Showing posts with label Lenten Series - 2021. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lenten Series - 2021. Show all posts

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Palm Sunday Message + Mass @ Home | John 12:12-19: Welcoming Jesus the Christ/Messiah to Reign


Artwork from Bible Project: Psalm 8: Palm Sunday


Jesus comes in the meekness, the mess, and the marvelous and reveals Himself as the humble Master over all of life we need.


Story of God Liturgy Flow | Creation, Crisis, Covenant Community, Christ, Church, (New) Creation


(1) Creation


Call to Worship | Psalm 118:19-20, 22-24 + Our World Belongs to God (24)

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the LORD. These gates lead to the presence of the LORD, and the godly enter there ... The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

One: As the second Adam, Jesus chose the path we had rejected. In His baptism and temptations, teaching and miracles, battles with demons and friendships with sinners ...

All: Jesus lived a full and righteous human life before us. As God’s true Son, He lovingly obeyed the Father and made present in deed and word the coming rule of God.

King of My Heart
John Mark & Sarah McMillan, 2015 A.D.

Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run,
The fountain I drink from, O, He is my song.
Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide,
The ransom for my life, O, He is my song!

You are good, good, O! You are good, good, O!

Let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails,
The anchor in the waves, O, He is my song.
Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins,
The echo of my days, O, He is my song!
(Chorus)

You’re never gonna let, never gonna let me down!

(2) Crisis


Prayer of Confession + Assurance | 

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us sinners ...

Lenten Creed by Patmos Abbey, St. Columba

One: We believe that our lives are held within the all encompassing love of God our Father, who knows our names and recognizes our deepest needs.

All: We believe that Christ is the only begotten Son of the living God, and that His grace is like living waters that can never be exhausted. 

One: We believe in the birthing, renewing, enabling Spirit of God who yearns over our welfare as a mother yearns for her child.

All: We believe that God is in the arid desert as well as in green pastures, and that hard times and disciplines are also loving gifts.

One: We believe that our journey has a purpose and a destination, and that our path leads to a glory we cannot yet imagine.

The Lord's Prayer's Boldness on Palm Sunday

+ Palm Sunday | Welcoming Jesus to Reign through Being Bold Enough to Pray, "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done"

(3) Covenant Community


Sermon Video | Welcoming Jesus the Christ/Messiah to Reign

Sermon Scriptures | John 12:12-19

Sermon Video Recommendation |

Bible Project: Psalm 8 YouTube Video + Script Excerpts

Sermon Questions + Invitations |

1) Where do I sense most stress happening in my life? 
Christ, come reign here.

2) What practices is this season calling me to engage in? 
Christ, come reign here.

3) Where do I have significant gaps? 
Christ, come reign here.

4) Where am I called to lead others? 
Christ, come reign here.

5) Which practices might help me to help others? 
Christ, come reign here.
 
(4) Christ



Christ has died. Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Mercy
Matt Redman, 2013 A.D.

I will kneel in the dust at the foot of the Cross
Where mercy paid for me.
Where the wrath I deserve, it is gone, it has passed.
Your blood has hidden me.

Mercy, mercy, as endless as the sea.
I'll sing Your hallelujah for all eternity.

We will lift up the cup and the bread we will break,
Remembering Your love.
We were fallen from grace, but You took on our shame
and nailed it to a Cross.
(Chorus)

May I never lose the wonder, O, the wonder of Your mercy!
May I sing Your hallelujah, hallelujah, Amen!

(5) Church



All the People Said Amen
Matt Maher, 2013 A.D.

You are not alone, if you are lonely,
When you're feeling frail, you're not the only.
We are all the same, in need of mercy, to be forgiven and free.
It's all you got to lean on but, thank God, it's all you need!

And all the people said "Amen!"
Woah, and all the people said "Amen!"
Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends,
And all the people said "Amen!"

If your rich or poor, well it don't matter.
Weak or strong, we know love is what we're after.
We're all broken, but we're all in this together.
God knows we stumble and fall
And He so loved the world He sent His Son to save us all!
(Chorus)

Blessed are the poor in spirit who are torn apart!
Blessed are the persecuted and the pure in heart!
Blessed are the people hungry for another start
For this is the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God!
(Chorus)

(6) New Creation


Benediction 

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 
until He returns to make all things new.

Lectionary Readings
 



To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

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Saturday, March 20, 2021

Lent Deeply Formed Life Message + Mass @ Home | 1 Peter 2:9-12: Missional Presence for a Pandemic World


The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus by Rich Villodas Book Cover


Even when you make mistakes, don't perform, and can't get your act together, Jesus comes to you and says "I want you. I'm calling you, and I'm sending you." Jesus knows your problems, your addictions, your hang-ups, and your failures, and in spite of that, you are invited into His mission. + Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life


Previous 2021 Lenten Deeply Formed Messages + Masses:


Story of God Liturgy Flow | Creation, Crisis, Covenant Community, Christ, Church, (New) Creation


(1) Creation


Call to Worship | Psalm 119:10-11, 15-16 + Our World Belongs to God (42-43)

I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. ... I will meditate on your precepts and think about Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word.

