Christian Liturgy 101: How One Church Worshiped 11-6-22

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 full service from our Facebook page (see a video of our sermon alone below).

Worship Director Justin Shaffer directs our liturgy, collaborating with our Creative Staff at Sojourn Church New Albany and our Liturgy writing team (Rebekah Carroll, Ryan Marsh, Libby Thorngate, and Lindsey Blair). This Sunday, Pastor Jonah Sage preached on Hebrews 3:1-11.

—Prelude: “Everything Is Yours” Key, Leader

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

Good morning! Welcome to Sojourn! We gather to worship the living God who initiates our worship, and we, his children, respond in praise and adoration! This is the pattern from the beginning – now, all are invited into the presence of God. Let’s proclaim his word together, today, in his presence, and in the presence of each other 

 

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;

    I will praise your name for ever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you

    and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another;

    they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

 

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,

    to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

    he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The Lord watches over all who love him,

    but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

    Let every creature praise his holy name

    for ever and ever.

 

-Psalm 145:1-5, 18-21 NIV

       

We sing as an embodied act of worship. This is a response to who God has revealed himself to be, not a response to how we feel.

 

—Song 2: “Your Great Name” Key, Leader

 

CONFESSION/LAMENT:  Band Member

When we confess our sins and bring our suffering honestly before the Lord, we are able to experience his love, his compassion, his forgiveness. Therefore let’s come before him boldly, that we may find mercy in our time of need. Let’s pray aloud together: 

 

1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;

    listen to my cry.

Hear my prayer—

    it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 Let my vindication come from you;

    may your eyes see what is right.

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show me the wonders of your great love,

    you who save by your right hand

    those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

    hide me in the shadow of your wings

-Psalm 17:1-2, 6-8 NIV

 

Let’s sing –

 

—Song 3: “Give Reviving” Key, Leader

 

ASSURANCE/PEACE: Band Member

Hear the word of the Lord:

 

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

 

-2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NIV

 

We share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we also share in his peace! Peace with God necessarily results in peace with each other, so let us now extend that peace as we greet one another this morning”

 

——————————————   [SERMON]   ——————————————-

 

—Song 4: “Fellowship So Deep” Key, Leader

 

CREED: Liturgist

Today’s sermon taught us that the church is one, holy, apostolic family. Now, let us proclaim the mystery of faith by joining our voices and reciting the ancient words of the Nicene Creed…”

 

 We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, visible and invisible.

 

We believe in one Lord,

Jesus Christ,

the only-begotten Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

 

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

 

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at

the right hand of the Father.

 

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father nd the Son

who with the Father and the Son

is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

 

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

 

COMMUNION: Liturgist

Because the church is one, holy, apostolic family, we can not only proclaim the mystery of faith, we can also experience it. In the Lord’s supper, we are invited to remember that Christ’s very presence is available to us. He surrounds us, invigorates, and inspires us. Therefore, we turn our minds and imaginations to the night that our Lord Jesus was betrayed. He took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith (say this with me)

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast!

Christ our Passover is sacrificed, once for all upon the Cross.

Therefore let us keep the feast!

As we begin to sing, come forward to receive communion. Our tradition is to take a piece of bread and dip it in the juice or wine – the wine will be marked by twine. If you are not a Christian, we ask you to wait and consider the Lord’s invitation for you today. This is a covenant renewal ceremony, where we remember the covenant Christ made with us by the shedding of his blood, the covenant we accepted as we were baptized into his name. 

Those of you who need gluten free communion elements will find them over here, to my left and your right. And if you need a hands-free, single serve cup, you’ll find them in this far corner, to my right and your left.

Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb

 

—Song 5: “The Church’s One Foundation” Key, Leader

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader

 

—Song 6: “O Church Arise ” Key, Leader

 

BENEDICTION: Liturgist

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. [Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Peace be with you!]

-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV

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