“Do you believe I can do this?” Jesus is asking us. What are we saying, “Yes, Lord,” to that we haven’t seen? Salvation, healing, gifts of the Spirit, empowering for witness, justice, ending slavery one person at a time? What does Jesus do right now “according to our faith”? What might He do with more?
Sermon Audio | Jesus' Compassionate Power to Send Us to See & Labor to Set Free
Sermon Scriptures | Matthew 9:27-38
Freedom Weekend Partner Organizations + Links
Freedom Weekend Partner Organizations + Links
+ Awareness and Advocacy: Learning to Fight Sex Trafficking with Route One, Bags of Hope, and The Abolitionist Network
+ International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend: Continuing the Fight to End Slavery
Freedom Weekend Prayer of Confession & Assurance
Adapted from a Pastor Rich Villodas Prayer
One: Lord Jesus, Your Kingdom is Good News
for a world caught in slavery, injustice, and hostility.
We ask that You would give us grace for these deep challenges.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
Adapted from a Pastor Rich Villodas Prayer
One: Lord Jesus, Your Kingdom is Good News
for a world caught in slavery, injustice, and hostility.
We ask that You would give us grace for these deep challenges.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord Jesus, we confess our anger, our deep sadness,
and our collective sense of weakness to see this world healed.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord Jesus, we confess that the Gospel is
Your power to form a new people not identified
by dominance and superiority, but by unity in the Spirit.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord we commit our lives to You.
Bring healing to those who are hurt,
peace to those who are anxious,
love to those who are fearful, freedom to those in slavery.
We wait for You, O Lord. Make haste to help us.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
Call to Worship | 2 Chronicles 20:12
Our God, will You not bring Your justice?
For we are powerless before this vast number
that comes to fight against us.
We do not know what to do, but we look to You.
All the Poor and Powerless
All Sons and Daughters, 2011 A.D.
All the poor and powerless,
And all the lost and lonely.
All the thieves will come confess,
And know that You are holy.
And know that You are holy.
And all will sing out, "Hallelujah!"
And we will cry out, "Hallelujah!'
All the hearts who are content,
And all who feel unworthy.
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy. (Chorus)
Shout it, go on and scream it from the mountains,
Go on and tell it to the masses, that He is God! (Chorus)
Heal Us
William Cowper, 1779 A.D.
Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are.
We long to feel Thy touch.
Deep wounded souls to Thee we fly.
O Savior hear our cry!
Our faith is feeble, we confess.
We faintly trust Thy word.
But will You pity us the less?
Be that far from You, LORD! (Chorus)
She who touched You in the press
And healing virtue stole
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace
Thy faith has made thee whole.” (Chorus)
Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch You if we may.
O send us not despairing home,
Send none unhealed away. (Chorus)
Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are.
We long to feel Thy touch.
Deep wounded souls to Thee we fly.
O Savior hear our cry!
Our faith is feeble, we confess.
We faintly trust Thy word.
But will You pity us the less?
Be that far from You, LORD! (Chorus)
She who touched You in the press
And healing virtue stole
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace
Thy faith has made thee whole.” (Chorus)
Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch You if we may.
O send us not despairing home,
Send none unhealed away. (Chorus)
Break Every Chain + Fill Me Up
T. Cobbs & W. Reagan, 2013 & 2015 A.D.
There is power
In the name of Jesus (x3) ...
To break every chain,
Break every chain,
Break every chain!
All sufficient sacrifice,
So freely given, such a price
Bought My redemption,
Heaven's gates swing wide.
There's an army rising up (x3) ...
To break every chain,
Break every chain,
Break every chain!
You provide the fire,
I'll provide the sacrifice.
You provide the Spirit,
I will open up inside.
Fill me up, God (x3) ...
Fill me up.
Love of God, overflow.
Permeate all my soul.
Fill me up until I overflow!
I want to run over,
I want to run over!
Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
Upper Room, 2018 A.D.
There’s a table that You’ve prepared for me
In the presence of my enemies.
It’s Your body and Your blood You shed for me.
This is how I fight my battles … (Repeat 1st Verse)
And I believe You’ve overcome
And I will lift my song of praise
For what You’ve done!
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I ... (Repeat)
In the valley I know that You’re with me
And surely Your goodness and Your mercy follow me.
