Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 07.26.20

,

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

 

From Psalm 147:1-12
Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion.

 

 

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. 

 

King of Kings

 

 

 

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!”

 

 

Raise a Hallelujah

 

 

 

Yes and Amen

 

 

Stronger

 

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.  

 

Praise, Testimony & Prayer request: Thank you for praying this past week for PRMI’s youth camp: Upward Challenge!  Despite the unique challenges of having the camp all online this year, it went really well, and everyone involved had a wonderful time.  The Lord showed up, leading the leadership team and moving amongst the participants, many of whom were deeply touched by His presence.  Please continue to pray that Jesus will continue to transform all those involved, and to grow prayer in their lives (the theme of the week was prayer).  Pray also for rest for all the leaders who poured a lot of energy in (pictured below).

 

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):

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

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. 

 

Speak O Lord

 

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. This is also a longer song, so also feel free to conclude as you’re ready. 

 

King of Heaven

 

 

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: 

 

Build Your Kingdom Here
/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 07.19.20

,

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 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 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 he 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.

 

 

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

 

From Psalm 118: 22-29
The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.
Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

 

 

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. 

 

Shine Jesus Shine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OIwSQmyCg4

 

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!”

 

 

Build Your Kingdom Here

 

 

Cornerstone

 

Holy Holy Holy

 

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.

 

 

This week we also have the opportunity to pray for Stephanie McClain and Victoria Oosting as this coming week they will be serving with PRMI’s Upward Challenge youth camp; check out the video below for prayer points:

 

 

Regular offering:

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

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

Special Offering: The Other Way

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 The Other Way (TOW). The Other Way reaches out to Westown neighbors through a collection of programs, classes and services. Each one is tailored to fit a specific need for today with an eye toward building sustainable community growth for tomorrow. When families desire a deeper change, The Other Way Ministries is ready with Family Development. Families find spiritual direction, relationship growth, and economic stability in personal and practical ways. If you are interested in learning more, you can watch a video here.

You can give to the special offering by:

  1. Text:  send amount space special (ex: 50 special) to (616) 319-2259 and follow prompts to give securely

  2. Give online: select special from dropdown menu or type “special” in memo line

  3. Check: write “special: TOW” 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. 

 

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God

 

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. This is also a longer song, so also feel free to conclude as you’re ready. 

 

Build My Life

 

 

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

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 07.12.20

,

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 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 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 he 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.

 

 

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

 

From Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

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. 

 

Christ is Risen

 

 

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!”

 

 

Open Up the Heavens

Better is One Day

All Who are Thirsty

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.

 

This week we also specifically ask that you pray for Bridge Street Ministries along with Gold Avenue Church members Derek Sterenberg and Marissa Walters as they lead this year’s Immersion Trip. Special thanks to Derek for sharing some specific requests below:

 

  • Pray for the 50(ish) students and their leaders from Youth for Christ, Treetops Collective, and Corinth Reformed Church to be receptive to God’s call to be rebuilders in their own communities.
  • Pray for us and our ministry partners at Madison Square Church, The Edge Urban Fellowship, New City Kids, The Potter’s House School, and Navigators who will all be leading the group in immersive experiences that highlight what following Jesus looks like in their neighborhoods.
  • Pray for students who make commitments to follow Jesus on this trip!
  • We are strictly practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Please pray for a safe experience for all students, volunteers, and partners. It’s also going to be hot. Pray for health and endurance as we meet outside each day.

 

Regular offering:

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

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

 

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. 

 

Build My Life

 

The Preaching of the Word:

 

You can access the sermon recording 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. This is also a longer song, so also feel free to conclude as you’re ready. 

 

Hosanna

 

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: 

 

Build Your Kingdom Here

 

/by

Prayer Walking – Let’s Go!

Our shared vision at Gold Avenue Church is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ transform our lives, our neighborhood, and the world. Prayer Walking is one way that we can engage our neighborhood(s) and see that transformation come. In an earlier post we encouraged continued prayer walking on an individual basis since meeting as a group was not possible. The Prayer Walking Leadership Team has discerned in conjunction with church leadership that now is a good time to start organized prayer walking again! We’ve been going out and prayer walking regularly in our neighborhood for quite a number of years and have seen much fruit as we pray for the neighborhood, interact and pray with neighbors, and so much more. We would like to invite everyone to participate in prayer walking, as now is a time when our neighborhood and world need prayer more than ever! (Note: this is a long post so please stick with it and read the entirety.  It may seem like a lot to take in at first but with practice it gets easier!)

Basics of Prayer Walking:

Prayer Walking at Gold Avenue Church is all about being led by the Lord each time you go out, and being open to different expressions of prayer and engagement, all of which are equally valuable in the Kingdom of God. We usually prayer walk in small groups of two or three. Pray together before going out and ask for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom. You may spend your walk praying and interceding for your neighbors and neighborhood, asking the Lord to guide you and your prayers. You may be led to talk to someone who is outside or to knock on a door, listening to them with care and sharing the love of Jesus with them. While you are talking with them be listening for promptings from the Holy Spirit as to how to engage and respond; perhaps they need to hear about Jesus for the first time or maybe they need encouragement or a fresh infilling from the Lord. There is no set formula, besides letting the Lord lead and work through a loving conversation. Pray with and for them before you go, blessing them and their family with the peace and joy of Jesus, and inviting a deeper relationship with Him.  Rejoice in what the Lord does in these conversations and pray for the person and their family as you leave, even if they didn’t engage or respond how you’d like. Perhaps invite them to engage with us at church (online for the time being, you can pass out cards with the church’s info, contact Mark Essenburg to get some connect cards). Please remember to practice social distancing while walking and talking with others.

