Sunday, August 3 - It's Time: Desire Rightly
Possible call to worship
The greatness of God is not just seen in creation, it is proclaimed and declared in His Word. It is displayed in His power, mercy, and majesty. Psalm 145:3 tells us, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” As we lift our voices today, we join in a song that creation continues to sing, and will never stop singing. Let every heart declare, together…How great is our God!
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin (consider using lead vocalists for the verses, and inviting the congregation to sing the chorus each time; listen here, music attached)
H15, CH147 - How Great Thou Art
Possible call to worship
God does not need our worship…He is complete and glorious, and perfect in Himself. But, He designed us to worship because it is what our souls long for. Within us, is a thirst only He can satisfy. We read in Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Let us come with hearts that long for Him as we sing, As the Deer.
God does not need our worship…He is complete and glorious, and perfect in Himself. But, He designed us to worship because it is what our souls long for. Within us, is a thirst only He can satisfy. We read in Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Let us come with hearts that long for Him as we sing, As the Deer.
H234, CH548 - As the Deer
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship You.
CH649 - When I Look into Your Holiness
...when my will becomes enthralled in Your love.
O Great God - Sovereign Grace (listen here, music attached)
O Great God of highest heaven, occupy my lowly heart Own in all and reign supreme, conquer every rebel power.
Help me now to live a life that’s dependent on Your grace.
Keep my heart and guard my soul from every evil that I face.
CH340 - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim...
H235, CH562 - Be Thou My Vision (opening hymn option; v. 1-3)
Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I ever Thine;
Thou in me dwelling, Thy will ever mine.
H460, CH393 - Breathe on Me, Breath of God (response option)
...fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou would'st do.
CH186 - Lord, Be Glorified (response option)
CH654 - Change My Heart, O God (acceptance option)
H89, CH550 - I Want to Be Like Jesus (acceptance option, v. 1)
I have one deep, supreme desire: that I may be like Jesus.
H503 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (repentance option)
His Mercy Is More - Boswell/Papa (communion option; consider instrumental only to start, then add voices; listen here, purchase here or here)
What love could remember no wrongs we have done, omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum.
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore, our sins they are many, His mercy is more.
H353 - I'm Resting Now at Jesus' Feet (communion option)
Oh, Jesus, Redeemer, to be with Thee how sweet! Contended I'm resting forever at Thy feet.
H52, CH788 - Now Thank We All Our God (closing option)
Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
Sunday, August 10 - It's Time: Embrace Truth
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (see piano solo arrangement attached, and also here)
Possible call to worship
Psalm 46:1 declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God is an unshakeable fortress in every trial, every storm, every circumstance of life. No matter what challenges come, He is the One who never fails. With confidence in His power and faithfulness, we can sing together, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
H172, CH151 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (for a contemporary version, consider having the worship leader(s) lead the congregation using this arrangement from Matt Boswell)
Possible call to worship
Psalm 93:1 “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt..” …This is the God we worship; Unmatched in power. Unchanging in glory. Sovereign over all things. God is not distant and God is not weak. He is the Almighty King who rules with perfect authority and strength. Because He alone is worthy, we come before Him now to worship and exalt His name.
CH8 and CH9 Medley - Come, Thou Almighty King and Glorify Thy Name
Consider the following approach:
- Introduction (CH7), choir sings "Come, Thou Almighty King," optional transition/interlude included in CH, congregation sings "Glorify Thy Name"
"Come, Thou Almighty King:" for a contemporary version, consider having the worship leader(s) lead the congregation using this energetic arrangement by the Gettys.
Speak, O Lord - Getty (listen and purchase here)
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You to receive the food of Your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us, shape and fashion us in Your likeness
H92 - In Christ Alone (opening hymn option)
In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
H 470 / Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (response option)
…dawn upon this soul of mine. Word of God and inward light, wake my spirit, clear my sight.
Help Us See Christ - Sovereign Grace (response option; consider as a solo or duet; listen here, music attached)
Holy Spirit, Breath of God…. Holy Spirit, voice of truth….Open our eyes, Spirit we cry….Help us see Christ
H 310, CH406 - Wonderful Words Of Life (response/acceptance option; see piano solo arrangement here; could be used to support solo/congregational singing)
H77 - Christ Living in Me (acceptance option)
Praise the God of truth and grace, His spirit lives in me.
