Neither salt nor light exists for its own sake. The salt needs to stay salty to fulfill its function and the light needs to be lifted up to give light. These metaphors imply a turning outward toward mission in the world. + Anna Case-Winters, Matthew: Theological Commentary on the Bible
Spirituality Questions
Are you curious? Consider asking someone a question or two about Jesus and Christian spirituality even if you don't believe.
Are you open? Consider your emotional and spiritual needs, and step into asking if Jesus can meet them and help you.
Are you searching? Consider exploring more about Jesus even if you are not sure who He is; example: "If I could ask Jesus one honest question that would help me trust Him, what would I ask?"
Are you beginning to believe? Consider how your life would be transformed if you followed Jesus. Ask God to help you understand the Good News that through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, He is restoring everything sin has ruined in your life and in the world.
Lord's Prayer | Praying for Jesus' Kingdom Impact in Us and in Worcester
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34
Call: Jesus, we worship You, our God and King, who is the Light of the world and brings healing to the nations.
Response: Call us to join You in Your Kingdom work. Forgive us for when our fears, cravings, and idols make us hide from sharing Your Gospel. Transform us to be change agents of salt and light
in Worcester and beyond.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: King Jesus, continue to powerfully ignite in us Your passion and Your sacrifice by Your Holy Spirit so that we become more salty and bright. Empower us to do the work You've given us as we pray:
This Is the Day
By Bob Fitts
1996 A.D.
This is the day
That the Lord has made!
I will rejoice and celebrate!
This is the day
That the Lord has made!
I will rejoice,
I will rejoice and celebrate!
He goes before me,
He walks beside me,
He lives within me,
He's the lover of my soul!
He's my Defender,
He's my Provider,
His overflowing mercies
Are brand new every day!
Call: Jesus, we worship You, our God and King, who is the Light of the world and brings healing to the nations.
Response: Call us to join You in Your Kingdom work. Forgive us for when our fears, cravings, and idols make us hide from sharing Your Gospel. Transform us to be change agents of salt and light
in Worcester and beyond.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: King Jesus, continue to powerfully ignite in us Your passion and Your sacrifice by Your Holy Spirit so that we become more salty and bright. Empower us to do the work You've given us as 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.
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.
This Is the Day
By Bob Fitts
1996 A.D.
This is the day
That the Lord has made!
I will rejoice and celebrate!
This is the day
That the Lord has made!
I will rejoice,
I will rejoice and celebrate!
He goes before me,
He walks beside me,
He lives within me,
He's the lover of my soul!
He's my Defender,
He's my Provider,
His overflowing mercies
Are brand new every day!
Father Let Your Kingdom Come
By Urban Doxology, Liz Vice, and Latifah Alattas (Page CXVI)
2017 A.D.
By Urban Doxology, Liz Vice, and Latifah Alattas (Page CXVI)
2017 A.D.
Hallelu! Hallelujah!
Father, let Your Kingdom come!
May the works of my hands
Bring You joy. (x4 + Chorus)
May the words from my mouth
Speak Your peace. (x4 + Chorus)
You make all things new,
You make all things new,
In places we don't choose,
You make all things new!
(Chorus)
Relentless
By Hillsong
2012 A.D.
Salvation sounds a new beginning
As distant hearts begin believing.
Redemption's bid is unrelenting,
Your love goes on, Your love goes on!
As distant hearts begin believing.
Redemption's bid is unrelenting,
Your love goes on, Your love goes on!
You carry us, carry us
When the world gives way!
You cover us, cover us
With Your endless grace!
When the world gives way!
You cover us, cover us
With Your endless grace!
Your love is relentless (x4)!
The time is up for chasing shadows,
You gave the world the Light to follow,
A hope that shines beyond tomorrow,
Your love goes on, Your love goes on!
(Chorus)
You gave the world the Light to follow,
A hope that shines beyond tomorrow,
Your love goes on, Your love goes on!
(Chorus)
Tearing through the veil of darkness,
Breaking every chain, You set us free!
Fighting for the furthest heart You gave
Your life for all to see!
Breaking every chain, You set us free!
Fighting for the furthest heart You gave
Your life for all to see!
You carry us, carry us
(Your love is relentless)!
You cover us, cover us
(Your love is relentless)!
(Your love is relentless)!
You cover us, cover us
(Your love is relentless)!
Abide in Me
By Urban Doxology
2012 A.D.
Abide in Me,
Take rest in Me,
Apart from Me,
You can do nothing.
It is My will
That you bear much fruit.
Abide in Me,
Take rest in Me
There’s work to do!
