July 26, 2020
Opening
Song #12 – Majesty
Call
to Worship
The path to follow
Jesus is not an easy path. There are many very difficult portions of the trail,
and sometimes we must walk without being able to see beyond our next step. What
is more, the enemy often casts obstacles or barriers in our way. Nevertheless,
if we are faithful, we continue to follow.
Invocation Prayer
Dear
Father in heaven, this morning there may be some here who are in a portion of
their lives where they have few worries or concerns, but others of us may be on
a particular difficult portion of our walk with Christ. We may not even know
what our next step should be. Nevertheless, we look to Jesus. We have faith to
know that the goal of following Jesus is worth any present difficulties. Amen.
Selected
Reading – Psalm 20:1-7
May
the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob
protect you.
May
He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
May
He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May
He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
May
we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God.
May
the LORD grant all your petitions.
Now
I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He
answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.
Some
trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD
our God.
Prayer
of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess that we sometimes become discouraged and
even overwhelmed by circumstances. There are times when the world throws so
many problems at us that it is difficult to remain positive. Please help us to
realize that our true life is not even in this world, and that in the end, you
will make all things right. You will also reveal to us the reasons you have
given us the burdens that we bear and reward us for remaining faithful through
each one. Amen
Words
of Assurance
As
astounding as it may seem, we are actually told to rejoice when we pass through
trials and sufferings because they mean that God is producing in us something
valuable in eternity.
The
Apostle Peter writes, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has
come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice
that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the
revelation of His glory.” (see Luke
6:22-23; 1 Peter 3:14-17; 4:12-16)
The
Lord’s Prayer
Song
of Faith #19 – Some Trust in Chariots
Scripture
Reading: OT – Psalm 42:1-10
As
the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
My
soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s
presence?
My
tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long,
“Where
is your God?”
These
things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.
Why
are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me?
Put
your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
NT –
Mark 8:34-38
Then
Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If
anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and
follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
What
does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can
a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in
this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of
him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Responsorial
Reading (from Psalm 24)
The
earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell
therein,
For he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the
rivers.
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.
Lift
up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of
glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord,
mighty in battle!
Lift
up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of
glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of
glory!
Message Getting
the Small Things Right
Song
of Unity #7 – Heart of Worship
Offering There is a
basket provided on the table at the entrance of the church where you may place
your offerings. Thanks and God bless you!
Prayer
of Intercession
God
of Love, we are thankful that we can bring our requests to you this morning. We
pray with thankful hearts, because we know that you have only the best
intentions for us and are working to bring us to complete fullness of life.
Thank you also for hearing our prayers concerning those who have been
abandoned or forgotten by society. We know that you have not forgotten them.
Help us to also not forget them. Help us to know how to reach out to give
ourselves in service to those who need a hand of support.
We
pray for those of our community who are facing needs or crises of one sort or
another. We pray also for our church and orphanage in Kenya, where they
continue to face more hardships and restrictions, food shortages and hunger. The needs
there are simply beyond our ability to meet them. We implore you to intervene.
We pray for those present with us today whose problems are of such a
personal nature that they do not feel comfortable telling others of these
needs. Although we do not know of these needs specifically, you know them.
Please minister to these individuals. Heal them, comfort them, supply their
physical needs, and encourage them.
Thank
you for your gracious answer to all of our prayers.
Thank you Father, for listening to the voices of all of your
servants. Amen
Closing
Song #24
– You are My All in All
Benediction
and prayer
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