How It Will work:

For the time being, there will be some differences from our normal structure.  We normally meet as a group, have a devotional and worship time, go out, then come back to share stories.  Instead, we’d like to encourage pairs or trios to meet up and prayer walk whenever works for them and wherever in their neighborhood that they choose. We’ll use a shared calendar to coordinate who is available and when.

To view available times that others would like to go prayer walking, check the calendar below or you can sync it to your own calendar (instructions at end). If you click on an event, you’ll see the details of the general area that person would like to walk, and their contact info. If you find an open time and approximate location that works for you, contact that person and set up your prayer walking time.  They will then update that entry in the calendar.  If you don’t find any time that works for you, you can add your own times for others to choose.  Even if you already have a partner without using the calendar, please put your time on the calendar so that intercessors can be praying for you while you’re out prayer walking.  If we all use this and have lots of participation it should work really well to help us coordinate and set up times to go prayer walking.

A note on forming teams – if you’re new to Prayer Walking, we often form teams with at least one person who has experience. We call them the “Confident Ones”.  This is so that they can help less experienced prayer walkers to learn and grow in their prayer walking.  They will identify themselves on the calendar with a “CO” after their name so that if you would like to partner with someone with more experience, you will be able to find them easily.

Prayer Walking Calendar

Instructions for syncing this calendar to your calendar can be found here: Prayer Walking 2020

Adding or modifying Your Own Prayer Walking Time Slot, or “Event”:
  1. Login to the Prayer Walking shared calendar:
    1. https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/events/overview#/?view=month
    2. User: prayerwalking
    3. PW: GACpw1
  2. Click “Add Event” button or click on the day you’d like to schedule
  3. Uncheck “All Day (under event name)” and and click “show more options (lower left)”
  4. Add in the time and details of when you’d like to put your prayer walking time in
    1. Name your event as follows: Your first name – Open
    2. If you already have a partner name it as follows: Your first name – Closed
    3. If you are a “Confident One” as mentioned above, add a “-CO” after your name
  5. Add a description that gives an approximate location you’d like to walk and your contact info
  6. Click the blue “Save” button
  7. Your entry will show up (or be updated) on the shared calendar for others to view!

Other Important Info

If you aren’t comfortable or able to go outside and prayer walk, but would like to continue to engage in prayer, we’d love for you to pray for teams that are going out.  Having people interceding for prayer walking teams is critical, prayers for God’s guidance and leading, protection, and safety.  

Whether going out or not, you could pray for your neighborhood using a map; look up your address on google or Apple maps and zoom in to see and pray for houses around you.  Another possibility is to use an app like Bless Every Home (video link).  This helps you keep track of who and where you’ve prayed.  It can be a great tool to help to get to know your neighbors as well.

Testimonies

Please share your stories from Prayer Walking, without names, to Mark Essenburg, Director of Outreach & Enfolding. The story may be featured on the blog as a way to hear about how the Lord has worked through Prayer Walking, so please indicate if the story can be shared publicly (leadership may edit for space and clarity).  We’d like to encourage one another during this time with how the Lord is working in our midst and bringing about the transformation we’re praying for.

Closing

We hope that this system makes it easy to connect and pray together for our neighbors and neighborhood.  If you have any questions, please contact Mark Essenburg. Prayer Walking not only blesses those we pray for, it also blesses you as you pray, strengthening your faith and relationship with the Lord.  It’s also a place to practice using gifts that God has given, so be open to how He wants to use you and be discerning of when and how He leads to use your gifts. Be blessed as you go and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you!

/by

Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 07.05.20

,

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.

 

We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together following the sermon. Please gather your elements and join us! 

 

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 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 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. 

 

A Mighty Fortress

 

 

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!”

 

Forever

 

In Christ Alone

 

 

Even So Come

 

 

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):

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

 

 

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 quiet your heart as we prepare to hear from the Word of the Lord. 

 

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

 

 

Communion

If you are a baptized member of a church that declares Jesus is Lord, and if you are walking in the light and in pursuit of righteousness, we welcome and encourage you to join with us as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper! If you are not yet baptized or are not yet walking in the light, we encourage you to take some time to pray and reflect with the Lord or to confess and repent of your sins as His Word promises that when we confess, he is faithful to forgive! We welcome baptized children of believers to the table as parents discern they are ready, and also invite you to pray blessing over your children who are not yet ready to partake. 

 

Song of Response:

The Song of Response serves to make space for us to respond to the message the Lord has given and the meal we’ve just shared together.

 

Living Hope

 

 

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

 

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