From time to time I like to share one of our worship services from Grace Fellowship Church. In that vein, here is how we worshiped on one November Sunday morning. This week’s cast of characters included Steve as service leader, Paul as preacher, and Allie as music leader. The band was composed of guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar with one male and two female vocalists.
Welcome and Call to Worship (Steve)
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob” (Psalm 24:3-6).
Singing (Band)
- “How Great How Glorious”
Complementary Text Reading (Alex)
Alex said something like, “Listen to God’s word as it tell us the kind of people who can approach God with confidence.” Alex then read Micah 6: 6-8.
Singing (Band)
- “All My Ways”
Time of Confession (Steve)
Steve said something like this: “Have you faithfully acknowledged God in all your ways? Have you lived this past week in total faithfulness, total fairness and total humility? Take a moment silently now, to consider your last week of life… and to consider what God requires.”
Singing (Band)
- Psalm 7. “Oh Lord my God, in You I Refuge Take” (Tune Abide With Me)
Confession Part Two (Steve)
“We have not acknowledged God in all our ways. We have not acknowledged God in all our ways. We have not done justice, loved mercy and been faithful every day. But another One has… our Lord Jesus. ‘Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law’ (Isaiah 42:1–4). Brother and Sister, since you are one with Christ, you are clean.”
Word of Assurance (Steve)
“Read out loud with me, the words of Psalm Read out loud with me, the words of Psalm Psalm 145. ‘The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.’”
Singing (Band)
- “Man of Sorrows”
Pastoral Prayer (Steve)
Steve prayed for a number of matters related to the church, including some ministries and churches we support, and for our countries leaders.
Scripture Reading (Steve)
Steve read the text upon which the sermon was based. He began by saying something like, “Please take your Bible and turn to Isaiah 59. If you have one of our church Bibles, you will find that on page 579. If you do not have a Bible, please raise your hand and our ushers will bring one to you.” He began the reading with “This is what Holy Scripture says…” After reading the text he said, “This is the word of the Lord” to which the congregation replied, “Thanks be to God.”
Singing (Band)
- “Trust and Obey”
Sermon (Paul)
Paul preached a sermon titled “The Justice of God: Do Justice” based on Isaiah 59: 1-21. His outline was:
- God is just.
- Since God is just, we are to be just.
- Since God is just, we are to do justice.
Singing (Band)
- “The Sands of Time are Sinking”
Commission (Steve)
Steve commissioned the church to live on the basis of the truths we heard in the sermon. He also provided information about some upcoming events in the life of the church.
Benediction (Steve)
“Receive this blessing of the Lord from His Word: ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.’ Amen.”
