Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 5.17.20

A Note before you begin:

Welcome to Gold Avenue Church’s At home Worship Liturgy; we’re so grateful to join together in Spirit as we worship! We want to give special thanks to our worship leaders: Kayleen Jasperse, Derek Sterenberg, and Marissa Walters who have been prayerfully discerning our Orders of Worship and Marissa in particular who prepared this week’s order. While we would love to be together in person and it may be somewhat difficult or even a little bit uncomfortable to worship from home, we’re reminded of the many believers around the world and throughout time that have worshiped from their homes in the wake of political and religious opposition. Our prayer is that despite the circumstances you’re able to be fully present to the Lord and that he meets with each of you richly.

Also, make sure you check out the video at the end of this liturgy to hear a little bit about where we are headed with our sermons!

Call to Worship:

The Call to Worship serves to focus our attention on the living God who is present with us; it calls us to position ourselves as those who are ready to worship and ready to receive from Him.

Read the following out loud as you fix your eyes on Jesus:

From Psalm 90:1-2

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Let us worship our everlasting God!

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite his presence afresh and take time to express your gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord as you feel led.

Worshiping in Song:

You can access the video of each song by clicking on the video. We invite you to turn up the volume and to participate freely and fully: sing along, dance, kneel, listen and soak, read the included lyrics–however you feel led. You may find it fruitful to listen to a song more than once, to respond between songs with prayer, thanksgiving, meditation, or even discussion about how the Lord is at work in and through the song.

Everlasting God

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won’t grow weary

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on the wings

Like eagles

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

‘Cause You are, You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on the wings

Like eagles

From everlasting to everlasting

God, You are everlasting

The Lord’s Greeting:

The Lord’s Greeting serves to remind us that we are in the presence of the living God. It makes space for him to greet us as our loving heavenly father who rules and reigns as the King over all and who is present with us as our loving heavenly father!

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

From 2 John 1:3:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Greeting One Another:

It might feel a little odd doing this at home, but take time to say these words to greet each other, as you shake hands, hug or elbow bump:

“The Lord be with you!” and in response: “and also with you!”

And if you’re alone: “The Lord is with me!”

Our God

Water You turned into wine

Opened the eyes of the blind

There’s no one like you

None like you

Into the darkness You shine

Out of the ashes we rise

There’s No one like you

None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, Our God

Into the darkness you shining

Out of the ashes we Rise

No one like you

None like you

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, Our God

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, Our God

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

Then what can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, Our God

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, Our God

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

Then what can stand against?

Stronger

There is Love

That came for us

Humbled to a sinner’s cross

You broke my shame and sinfulness

You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny

Through the storm

And through the fire

There is truth that sets me free

Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger

Sin is broken

You have saved me

It is written

Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end

You’re my hope and my defense

You came to seek and save the lost

You paid it all upon the cross

So let Your Name be lifted higher

Be lifted higher

A Mighty Fortress

Our God is, a consuming fire

A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom

Our God is, the only righteous judge

Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom

We will keep our eyes on You

A mighty fortress is our God

A sacred refuge is Your Name

Your Kingdom is unshakable

With You forever we will reign

Our God is, jealous for His own

None could comprehend, His love and His mercy

Our God is exalted on His throne

High above the heavens

Forever He’s worthy…

We will keep our eyes on You

So we can set our hearts on You

Lord we will set our hearts on You!

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

As you transition, take a moment to reflect on how the Lord was ministering to you through song: what lyrics stood out to you? What emotions were you experiencing? What did God reveal to you about who he is? What did God reveal to you about what he says about you? How else were you ministered to?

Share a story with those around you or to the Lord about how he was at work in worship as well as in your week. Give him glory for his goodness. If alone, you could write down your testimony.

Take a few minutes to pray for your church family, neighborhood, and the world as the Lord leads.

Song of Preparation:

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord. This song time also serves to give us an opportunity to worship through giving. We’re invited to give back as the Lord has so richly given to us.

Regular offering:

Support ministry at Gold Avenue Church by giving to the general fund (Click the picture for more giving options):

Text: send amount (number only, no extra symbols) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
Give online at https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online or https://www.paypal.com/donate/…
Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Special Offering: BSM (Bridge Street Ministries)

Once a month we take a special offering to support special causes that the Deacons have prayerfully discerned. This month’s special offering is for Bridge Street Ministries (BSM), formerly known as Bridge Street House of Prayer. BSM’s mission is ‘Building a bridge between the streets and the church;’ they minister to families and youth in the neighborhood with after school programs and neighborhood support. You can give to the special offering by:

Text: send amount space special (ex: 50 special) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely
Give online: select special from dropdown menu or type “special” in memo line
Check: write “special: BSM” in memo line

As you feel led, surrender your attention, your will, and your heart to the Lord and ask him to anoint your ears to hear the message and to bless you to receive and apply it.

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God

Breathe new life into my willing soul.

Bring the presence of the risen Lord

To renew my heart and make me whole.

Cause Your Word to come alive in me

Give me faith for what I cannot see

Give me passion for Your purity.

Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within

May Your joy be seen in all I do—

Love enough to cover ev’ry sin

In each thought and deed and attitude

Kindness to the greatest and the least

Gentleness that sows the path of peace.

Turn my striving into works of grace.

Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth

Giving life to all that God has made

Show Your power once again on earth

Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.

Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.

Lead us on the road of sacrifice

That in unity the face of Christ

Will be clear for all the world to see.

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The Song of Response serves to make space for us to respond to the message the Lord has given. Feel free to take a moment to ask the Lord how he might be inviting you to respond and follow accordingly. You’re welcome to sing along, to listen and reflect, to pray or journal, etc.

We Look to You

VERSE 1

Deliver us from evil, Lord;

We sojourn in a broken world

Though evil hands give rise to war,

Remind us this is not our home

We look to You, we look to You,

Sovereign King of all the earth

We look to You, we look to You;

In Your strength we will endure

VERSE 2

Deliver us from evil, Lord;

Our hearts so quickly run astray

Temptation crouching at the door

To turn us from the narrow way

We look to You, we look to You,

Christ the conquering Son of God

We look to You, we look to You;

Lord, complete what You’ve begun

VERSE 3

Deliver us from evil, Lord;

The devil’s seeking to devour

With trembling hearts we hear his roar,

But Your strong arm will crush his pow’r

We look to You, we look to You,

Come and end his earthly reign

We look to You, we look to You;

Lord, deliver us, we pray

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We look to You, we look to You

You will come again to reign

We look to You, we look to You

All the earth will bow in praise

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us to receive the Lord’s blessing to equip and empower us to receive his word, to be obedient to it, and to walk it out in his grace and favor.

Fix your eyes on him as you read the following out loud:

From Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace

Closing Song:

He Will Hold Me Fast

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;

When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.

I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path;

For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;

Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.

He’ll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;

Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;

Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.

Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast

‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Click the photo below to learn more about tithes and offerings:

Children’s Worship Lesson:

This week we’ll be hearing about when Jesus walked on water: LINK HERE. Enjoy going through the lesson with your family, and even if you don’t have kids you might find yourself blessed by the teachings in this lesson!!! While you’re at it, please take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship and share them with us! You can post them to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email to goldavechurch@gmail.com

Where are We Headed with our Sermons?

Check out the video below from Pastor Gina: