HELPFUL LINKS
Blacknall Worship from Home
January 10, 2021
Invocation
Lord, the Wise Men endured a long and arduous journey to find the Baby Jesus. Anna and Simeon waited a long time to get a glimpse of the one who was promised. The first disciples were invited to “come and see” this one who is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” On that Resurrection morning, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see if it was true. Lord, we come to you this day, eager, hungering and thirsting for you, to hear your Word, to be reminded of the One who is the Truth, the Life, and our Way home. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Song | “We Would See Jesus”
We would see Jesus,
We would see the Lamb of God!
We long to see Your face,
For You are the great I Am!
You are holy,
You are love,
You are life to me,
Flowing down from heaven above.
You are my Shepherd,
In Your care I rest.
You I will worship,
Towards You, Lord, my soul doth press.
Scripture Reading | Exodus 19:3-9
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.”
Song | “Across the Lands”
You’re the Word of God the Father, from before the world began;
Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together by the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory, let the land and seas rejoice!
You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of ev’ry man;
And Your cry of love rings out across the lands.
Yet You left the gaze of angels, came to seek and save the lost,
and exchanged the joy of heaven for the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry, with a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered that the guilty may go free.
With a shout You rose victorious, wresting vict’ry from the grave,
and ascended into heaven leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation You are leading sinners home.
Words and Music by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
© 2002 Thankyou Music. CCLI #43066
Call to Confession
One of the commentators on the events in Washington this past week was asked what it means for us as a nation. His reply about the actions of the mob at the Capitol was, “This is us. This is part of who we are.” When it comes to confession of our sin, there is no “them.” There is no “those sinners.” There is only “us.” We are sinners. Come, let us confess our sins before the Lord.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, you have called your Church to be a “Kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” We confess to you that we have not lived into our calling. We have failed to be faithful priests who communicate to the world the truth of who you are. Too often your name, your character, has been defamed by our unholy behavior. We have not spoken your true Word but have used our words in gossip, in lies, in attempts to manipulate in order to increase our own putrid sense of power and significance. We confess our part in our world having false conceptions of who you are.
And we confess that we have failed, as your people, to be a holy nation, a nation set apart who demonstrates to our city, this country, and the world your goodness, your truth, and your grace. Lord, for the sake of the glory and honor of your name, we ask that you would make us whole, make us holy. For Christ’s sake we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved, this is true: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Passing the Peace
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Response: And also with you
Affirmation of Faith | Apostles Creed
We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Children’s Blessing
With Leslie Petree
Children’s Worship
If you would like to receive the Children’s Worship video email, please contact Beth Solie.
Proclamation of the Word | Pastor Goodie Bell
Ephesians 5.1-7
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
Song of Response | “This Is My Father’s World”
This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world; with the eyes of faith I see
The Lord who bled, now alive, not dead; The Lamb of God, ‘tis He!
This is my Father’s world! May His voice I clearly hear;
In the midst of strife, throughout my life, He bids me, “Do not fear.”
This is my Father’s world: Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Words by Maltbie Babcock, 1901 (v1 and 3) and Dave Stuntz, 2017 (v2).
Traditional English melody.
Presenting Our Gifts | Online Giving
You are invited to respond to God’s Word by giving to the mission God has called us to at Blacknall.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
(As you pray the following petitions, you are encouraged to pause and lift to the Lord particular concerns or people or events. Read prayer requests from Blacknall members and ministry partners here.)
Lord, we pray, as your dearly loved children, that we might walk in the way of love. We pray that we might walk in the way of love as you did, Lord Jesus. So Lord, we pray first of all that our hearts might be captured by your love, by the beauty of who you are and what you have done for us. May we see the truth of who you are, a God who in your very essence is a loving communion. We are in awe and filled with wonder and thanksgiving that we are invited into your holy communion and the communion of saints.
And so, we pray our text for today. We pray that you would save us from sexual immorality and greed and idolatry. We pray that there would indeed be no hint of sexual immorality or greed or idolatry among us. We pray that we would be holy in how we speak, especially that our words would be full of thanksgiving and encouragement. Lord, being holy seems so unattainable to us. Help us to be moving towards holiness.
Lord, our hearts are heavy as we have watched the violence and anger in Washington, DC this week. Lord, save us from human anger that “does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” [James 1:20]. But, Lord, save us also from the comfort and complacency that refuses to feel your compassion or your anger at injustice and the denial of the integral dignity of every human being.
Lord, in your mercy, we pray for this country’s leaders that they would do what is right. We pray that you would be raising up servant leaders who are less concerned about power and more concerned about people.
In your mercy, we pray for your Church and for this congregation of Blacknall. We pray that we would have eyes to see and ears to hear. We pray that how we live and how we speak would reflect who you are. In your mercy, keep us humble and make us bold. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus would be praised and given glory and honor in us and through us. We pray that our hearts would be in tune with your heart as we pray for the desires of your heart in the prayer you taught us...
Our Father...
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.