Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 11.1.2020

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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 prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

We will also be celebrating Communion together as part of this liturgy! Please make sure that you’ve got your elements ready so that you can join in!

 

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 46:

 

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

 

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

 

He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

Let us worship the Lord Almighty!

 

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. 

 

Lord Most High

 

 

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 Father

 

 

High and Lifted Up

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

Behold the Lamb

 

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 our 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 4950

 

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 helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

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 Ephesians 3:16-21

 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

How Long, O Lord

 

 

 

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Children’s Worship 11.01.20

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: 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 can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

 

God Listens to Us

Based on: Joshua 10

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

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.) 

 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). What an encouragement to know our God is listening; we are called to listen in return. This is one of the most central prayers in Jewish history, otherwise known as the Shema (from the Hebrew word for “hear”). To shema is to hear the cry of one’s heart and be moved to respond. It goes much deeper than listening. It signifies a rich, attentive, and focused listening. In this prayer Israel is urged to heed that God is the one and only. Then, in the following verse, they’re called to respond to this truth by loving the Lord fully in heart, soul, and strength. To shema is to discern and react. Judaism takes this so seriously, in fact, that it’s customary for Jewish men and women to cover their eyes when they recite the Shema. By doing so, they’re ensuring full and utter concentration.

 

In Joshua 10, we see shema in a new light. As the Israelites battled for the Promised Land, God mightily showed His power, granting them victory time after time. Joshua boldly prayed that the sun would stand still in the sky in order for the battle to continue without ceasing. In verse 14, the Bible declared that God listened to Joshua. He heard and responded by seemingly altering the natural order of the universe in order to give Israel the victory. In this passage, God demonstrated how to shema . God’s actions exemplified what it looks like to not only hear, but to listen. Our God, Yahweh, models the life we are to live.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

 

God’s people had a new strong leader to follow into the Promised Land. Whom did God choose to be that leader? Children answer. Joshua, that’s right. When the people reached the Jordan River and couldn’t get across, what did God do? That’s right! God parted the water and they were able to walk safely through. When everyone had crossed, Joshua told the people to pile up 12 large rocks. From that time on, when anyone saw those rocks, what were they to remember? That’s right!  They’d be able to remember what God had done for His people.

 

Joshua loved God very much, and he was a very good listener. When God gave him directions, Joshua did just what God told him to do. Are you good listeners? 

 

Watch the video:

 

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

When Joshua prayed, God listened very carefully. God caused the sun to stand still so the battle could last until the Israelites won. God listens to us today too.

 

I wonder … What did Joshua ask of God?

I wonder … What did the Israelites think when the sun stayed in the sky?

I wonder … How do I know God is listening to me?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children. 

 

God listens to all of His children! He will listen to us every time we talk to Him. Let’s close our eyes and think about God listening to our prayers, just like He listened to Joshua and kept the sun in the sky. Let’s thank God for listening to our prayers.

 

Encourage children to respond with their own words if they’d like. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:  

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY:   

CD SUN CRAFT AND/OR COLOR PAGE

 

Supplies:

  • Tissue Paper Squares (orange and yellow)
  • Elmer’s Glue
  • CD
  • ribbon (optional)
  • paper plate and Q-tip (optional)

 

Directions: 

  1. Cut up the tissue paper into 1 inch squares. 
  2. Place a good amount of glue on the paper plate. 
  3. Paint a generous amount of glue onto the CD by using a Q-tip. 
  4. Then lay flat pieces of tissue paper down by overlapping them and creating the “sun rays.” Be sure to turn the tissue paper pieces sideways so that the triangle side points outward, over the edge of the CD. Be sure to cover the hole in the CD also. Completely cover the CD with tissue papers until it looks like a bright, beautiful sun!
  5. Crumble the remaining pieces of tissue paper into little balls. Grab pieces of crumpled tissue paper and glue them to the top of your tissue paper layer on the face of the CD.You could either dip the tip of the tissue paper into the glue and then stick it to the CD or paint the glue directly onto the CD using a Q-tip and then stick the tissue paper pieces onto the CD.
  6. Attach a ribbon and a suction cup to hang in a window for all to see.

  https://thekindergartenconnection.com/summer-cd-sun-craft/

 

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

 

Invite children to stand hands open in front of them, arms bent. Share that this is one way to receive blessings.

 

May God walk beside you, (child’s name),and may you know He listens to you.

May you know that God is with you always.

