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Blacknall Worship from Home
May 24, 2020

Invocation

When Isaiah entered your presence, he was humbled and brought low by your glory. We are scattered in our gathering; we find ourselves in our familiar and cluttered spaces, some with coffee in hand and undressed, others surrounded by distraction that makes focus difficult, all of us feeling our dislocation and distance. By the work of your Holy Spirit, make this space, in this moment, our sanctuary. Make us alert to your glory, humbled by your willingness to meet us in any condition or location, awakened to your Word, and responsive to resurrection hope and joy. In the name of our glorious Lord, risen, ascended, and seated at your right hand. Amen.

Song | Eternal Light, Shine In My Heart

Eternal Light, shine in my heart;
Eternal Hope, lift up my eyes;
Eternal Pow’r, be my support;
Eternal Wisdom, make me wise.

Eternal Life, raise me from death;
Eternal Brightness, help me see;
Eternal Spirit, give me breath;
Eternal Savior, come to me.

Until by Your most costly grace,
Invited by Your holy Word,
At last I come before Your face
To know You, my eternal God.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen!

Text of hymn Christopher Idle, 1977, from a prayer by Alcuin, 8th Century.

Scripture Reading | Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.

7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;

8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.

9 In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Song | Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Words by Fanny Crosby, 1873. Music by Phoebe Knapp, 1873.

Call to Confession

Friends, even in this odd season we are nonetheless brought into the presence of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps our forced isolation can serve to remind us that we were once alienated from God, strangers to his ways and his life. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead… and he has seated us with Christ” (Eph 2). And now, we who were far away from God and each other have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Because of his great love… As we quiet our souls to confess our sin, may we be eager to turn, to repent, in response to that love.

Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen

Assurance of Pardon

The Lord Jesus Christ has risen and ascended, where he sits enthroned in absolute sovereignty over every power. He has overcome even the stubbornness of our divided hearts, and in his forgiveness we find the promise of new life.

Passing the Peace

May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Response: And 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 | 1 Corinthians 15:54-56

Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Children’s Worship

If you would like to receive the Children’s Worship video email, please contact Beth Solie.

Proclamation of the Word | Goodie Bell

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

Song of Response | We Who Once Were Dead

We who once were dead
Now live, fully knowing
Jesus as our head.
Life is overflowing
When He breaks the bread.

Let us share the pain
You endured in dying;
We shall then remain
Living; death defying,
We shall rise again.

Jesus, You were dead,
But You rose, and living,
Made Yourself our bread,
In Your goodness giving
Life though we were dead.

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 Sean and Carmen Garrigan with Missionary Air Group and Reality Ministries, a Blacknall Deep Common Journey partner. Read their prayer requests here.

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Intercession

We praise you, the Risen Lord. When you were raised, you made a way for us to live. Give us courage to live meaningful lives. Show your resurrection power in areas where the enemy seems to have the advantage today: pain, racism, hatred, greed and unforgiveness. You promised the Holy Spirit to lead us and you pray for us. Help us to pay attention. You love this world, and we are your witnesses. Transform us as we follow You into this week.

Thank you for acts of kindness and generosity done in your name this past week. Thank you for health care workers, scientists and prayer warriors. As the school year ends, thank you for teachers, who adapted quickly to reach students. Thank you that your steadfast love never ceases.

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 educators, for faith-community and businesses leaders, please give wisdom and courage for good decision-making around the topic of reopening. Lord have mercy.
For all those who lack food, shelter, and are in situations that are unsafe, bring help. We pray especially for those affected by the cyclone in India/Bangladesh. Lord, have mercy.
For those who work and reside in places with limited resources for safe practices (nursing homes, military facilities, prisons), make a way to be as just as possible. Lord, have mercy.
For those who are sick and alone (especially ______________________), may they know your healing, comfort and care. Lord, have mercy.
For those adults and children who suffer from mental illness or addiction. We pray for provision, friendship, and freedom. 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 | Lavish Love, Abundant Beauty

We are Yours, Eternal Father, off’ring body, mind and heart.
Take and use us to Your glory, form Yourself in every part.
Lord, Your love brings joy and gladness flowing forth within our soul –
May our very breath and being rise to You, their source and goal.

Words by Peter Ellis, 1986. Tune “Beach Spring”