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Life Together - The online bulletin
Blacknall Worship from Home
September 27, 2020
Invocation
O Great God, you have made yourself known to us in Jesus Christ. You have opened our eyes to your goodness, truth, and beauty by the inner work of the Holy Spirit. We feel our limits and dependence in ways we have not, and yet this is no surprise to you. We ask you to meet us today as we gather, that you would speak to us, feed us, bring comfort to the heartbroken and desperate, and stir us to greater faithfulness. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Song | “I Am For You”
I am the Bread of Life,
When you’re hungry, I will feed you.
I am the Bread of Life,
When you’re hungry, I will fill you.
I am for you. (4x)
I am the Light of the World,
In the darkness, I am shining.
I am the Light of the World,
In the darkness, I will lead you.
I am for you. (4x)
I am the Good, Good Shepherd,
From your fears I will protect you.
I am the Good, Good Shepherd,
When you wander, I will seek you.
I am for you. (4x)
Words and Music by Sloan Meek and Lee Anderson.
Scripture Reading | Isaiah 42.1-9
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Song | “Thou Who Wast Rich”
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,
All for love’s sake becamest poor.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising,
Heav’nward by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what Thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.
Words by Frank Houghton. French Christmas carol.
We have just prayed in song that the Lord would make us what He would have us be.
Prayer of Confession
Our heavenly Father, we acknowledge that we are not yet what you would have us become, but we believe that because you love us, you will make us good. We confess that we are proud, and fearful, and cling to our old habits when faced with new challenges. And yet we have seen ourselves in a clearer light because of the pressures we face; you have seen us for who we are all along. We are more ready to see our need for a Savior; you have been there, hands outstretched, since before we were born. Make us what you would have us be, through the work of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us, and set us free. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Dear beloved in Christ, The Lord rejoices when any of us recognize our need and turn to him. He will not refuse to welcome us, but will receive us in love and mercy. In the name of Christ, you 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
Today we are reviewing our memory verses from Psalm 40:1-3:
I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
Out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
And gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
A hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
And put their trust in him.
Children’s Worship
If you would like to receive the Children’s Worship video email, please contact Beth Solie.
Proclamation of the Word | Pastor David Dunderdale
The sermon is provided above in video and audio format.
Ephesians 2:1-10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Song of Response | “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do –
Love enough to cover ev’ry sin
In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.
Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.
Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty.
© 2006 Thankyou Music. CCLI #43066
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. Your financial giving includes support of Blacknall missionary Stacy Rinehart who founded MentorLink Leadership Institute, Pastor Julio and his wife Marty at Iglesia Emanuel, and Fred Williams and his work with InterVarsity. Read more prayer requests here.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession | Prayer Requests
Lord, we give you thanks that you are rich in mercy and abounding in steadfast love. We thank you that you chose to make us alive in Christ and that we can live this life in your presence.
Lord, we come boldly into your presence to make our requests to you. We pray for our mission partners, for Stacy Rinehart and Fred Williams and Iglesia Emanuel (read their prayer concerns here).
We pray for those enduring illness and experiencing grief (you may add your own intercessions here).
We pray for our neighbors and friends who are in sorrow and despair (you may add your own intercessions here).
We pray for our world and for all the places where we need your Kingdom to come, where we are called to be peacemakers and where we can demonstrate the incomparable riches of your grace. (you may add your own intercessions here).
We pray for your Church at Blacknall, in Durham, and around the world. Gracious Lord, help us: Restrain the virus. Bring justice. Stop the fires. We dare not keep silent, Lord, nor fail to look to You for help. Keep us fervent in prayer, and move us in those good works which you have prepared for us to do.
Yours is the Kingdom and the glory. Together we pray…
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.
Benediction
Song | “I Will Praise Him, Still”
When the morning falls on the farthest hill,
I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.
When the dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.
For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave.
And He gave us life in His perfect will;
And by His good grace I will praise Him, still.
When my days are bright and my cup is filled
With all happiness, I will praise Him, still;
And when suffering in this world, until
You set all things right, I will praise You, still!
Words and Music by Fernando Ortega; v2 by David Sittser, 2013.
©1997 MargeeDays/Dayspring Music CCLI#43066