Christian Liturgy 101: How One Church Worshiped March 12, 2023

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 from Hebrews 9:11-15.

—Prelude: “Holy Ghost Power (Hillbilly Thomists)” Key, Leader

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

Themes:

 

1 Come, let us sing to the Lord!

    Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving.

    Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

3 For the Lord is a great God,

    a great King above all gods.

4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth

    and the mightiest mountains.

5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it.

    His hands formed the dry land, too.

6 Come, let us worship and bow down.

    Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,

7     for he is our God.

We are the people he watches over,

    the flock under his care.

-Psalm 95:1-7 NLT

       

In 1-2 Sentences: “”

 

—Song 2: “Come Thou Fount” Key, Leader

 

LAMENT:  Band Member

[Spoken Text]

 

5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

 

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

-Romans 5:1-5 NLT

 

[Spoken Text]

 

—Song 3: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Key, Leader

 

ASSURANCE & PEACE: Band Member

Hear this amazing assurance: 

 

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

-Romans 5:6-11 NLT

 

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

 

—Song 4: “Break Every Chain” Key, Leader

 

NICENE CREED: Liturgist

Today’s sermon taught us that Christ, our great high priest, is our Most Holy Place. In him, we have all we need and will one day become all he made us to be. Let’s proclaim our belief together!

 

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 and 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,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

COMMUNION: Liturgist

Every Sunday we announce and experience the mystery of faith. 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. Let’s 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 announce the mystery of faith together (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 by the cross. And if you need a hands-free, single serve cup, you’ll find them in this far corner.

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: “Nothing but the Blood” Key, Leader

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader

 

—Song 6: “Victory in Jesus” Key, Leader

 

BENEDICTION: Liturgist

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

 

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.[Peace be with you!]

 

-Revelation 22:17, 20-21 NLT

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