May 24, 2020 Worship
Words of Approach
~ from Psalm 47.5-8
[Have one person read these verses aloud.]
God reigns over the nations; He is seated on his holy throne. He has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
Song of Approach
Better is One Day
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. For my soul longs and even faints for you. For here my heart is satisfied, within your presence. I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.
Refrain:
Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere. Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere, than thousands elsewhere.
One thing I ask and I would seek: to see your beauty, to find you in the place your glory dwells. One thing I ask and I would seek: to see your beauty, To find you in the place your glory dwells. [Refrain]
Bridge:
My heart and flesh cry out for you, the living God; your Spirit’s water to my soul. I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me; I will draw near to you, I will draw near to you.
[Refrain]
Songwriter: Matt Redman
© Copyright 1995 Thankyou Music
CCLI #360938/#20167508
Prayer of Approach
[Have one person pray this prayer aloud.]
Almighty God, as we worship today, we ask that you will stretch our imaginations to sense the majesty and mystery of your ascension; and perceive the beauty and glory of your sovereign rule. Help us understand how Jesus’ presence in heaven can give us hope for the future; and confidence as we worship in your presence today. Through Jesus, our Lord. Amen
Call to Confession
[Have one person read these words as an invitation to confession of sin and brokenness.]
While we claim to celebrate the ascension of our Lord, the way we live proclaims our lack of faith in his power to deal with the world. Let us confess the incongruity between our faith and practice. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
[ALL pray in unison, in response to the Call to Confession.]
On this day of glory, O Lord, we confess our lack of trust. While we sing of your lordship over all creation, we have too often acted as though you are powerless in the face of today’s events. Help us to live with confidence in your presence today and in hope for life with you forever. Amen.
Silent Confession of Personal Sin & Brokenness
[Spend a season in silent confessing prayer. If you are not sure what to pray consider how you have personally struggled or even failed in relation to the issues expressed in the Prayer of Confession.]
Words of Grace
~ based on Ephesians 2:4-7
[Have one person read this passage aloud as a declaration of our pardon of sin.]
Hear the good news of the gospel: God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. In Christ, by God’s grace, we are saved. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Song of Exaltation
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
Chorus:
Hail to the Lord’s anointed, great David’s greater Son! Hail in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free, To take away transgression, and rule in equity. (Chorus)
He comes in succor speedy to those who suffer wrong, To help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, Whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in His sight. (Chorus)
He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth, Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in His path to birth. (Chorus)
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove. His Name shall stand forever, That Name to us is Love. (Chorus)
Words: James Montgomery
Music: Sandra McCracken
©2012 Drink Your Tea Music
CCLI #360938/#20167508
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
Prayers for God’s Protection, Provision, and Guidance
[Spend a season in prayer as a group. Have one person serve as leader, offering the opening prayer, the lead into each petition, and the conclusion of the prayer. Pause after each petition. Any/All in the group should pray as the Spirit leads related to the particular petitions:]
Jesus Christ, mediator and high priest, we thank you for becoming human and for experiencing the joys and sorrows of life, which assures us that you are able to sympathize and rejoice with us. We praise you for the many joys of life:
- for the beauty of creation, especially . . .
- for your work in this world . . .
- for the growth of your kingdom . . .
- for the greatest source of our happiness, the gift of eternal life . . .
As our mediator, you stand before God, petitioning him on our behalf, so we boldly bring before you our prayers for
- creation and its care . . .
- the nations of the world . . .
- our nation and its leaders . . .
- our community and those in authority . . .
- the Church universal as it works on your behalf . . .
- Grace Covenant Church in its ministry . . .
- persons with particular needs. . . .
We pray this in your strong name, O Christ, our mediator and high priest. ~ Amen.
Meditation on God’s Word
Scripture: Luke 24.36-49
[Have one person read this passage aloud. Then have one person, or several people, pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through this Word and message.]
Message: Dealing With Our Doubts (See video)
Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
Song of Dismissal
Still
Hide me now Under Your wings Cover me Within Your mighty hand When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father, You are King over the flood I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul In Christ alone Know His power In quietness and trust When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father, You are King over the flood I will be still and know You are God
When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father, You are King over the flood I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul In Christ alone Know His power In quietness and trust When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father, You are King over the flood I will be still and know You are God
When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm Father, You are King over the flood I will be still and know You are God
Songwriters: Reuben Morgan
Still lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group
CCLI #360938/#20167508
Benediction
***
NOTES:
Passage Next Week:
Mark 4:35-41
Worship Leaders Today
- Piano/Guitar/Vocals: Isaiah Day
- Vocals: Jamie Field
- Message: Rev. W. Dennis Griffith, Lead Pastor
- Benediction: Rev. Camper Mundy, Associate Pastor
- Video/Sound/Tech: Tim Nargi
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.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 