Sunday, September 7 - Acknowledge: Intimacy and Awe
Possible call to worship
Brothers and Sisters, we are here to worship the God who loves us and gave us life. Scripture reminds us, in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." So let’s lift our voices, lift our hearts, and lift high the name of Jesus together.
CH107 / Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Lift High the Name of Jesus - Getty (listen here, purchase here) *The Gettys have a great children's arrangement of this, too (listen here, purchase here)
Possible segue for worship leader prior to singing the next song
When we consider the world around us, there really is no one and nothing that compares to God. He’s the only One powerful enough to create and the only One holy enough to save. Let’s sing together, “Only A Holy God”.
Only a Holy God - CityAlight (worship, or consider verse 4 as response; listen here, music attached) *consider combining this with "Holy, Holy, Holy!"
Who else invites me to call Him "Father?" Only a Holy God...
Potential Call To Worship:
God’s Word invites us in Psalm 95, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before our Maker, for He is our God”. That’s why we’re here…to bring Him our praise and to remember that our lives only make sense when He is at the center of it. We can lift our voices in worship together now, collectively confessing that Jesus is our all in all.
CH583 - You Are My All in All
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your Name...
CH152 - The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
H14, CH3 - Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (opening hymn option; optional organ accompaniment for purchase here)
CH80 - I Stand in Awe (response option)
Holy God, to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You.
H13, CH36 - He Is Exalted (acceptance option)
He is exalted, the King is exalted on high; I will praise Him.
Majesty (Here I Am) (repentance option; choral version - listen here, purchase here; solo/duet version - listen and purchase here)
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man, covered by the blood of the Lamb.
H88, CH596 - I Surrender All (repentance option; see piano solo arrangement here)
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me...
H347, CH462 - Come, Share the Lord (communion option; see choral version here - great option for combining choir and congregation)
Come take the bread; come, drink the cup; come, share the Lord...
Holy Forever - Chris Tomlin (worship or closing option; listen here, purchase here; recommend key of A of A-flat)
Your Name is the highest, Your Name is the greatest, Your Name stands above them all.
H49 - Mighty God, We Praise Thy Name (closing option; also opening option - verses 1, 2, and 5)
Sunday, September 14 - Acknowledge: The Choice
O Church, Arise (Arise Shine) - Getty (listen and purchase here; could work well as a sung call to worship)
Possible call to worship
Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” We gather today to proclaim our confidence in Him. The One who never fails…our stronghold, our mighty fortress. Let’s lift our voices and worship Him together.
H172, CH151 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (closing option as well)
CH709 - A Shield About Me
CH139 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness (see piano and organ arrangements here)
Possible call to worship
Scripture reminds us, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Today we gather to celebrate the One who has conquered sin; the One who conquered death; the One who has the power that would stand against us. Let’s lift our hearts and our voices in recognition of the victory of Christ over all things.
Christus Victor (Amen) - Getty (listen and purchase here)
O Most High, King of the ages. Great I AM, God of wonders
By the blood You have redeemed us, led us through mighty waters.
Now to the Lamb upon the throne
Be blessing, honor, glory, power for the battle You have won. Hallelujah! Amen.
H33 - All People That On Earth Do Dwell (opening hymn option; could sing verses 1-4 for opening, and verse 5 to close)
O enter then His gates with praise; approach with joy His courts anew.
Praise, laud and bless His name always, for it is seemly so to do.
O Great God - Sovereign Grace (response option, or worship; listen here, music attached)
O great God of highest heaven occupy my lowly heart.
Own it all and reign supreme, conquer every rebel power.
Let no vice or sin remain that resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me, make me Yours forevermore.
CH734 - Be Strong in the Lord (acceptance option)
H153 - Striving Onward, Pressing Forward (acceptance option)
What detains I'll cast aside by that promise to abide...
Lord, I Need You - Matt Maher (repentance option; listen here, music attached)
My one defense, my righteousness, O God, how I need You...
H247 - I Need Thee Every Hour (repentance option)
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby. Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh...
Behold the Lamb - Getty (communion option; listen here, music attached)
So we share in this bread of life and we drink of his sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace around the table of the King
Our God Will Go Before Us - Getty (listen here, purchase here)
Our God will go before us and guide us by His presence
What confidence this promise is: we will never walk alone
Though evil forms against us, all heaven will defend us
The gates of hell shall not prevail, for the battle is the Lord’s.
H172, CH151 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (closing option)
Sunday, September 21 - Acknowledge: His Peace
Possible call to worship
The prophet Isaiah names Jesus as "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace." The latter name of Jesus is especially appropriate today, as we come to collectively acknowledge His peace. Please stand if able, and let's unite our voices in praise of the Prince of Peace—our health and our salvation.
CH210 / Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
Peace in Christ - McKenna Hixon (listen here, music attached)
He gives us hope when hope is gone. He gives us strength when we can't go on.
He gives us shelter in the storms of life. When there's no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ.
