Liturgy (10/25)

PRELUDE – “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Josh Garrels

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

SONG –

“How Great Is Our God” by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves

CONFESSION OF SIN –

Merciful Lord, we confess that with us there is an abundance of sin,

but in you there is the fullness of righteousness and abundance of mercy.

We are spiritually poor,

but you are rich and in Jesus Christ came to be merciful to the poor.

Strengthen our faith and trust in you.

We are empty vessels that need to be filled; fill us.

We are weak in faith; strengthen us.

We are cold in love; warm us, and make our hearts fervent for you

that our love may go out to one another and to our neighbors.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Psalm 103:8-12

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

SONGS –

“Give us Clean Hands” by Charlie Hall

“Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me” by Citylight

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING – Habakkuk 1:1-17

SERMON – “Our Hope in Christ”

SONG –

“All Glory Be to Christ” by Dustin Kensrue

THE LORD’S TABLE

SONG—

“Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “Through it All” by Sean McDonald

Addendum to The Immanuel Plan for Gathering Again

As coronavirus cases are starting to surge in Chicago (which is going to be further complicated by entering what was already the normal flu and cold season), we wanted to give more guidelines for making sure that we can safely maintain meeting together for worship and fellowship.

We want to continue being Bible directed, which involves loving our city and our neighbors by trying to prevent the spread of COVID until there’s a vaccine or treatment (i.e. Rom. 13:10). And we want to continue to be local government informed (1Pe. 2:13-17).

Recommendations:

· Please be sure to RSVP to church services early every week! This helps us to follow city limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings and also helps us know who may be exposed in case of future infections.

· During this season, if you are feeling sick please do not attend worship, even if you don’t think you have COVID. Oftentimes how people respond to a cold and COVID can be very similar.

· Please default to getting tested if you are feeling ill. If you get tested negative, other people may not have to get tested. If you are positive, however, others have the chance to get tested so they can make informed decisions on how to avoid further infecting others in the community.  If you have tested positive, please let us know here.

· We encourage you to receive the flu vaccine this year. Although influenza is less deadly than COVID-19, it is also very infectious and can confuse people with whether they have COVID or not. This can negatively impact ability to go to work, school, or other things.

· Please follow city recommendations and guidelines for travel restrictions as best as you can.

· Please follow CDC recommendations on mask wearing and hand hygiene as best as you can.

· And remember: even if you may not be in danger of serious complications from COVID, you can start a chain of infection that can ultimately infect someone who is more likely to have serious complications. Please do not see these measures merely in the context of individual protection. They are in place to also help others.

The following are two flow charts to help you think through what to do if you are directly exposed to someone with COVID or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.

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Liturgy 10/18/2020

PRELUDE – “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Josh Garrels

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 5:7-8

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

SONG –

“How Great Thou Art” by Stuart K. Hine

CONFESSION OF SIN – Dan. 9:4-11

Let’s confess our sins together praying Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:4-11

“O Lord, the great and awesome God, 

who keeps covenant and steadfast love 

with those who love him and keep his commandments, 

we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, 

turning aside from your commandments and rules. 

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, 

who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, 

and to all the people of the land. 

 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, 

but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, 

to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, 

those who are near and those who are far away, 

in all the lands to which you have driven them, 

because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 

To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, 

for we have rebelled against him 

and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, 

which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 

 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. 

And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God 

have been poured out upon us, 

because we have sinned against him.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Heb. 4:14-16

Hear this assurance of pardon from Heb. 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 

Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, 

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

SONGS – 

“Lord I Need You”by Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, and Matt Maher

“It Is Well with My Soul” by Horatio Gates Spafford and Philip Paul Bliss

PRAYER have people sit

SCRIPTURE READING –Habakkuk 1:1-15 have people stand for the reading. End with “This is the word of the Lord.” 

SERMON (Nathan) –  “LORD What Are You Doing?”