I am the Vine,
You are the branches.
You’re qualified to be a blessing.
You are the clay,
I am the Potter.
Through you,
I will do great things!
(Chorus and Verse)
Receive your strength,
Rejoice for I’m preparing you,
I’m renewing you
To bear much fruit.
Take your rest in Me,
Receive your strength.
Rejoice for I’m preparing you.
I’m renewing you
To bear much fruit.
Take your rest in Me!
(Chorus)
I’m renewing you
To bear much fruit.
Take your rest in Me,
Receive your strength.
Rejoice for I’m preparing you.
I’m renewing you
To bear much fruit.
Take your rest in Me!
(Chorus)
King of My Heart
By John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan
2015 A.D.
Let the King of my heart
Be the mountain where I run,
The fountain I drink from;
Oh He is my song.
Let the King of my heart
Be the shadow where I hide,
The ransom for my life;
Oh, He is my song!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
By John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan
2015 A.D.
Let the King of my heart
Be the mountain where I run,
The fountain I drink from;
Oh He is my song.
Let the King of my heart
Be the shadow where I hide,
The ransom for my life;
Oh, He is my song!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
You are good, good, oh!
Let the King of my heart
Be the wind inside my sails,
The anchor in the waves;
Oh, He is my song.
Let the King of my heart
Be the fire inside my veins,
And the echo of my days;
Oh, He is my song!
(Chorus)
You’re never gonna let,
Never gonna let me down!
Land of the Rising Sun
By 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!
Be the wind inside my sails,
The anchor in the waves;
Oh, He is my song.
Let the King of my heart
Be the fire inside my veins,
And the echo of my days;
Oh, He is my song!
(Chorus)
You’re never gonna let,
Never gonna let me down!
Land of the Rising Sun
By 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)
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)
Sermon on the Mount Benediction
Based on Matthew 5-7
King Jesus, please bless us to embrace the joy
You give us in our brokenness and mourning,
eternal blessing that humbles the might,
intellect, and comforts of this current world.
Transform us into Your Kingdom community
through the crucible of Your way of the cross.
Write Your Kingdom rule and reign on our hearts
making us pure by Your perfect love, mercy, and justice.
May a watching world see Your light, taste Your salt,
and be welcomed into Your city on a hill through us.
Embolden us to be Your Kingdom ambassadors,
change agents who display the Good News You offer.
Make us decrease so that You might increase.
Stir in us Your grace, compassion, and sacrifice
for those who would seek to marginalize
and silence us because of You.
Everything we need is Yours to give us.
You are the treasure that we desperately seek.
You invite us home as prodigals
returning to our Father’s embrace;
Your prayer for the Kingdom coming
provides the answer to all our longings.
Free us of any fear, distraction, craving, or anxiety
that would keep us from fully following You
and building our lives on the Rock that is Your Word.
Based on Matthew 5-7
King Jesus, please bless us to embrace the joy
You give us in our brokenness and mourning,
eternal blessing that humbles the might,
intellect, and comforts of this current world.
Transform us into Your Kingdom community
through the crucible of Your way of the cross.
Write Your Kingdom rule and reign on our hearts
making us pure by Your perfect love, mercy, and justice.
May a watching world see Your light, taste Your salt,
and be welcomed into Your city on a hill through us.
Embolden us to be Your Kingdom ambassadors,
change agents who display the Good News You offer.
Make us decrease so that You might increase.
Stir in us Your grace, compassion, and sacrifice
for those who would seek to marginalize
and silence us because of You.
Everything we need is Yours to give us.
You are the treasure that we desperately seek.
You invite us home as prodigals
returning to our Father’s embrace;
Your prayer for the Kingdom coming
provides the answer to all our longings.
Free us of any fear, distraction, craving, or anxiety
that would keep us from fully following You
and building our lives on the Rock that is Your Word.
By Your Holy Spirit, keep us on
Your path of justice and righteousness.
It is with You, King Jesus, that hope is secure,
for us and all of creation, now and forever.
Now go in the blessing and name of King Jesus
by the power of His personally-transforming
grace and world-restoring peace. Amen.
Next service: Matthew 5:17-37: Writing His Rule of Love on Our Hearts w/ Pastor Mike Sullivan
Your path of justice and righteousness.
It is with You, King Jesus, that hope is secure,
for us and all of creation, now and forever.
Now go in the blessing and name of King Jesus
by the power of His personally-transforming
grace and world-restoring peace. Amen.
Next service: Matthew 5:17-37: Writing His Rule of Love on Our Hearts w/ Pastor Mike Sullivan
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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