H335 / The Great Physician
His name dispels my grief and fear, no other name but Jesus.
Oh, how my soul delights to hear the precious name of Jesus.
Worship leader:
Here, in this holy place, we experience the presence and peace of Jesus Christ. In John 14:27, the Lord Himself gives us insight into the power of His peace: "Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Jesus' peace goes beyond what the world has to offer, and beyond our human understanding. His peace is a peace that provides assurance, strength, and comfort. Let's sing of it now, gathered in His presence.
CH618 / In His Presence
In His presence there is comfort, in His presence, there is peace...
H45 / Let Us Sing with Joyful Voices (consider v. 1 and 2 for opening hymn, and v. 3 for closing)
Let us sing with joyful voices, one in faith and one in heart!
Where with festive songs rejoicing, there doth God His peace impart!
Let us sing with joyful voices, one in love for Christ our Lord!
Love alone can drive out envy and dispute that breeds discord.
Let our heart-strings be united, dedicated to the Lord,
Open to the Holy Spirit, to harmonious accord!
Hold Me, Savior - Getty (response option; listen here, purchase here)
Hold me Savior, now and ever; Lord let Your goodness go with me.
Guide and keep me, gently lead me; Your presence with me is my peace.
H364 / Behold, O How Pleasant (response/acceptance option)
Behold, O how pleasant when all God's children dwell
On earth in peace and oneness and love each other well...
CH637 / Instruments of Your Peace (acceptance option)
Where there is hatred, we will sow His love; where there is injury, we will never judge.
Where there is striving, we will speak His peace; to the people crying for release,
We will be Your instruments of peace.
H318 / I Hear Thy Welcome Voice (repentance option)
I hear Thy welcome voice that calls me, Lord, to Thee
For cleansing in Thy precious blood that flowed on Calvary.
'Tis Jesus calls me on to perfect faith and love,
To perfect hope and peace and trust, for earth and heav'n above.
H400, CH705 / When Peace with the Father (communion option; see also Chris Rice arrangement attached)
When peace with the Father attendeth my way, though sorrows like sea billows roll;
My heart in the joy of the Spirit doth sing: "It is well, it is well with my soul."
H52, CH788 / Now Thank We All Our God (closing option)
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us...
Sunday, September 28 - Acknowledge: Spiritual Blessing
Possible call to worship (speak the Scripture, then sing the Scripture)
Psalm 103:1-5, 22 - "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
10,000 Reasons (with Doxology) - Redman, arr. Nicholas (listen here, music attached)
*Note that the YouTube link includes a powerful call to worship that could also be used (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
*Consider rehearsing the SATB of the chorus so that the choir can support the congregation
*If 10,000 Reasons is unknown to the congregation, invite them to just sing the Doxology in the middle of the song
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul; I'll worship Your holy name.
H58 / Praise Thou the Lord (consider multiple verses for worship or opening, and final verse for closing)
Praise thou the Lord who e'er ruleth and guideth all surely;
Over life's pathway so dang'rous, He leads thee securely.
Ever bestows, mercy and help in our woes; I from my heart thank Him truly.
Praise Thou the Lord who hath graciously, wondrously made thee.
Health has vouch-safed and, when heedless you fell, He hath satyed thee.
Fainting and weak, when not a word thou could speak, wings of His mercy did shade thee.
Bless the Lord - Brooke Ligertwood (listen here, purchase here) *also works well as a sung call to worship!
Come on and praise the Lord with me. Sing if you love His name.
Come on and lift your voice with me. He's worthy of all our praise.
Bless God in the sanctuary, bless God in the fields of plenty.
Bless God in the darkest valley. Every chance I get I'll bless Your Name.
H56 / Praise Our God with Joyful Singing (opening hymn option)
God bestows on us His blessing; in His goodness we may trust...
He gives blessing to our labor and He strengthens us anew...
H312, CH11 / Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
*This hymn could be used at the very beginning of worship, maybe as a piano solo (see options here and here)
*It's also appropriate for response and acceptance, and verse 3 is especially appropriate for repentance
*Consider weaving this hymn throughout the experience
H177 / Count Your Blessings (acceptance option)
H326 / I've Found the Spring of Blessing (communion option)
...with Him I know comfort in suff'ring, His blood makes me perfectly whole.
Blessed Be His Name - Jenny Phillips (communion option; listen here, music attached)
Bring to Him your troubled heart, lay your cares before Him.
He has suffered every pain, blessed be His name.
Perfect and unchanging, sinless Son of Man.
Author of our simple faith, blessed be His name.
Constant through our darkest hour, stronger than our weakness.
Bearer of our grief and shame, blessed be His name.
H58 / Praise Thou the Lord (closing option)
Praise thou the Lord and forget all His benefits never;
Swell the loud chorus, ye chosen, till like a broad river,
Upward it streams; soul, O forget not this theme:
Praise Him, O praise Him forever!