One: In a world estranged from God, where happiness
and peace are offered in many names and millions face confusing choices, we witness—with respect for followers of other ways—
to the only one in whose name salvation is found: Jesus Christ.

All: In Jesus, God reconciles the world to Himself. God loves all creation; His compassion knows no bounds. Jesus Christ rules over all. To follow this Lord is to serve Him wherever we are without fitting in, light in darkness, salt in a spoiling world.

God So Loved
We the Kingdom, 2020 A.D.

Come all you weary, come all you thirsty, 
Come to the well that never runs dry.
Drink of the water, come and thirst no more. 
Come all you sinners, come find His mercy. 
Come to the table, He will satisfy.

Taste of His goodness, find what you're looking for ...

For God so loved the world that He gave us
His one and only Son to save us! 
Whoever believes in Him will live forever!

Bring all your failures, bring your addictions, 
Come lay them down at the foot of the cross. 
Jesus is waiting there with open arms.
See His open arms! (Chorus ...)

The power of hell forever defeated! 
Now it is well, I'm walking in freedom 
For God so loved, God so loved the world!

Praise God, praise God from whom all blessings flow! 
Praise Him, praise Him for the wonders of His love!

(2) Crisis


Prayer of Confession + Assurance | 

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us sinners ...

Open Prayer for Friends & Neighbors + Lord's Prayer

(3) Covenant Community


Sermon Video | Missional Presence for a Pandemic World

Sermon Scriptures | 1 Peter 2:9-12

Sermon Quote |

The reason we are hospitable is to open our hearts to others in the way God has opened His heart to us. I have found that as spaces are created, conversations on faith naturally emerge. As theologian Henri Nouwen said, "Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

+ Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

Sermon 3 Missional Presence Practices |

1) List 6-8 Neighbors / Classmates / Co-Workers Names

2) Pray St. Patrick’s Lorica for Them Each Day to Easter: Christ with, before, behind, in, beneath, above, right, left, lying down, sitting, rising up

3) Write Declaration of Interdependence (Apartment, Household, City Group): I/We, follower(s) of Jesus of (neighborhood, school, company, etc.), in order to form a more shalom-making community where less is missing and less is broken, will do this for the common good:

+ Believe God has sent me/us to our neighborhood, workplace, school
+ Believe God has blessed me/us to share our lives with those in this community
+ Believe there are gifts for us to receive from others
+ Believe the presence of these specific people and these gifts are here to make a better community
+ Hold myself/ourselves accountable to the welfare of this community
+ Choose to steward my/our gifts and power rather than be passive or possessive or leave it to others to fix broken
+ Choose to be active in excavating and activating the gifts of others

from Next Door As It Is In Heaven

Additional Sermon Resources |

+ Next Door As It is In Heaven: Living Out God's Kingdom in Your Neighborhood
by Lance Ford & Brad Brisco

+ To Alter Your World: Partnering with God to Rebirth Our Communities
by Michael Frost & Christiana Rice

+ Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission
by David E. Fitch
 
(4) Christ



Christ has died. Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

My Heart Your Home
Maverick City Music, 2020 A.D.

Temples built with hands, laid with precious stones,
But all along You wanted to make us Your treasured home. 
Mansions made of men can touch the sky from earth
But still Your house of choice was broken vessels made of dirt.

So make my heart Your home, 
All that's mine is Yours. (Repeat)

What about the mess in me? (He was born in a manger!)
And what if I'm unclean? (He'll make you new, that's what He'll do!) What if I fall away? (He'll hold you close, won't let go!)
He's knocking on the door of your house, O, let Him in, let Him in! (Chorus)

Come on in, take a seat, I made room for You and me, 
Never leave, O, Jesus, stay with me!

(5) Church


Relentless
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!

You carry us, carry us 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)

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!

You carry us, carry us (Your love is relentless)! 
You cover us, cover us (Your love is relentless)!

(6) New Creation


Benediction 

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 
until He returns to make all things new.

Lectionary Readings
 
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33




To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Additional Links for Deeply Formed Life Lent 2021:


Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

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Location: Worcester, MA, USA

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Lenten Gospel Message | Luke 16:19-31: The God Who Helps


Lenten Gospel Message: Luke 16:19-31: The God Who Helps (Minute Mark 40:00 - 1:09:00)

 Be still my soul, the Lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in every change, He will remain. … Be still my soul, the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, fear are gone, sorrows forgot, love's joys restored. + Katherine A. von Schlegel, "Be Still My Soul," 1752 A.D.


