A King & A Kingdom: Your Will Be Done (October 25, 2020)
Please participate in the following liturgy, reading aloud all the parts in bold italics.
Call to Worship:
Matthew 6:9-13
Jesus said, this is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory,
forever and ever,
Amen.
Song: Center
Oh Christ, be the center of our lives
be the place we fix our eyes, be the center of our lives
You’re the center of the universe
Everything was made in You, Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for You
You hold everything together
You hold everything together
We lift our eyes to heaven
We wrap our lives around Your life
We lift our eyes to heaven
To You
Song: Your Love is Strong
Heavenly Father, You always amaze me
Let Your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need to live through today
and forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation,
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window, the birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day
So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need, You know what I need
Your love is, Your love is,
Your love is strong
The Kingdom of the heavens is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The Kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found?
Two things You told me: You are strong and You love
Where do you specifically see God already working to bring the Kingdom to earth?
To join this good work, is there anything you need to let go of to de-center your will and participate in God’s will?
Our God in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name above all names
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread, forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons
Prayers of the People
For the peace of the world
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the
Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
For leaders, judges & justice
Almighty God, send down on those who hold public office the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. As you sit on your throne giving righteous judgment: we humbly ask you to bless all courts of justice in this land; give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, that fearing no power but yours alone, they may discern the truth and impartially administer the law; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide and direct, we humbly pray, the minds of all those who are called to elect fit persons to serve. Grant that in the exercise of our choice we may promote your glory, and the welfare of this nation. This we ask for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For our enemies
O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth;
deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you
in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Readings:
John 5:39-44 (The Message)
“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?”
James 1:19-20, 22-24, 26-27 (NRSV)
“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness… Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like…
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their distress,
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
The Gospel & Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
A King & A Kingdom: Your Will Be Done
Confession & Assurance
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor:
All:
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in Your will,
and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name.
Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Eucharist & Sacrament of Desire
Now let’s draw near in the presence of our Savior.
The Lord be with you!
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
On the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way he took the cup saying,
“This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”
Is the Father with us?
He is.
Is Christ among us?
He is.
Is the Spirit here?
He is.
This is our God.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are his people.
We are redeemed.
Therefore by taking this bread & drinking this cup, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
These are the gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, And feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Alternatively, for those who are not receiving communion, the Sacrament of Desire may be prayed.
Sacrament of Desire
Now, in union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Your Church,
I present to You my soul and body
with the earnest prayer that I will remain united to you.
And since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
I pray that you would come to me spiritually.
I unite myself to you, and embrace you with my soul’s affection.
Let nothing separate me from you,
that I may live and die in Your love.
Amen.
Song: Rich and Poor
Rich and poor alike, listen with your own hearts:
His love is for us all, His love is for us all.
Rich and poor alike, listen with your own souls:
Do not live in fear, do not live in fear.
Oh rich and poor alike, His love is for us all.
Rich and poor, high and low, sick and well,
this I know:
His love is for us all
Community Life
- In-Person & Online House Churches Continue Next Sunday
Join us for House Churches next week at 10:30am, either in person or online at thepari.sh/gather - Costumes + Candy
Kids are invited to wear a costume to next week’s House Churches and we’ll have candy in each Parish Kids pack - Parish Prayer + Community Forum
A new online space for the Parish community to share life together, lift up prayer needs, and build community. Request to join online using your facebook account at thepari.sh/prayer - Golf for Peace
Support our friends at Peace Prep Academy in Atlanta with their upcoming golf tournament at the Country Club of Roswell. You can sign up to golf, sponsor a hole or the event, or volunteer to help out. Details at peaceprep.com/golf
The Cross of Christ
All our problems,
We send to the cross of Christ!
All our difficulties,
We send to the cross of Christ!
All the devil’s works,
We send to the cross of Christ!
All our hopes,
We set on the Risen Christ!
Blessing & Sending
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