 

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EFW 102 Update 10.30.20

Dear Friends,

We wanted to connect and share an update regarding next steps with Empowered for Witness 102 and the Foundations course makeup for EFW 101. It’s been a little over 6 weeks since we last wrote to you. Our Empowered for Witness leadership team met recently after individually doing some listening prayer around questions of if and when to offer EFW 102, which is the teaching on the Spiritual Gifts. As we gathered and shared our senses of God’s guidance, we came to a unified response. We are so grateful for the approach to ministry that we have adopted, which is the principles taught in book and conference ​Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit.​ We are thankful to God for the sense of peace and unity we enjoy while making such important decisions. have of confirmation and peace as he brought unity through our seeking of His guidance and wisdom!

Please take a few minutes to ​watch this video update​ from Pastors Dave and Gina on what has been discerned!

Below are the resources for ongoing learning that were mentioned in the video. You can click on the words to take you to the link for each resource.

●  Empowered for Witness 101 audio recordings

●  Rev. Mike Connell teachings on Activating the Gifts of the Spirit

As Pastors Dave & Gina mentioned in the update, we aren’t endorsing every aspect of Rev. Connell’s teaching, even as we highly encourage you to watch it and learn. Practice discernment and, as Paul said, “eagerly desire spiritual gifts!” (1 Cor. 14.1)

We intend to send out periodic emails to keep encouraging and updating all of you. If you are a pastor and find yourself in need of mentoring/coaching, please email ​kc@prmi.org​ subject line: Mentoring. We would love to hear from you!

Please continue to join us in praying for this course and for equipping congregations to be Empowered Witnesses!

Grace and Peace,
Stephanie, Pastor Dave and Pastor Gina
The Empowered for Witness Leadership Team

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Discipleship Group Update 10.28.20

The video below is this week’s update and tells how you can continue to join us in prayer regarding the development of Discipleship Groups at Gold Avenue Church. Please take a minute or two to watch and pray!

Discipleship Groups will be both a means of beginning to re-gather, and of each becoming better equipped to obey the Great Commission. We aim to grow as disciples who are being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ who are cooperating with God in the restoration of the world as we embody, proclaim, and advance the Kingdom of God.

There was a special email that went out last Friday morning. We are in need of your responses! Please read that email and fill out registration so we can get you in the right group for you! Responses are due Friday, October 30!
Click  this link to read the email. 
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Prayer Walking Restarting

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Is anyone excited to go prayer walking as a group again?!? If so then we have good news: This Saturday, October 31 from 10am-12pm we’re starting back up after a long hiatus due to Covid-19. In our previous post about Prayer Walking, we encouraged everyone to be prayer walking their neighborhoods regularly so hopefully doing that has been life giving and fruitful for everyone. Going out as a group is very special and so we are looking forward to praying and worshiping together as we share in the joy of the Lord.

A small group of us went out to try it out before officially launching, and it was such a joyous occasion! Read on below:

We went out with the guidance that we were to pave the way for more prayer walking and for God to move in preparing hearts of people that we’ll interact with on future occasions. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and we were able to pray in unity as we listened to what the Holy Spirit was saying and followed His leading. Even as we prayed, we met neighbors and blessed them and were blessed in return. Just with our small group we talked and prayed with a dozen people around the neighborhood.

Prayer walking is for everyone and we encourage everyone to come! If you haven’t done this kind of outreach before, this group is a great way to try it out. We go out without an agenda or a script, sometimes we are led to pray for the neighborhood, sometimes we meet neighbors and get to know them, and we always pray for people, whether directly or not. It’s a wonderful way to practice gifts that the Lord gives, it’s great because we all need practice and the world needs what we have to offer from the Lord. People are always blessed by God when we go out and so are we. So come and we’ll enjoy working for the Lord together!

Our previous post has a live CALENDAR which can be viewed any time incase you’d like a reminder of when we’re going out as a group. We’ll gather no matter the weather, we love those sunny days but rain or snow aren’t a hinderance when the goal is to pray! You may sync this calendar on your favorite device using the instructions here: Prayer Walking Calendar

Lastly, you may wonder why we chose Halloween as our starting time. We’d like to walk around blessing the neighborhood with the light of Christ on a day that normally is dedicated to darkness. After this, we’ll plan on going out every other Saturday for the rest of 2020, and we’ll re-evaluate and let you know what the 2021 schedule will be toward the end of this year. We hope to see you at Prayer Walking!

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Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 10.25.20

,

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 prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

 

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 99:

 

The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.

 

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. 

 

Hosanna Praise is Rising

 

 

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!”

 

 

 

10,000 Reasons Bless the Lord

 

 

Your Great Name

 

Worthy of it All

 

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 our 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 4950

 

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. 

