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 week’s liturgy was written by Rebekah Carroll.
This Sunday Pastor Stephen Pierce preached from Acts 17:22-28 in our Christmas & Epiphany series Finding Hope: How To Experience Christ Like Never Before. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here.
January 10, 2021 – Stephen Pierce – Christ In Culture from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Liturgist
Good morning! Welcome! So glad you’re able to join us this morning. Even though we’re doing online-only services this week and can’t meet in person, it’s still a joy to worship with you over the interwebs and join together in spirit. At ten days into 2021, maybe you’re hoping to experience something new and refreshing; maybe you’ve made a new year’s resolution in hope that this year will be better than the last, whether that means healthier lifestyles, reconciled relationships, traveling to new places, learning a new skill – the list could go on and on. In light of the presidential election and what’s going on in the capitol right now, maybe you’re experiencing disappointment, concern; maybe you have high hopes for what is to come. No matter where you’re watching from, I want you to know that God is inviting you to experience a new, refreshing hope that doesn’t require you to do anything other than to receive Him. No matter what your expectations are of 2021, I want you to know that the promise of love and hope that God offers is certain, and no matter what the future holds, he holds the future. As we prepare to worship, let’s hear about what we’ll find and experience when we seek our good and faithful Lord Jesus:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord. -Lamentations 3:22-26
Since we worship a faithful, living God who holds the future, we can enter into a new year trusting that he is with us, and that his mercies truly are new each and every day of each and every year. Let’s sing!
—Song 1: “Because He Lives” Key, Leader
CONFESSION/LAMENT: Band Member
We often live as if we can earn salvation on our own, whether it’s through good deeds or generosity. But here’s the reality: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Our salvation comes from him alone – he already made an atonement for our sin on the cross. So God doesn’t need our sacrifices; rather, he desires humble, obedient hearts. Let’s hear what he expects from those who trust in him.
What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
-Micah 6:6-8 NLT
Let’s take a moment and ask the Lord to turn our hearts to him. As you pray, ask Jesus to help you receive his transforming grace. Ask him to help you to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him. Pray with me now
—Song 2: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” Key, Leader
ASSURANCE: Liturgist
Church, this is our assurance: When we were sinners, God loved us and sent us Jesus to die for our sins to make us right with him; then Jesus rose from death to life, and he’s inviting us to share in this wonderful new life with him. Because of Jesus, we’re made right with God. And we respond by being a light to the world and sharing that good news. Here’s what Jesus said:
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
-Matthew 5:14-15
Because we’re in right standing with God, let’s let our lights shine as we sing this next song.
—Song 3: “This Little Light of Mine” Key, Leader
PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member
We have peace with God and with one another. Parents, pull your children in close to you, pull your spouse close to you, send someone a text to let them know you love them. And comment on the live video feed to let us know you’re here with us! Let’s take a moment to share that peace with each other now. Peace, friends!
—————————————— [SERMON & COMMUNION] ——————————————-
—Song 4: “Fellowship So Deep” Key, Leader
BENEDICTION: Liturgist
Go knowing that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Peace be with you!
-Romans 8:38-39