Lord Have Mercy - Boswell/Papa (repentance option; consider lead vocalists for verses and congregation on chorus; listen and purchase here)
For what we have done and left undone, we call on your countless mercies.
For sins that are known and those unknown, we call on Your name so holy.
For envy and pride, for closing our eyes, for scorning our very neighbor.
In thought, word, and deed, we failed You, our King, how deeply we need a Savior
CH 344 / Grace Greater Than Our Sin (repentance or communion option; see piano solo arrangements here)
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
H 376 / I Praise God’s Love In Adoration (communion option)
My heart is Thine, in earth and heaven, Redeemer, Thou my greatest good.
Thou hast in love Thy pure life given for my salvation through Thy blood.
From greatest sin didst Thou deliver: I give my heart to Thee forever.
O Jesus, may Thy name forever be deeply in my heart impressed.
May Thy great love, O Jesus, ever be both by heart and mind confessed.
In word and deed, in all my nature, may Thou, Lord, be in ev'ry feature.
Christ Our Hope In Life And Death - Getty/Boswell/Papa (closing option; listen and purchase here)
What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone!
What truth can calm the troubled soul? God is good, God is good.
…Now and ever we confess “Christ our hope in life and death”!
Sunday, August 17 - It's Time: Trust His Promises
Possible call to worship
God is powerful and above all…yet, He is near to us. He rules with perfect wisdom and everything He does is right and good. Psalm 103:1 says…”Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.” So with awe and with wonder, let’s worship the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
CH210 - Praise To The Lord, The Almighty (also an opening hymn option; or, sing 2-3 verses in worship, then the final verse to close)
CH140 - Great Is the Lord (consider having the choir sing this, with the congregation singing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" next as a response)
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true; By His mercy He proves He is love.
Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory! Great is the Lord and worthy of praise!
Great is the Lord! Now lift up your voice, now lift up your voice!
Worship leader:
The previous song included a call for us to lift up our voices in praise of our great God. Inspired by His worthiness and His faithfulness, let's respond to this call now with the singing of "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."
H40, CH139 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness (works well as a communal response to the previous hymn; see piano solo arrangements here for use elsewhere in the DSE)
Worship leader:
Because God is faithful and true, we trust in His promises, and recognize the weight and worth of His wonderful words. This next song brings all of this to expression. Please join as you feel comfortable.
Your Words are Wonderful - Sovereign Grace (listen here, music attached)
Your words are wonderful, unfolding like the dawn, a wellspring and the rock we rest upon.
We trust Your promises that keep our hope alive… Where else can we go?...You have the words of life…”
He Will Be - CityAlight (listen here, purchase here)
God is faithful to His word, even when there seems no way.
Though time may pass, His memory will not fade;
His promises will never fail.
H190 - In Times Like These
In times like these you need a Savior, in times like these you need an anchor.
Be very sure your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock.
This Rock is Jesus, He is the one...
H210 - Star, to Which I'm Looking (opening hymn option)
Star, to which I'm looking, Rock, on which I stand,
Leader, whom I'm trusting, Staff, that's in my hand...
H176 - Commit Your Way, Confiding (opening/closing option; consider v. 1-4 for opening, and v. 5 for closing)
Trust in the Lord, your Savior, who for your needs provides...
Every Promise of Your Word - Getty (response/acceptance option; listen here, purchase here)
Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away;
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
For Your covenant is sure and on this I am secure—
I can stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
H220, CH571 - Trust and Obey (response/acceptance option; see choral arrangement here)
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.
CH410 - Standing on the Promises (acceptance option)
H238 - Dear Lord, I Give Completely (repentance option)
O mighty, blessed Savior, eternal, sweet Retreat;
I wait in chaste behavior, my trust in Thee complete.
With holy fire igniting my longing, Lord, for Thee,
Behold how I am waiting; hide not Thy light from me.
H15, CH147 - How Great Thou Art (communion option, v. 3-4; closing option)
And when I think that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim:
My God, how great Thou art!
