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, and our Liturgy writing team (Rebekah Carroll, Ryan Marsh, and Lindsey Blair).
This Sunday Pastor Bobby Gilles preached from Romans 8 in a sermon entitled Image Conscious.
—Prelude: “All Glory Be to Christ” Key, Leader
CALL TO WORSHIP: Liturgist
Good morning Sojourn, and Happy New Year! As we step into another new year, it feels kind of uncertain doesn’t it? Last year, we felt like 2021 would be the solution, but it wasn’t. You might be wondering if this will be the year that things go “back to normal”? OR Will we endure another year of uncertainty? Let’s take a moment to reflect on our true source of hope and the source of every new beginning. Read the underlined portions with me:
7Sing out your thanks to the Lord;
sing praises to our God with a harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.
9 He gives food to the wild animals
and feeds the young ravens when they cry.
10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse
or in human might.
11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147: 7-11
Let’s worship the God who holds us all in the palm of his hand.
—Song 2: “Is He Worthy” Key, Leader
LAMENT FOR CHUCK: Band Member
This past Sunday, our 11 AM upper elementary Sunday School teacher Chuck Heeke passed away from a heart attack. Those of us who didn’t have the pleasure of being kids in Mr. Chuck’s class knew him as Big Chuck, Chuck Sr., or simply Chuck. Most Sundays after the passing of the piece, I walk down the aisle to my left, your right, after rehearsal and again after the passing of the peace at the 9:00 service. I hadn’t really considered why, but I strongly suspect it’s largely because Chuck and Lorilla are always there – always providin a warm smile and some kind of brief encouragement. That walk is going to be really difficult today and in the coming weeks. As a church family, we’re not going to shy away from expressing our grief together before the Lord. Chuck was a loving husband, father, friend, and brother in Christ, one of our best Bible teachers, and a model to us all. Hear God’s word, as we lament together, church:
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
-Psalm 103:13-22 NLT
When we are grieving, and the fragility of life seems an unavoidable reality pressing in, “all that I am” doesn’t seem like much at all. This felt need, however, is all our Father requires. So even if all we can muster is a whimper, let us sing.
—Song 3: “I Have to Believe” Key, Leader
ASSURANCE: Liturgist
Friends, hear this good news!
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Just think, the king of kings is interceding for you today and all days. This is good news, indeed. Let’s sing.
—Song 4: “Your Great Name” Key, Leader
PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member
Truly God is merciful and showers us with love and peace to the point of overflowing. Let’s share that peace and love now. Be sure to find someone you don’t know so that you can begin the new year with a new friend!
—————————————— [SERMON & COMMUNION] ——————————————-
—Song 5: “Glory Be” Key, Leader
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader
—Song 6: “Revelation Song” Key, Leader
BENEDICTION: Liturgist
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Peace be with you!
–Romans 8: 38-39