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. You can also watch the video stream of the whole service from our Facebook page, or here below.
Our liturgy is written by worship director Justin Shaffer in collaboration with worship directors at other Sojourn churches.
This Sunday we observed Memorial Day 2019, and we celebrated the sending of Justin and Alana Karl to plant Citizen’s Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Then Pastor Travis McGowan preached from 2 Peter 1:12-21 and we cried out to God in the wake of the tragic auto accident that killed Kevin Galloway, a Sojourn Network pastor who preached here at Sojourn New Albany just last Sunday. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here.
May 26, 2019 – 2 Peter 1 – Travis McGowan from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.
A Country of My Own written by Thad Cockrell.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Welcome to Sojourn! I’m ______
If we’re honest, it can be hard to come to Church. It’s overwhelming to think about being in the presence of a holy God, or even merely a group of people who seem to have it together. Praying and thinking about God isn’t much easier… “what do I have to say that hasn’t been said? What original thought do I have?” We fear God like we fear an angry parent.
Perhaps you are here today feeling like God is angry with you over your sin, and that He’s ready to just smite you. Amazingly, the Lord has a different word for us than one of condemnation. He says “Come to me. I’m calling out to You! I love you and I will forgive you. Come back. Don’t fear.” Today, let’s hear the voice of our God:
Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish
In Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
-The Worship Sourcebook; based on Joel 2:13 and 2 Corinthians 9:15
God’s invitation to us today is to draw near and worship Him. Let’s respond and sing together!
Solid Rock written by Edward Mote and William Bradbury.
Memorial Day LAMENT
On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect upon the blessings many Americans enjoy, and to grieve over high cost of those blessings, to grieve and pray over the injustices and turmoil that sadly remain until the glorious day our savior returns. Let’s pause for a moment together with the rest of our nation and pray…
Gracious, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,
For freeing us from the bonds of slavery to satan, sin, and earthly tyrants.
Father, we are grateful!
For the relative freedom we enjoy in this country, for opportunities to flourish, and for the security of our land.
Father, we are grateful!
For those who have served in the armed services of our country, risking and sacrificing their lives for our liberty and safety and that others may experience freedom from tyranny.
Father, we are grateful!
May we be more grateful for our blessings, more faithful in stewarding them well, more eager to share them with others.
Today, we grieve with families and friends of those who have lost loved ones in service to our nation. May they be comforted in their sadness.
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Even as we remember those who have given their lives in the past, we also think of those whose lives are on the line today. Protect them, encourage them, and bring them home safely and soon.
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Give wisdom to the leaders of our armed services, that they might know how best to deploy troops with sobriety and temperance. Guide those who lead our nation in international affairs. Help them to pursue diplomatic paths that prevent needless conflict.
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
God of peace, stir in the hearts of the leaders of all nations and in all who would use violence to further their cause. Soften their hearts and fill their minds with your grace and peace.
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Until your kingdom is here in all of its fullness, we pray for a foretaste of the future. We ask for peace throughout our world today, we long for the day when people will “turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation; they won’t play war anymore.” (Isa. 2:4 The Message).
May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
Amen!
Psalm 126 by Page CXVI.
ASSURANCE & GIVING
Hear the glorious mystery of the Gospel revealed:
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. -Colossians 1:25-28 NIV
Amen! As we prepare our tithes and offerings, let’s pray these words together:
God, in the presence of each other
We bring you this offering, knowing that
Your gospel is bearing fruit here and all around the world.
As the giving baskets will go around, let’s continue to sing!
We Are Listening written by Jeremy Quillo.
Sending: Justin and Alana Karl to Citizen’s Church – new Sojourn Network plant in Birmingham, AL.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
As we greet one another today and “pass the peace,” let’s also make an effort to “spur one another on” as the bible teaches – offer an encouraging word or ask your neighbor if they have any prayer needs or otherwise 🙂
[Sermon]
[Communion]
How Long arranged by Isaac Wardell.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Your Great Name written by Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neal.
BENEDICTION
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. (Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!)