Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 6.21.20

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, to be caught up into the journey that we’re on as God’s people, that you find ways to cultivate beautiful worship in your homes and in your families, and that the Lord meets with each of you richly.

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.

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

From Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

he will judge the peoples with equity.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,

he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with his presence and his peace. Invite him to stir up worship 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.

Praise is Rising

Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You

We turn to You

Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You

We long for You

When we see You

We find strength to face the day

In Your presence all our fears

Are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, Hosanna

You are the God who saves us

Worthy of all our praises

Hosanna, Hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hear the sound of hearts returning to You

We turn to You

In Your kingdom broken lives are made new

You make all things new

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!”

He Shall Reign Forevermore

In the bleak mid-winter

All creation groans,

For a world in darkness

Frozen like a stone

Light is breaking, in a stable for a throne

And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore

Unto us a Child is born

The King of kings and Lord of lords

And He shall reign forevermore, forevermore

If I were a wise man

I would travel far

If I were a shepherd,

I Would do my part, but poor as

I am I will give to Him my heart

And He shall reign Forevermore, forevermore

Unto us a Child is born

The King of kings and Lord of lords

And He shall reign Forevermore, forevermore

Here within a manger lies

The One who made the

Starry skies

This baby born for sacrifice

Christ, the Messiah!

Into our hopes, into our fears

The Savior of the world appears

The promise of eternal years

Christ, the Mesiah!

And He shall reign Forevermore, forevermore

Unto us a Child is born

The King of kings and Lord of lords

And He shall reign Forevermore, forevermore

He shall reign

To Our God

Up from the ashes Your love has brought us

Out of the darkness into the light

Lifting our sorrows

Bearing our burdens healing our hearts

To our God we lift up one voice

To our God we lift up one song

To our God we lift up one voice

Singing Hallelujah

Chains have been broken eyes have been opened

An army of dry bones is starting to rise

Death is defeated

We are victorious for You are alive

Hallelujah Hallelujah (repeat)

We’ll make His praise glorious glorious, glorious

For His name is glorious, glorious, glorious

Make His praise glorious, glorious, glorious

Shout His name Glorious, Glorious, Glorious

God of Miracles

This song may be a newer one; feel free to listen, meditate on the rich lyrics, and join in as you feel led.

Let faith arise

In spite of what I see

Lord, I believe,

But help my unbelief

I choose to trust You

No matter what I feel

Let faith arise…

Let faith arise

For my Champion’s not dead

He is alive

Oh, and He already knows

My every need

Surely He will come and rescue me

God of miracles come

We need Your supernatural love

To break through

Nothing’s impossible

You’re the God of miracles

Let faith arise

And see the Kingdom come

I lift my eyes

Oh for the battle has been won

My God is faithful

Oh and every single word He said is true

God of Miracles come

We need Your supernatural love

To break through

Nothing’s impossible

You’re the God of Miracles

This world is shaking

But You cannot be shaken

My heart is breaking

But I’m not broken yet

Your love is fearless

Help me to be courageous too

Oh there is nothing impossible…

This world is shaking

But You cannot be shaken

My heart is breaking

But I’m not broken yet

Your love is fearless

Help me to be courageous too

Oh, there is nothing impossible

For the God of miracles

We need Your supernatural love

To break through

Nothing’s impossible

You’re the God of miracles

Yes You are oh

God of Miracles come

We need Your

Supernatural love

To break through

Nothing’s impossible

You’re the God of Miracles

God of Miracles come

We need Your

Supernatural love

To break through

Nothing’s impossible

You’re the God of Miracles

You’re the God of miracles

God of miracles

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.

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 through PayPal
Mail a check payable to Gold Avenue Church at 49 Gold Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Special Offering: Van Fund

Once a month we take a special offering to support special causes that the Deacons have prayerfully discerned. This month’s special offering is the Gold Avenue Church Van Fund. To date, we have received $6,664 towards the van fund. We are grateful for these gifts! The Deacons are expecting a need of $18,000 to replace the vans.

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

Song of Preparation:

The Song of Preparation serves to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of the Lord. Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus and surrender your attention and heart to him as we transition and prepare to enter into His Word.

Lord I Need You

Lord, I come, I confess

Bowing here I find my rest

Without You I fall apart

You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

Where You are, Lord, I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

When I cannot stand I’ll fall on You

Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You

Every hour I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

You’re my one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here or click below: 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.

God of this City

You’re the God of this city

You’re the King of these people

You’re the Lord of this nation

You are

You’re the light in this darkness

You’re the hope to the hopeless

You’re the peace to the restless

You are

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

You’re the God of this city

You’re the King of these people

You’re the Lord of this nation

You are

You’re the light in this darkness

You’re the hope to the hopeless

You’re the peace to the restless

You are

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our God

There is no one like you, God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done

We believe, we believe in you, God

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done here

Greater things, still to be done here

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:

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise him all creatures here below

Praise him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise father, son, and holy ghost

Children’s Worship Lesson:

We welcome all to join us in participating in these lessons, whether with family or not! Throughout these weeks at home, members of our church family have been helping to create this content, so please, check out the lessons, go back and watch the videos, many of which have been produced by our own family! Click on the picture or check them out in the “Children / Youth” category on the blog.