Story of God Liturgy Flow | Creation, Crisis, Covenant Community, Christ, Church, (New) Creation


(1) Creation


Call to Worship

One: Let us join our voices to praise the spotless Lamb, Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us from sin and death.

All: We, whom He has redeemed, will sing praises and shout for joy this hour.

One: Because in Christ the Lamb we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of our sins in accordance with the riches
of His grace. Let us praise Him by saying ... 

All: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb we give worship this hour and forever and ever. Amen.

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 + Bridge)

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)

(2) Crisis


Prayer of Confession + Assurance | 

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us sinners ...

Our World Belongs to God (34)

One: In our world, where many journey alone, nameless in the bustling crowd, Satan and his evil forces seek whom they may scatter and isolate; but God, by His gracious choosing in Christ, gathers a new community—those who by God’s gift put their trust in Christ.

All: In the new community all are welcome:
the homeless come home, the broken find healing,
the sinner makes a new start, the despised are esteemed,
the least are honored, and the last are first.
Here the Spirit guides and grace abounds.
Thanks be to God.

Be Still My Soul
Katharina A. von Schlegel, 1752 A.D.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change, He will remain.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
To guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your mind, your will let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrows forgot, love's joys restored.

Be still my soul! (repeat) And praise Him! (repeat)

(3) Covenant Community


Sermon Video | The God Who Helps (Minute Mark 40:00-1:09:00)

Sermon Scriptures | Luke 16:19-31

Sermon Quote |

Instagram: Please see me 
Facebook: Please like me 
Snapchat: Please notice me
Tinder: Please want me 
Twitter: Please follow me … 

To whom can we go? … 

Jesus: I see you. I like you. I notice you. I want you. 
Come follow Me and I will give you what no other can … rest. 

+ Rev. David Fairchild
 
(4) Christ



Christ has died. Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Mercy
Matt Redman, 2013 A.D.

I will kneel in the dust at the foot of the Cross
Where mercy paid for me.
Where the wrath I deserve, it is gone, it has passed.
Your blood has hidden me.

Mercy, mercy, as endless as the sea.
I'll sing Your hallelujah for all eternity.

We will lift up the cup and the bread we will break,
Remembering Your love.
We were fallen from grace, but You took on our shame
and nailed it to a Cross.
(Chorus)

May I never lose the wonder, O, the wonder of Your mercy!
May I sing Your hallelujah, hallelujah, Amen!

(5) Church


All the People Said Amen
Matt Maher, 2013 A.D.

You are not alone, if you are lonely,
When you're feeling frail, you're not the only.
We are all the same, in need of mercy, to be forgiven and free.
It's all you got to lean on but, thank God, it's all you need!

And all the people said "Amen!"
Woah, and all the people said "Amen!"
Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends,
And all the people said "Amen!"

If you're rich or poor, well it don't matter.
Weak or strong, we know love is what we're after.
We're all broken, but we're all in this together.
God knows we stumble and fall
And He so loved the world He sent His Son to save us all!
(Chorus)

Blessed are the poor in spirit who are torn apart!
Blessed are the persecuted and the pure in heart!
Blessed are the people hungry for another start
For this is the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God!
(Chorus)

(6) New Creation


Benediction 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Go in the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ until He returns to make all things new.

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

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Location: Worcester, MA, USA

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Lent Deeply Formed Life Message + Mass @ Home | Revelation 19:1-9: Sexual Wholeness for a Culture that Separates Bodies from Souls

 


The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus by Rich Villodas Book Cover


The Gospel offers us a banquet, a feast ... This is an invitation – whether single or married – to a life of communion, joy, and delight. ... The love of God doesn’t remove our desires; it reorders them. The banquet or feast is the recognition that we were created for ecstasy but that this ecstasy is found only in God. He is the ultimate source of our lives, joy, and sexual desire. ... In Jesus, the banquet is embodied as well as offered. + Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life


Previous 2021 Lenten Deeply Formed Messages + Masses:


Story of God Liturgy Flow | Creation, Crisis, Covenant Community, Christ, Church, (New) Creation


(1) Creation


Call to Worship | Psalm 107:1-2, 19-21 + Our World Belongs to God (34)

 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; Hs love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe ... they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He sent His Word and healed them; He rescued them from their traps. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His faithful love and His wondrous works for all humanity.

One: In our world, where many journey alone, nameless in the bustling crowd, Satan and his evil forces seek whom they may scatter and isolate; but God, by His gracious choosing in Christ, gathers a new community—those who by God’s gift put their trust in Christ.

