Are we reaching out for Jesus' robe to experience His healing and receive His power to reach out to others during such a time as this?
Sermon Video + Audio | Journeying with Jesus to Welcome Unexpected Interruptions
In accordance with state and national authorities, we will wait to return to the Fusion Center at 30 Tyler Prentice Road sometime later this spring or summer. In the meantime, we are still gathering every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. EST via Emmaus City Church Facebook Live. The liturgy with links to songs will be posted Saturday morning on our Facebook page beforehand. We would love for you to join with us! Also, you can contact us at info@emmauscitychurch.com.
Sermon Scriptures | Matthew 9:18-25
Her suffering did not keep her from one last interruption of hope, one last pursuit of healing! … I imagine her pushing through thoughts of, What am I doing here? I don't belong here. I'm touching everybody. I'm making everyone unclean around me. ( … I’m interrupting their lives. Will Jesus welcome my interruption? … ) But Jesus! Jesus is here. If I only touch his cloak, just a touch! … Maybe she didn't think she was worthy of approaching Jesus cara a cara, face to face. Maybe years of being treated as a nobody made her think she was a nobody. But Jesus wants her to be seen and heard. Jesus helped her to see the truth of who she really was. Jesus had a deeper plan of healing. Jesus, in all three Gospels, responds to her by naming her mi hija, my daughter. He wanted to ensure that her healing would be both physical and social, both systemic and personal. By calling her daughter, Jesus welcomed her into the family community He was forming. Constant separation from connection with God and others was over for this daughter, Mi hija! …. The bleeding woman told her story and retold her story, finally recorded in Gospels.
+ Noemi Vega Quiñones, Hermanas
Call to Worship |
The trumpet of the Lord sounds, calling us to examine our souls,
For we have not only met temptation, we have felt its grip.
The trumpet of the Lord sounds, calling us to mend our ways,
For we have not only committed sin, we have felt its sting.
The trumpet of the Lord sounds, calling us to rend our hearts,
For we have not only witnessed forgiveness, we have felt its power.
O come, let us worship the Lord!
Come As You Are
Crowder, 2014 A.D.
Come out of sadness
From wherever you’ve been.
Come broken hearted, let rescue begin.
Come find your mercy,
Oh sinner, come kneel.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
So lay down your burdens,
Lay down your shame.
All who are broken lift up your face.
Oh, wanderer come home.
You’re not too far.
So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart,
Come as you are.
There’s hope for the hopeless,
And all those who’ve strayed.
Come sit at the table, come taste the grace.
There’s rest for the weary, rest that endures.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t cure.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t cure.
(Chorus)
There’s joy for the morning, oh, sinners be still.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.
(Chorus)
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
M. Papa, M. Boswell, & M. Bleecker, 2013 A.D.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King.
He the theme of heaven’s praises,
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness,
Now the light of life has come!
Look to Christ, who condescended,
Took on flesh to ransom us.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man.
In His living, in His suffering,
Never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man!
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree,
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory.
See the price of our redemption!
See the Father’s plan unfold!
Bringing many sons to glory,
Grace unmeasured, love untold!
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life.
But no grave could e’er restrain Him.
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance!
How unwavering our hope!
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes!
Lord, I Need You
Chris Tomlin, 2011 A.D.
Lord, I come, I confess,
Bowing here I find my rest.
Without You I fall apart.
You're the One that guides my heart.
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You,
Every hour I need You;
My one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God, how I need You!
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.
Where grace is found is where You are.
And where You are, Lord, I am free,
Holiness is Christ in me! (Chorus)
Teach my song to rise to You.
When temptation comes my way,
And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You.
Jesus, You're my hope and stay. (Chorus)
Chris Tomlin, 2011 A.D.
Lord, I come, I confess,
Bowing here I find my rest.
Without You I fall apart.
You're the One that guides my heart.
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You,
Every hour I need You;
My one defense, my righteousness,
Oh God, how I need You!
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.
Where grace is found is where You are.
And where You are, Lord, I am free,
Holiness is Christ in me! (Chorus)
Teach my song to rise to You.
When temptation comes my way,
And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You.
Jesus, You're my hope and stay. (Chorus)
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
African American Spiritual, 1800s A.D.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk,
Let me walk close to Thee. (Chorus)
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
(Chorus)
All Glory Be to Christ
Dustin Kensrue, 2012 A.D.
Should nothing of our efforts stand,
No legacy survive,
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive.
To you who boast tomorrow's gain
Tell me, "What is your life?"
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our King!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign we'll ever sing
All glory be to Christ!
His will be done, His Kingdom come
On earth as is above,
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him, the Lord of love!
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
All glory be to Christ! (Chorus)
When on the day the great I AM,
The faithful and the true,
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new.
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast Light.
And we shall e'er His people be,
All glory be to Christ! (Chorus)
Prayers of Confession and Assurance
God of comfort and mercy,
You sent your prophets to proclaim,
“Make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”
We confess we have not done as You asked;
Instead, we have sinned in thoughts, words, and deeds by what we have done and by what we have left undone.
Silent Confession + Words of Encouragement
In Your mercy, forgive us, O Lord;
Help us to proclaim Your message.
Equip us to walk more faithfully in the footsteps of Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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.
Benediction from Jude 24-25
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present (here with us during the novel coronavirus pandemic), and beyond all time! Amen.
A Micro City Group (CG) is a growing group that begins with 3+ people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. Micro CGs start small enough that people can know you and value you, but seek to grow large enough (10-30 people) 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 Micro City Groups: W.R.A.P. | Fellow Travelers | YMCA | Freedom City | Westside Welcome
To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
Current Micro City Groups: W.R.A.P. | Fellow Travelers | YMCA | Freedom City | Westside Welcome
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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