SONG –

“Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook

LORD’S TABLE – 

SONG— 

“On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” by Edward Mote

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “Through it all” by Sean Mcdonald

Liturgy 9/20

PRELUDE – “It’s Not Enough” by Dustin Kensrue

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 5:11-12

Hear this call to worship from Psalm 5:11-12

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

SONG –

“Glory in the Highest” by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carlson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, and Matt Redman

CONFESSION OF SIN – Psalm 51

Let’s read this confession of sin together from Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.

 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

 May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

SONGS – 

“To The Cross I Cling” by Isaac Wimberley, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleecker

“How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Chris Tomlin

PRAYER Be Seated

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 5:13-17  Please Stand. End with “This is the Word of the Lord.” 

SERMON (Nathan)

SONG –

“Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook

LORD’S TABLE

SONG— 

“It Is Finished” by Dustin Kensrue

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “The Cost” by Rend Collective

Liturgy 9/13

PRELUDE – “Carried to the Table” by Leeland

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – 

Here these words from Isaiah 46:8-10

“Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, you transgressors,
    remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

Let’s stand and worship the unchanging God.

SONG –

“Unchanging” by Chris Tomlin

CONFESSION OF SIN – Matt. 3:10-12

In Matt. 3:10-12, John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus proclaiming:

   The ax is already at the root of the trees, 

and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down

 and thrown into the fire.

 I baptize you with water for repentance. 

But after me comes one who is more powerful than I,

 whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. 

He will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit and fire.  

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, 

gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

In light of the coming kingdom of Christ, let’s take a moment to reflect upon our sins and repent of the many ways we fall short of his righteousness.

[Moment of Silence]

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Matt 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

But John tried to deter him, saying, 

“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now;

 it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” 

Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. 

At that moment heaven was opened, 

and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 

 And a voice from heaven said,

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, sinners like us can receive his perfect righteousness and his inheritance of Sonship. 

Let’s stand and worship our savior together. 

SONGS – 

“Nothing But the Blood” by Robert Lowry

“At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jonas Myrin, Matt Armstrong, and Matt Redman

PRAYER  Please be seated

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 5:6-12 Please stand and respond with “This is the word of the Lord.” 

SERMON (Timothy Easterday) “The Superior Testimony of God”

SONG –

“There Is A Fountain Filled with Blood” by William Cowper

LORD’S TABLE (Theo) – 

SONG— 

“Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves

BENEDICTION (Jeremiah)

ANNOUNCEMENTS (Jeremiah)

POSTLUDE – “No Longer Slaves” by Josh Garrels

Liturgy (9/6)

PRELUDE – “Carried to the Table” by Leeland

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Rev. 5:11-13

“Hear this call to worship from Rev. 5:11-13”

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

SONG –

“Holy Is the Lord” by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio

CONFESSION OF SIN – Read Out Loud Together

Father in heaven, we thank you for the freedom you have given us

 through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. 

But we confess today that we often live like slaves. 

Instead of living like you delight in us, we avoid you in shame and guilt.

 Instead of receiving your favor as a gift, we try to earn it with our efforts.

 Instead of accepting your freedom, we prefer our chains.

 Instead of pursuing your purposes, we cling to our short-sighted agendas. 

Forgive us. Embrace us. Cleanse us. Heal us. 

We ask this in Jesus name. 

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – 

“Hear this assurance of pardon from Matt. 11:28-30”

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

SONGS – 

“How Deep the Father’s Love” by Stuart Townend

“Speak, O Lord” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

PRAYER Be Seated

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 5:1-5 Respond with “This is the Word of the Lord.” 