 

Refiner’s Fire

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

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 Ephesians 3:16-21

 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

Doxology

 

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Children’s Worship 10.25.20

,

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: 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 can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

 

God Leads the Way

Based on: Joshua 1; 3—4

 

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

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.) 

 

God is constantly at work leading His people through others. Joshua 1 opens with God abruptly recognizing Moses’ death and commanding the Israelites to cross the Jordan River. Highlighting the new leader links Joshua to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, the books of the law). There is no doubt the torch has been passed from Moses to Joshua. Throughout Exodus and Numbers, we see Joshua worked closely with Moses. In Exodus 24:13, he is referred to as Moses’ aide—his right-hand man. Moses continuously made prophetic hints toward Joshua’s future as a leader.

Prior to Numbers 13:16, Joshua was known as Hoshea, which means “salvation.” However, Moses changed his name to Yhowshuwa (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves” in Hebrew. This is appropriate to the call God placed on the life of Joshua. He was to be a witness to God’s saving power as he led God’s people into the Promised Land, reminding them at all times to trust, obey, and follow the Lord God.

When Moses laid hands on Joshua, the transition of leadership was complete. Joshua became “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Deuteronomy 34:9), drawing Moses’ life of leadership to a close. Joshua was prepared to follow God’s leading, and in turn model godly living for the nation of Israel.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

God’s people, the Israelites, were on a great journey. It all started in Egypt. God promised to take His people out of Egypt and to a new home where they’d be free to worship Him. To lead them out of Egypt, God had to help His people in a very special way. Do you remember what that special way was? Now, God is going to help them again in a special way. What do you think God is going to do this time?

 

Watch the video:

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Today in The Big God Story we saw how God led His people to the Promised Land. Throughout the journey God was with His people and performed many wonderful miracles. The people piled 12 large stones together as a way to remember God and tell His stories to their children.

 

I wonder … How would I feel if I saw a river split in half?

I wonder … What would I have said after entering the Promised Land?

I wonder … How does God lead me?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. 

 

I’m so thankful that God leads me. I want to trust in Him and follow Him. It’s such a blessing that we can praise God for who He is and bring our requests to Him in prayer.

 

Encourage children to respond with their own words if they’d like. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

 

Worship Songs:  

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY:    ROCK THE PAINT AND/OR COLOR PAGE

 

Needed: small smooth stones or rocks, paint, paintbrushes. markers 

 

You can do this project very simply with what you have on hand or for a more involved and permanent rock here are some suggestions.

 

How to Paint Rocks to Achieve Success

Pick smooth, flat rocks. You can decorate any rock, but it’s harder to decorate ones with ridges. If you can’t find them in nature, the craft stores sell them as do home improvement centers.

 

Wash the rocks before decorating them. You want to remove dirt so that it doesn’t mess your design. You can wash several at once with dish soap and leave in a colander to drain and dry.

 

Seal the rock before painting on it. Use a clear brush on or spray sealer. This helps so that the rocks (which are porous) don’t suck the life out of your markers. Another option: prime with white paint to help the colors that you paint on top appear more vibrant.

 

Paint your design on top and use several coats . . . let dry between layers. Use an outdoor or multi-surface paint to help them hold up to the elements.

 

Use small brushes or a stylus to make small details and/or dots.

 

Use oil based paint pens and Sharpies to write on your rocks. Just make sure to let fully dry before any writing.

 

Finish off your rocks with a coat (or two or three) of Mod Podge Outdoor. This will help protect your beautiful painted rocks from the elements.

 

(Say) Joshua used stones from the Jordan River to remind the people what God had done for them and how he led them safely across the Jordan River. God still safely leads us today when we trust in HIm.  Let’s paint our stones with colors, words, or pictures that remind us about what God has done for us. 

 

If children cannot think of anything, suggest that they paint the words “God Leads”.  Some other things they might want to paint: rainbow, cross, flower, church, river with dry ground, etc..

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

 

Exodus 15:13 says, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

 

Explain that we can bless each other by speaking the following words:

 

May you trust that God will lead you and guide you with His unfailing love and amazing strength all of your life.

 

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Discipleship Group Update 10.20.20

October 20, 2020

Pastor Dave shares this week’s update about:

  1. Host & Facilitators paired up
  2. There is a special email coming to your inboxes this coming Friday with a poll for you to fill out and a lot more information regarding Discipleship Groups!
  3. We finalized the timeline for the group gatherings, more info to come on Friday
  4. Keep praying for church staff as we continue to press on towards November launch
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Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 10.18.20

,

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 Derek in particular who prayerfully discerned this liturgy.

