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Please bear with us as we try to identify and fix the cause of the intermittent flickering lights in the sanctuary. We hope it doesn’t distract you too much from focusing on the message.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Blacknall Worship from Home

July 19, 2020

Call to Worship

Beloved, as we come to worship God this morning, let us remember where we are going, what is our destination:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

[Revelation 7:9-10]

Come, let us worship the Lamb together!

Song | “Come Away from Anxious Worry”

Come away from anxious worry to the stillness of God’s peace;

From temptation’s shackles, hurry – come to God and find release.

Come away from noise and clamor, life’s demands in fearful time;

Come to join the Kingdom’s people, seeking grace and hope sublime.

In the pastures of God’s goodness we lie down to rest our soul.

From the waters of His mercy we drink deeply, are made whole.

As we gather in God’s presence all the saints are richly fed.

With the oil of God’s anointing into service we are led.'

Come, then, children, with your burdens, life’s confusions, fears and pain.

Leave them at the cross of Jesus; take instead His kingdom’s reign.

Bring your thirsts, for He will quench them, living water will provide.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in Your shadow we abide.

Words by Marva Dawn; Hymntune BEACH SPRING. Slightly altered text by Dave Stuntz, July 2020.

Scripture Reading | Psalm 40

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.

Blessed is the one

who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done,

the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

but my ears you have opened—

burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God;

your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased to save me, Lord;

come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May all who want to take my life

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

“The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

you are my God, do not delay.

Song | “From Depths of Woe”

From depths of woe I raise to Thee the voice of lamentation;

Lord, turn a gracious ear to me, and hear my supplication:

If Thou iniquities dost mark our secret sins and misdeeds dark,

O who shall stand before Thee?

To wash away the crimson stain grace, grace alone availeth;

Our works, alas! Are all in vain, in much the best life faileth.

No man can glory in Thy sight, all must alike confess Thy might,

And live alone by mercy,

And live alone by mercy.

Therefore my trust is in the Lord and not in my own merit.

On Him my soul shall rest, His Word upholds my fainting spirit.

His promised mercy is my fort, my comfort, and my sweet support;

I wait for it with patience,

I wait for it with patience.

Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth;

His helping love no limit knows, our utmost need it soundeth.

Our Shepherd good and true is He who will at last His Israel free

From all our sin and sorrow,

From all our sin and sorrow.

Words by Martin Luther (originally in German), early 1500s, based on Psalm 130. Music by Christopher Miner, 1997.

Call to Confession

One day our good and true Shepherd will indeed free us from all our sin and sorrow. What do you want? Do you want to be set free from your sin and from your sorrow? There is only one way that will happen and that is through our Lord Jesus who invites you now to confess your sin, to turn away from your sin and to trust in his mercy. Come, let us kneel and confess our sins before him.

Prayer of Confession

Lord, we confess to you that we are a stiff-necked people. We are a willful people. Like a strong-willed child who refuses to obey their parent, we think we know best and refuse to surrender our wills to you. Lord, we do this despite a lifetime of experience of seeing the results of following our own will. Despite the “slimy pit” we find ourselves in, we still cling to the belief that our way is the way to life and we end up living small, shrunken, bitter lives of pride and ego. Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help us to turn from our sin, give us new hearts that long for the things you long for and that rejoice and are glad in you. May we always say, “The Lord is great!” Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Beloved, it is true! The LORD hears our cry. He sets your feet on a rock and gives you a firm place to stand! In Jesus 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--Psalm 40:1

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

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

“Thy Will Be Done” - Matthew 6

Song of Response | “God Moves”

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

Deep in His dark and hidden mines, with never-failing skill,

He fashions all His bright designs, and works His sovereign will.

So God, we trust in You. O God, we trust in You.

When tears are great, and comforts few,

We hope in mercies ever new: We trust in You.

Oh fearful saints, new courage take; the clouds that you now dread

Are big with mercy and will break in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;

Behind a “frowning” providence we find His smiling face.

God’s purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

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 Stephen Crupi teaching South Sudanese church leaders in Uganda and the Durham Rescue Mission offering people a way out of homelessness and substance abuse. Read their prayer requests here.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession | Prayer Requests

You are trustworthy, Lord.

You made created us, but you did not abandon us.

You made a promise to Israel, and You kept Your promise.

You sent Your son to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

He gave His life for us.

You are trustworthy, Lord. Help us to trust you.

Teach us to pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” with expectancy.

By your Holy Spirit, move us to do your will.

Your ways lead to life; obedience is the path to intimacy with You, our Heavenly Father, and peace with one another.

Give answer as we pray: Lord have mercy.

For our civic leaders, that they would use their authority to safeguard the well-being and dignity of all. Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick and alone (especially ________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord, have mercy.

For those who provide care (especially ________), give them strength, courage, and rest. Lord, have mercy.

For those who are grieving (especially ________), may they lament and receive hope because of you. Lord, have mercy.

For the church, that our willingness to love others as neighbors would witness to your love and power in us. Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray as Jesus 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.

Benediction

Song | “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.

My God, my Savior has ransomed me.

And like a flood His mercy reigns,

Unending love, amazing grace!