Christian Liturgy 101: How One Church Worshiped August 23, 2020

by Bobby Gilles

in Liturgy & Sermons

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 (you can also see a video of our sermon alone, from Vimeo).

Our liturgy is directed by Worship Director Justin Shaffer, in collaboration with our Creative Staff at Sojourn Church New Albany, our Liturgy writers, and worship staff at the other four Sojourn Collective churches in the Louisville area.

This Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached from 1 Corinthians 12 in our series on racial justice and reconciliation, Family Matters. We begin with a short “countdown to the gathering” hosted by Deacon Kristen Gilles. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here.

August 23, 2020 – Jonah Sage – Problem Of Privilege from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth

We praise you, God, for preparing a home for us.

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

We praise you, God, for sharing your radiant light from the very beginning.

God commanded the earth to “green up” and trees, flowers, grass, vegetables, wheat sprouted!

We praise you, God, for providing us with food, shelter, and clothing, and beauty that they provide.

God made the sun, the moon, the stars, galaxies dripping with the extravagant touch of his handiwork.

We praise you, God, for setting our home among the vast expanse of the cosmos.

God made fish, birds, and animals of all kinds, big and small, strange and beautiful; endlessly varied.

We praise you, God, for filling your creation with life.

God made humankind, male and female, wonderfully diverse, reflecting his very nature.

We praise you, God, for creating us, your children, out of the overflow of your extravagant love!

We humbly join in a vibrant worship gathering that has always been, that is today, and will always be.

With everything we have to offer, we praise you, God!

Amen!

—Song 2: “10,000 Reasons/Doxology” Key, Ryan

CONFESSION/LAMENT:  Band Member

Every week, we are either confronted with the reality of our weakness and brokenness, our suffering and sin, or we deny it and hide. But because of God’s goodness, HIS glory and strength, he has made a way for us to draw near to him in spite of our brokenness. Let’s pray together and rejoice for what God has done.

Great and Mighty God,

It is good for us to be humbled by your greatness.

Though we are weak and overwhelmed,

your grace enables us to become more like you.

In our sin and failure, have mercy on us, O God.

May we remember the Mighty One, Jesus Christ,

who makes a way for us to be redeemed.

His blood is our peace,

His righteousness our strength,

His condemnation our freedom,

His Spirit our power,

His Kingdom our heritage.

May our hearts be transformed by character that you have molded,

and not by anxiety, hurry, and the pressure of life’s circumstances.

May we live with a clean conscience and continual hunger for your righteousness.

Father, we ask that these things would happen by the power of your spirit and the blood of your son.

It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray, Amen.

—Song 3: “Death Has Lost its Sting” Gm, Meg

ASSURANCE & GIVING: Liturgist

God’s rescue plan wasn’t something that he improvised; he had had the score in place before the foundation of the world to demonstrate his love for us by rescuing us from our sin and brokenness and into a full, rich, meaningful life with him and with his church. Hear the word of the Lord!

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

– 1 Peter 1:18-21NLT

What a God we worship! Let’s lift our voices and sing.  

—Song 4: “Here is Love” Key, Justin

PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member

Hear God’s Word: 

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

1 Peter 1:22 

If left to our own devices, we would never be able to love each other deeply, but because of Christ’s Righteousness, our family is restored! Hallelujah! Let’s take a moment to greet one another with this reality in mind 🙂

——————————————   [SERMON & COMMUNION]   ——————————————-

—Song 5: “What a Friend is Jesus/Bind Us Together” Key, All 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Meg

BENEDICTION: Justin

Go now, in full assurance that the God who has called you into fellowship with His son is faithful to keep you firm to the end, he will help you do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him now and forevermore. Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

—Postlude: “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”

Previous post:

Next post: