The Gold Avenue Church deacons have been asking the Lord for creative ways to serve our church and neighborhood during this challenging time. An opportunity recently came through a connection at our local grocery store – Bridge Street Market. The Market generously offered to let the deacons purchase food vouchers at a reduced price, so that they can be given to those who are in need of assistance with buying food.
To extend the outreach of this great way to serve, the deacons contacted a local ministry partner, Bridge Street Ministries. Their ministry efforts have shifted recently to helping those who have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the current crisis. The deacons donated many of the food vouchers to them so they can be used to help our neighbors. It’s exciting to see how the Lord gave the guidance and then brought about the opportunities and we anticipate the fruit He will bring through this act of obedience.
The food vouchers can be used to purchase produce or meat. If you or anyone you know would be blessed to receive help through these vouchers, please contact the deacons through the church office using the contact info below. Make sure to give your/their contact info and presenting the need. You can also refer people to the deacons if they’d like to initiate the contact. The Deacon team will receive requests and work with each person/family to ensure that appropriate help is given. What a privilege it is to serve our church family and our neighborhood as the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus!
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 Kayleen 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 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. We will also be celebrating Communion during this At Home Liturgy, so please make sure you’ve got some wine/juice and bread/crackers on hand so that we can join in together.
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 33:18-22
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
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.
Come Thou Fount Come Thou King
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I’m fixed up, on it
Mount of Thy re- deeming love
I was lost in utter darkness ’til You came and rescued me
I was bound by all my sin when Your love came and set me free
Now my soul can sing a new song, now my heart has found a home
Now Your grace is always with me
And I’ll never be a- lone
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
O, to grace, how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts a- bove
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
Come, Thou Fount, come, Thou King; Come, Thou precious Prince of Peace
Hear Your bride, to You we sing, come, Thou Fount of our bless- ing
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 me/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!”
If worshiping as one: “Lord, thank you that you are with me!”
On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
On Christ the solid rock I stand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
On Christ the solid rock I stand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
All other ground is sinking sand
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
On Christ the solid rock I stand
Whoa-oh, The Solid Rock
All other ground is sinking sand
Mighty to Save
Well, everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
But let mercy fall on me
Well everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
My Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender
(I surrender)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Our God is mighty to save. He is our risen King who deserves all our praise and all the glory, and he is also with us all the time and in all things. The next song may be a new one, so feel free to listen and soak in the rich lyrics or sing along as you feel led.
Christ is Mine Forevermore
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall, his love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore
Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes his work in me
Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for his name
But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And he has said he will deliver
Safely to the golden shore
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore
Christ is mine forevermore
Christ is mine forevermore
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.
For Family Prayer Time: Take some time to pray–giving thanks, repenting, raising petition, and praying as the Lord leads for our church family, our neighborhood, and the world.
Offering:
This time serves to give us an opportunity to worship through giving we are are invited to give back as the Lord has so richly given to us.
You are invited to continue 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
Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper:
Gather your wine/juice and bread/crackers and join in with the video below. Again, communion from home may feel a little bit awkward, but we’re reminded of so many of our brothers and sisters who throughout the world and throughout history have celebrated communion with great joy from their own homes and in difficult circumstances. May the Lord bless you richly through this meal.
All baptized followers of Jesus Christ are invited to participate in Communion. Parents, we welcome you to discern when your children are ready to participate, as we welcome them to join in this family meal where God seals his covenant love for each of us.
In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
The Preaching of the Word:
Click on the play button below the picture to listen, or click here to go to the stand-alone sermons page.
Response:
If this sermon has brought some difficult things for you and if you’d like to talk or pray with someone, please do contact Pastor Jaleesa at pastorjaleesa.gold@gmail.com so that she can speak with you or refer you to a Care Elder. We’d love to pray with you!
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.
Before the Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
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 Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill me/us with all joy and peace as I/we trust in him, so that I/we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Closing Song:
It is Well With my Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Children’s Worship Lesson:
This week we’ll be learning about how Jesus calmed the storm, which is very applicable for the times we’re in now: 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
https://goldavenuechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Untitled-design-1.png6201080Gold Avenue Churchhttp://goldavenuechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GAC-Logo-V5-nbmod-300x300-1.pngGold Avenue Church2020-05-02 16:50:272020-05-02 16:50:27Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 5.3.20
Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home! Today we’ll learn about how Jesus cared for his disciples in a storm and that he cares for us the same way. We, too, and our children are called to be his helpers and live as Jesus taught, to share the gospel and to be part of his great plan. Let’s learn together.
OVERVIEW:
Activity One: Watch the video
Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts
Worship
Activity Three: Respond to the story by doing an art or serve project. Pray together.
Activity Four: Bless your children
EQUIP:
(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.)
Who is He? Scripture tells us He was seen as a rabbi, a man well trained in Jewish law, ritual, and tradition. He entered the synagogue with great authority. His teachings and healing challenged the Pharisees’ understanding of both the law and God Himself. But “Rabbi” could not encompass all that He is (see Mark 1:22 and 2:23—3:6).
Authority, power, and mastery—Jesus is rightfully referred to as Lord. It seems so clear in hindsight, but it wasn’t until a stormy night that the disciples began to see an even better picture of who He is. Panic and complete fear struck as storm waves broke over the sides of their boat. Convinced that death was imminent, the disciples woke Jesus. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38). Accusation filled their tone. Their lack of understanding of His identity was exposed. In that moment, they merely saw Him as a man susceptible to death.
A perfect storm. There was such beautiful harmony between the rage of the storm and the power in His rebuke. Jesus pushed back and quieted the storm with His words: “Quiet! Be still!” He commanded nature with authority as if creation knew His voice. And the waters obeyed.
Being eyewitnesses to incredible wonders in the form of miracles, healing, and spiritual cleansing, who did the disciples say He was? We don’t know if in this moment they completely understood that Jesus was revealing Himself as God. However, He did leave them asking a question that was sure to be answered: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:41). Jesus used the elements to help us understand His deity. Jesus is God.
Activity 1: STORY
Watch the video below.
Activity 2: DISCUSSION
Today in The Big God Story, we heard about a terrible storm the disciples were caught in with their boat. They became afraid and asked Jesus why He wasn’t afraid too. Jesus calmed the storm and waves by using His voice, because He is God.
I wonder … How would it feel to be on a boat in the middle of a storm?
I wonder … What would I have thought if I had watched Jesus speak to the storm?
I wonder … What other amazing things can Jesus do?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God Saves into your everyday life as a family.
Worship Songs:
“He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” (not the super traditional one, but we were looking for one with “the wind and the rains” lyric- feel free to just sing it, but include that verse!)
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY
“God Can” Creations
Supplies
Blue Cardstock/Construction Paper
White cardstock/piece of cardboard
Crayons or Markers
Scissors
Tape
Yarn
Optional: cotton balls, blue glitter, glue
As they respond to today’s part of The Big God Story and the truth that Jesus is God, children will create a mobile with wave and raindrop shapes.
Prepare Ahead
Cut the white cardstock/cardboard into a cloud shape. You might also add cotton balls to your cloud shape. Tape yarn lengths along the bottom. Cut out rain drop shapes (but don’t tape down yet).
Relate
I have a shape here that may remind you of today’s part of The Big God Story and that Jesus is God. The raindrops remind us about God’s power over all the earth, including the storm we heard about. What would you like to praise Him for? They also remind us about how Jesus cared for His disciples on the boat. He helped them trust Him and showed them they didn’t need to be afraid. What would you like to ask Jesus to help you with?
Give children time to color their raindrops as they respond to God. You may want to ask the questions again. They can also add glitter to their shapes with the glue if you made these supplies available. Next, attach their raindrops to the mobile by stringing yarn through the top and bottom of their shape or taping. Hang the mobile in a window to remind your family all week!
Friends, Jesus is God. Jesus showed His disciples that He is powerful and that they can follow Him by trusting and obeying Him. All week, you can ask Jesus to show you how to trust and obey Him more and more too.
Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING
A blessing to pray over your child(ren):
Share the following words from Psalm 107:29He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Now invite children to bless one another. Children can bless the person sitting next to them or get into pairs. Here are some blessing words they can speak to each other:
(Child’s name), may you praise Jesus because He is God.
Finish this time together with a blessing over your whole group:
May you follow Jesus all the days of your lives and know that He is God. He will lead and guide you.
We Need Pictures! Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You could be part of the next Featured Image on the blog! You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com