So my weapons are praise and thanksgiving.
This is how I fight my battles … (Chorus)
It may look like I'm surrounded
But I'm surrounded by You!
My victory's in Jesus' name!
My victory was on that third day!
The Kingdom Is Yours
Common Hymnal, 2017 A.D.
Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart.
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars.
Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning,
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars.
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden,
Open to the healing touch of God.
The Kingdom is yours, the Kingdom is yours,
Hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on Him.
Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse.
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed,
Serving with unguarded gratitude.
Blessed are the ones who fight for justice,
Longing for the coming day of peace.
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness,
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least. (Chorus)
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies.
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere.
Though they fall, they'll never know defeat.
My victory's in Jesus' name!
My victory was on that third day!
The Kingdom Is Yours
Common Hymnal, 2017 A.D.
Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart.
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars.
Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning,
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars.
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden,
Open to the healing touch of God.
The Kingdom is yours, the Kingdom is yours,
Hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on Him.
Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse.
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed,
Serving with unguarded gratitude.
Blessed are the ones who fight for justice,
Longing for the coming day of peace.
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness,
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least. (Chorus)
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies.
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere.
Though they fall, they'll never know defeat.
Pass the Peace | In the Story of God, Jesus declared, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you" (John 14:26) during humanity's darkest, most tragic weekend of His death. And then after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, defeating evil and death, He said, "Peace be with you ... Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22). Somehow, with Jesus, peace is possible even in our darkest moments. During this time, we desire to share with each other peace that passes understanding, empowered by the Spirit of Christ.
The peace of the Lord by always with you.
And also with you.
Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist
Next sermon audio + liturgy notes post: Matthew 9:37-10:16: Jesus' Sending Power to Free Us to Be "Tumblers for God"
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 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
Our World Belongs to God Q&A 41
2008 A.D.
Q. How does Jesus' Church go with joy in doing justice?
A. Joining the mission of God,
the Church is sent with the Gospel of the Kingdom
to call everyone to know and follow Christ
and to proclaim to all the assurance that in the name of Jesus
there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe. The Spirit calls all members to embrace God’s mission
in their neighborhoods and in the world:
to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty,
welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick,
and free the prisoner. We repent of leaving this work to a few,
for this mission is central to our being.
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
Our World Belongs to God Q&A 41
2008 A.D.
Q. How does Jesus' Church go with joy in doing justice?
A. Joining the mission of God,
the Church is sent with the Gospel of the Kingdom
to call everyone to know and follow Christ
and to proclaim to all the assurance that in the name of Jesus
there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe. The Spirit calls all members to embrace God’s mission
in their neighborhoods and in the world:
to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty,
welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick,
and free the prisoner. We repent of leaving this work to a few,
for this mission is central to our being.
Benediction Based on "The Kingdom Is Yours"
by Common Hymnal (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning, brave enough
to show the Lord their scars. Blessed are the hurts that
are not hidden, open to the healing touch of God.
Blessed are the ones who fight for justice, longing for the
coming day of peace. Blessed is the soul that thirsts for
righteousness, welcoming the last, the lost, the least.
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence and still have
strength to love their enemies. Blessed is the faith of those
who persevere; though they fall, they'll never know defeat.
The Kingdom is yours, hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord; keep Your eyes on Him. You are loved.
Now go with the Prince of Peace to declare and demonstrate
Jesus' Good News of the Kingdom of heaven that is near.
by Common Hymnal (Matthew 5:3-12)
Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning, brave enough
to show the Lord their scars. Blessed are the hurts that
are not hidden, open to the healing touch of God.
Blessed are the ones who fight for justice, longing for the
coming day of peace. Blessed is the soul that thirsts for
righteousness, welcoming the last, the lost, the least.
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence and still have
strength to love their enemies. Blessed is the faith of those
who persevere; though they fall, they'll never know defeat.
The Kingdom is yours, hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord; keep Your eyes on Him. You are loved.
Now go with the Prince of Peace to declare and demonstrate
Jesus' Good News of the Kingdom of heaven that is near.
Next sermon audio + liturgy notes post: Matthew 9:37-10:16: Jesus' Sending Power to Free Us to Be "Tumblers for God"
Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.
A 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,
A 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,
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