Sunday, August 24 - It's Time: Value Scripture
Possible call to worship
Psalm 95: 6-7 says, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”. Because God is our Creator and Shepherd, He is worthy of everything we offer. We offer our hearts, our voices, and our lives. Together we have the opportunity to honor Him now, as we lift our voices in worship.
H39 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise
Possible call to worship
Behold Our God - Sovereign Grace (listen here, music attached)
Behold our God seated on His throne, come, let us adore Him!
Behold our King! Nothing can compare, come, let us adore Him!
Possible call to worship
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery - Boswell/Papa (listen here, purchase here) *this song is a powerful reminder that we can sing of Christ's death and resurrection any Sunday!
Come behold the wondrous myst'ry He the perfect Son of Man;
In His living, in His suffering never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam come to save the hell-bound man;
Christ the great and sure fulfillment of the law; in Him we stand.
He Will Be - CityAlight (listen here, purchase here)
God is faithful to His word, even when there seems no way.
Though time may pass, His memory will not fade;
His promises will never fail.
CH184 - Thy Word
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...
H466 - Holy Spirit Living Breath of God (see attached arrangement)
Cause Your Word to come alive in me; give me faith for what I cannot see...
H 310, CH406 - Wonderful Words Of Life (opening option; see piano solo arrangement here which could be used to support solo/congregational singing)
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life!
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life!
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty...
H24 - Open Our Eyes (response option)
Show Us Christ - Sovereign Grace (response option; listen here, music attached)
Plant Your Word down deep in us; cause it to bear fruit...
H190 - In Times Like These (response/acceptance option)
In times like these you need a Bible...
CH409 - Thanks to God Whose Word Was Spoken (acceptance/closing option)
Thanks to God whose Word was written in the Bible's sacred page,
Record of the revelation showing God to every age.
God has spoken, God has spoken; praise Him for His open Word.
H235, CH562 - Be Thou My Vision (opening/acceptance/closing option)
Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word...
Sunday, August 31 - It's Time: Profess Your Faith
Possible call to worship
Jesus calls us to confession. Matthew 10:32: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." While our confession of Christ is of course not restricted to this holy day or to this holy place and time of worship, it should certainly be prominent here. Our singing is to be a witness to the world around us, and this includes those in our community of faith. Please stand if able, and let's confess our belief in Christ through song.
H92 - In Christ Alone
Possible call to worship
H2 - All Creatures of Our God and King ("...lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia!"; see piano solos here and here)
If the piano/organ plays "All Creatures" as a call to worship, the congregation could then respond to the call to sing Alleluia ("praise be to God") with:
H104 - Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord
OR
H53 - O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing ("...my great Redeemer's praise") *consider v. 1 and 2
Here I Am to Worship - Hillsong (listen here, purchase here)
Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You're my God...
Christ Is All - Boswell/Papa (listen here, purchase here)
Christ is all, all in all; And my song will ever be: Christ is all.
H54 - O That I Had a Thousand Voices (consider v. 1, 2, and 5 for opening, and v. 3 for acceptance, as a foreshadowing of repentance and communion)
O that I had a thousand voices, a mouth to speak with thousand tongues.
Then while my heart in Him rejoices, would I proclaim with grateful songs
To all wherever I might be, what things the Lord has done for me.
Verse 3
What equal praises can I offer, dear Jesus, for Thy mercy shown;
What pangs, dear Savior, didst Thou suffer and thus for all my sins atone.
Thy death alone my soul could free, forever Thine alone to be.
H21 - O God Beyond All Praising (consider v. 1 for response and v. 2 for closing)
O God beyond all praising we worship You today and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay...
...and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we'll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless You still!
Take the Name of Jesus with You (acceptance option; see piano solo here)
O Come to the Altar (repentance option; listen here, purchase here)
Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling.
O come to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide.
Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It (communion option; see piano solos here and here)
H430 - To Christ, the Lord, Be Faithful (closing option)
H44 - Let All Things Now Living (closing option)
His law He enforces; the stars in their courses and sun in its orbit obediently shine.
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains, the deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing; with glad adoration a song let us raise,
Till all things now loving unite in thanksgiving: To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!