 

Our prayer is that this liturgy helps us to create cultures of worship in our homes or wherever we utilize them, and that as we enter into his presence and give him praise, that we are each met, blessed, and challenged, and encouraged to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

 

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 117:

 

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

 

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. 

 

Death Was Arrested

 

 

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!”

 

 

 

Living Hope

 

 

What a Beautiful Name

 

Is He Worthy

 

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 our 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 4950

 

Special Offering for October: Benevolence

Once a month we take a special offering to support special causes the Deacons have prayerfully discerned. This month’s special offering is the Gold Avenue Church Benevolence Fund. The definition of benevolence is a kind act or gift or the doing of kind things for others. This fund helps out our church family and neighborhood with needs based help such as groceries, bill pay assistance, etc.

The deacons receive requests and pray together about how to help each request.  There is a Deacon Referral Form if you click here. By doing this our church family is able to be the hands and feet of Christ to each other and to our neighbors.

You can give to the special offering by:

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

2. Give online: select special from dropdown menu or type “benevolence” in memo line
https://goldavenuechurch.breezechms.com/give/online

3. Check: write “benevolence” 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. 

 

The Stand

 

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

 

Song of Response:

The song of response helps us to receive and apply the words that we’ve just heard through the Word. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve just heard and experienced and ask the Lord how he might be asking you to respond; feel free to sing in response as you feel led. 

 

Even So Come

 

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 Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 

 

Closing Song: 

 

Doxology

 

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Children’s Worship 10.18.20

,

Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!  

Note: 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 can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

God Shows Us How to Live

Based on: Exodus 19—20

 

OVERVIEW:

Activity One:  Read the intro. Watch the video.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts.

Worship: Singing 

Activity Three:  Respond to the story by doing the activity. 

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.) 

 

God has always shown us how to live. Once He redeemed Israel from the land of Egypt, God formed the Mosaic covenant between Himself and His people. It began a new era in their history. God continued to fulfill the promises He made to His people through the Abrahamic covenant. But the Mosaic covenant gave the people the means by which they would be able to experience that promised blessing. This covenant established the standards of righteousness for God’s people—His holy nation.

 

Yahweh was the God of Israel, and the people were in relationship with Him. God gave His people a model for living through the Ten Commandments that enhanced their worship and service to Him. This covenant demanded not only that the Israelites conform to a set of laws, but also that their hearts be oriented toward God. When the people lived out the laws, their lives demonstrated the intimate relationship they shared with God. A holy nation living in worship and service to the Lord acts as a catalyst to bring the nations of the earth into relationship with Him.

The covenant between God and His people at Sinai was a foreshadowing of what was to come. His law was “our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). In Him our worship, and our service, are complete. As we follow the Lord, we model for others the relationship it’s possible to have with the Holy God.

 

Activity 1:  STORY

 

Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

 

Introduction to read to the children: 

Did you know that God shows us the best way to live? He gave us the Holy Spirit, who is always with us, to remind us of who God is and what He has done. We can talk to God anytime and anywhere. We can pray and read the Bible, God’s Word, so we can learn more about knowing and worshipping Him. God loves us so much! He shows us how to live. In today’s Big God Story we hear how God gave instructions called The Ten Commandments so we know the best way to live and worship God.

 

Watch the video:

Activity 2:  DISCUSSION

 

Today in The Big God Story we heard how God came and spoke to His people. God told Moses the Ten Commandments so the Israelites would know the best way to live and how to worship and serve only Him.

 

I wonder … What did the Israelites think when they were waiting for God to come to them?

I wonder … Would I be scared if I heard the trumpets sound or the thunder and lightning?

I wonder … Who is someone in my life who shows me God’s way to live?

 

After discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. 

 

Did God show the Israelites how to live in The Big God Story today? Children respond. Yes, He did! The Israelites praised God for choosing them to be His people. One thing God asks us to do is to worship only one God—Him! Let’s do that right now. Let’s worship God together. I’ll begin. “God, I will worship You; You are the one and only true God!” Encourage children to praise God with their own words. Close as the Holy Spirit directs you. Then continue the worship time with some singing.

 

Worship Songs:  Three songs about the 10 Commandments. Take your pick!

 

 

 

 

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY    

 

God gave the 10 Commandments to show us how to live and have a life that’s the best it can be. Let’s make this to remind ourselves how we can live to honor God.

 

Print and cut out the 10 Commandment foldable. Fold to make an old fashioned cootie-catcher.

 

If you need directions here’s a Youtube video to watch. 

Fold and have fun reviewing the 10 Commandments.

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING 

Read aloud Psalm 25:4: Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.”

 

Explain that we can bless each other by speaking the following words:

 

May God show you where to go and teach you the way He wants you to live.

 

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