SERMON – “The Order of Salvation, Obedience, and Overcoming”

SONG –

“Give Us One Pure and Holy Passion”by Mark Altrogge

LORD’S TABLE – 

SONG— 

“I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “No Longer Slaves” by Josh Garrels

Liturgy (8/30)

PRELUDE –  “Lift Your Eyes” by Leeland playing in the background Start at 9:55 AM

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP –

Hear this call to worship from Psalm 33:1-5

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

 

SONG –

“All Creatures of Our God and King” by Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, St. Francis of Assisi, and William Henry Draper

 

CONFESSION OF SIN –

1 Cor. 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,

I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love,

I am nothing.

 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

 but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

 Love never ends.

As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease;

as for knowledge, it will pass away.

 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

In light of the many ways the Lord has loved us, let’s take a moment and repent of the many ways we fail to love God and neighbor as we ought.

[Moment of Silent Prayer]

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Hear this Assurance of Pardon from Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

SONGS –

“He Will Hold Me Fast” by Ada Ruth Habershon and Matthew Merker

“Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 4:13-21

SERMON (Nathan) – “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear”

SONG –

“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH –

Let’s affirm our faith together with this portion of the NICENE CREED

We Believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.

LORD’S TABLE

SONG —

“I Stand Amazed in the Presence” by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “In the Hands of God” by Newsboys

Liturgy (8/23)

PRELUDE – “Love Move First” by Casting Crowns

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP  – Nehemiah 9:5-6

Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting.

Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

You are the Lord, you alone.

You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host,

the earth and all that is on it,

the seas and all that is in them;

and you preserve all of them;

and the host of heaven worships you.

Song –

“All Praise to Him” by Bob Kauflin and Matt Merker

CONFESSION OF SIN — Ezra 9:6-8

O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God,

for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads,

and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.

From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt.

And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests

have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands,

to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today.

 But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God,

to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place,

that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery.

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Romans 5:6-11

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—

though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—  

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.  

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood,

much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son,

much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Songs –

“Be Magnified” by Lynn DeShazo

“How Deep the Father’s Love” by Stuart Townend

 

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 4:7-12

SERMON  – “God is Love”

Song –

“My Jesus I Love Thee” by Adoniram Judson Gordon and William Ralph Featherstone

LORD’S TABLE –

 Song —

“Now Why This Fear?” by Augustus Toplady and Doug Plank

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “Oh, Great Love of God” by David Crowder Band

Liturgy (8/16)

PRELUDE – “Creed” by Rich Mullins

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 95:1-8a

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God,

and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.

Song –

“Come Praise and Glorify” by Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester

CONFESSION OF SIN –

EVERYONE:

Almighty and merciful God,

we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against your holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;

and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.

O Lord, have mercy upon us.

Spare those who confess their faults.

Restore those who are penitent,

according to your promises declared to the world in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And grant, O merciful God, for his sake,

that we may live a holy, just, and humble life

to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Song –

“O Great God” by Bob Kauflin

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

EVERYONE:

We believe in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ

his only Son our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried,

he descended to hell

and on the third day he rose again from the dead,

he ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,

from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of the saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Song –

“How Firm a Foundation” by Unknown

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 4:1-6

SERMON – “Testing the Spirits”

Song –

“In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

LORD’S TABLE

OFFERING

Songs –

“A Mighty Fortress” by Martin Luther

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE – “Fal$e Teacher$” by Shai Linne

Liturgy (8/9)

PRELUDE

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 46:10-11

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Song –

“No One Higher” by Heath Balltzglier, Seth Condrey, and Steve Fee

CONFESSION OF NEED – from The Book of Common Prayer (1928)

O most mighty and merciful God,

in this time of grievous sickness,

we flee unto thee for succor.

Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril;

give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick;

prosper the means made use of for their cure;

and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is,

we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom

which leadeth to eternal life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Song –

“Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder” by John Newton and Laura Taylor

ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,

but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons,

by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Song –

“Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING – 1 John 3:9-24

SERMON – “Assurance”

Song –

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Lemme

LORD’S TABLE

Song –

“Your Grace Is Enough” by Matt Maher

BENEDICTION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

POSTLUDE