorus)

God we worship, we worship, we worship You
For Your glory, our all in all.
You are worthy, You’re worthy, You’re worthy,
We worship, we worship You.
God we need You, we need You now.

Death Was Arrested
NP InsideOut, 2017 A.D.

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin,
Lost without hope with no place to begin.
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began.

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains.
My orphan heart was given a name.
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began!

Oh, Your grace so free washes over me,
You have made me new, now life begins with You!
It's your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new, now life begins with You!


Released from my chains, I'm a prisoner no more.
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore.
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Our Savior displayed on a criminal's cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand;
That's when death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Oh, we're free, free, forever we're free!
Come join the song of all the redeemed!
Yes, we're free, free, forever, amen,
When death was arrested and my life began!
(Repeat Bridge)

Nothing I Hold Onto (Climb This Mountain)
United Pursuit Music, 2010 A.D.

I lean not on my own understanding,
My life is in the hands
Of the Maker of Heaven.

I give it all to You, God,
Trusting that You'll make
Something beautiful out of me!

I will climb this mountain
With my hands wide open,
I will climb this mountain
With my hands wide open!

There is nothing I hold on to,
There is nothing I hold on to,
There is nothing I hold on to,
There is nothing I hold on to!


Jesus is Better
Austin Stone Music, 2013 A.D.

There is no other so sure and steady.
My hope is held in Your hand.
When castles crumble and breath is fleeting,
Upon this Rock I will stand.
Upon this Rock I will stand!

Glory, glory, we have no other king
But Jesus Lord of all!
Raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring –
We crown Him Lord of all!


Your kindly rule has shattered and broken
The curse of sin's tyranny.
My life is hidden 'neath Heaven's shadow,
Your crimson flood covers me!
Your crimson flood covers me! (Chorus)

In all my sorrows, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
In all my victories, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
More than any comfort, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
More than all riches, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
Our souls declaring, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
Our song eternal, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe! (Chorus)


Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8Dan. 9:4-19Neh. 1:5-10Lk. 23:34

Congregational Prayer

Call: Jesus, give us ears to hear and eyes to see You, the risen Son, who is the Light of the world and brings lightness and rest to our days. Satisfy us in You. As we wait for You to make all things new, we pray:

Response: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist
Matthew 26:26-291 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen. 


Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction based on Psalm 130:5-7; Ecclesiastes 3:11a; Isaiah 33:17

Wait for the LORD and in His Word put your hope. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. Go with the grace and peace of Jesus, the King of kings.

Next sermon audio and liturgy notes: Ecclesiastes Series | Better the Gifts or the Giver? (Eccles. 1:12-2:26)

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.

City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com


Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan


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