Beacon Worship 4/25/2021

We hope you join us for worship, either live-streaming on our Youtube Channel or via Zoom. Email info@thewordatbeacon.org for zoom info.

Gathering Time (unmuted)

Feel free to say hi and check in with others before the service begins!

Welcome/Announcements

• In person word day this upcoming Saturday, May 1, starting at 10am

• Our virtual midweek prayer gathering will be this Wednesday at 6pm on Zoom

Facing God (from Psalm 23)

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

Leader: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

All: The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures.

Leader: The Lord leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.

All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Leader: Let us worship God.

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus: Then sings my soul, my savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Chorus

And when I think, that God, the 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.

Chorus

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 then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Chorus

Laying Down Our Burdens & Assurance

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

All: Holy God, we confess that at times we try to hide who we truly are. But you know us better than we know ourselves. You know our thoughts, our weaknesses, our motivations, and our sins. And you love us still. Forgive us when we doubt such love is true or possible. Forgive us when we wonder how you could love us just as we are. Forgive us when we forget that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. Remove from us every thought that keeps us from you. Tear down the hostile walls we build around us. Help us to trust you anew. You know our hearts, O God, and you love us still. Amen.

Leader: The Good News is that Christ has come and Christ will come again.

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

Refrain: Beautiful Things

You make me new,

You are making me new

You make me new,

You are making me new

Children's Bible Story

Lectio Conversation (Psalm 139:1-10; 23-24)

(Hold onto these questions while we read our scripture.)

What stands out to you about this text?

What is the significance of being “known” by God for you?

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down,

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,

O Lord, you know it completely.

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?

Or where can I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there;

if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.

If I take the wings of the morning

and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me fast.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Discussion

Homily

Standing On the Promises

Standing on the promises of Christ my king

Through eternal ages let his praises ring

Glory in the highest I will shout and sing

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus: Standing, standing

Standing on the promises of God my Savior

Standing, standing

I’m standing on the promises of God

Standing on the promises that cannot fail

When the howling storms of doubt and fears assail

By the living Word of God I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord

Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus

Standing on the promises I cannot fall

Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call

Resting in my savior as my all in all

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus

Prayers of the People

Now is the time when we share the prayers on our hearts and minds. If you have a private prayer, you can email them to us throughout the week and the pastoral team will pray over them.

If you have a prayer, please unmute your mic to share.

After each prayer, I will lead our response on mute:

Lord in your mercy // hear our prayers

***

Now I will offer a prayer for the greater community and world. We will end by saying the Lord’s Prayer together in whatever language you prefer. Let us pray.

(muted)

Leader: Just as God/Christ taught us to pray...

All: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

Offering

To give online, click here: https://www.thewordatbeacon.org/donate

To give your prayers, email us at info@thewordatbeacon.org

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O Love that will not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

O light that foll’west all my way,

I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise not in vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

Sending/Blessing (from 1 John 1)

(Remain muted and read liturgy aloud at home)

As we close this time together, let us read this word from first letter of John:

All: We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Leader: The steadfast love of God goes with you, the deep and abiding peace of Christ goes with you, and the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit goes with you, now and always. Amen.

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Feel free to hang out a little longer and catch up with others! Please also leave us feedback in the chat so we know what's working well and what to tweak for the future.