Welcome to Sojourn’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. And if you’d like to see how we incorporate liturgical art and lead the responsive readings, watch the embedded video of our entire service, or check it out on the Sojourn New Albany Facebook page. Our liturgy is written by worship director Justin Shaffer in collaboration with worship directors at other Sojourn churches.
This Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached a sermon on the parable of the shrewd manager from Luke 16, in our Parables of Jesus series. Learn more about Sojourn Community Church here.
January 28, 2018 – Parable of the Unjust Steward from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.
Everything is Yours written by Liz Vice.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good morning Sojourners and visiting guests we are so glad to be together today. God’s word speaks often about the importance of our gathering. Let’s hear God’s word:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… 46b They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42, 46b-47 NIV
It’s not by accident that we are here, God wants us here so let’s set aside the distractions and fully engage in the songs, teaching and fellowship for the next hour or so.
Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder written by John Newton and Laura Taylor.
LAMENT
While it is good and true for the Church to celebrate and rejoice in God’s goodness, we must be careful not to become a people who turn a blind eye to one another’s suffering. The gathering of believers is a time to both rejoice, and to mourn with one another. We rejoice that God has redeemed us as his people, through Christ. However, we mourn the effects of sin that are so present as we await Christ’s return. Let us pray this prayer of lament together:
Lord, we mourn the violence that ravages our country- for the mindless killing of those made in your image.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, give ear to our prayer
We mourn the destructive lies we believe- Lies that say we are better than others, that we need not associate with the oppressed and downcast.
Deliver us from Your wrath, for no one living is righteous.
We mourn that we are quick to tell the unbelieving world only of your anger towards sin, and forget to tell them of the mercy you offer through Christ, your Son.
Make us know the way we should go, and hide not your face from us. Teach us your will, and lead us in Your Spirit.
Adapted from Psalm 143
From the Depths written by Jeremy Quillo.
ASSURANCE/GIVING
Friends and family, hear the words of our God
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5 NIV)
Though life is difficult Christ has suffered for us so that we may have life in Him. Though there is pain and suffering in life, we have hope in Christ. His turmoil brought us rest and the shedding of his blood has brought us peace.
Last week pastor Travis taught from the parable of the talents that there are three reasons why our generosity flows from our hope:
First… Our hope is fueled by a sense of urgency.
Second… Our hope compels us to take risks.
Third… Our hope will be rewarded one day.
Let’s take a moment to listen for God’s voice in prayer before we prepare our tithes and offerings.
BRIEF SILENCE
Let’s sing of our hope in Christ.
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power written by Andrae Crouch.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Greet one another with a holy kiss. -2 Cor 13:12
The power of Christ’s blood makes us holy before God and this same blood reconciles us to each other making us holy to one another. As the scriptures command, let us greet each other with a “Holy Kiss”. Or maybe a warm hug, handshake, fist bump anybody?
[Sermon]
[Communion]
I’d Rather Have Jesus written by Rhea F. Miller, George Beverly Shea.
There is a Peace written by Charlie Richardson.
BENEDICTION
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(Hebrews 13:20,21)
Go now in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Peace be with you…