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 missionary church planter Daniel Wainright preached a sermon on James 3:6-21, and our liturgy featured hymns and classic gospel songs. Kristyn Wainright also shared things that God has been teaching her as she and her family serve as missionaries in France. Learn more about Sojourn Community Church here.
July 22, 2018 – Daniel Wainright – Ephesians 3 from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.
Prelude song: Home At Last written by Mike Blakeny
Call to Worship
Welcome to Sojourn! My name is _________, and it’s a blessing to have you joining our church family today. Every single person here (including over in our kids’ area) is here because God brought you here. He brought each of us together to hear and rehearse the Good News that we hear every week… that forgiveness of sin is available in Jesus; that restored life is available in Jesus; that all things are being made new through Jesus.
But… God also brought you here PERSONALLY, for reasons only He knows. Maybe it’s just to remind you that He’s real, He loves you and He’s FOR you. Whatever the unique reason, we all get to hear God’s invitation to us today.
Hear God’s promise to His people, and know that you can receive these words for YOURSELF
But now thus says the Lord,
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
-Isaiah 43:1-3
Friends, let’s sing out to God, Who knows and loves us deeply and personally.
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King written by Francis of Assisi
Lament/Confession
So often we struggle to believe that this great God we sing anthems of praise to really does know and love us. And if that kind of doubt feels familiar to you today, you’re not alone… not just in this room but in the very Word of God.
Hear this cry from the Psalmist, and I invite you to read the underlined portions aloud with me:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:7-12
And the mighty deeds of the Lord include this:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
Let’s sing together, knowing that no matter how messed up we think we are, God still embraces us.
Song: You Never Let Go written by Matt and Beth Redman
Assurance/Giving
It is good news that God does leave you alone in the valley. He holds you, sustains you, and cares for you even in death and great loss. You can be confident that in Jesus Himself, God gives you an answer to your loneliness, your heartache, and your wondering about who you are.
Let’s rejoice in God’s promise for us, and for the world:
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
-Philippians 4:12-13
Each week we take the opportunity to respond to God’s generosity by giving. This is a way that we lock arms with the local church to take part in God’s mission in Southern Indiana. If you’re visiting with us today, please don’t feel obligated to give. But let’s take this time to declare that we place our hope not what we have, but in who God is.
Let’s continue to sing as the giving buckets go around…
Song: Good Good Father written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown.
Passing of the Peace
God promises us in Philippians 4 that the peace He offers is greater than our understanding, that it guards our hearts and minds, and that it comes through Jesus alone. Let’s take a few minutes to greet one another in that same spirit of peace
*Allow a few minutes for the congregation to chat. Then invite everyone to remain standing for the reading of God’s word.
Sermon/Communion
Song: Nothing But the Blood written by Robert Lowry
Song: Our Great God written by Mac Powell and Fernando Ortega
Benediction
We end our services with a benediction, which is a blessing for the road
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Peace be with you.