GCPC Worship April 19, 2020

Words of Approach    

~ Colossians 1.15-20

[Have one person read these verses aloud.]

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 

Prayer of Approach

[Have one person pray this prayer aloud.]

God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Song of Approach               

Arise My Soul Arise

Arise, my soul, arise, shake off your guilty fears; / The bleeding sacrifice, in my behalf appears; / Before the throne my Surety stands, / Before the throne my Surety stands, /  My name is written on His hands.

Chorus:

Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise; Arise, my soul, arise. / Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise; Arise, my soul, arise. / Shake off your guilty fears and rise

He ever lives above, for me to intercede; / His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead; / His blood atoned for every race,/ His blood atoned for every race, / And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary; / They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me: / “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry, / “Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry, / “Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear; / He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear / With confidence I now draw nigh, / With confidence I now draw nigh, /And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

©1996 Kevin Twit Music (ASCAP). Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley

Tune: Kevin Twit

CCLI #360938/#20167508

 

Invitation to Confession     

~ based on Romans 5:8 & Hebrews 4:16

[Have one person read these verses aloud.]

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners, Christ died for us. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Trusting in God’s faithfulness and compassion, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

 

Prayer of Common Confession

[ALL Pray this prayer aloud.]

Almighty Father, you raised Jesus from death to life and have crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, we have not acknowledged his rule in our lives, and we have not wholly embraced his mission for the world. Forgive us, we pray, and by your Spirit empower us to live as your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who rules over all things and who is head of his body, the church. Amen.

 

Silent Confession of Personal Sin & Brokenness

[Spend a moment in silent confessing prayer. If you are not sure what to pray here is a sample prayer to use as is or as a template:]

Father of Mercies, I make so many mistakes; I turn away from you so often. I need you so much. Thank you that you so loved the world that you sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins. Amen.

 

Words of Grace  

~ Romans 4:25; 5:10; 10:9

[Have one person read this passage aloud.]

Christ has died for our sins and been raised for our justification! If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

Song of Celebration          

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small, / Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.” / Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r and Thine alone, / Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone. / Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I Where-by Thy grace to claim; / I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. / Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow.

And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete, / “Jesus died my soul to save,” My lips shall still repeat. / Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow.

Lyrics: Elvina Hall

Music: John T. Grape

Public Domain

Prayers for God’s Protection, Provision, and Guidance

[Spend a season in prayer as a group. One person should lead into and end the season of prayer. You may choose to have one person lead through all of the petitions; or you may divide the petitions up for different people to lead. But after each petition, allow time for any to pray as the Spirit leads related to each specific :]

Leader: Coming humbly and boldly, with confidence, pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. . . .

[prayers of adoration and thanksgiving]

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. . . .

[prayers of longing for God’s shalom – God’s Will on earth to be done.]

Give us this day our daily bread. . . .

[prayers for the common needs of our community]

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. . . .

[prayers for interpersonal reconciliation]

And lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from evil. . . .

[prayers for the world and for personal struggles with temptation and evil]

Leader:  For the kingdom and the power and the glory are Your’s forever.  Amen.

 

Offering

Our giving is an act of worship. It is a response to who God is and to God’s grace. Giving is a way that God invites us to participate in His work.  If you would like to give a tithe or offering today, you can do so by clicking: www.gracecovpca.org/resources/giving

 

 Meditation on God’s Word

Scripture: Colossians 2.6-7

[Have one person read this passage aloud. Then have either one person, or several, pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through this Word and message.]

Message: No More, No Less  (See video)

Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor

 

Song of Dismissal    

Abide With Me

Abide with me; falls the eventide; / The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. / When other helpers, fail and comforts flee, / Help of the helpless, abide with me.

I need Thy presence, every passing hour. / What but Thy grace, can foil the tempter’s power? / Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? / Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless / Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness / Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory? / I triumph still, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross, before my closing eyes; / Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. / Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; / In life, in death, Lord, abide with me.

©2007 Justin Smith Music. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lyrics: Henry Lyte & Justin Smith

Tune: Justin Smith

CCLI #360938/#20167508

Benediction

***

 NOTES:

 

Passage Next Week: 

 TBD

 

Worship Leaders Today

• Piano/Guitar: Isaiah Day
• Vocalist: Rachel Bartelmay
• Message: Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
• Benediction: Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
• Video/Sound/Tech: Tim Nargi
• Video Assist: Charley Bartelmay

 

Special Note on Supporting the Mission & Work of Grace Covenant:

During these extraordinary times, the life and ministry of our church will continue – even when we are not able to meet corporately for worship.  We humbly but boldly ask the people of Grace Covenant to continue to give generously for the benefit of God’s kingdom here in Williamsburg and beyond.

You can make your gifts in two ways:

1. Online at www.gracecovpca.org/resources/giving
2. Sending your check to the church offices at 1677 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg VA  23185

If you would like to make a special gift to help those from our church and community who are in need during this crisis, please write “Mercy Ministries” on the memo line of your check or select that fund when making a gift online.