All: In the new community all are welcome: the homeless come home, the broken find healing, the sinner makes a new start, the despised are esteemed, the least are honored, and the last are first. Here the Spirit guides and grace abounds.

King of My Heart
John Mark & Sarah McMillan, 2015 A.D.

Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run,
The fountain I drink from; O He is my song.
Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide,

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; O, He is my song.
Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins,
And the echo of my days; O, He is my song! 
(Chorus)

You’re never gonna let, never gonna let me down!

(2) Crisis


Prayer of Confession + Assurance | 

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us sinners ...

One: O God, King of our hearts, You are good. Thank you for sexuality. Be our song. King Jesus, forgive us for any attitude toward or practice of sexuality that has not honored You as Creator, Redeemer, Liberator & Husband to Your Bride, the Church. 
All: Forgive us for ways we have undermined sexuality that gives You glory. 

One: Forgive us for any way we have related to single or married people that diminishes how each, and all of us together, point to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. 
All: Forgive us for any harmful ways we have related to any sexual minority that does not honor each person as our neighbor, made in Your image. 

One: We repent if we have harmed anyone, or ignored any of Your good commands. 
All: Holy Spirit, continue to transform us by Jesus’ love, grace, and truth.

(3) Covenant Community


Sermon Video | Sexual Wholeness for a Culture that Separates Bodies from Souls

Sermon Scriptures | Revelation 19:1-9

Sermon Quote |

" ... if Jesus indeed is fully human, He must be fully sexual as well. To be sexual doesn't mean to be sexually active, nor does it mean that Jesus lusted after others. He is the sinless Son of God, who fully participated in the human experience. We tend to believe that unless one is having intercourse with another person, his or her sexuality is not fully manifested. But that is not true. Jesus lives the human experience to the full, connecting with others intimately, compassionately, and sacrificially. In His death and in the Eucharist, He offers His body as a gift. Jesus enters into loving union with others throughout His life and in so doing communes with the Father. The inverse is also true: Jesus lives in loving union with the Father and in so doing communes with the world. This is the banquet. Although it is true that sexual intercourse, flowing from the sacred context of marital covenantal love, is a beautiful sign of God's love, it is not the only way to living one's sexuality to the fullest. ... "

+ Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

Sermon Questions |

1) How do we honor our bodies? How do we honor the bodies of others?
2) How can we reject in our daily lives the scripts, lies, and disordered appetites that entrench us in deeply de-formed ways?
3) How can we work toward wholeness, healing, integrity, and love in this area of our lives?
4) How do we love God well with our bodies and with our sexuality? ... "

Additional Sermon Resources |

+ Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality 
by Deb Hirsch

+ Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing Our Cultural and Spiritual Norms 
by Kutter Callaway

+ No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation 
by Gregory Coles

+ An Impossible Marriage: What Our Mixed-Orientation Marriage Has Taught Us About Love and the Gospel 
by Laurie and Matt Krieg

+ Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian 
by Wesley Hill
 
(4) Christ



Christ has died. Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

The Feast
William Gadsby, 1838 A.D.

With wondering eyes, Lord we admire the feast prepared by grace; Come, Lord, and set our souls on fire, and fill each heart with peace. These emblems of Your precious love, by faith may we receive.
And with a solemn pleasure prove, we in Your name believe.

We eat this bread, we drink this wine, 
Come give Yourself to us.
We know You’re here, that’s why we’ve come, 
To feast on You with love.

No goodness of our own we bring; we’re sinners vile and base; Christ is our all; of Christ we sing, and long to see His face.
O may we each with heart and tongue sing, “Worthy is the Lamb!”; To Him alone the praise belongs, and we’ll adore His name. 
(Chorus)

(5) Church


Getting Ready
Maverick City + UPPERROOM, 2020 A.D.

What an honor to be invited to the marriage of the Lamb, 
To come and worship Him.
Celebration, it’s the joining of the Bride and the Son,
The two becoming one.
All the prophecies fulfilled in a moment, so we sing ...

Like the roar of many waters, 
Like the sound of rolling thunder, 
Hallelujah, give Him glory 
For the marriage of the Lamb is coming! 
We’re getting ready, we're getting ready ...

Filled with wonder as we behold the man with fire in His eyes, 
The very Word of God.
You are worthy, every kingdom, every nation bowing down, 
We’ll crown You with many crowns.
Every creed and tribe and tongue declaring in unity ... 
(Chorus)

We’ll shout ‘til the whole world hears it,
We’ll sing ‘til the whole world knows,
"King Jesus, He is faithful! He is the blessed hope!"

(6) New Creation


Benediction 

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 
until He returns to make all things new.

Lectionary Readings
 
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21




To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Additional Links for Deeply Formed Life Lent 2021:


Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
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