Gold Avenue Church At Home Worship Liturgy 01.03.21

A Note before you begin:

This service was prayerfully planned and coordinated with worship planner Derek Sterenberg in conjunction with the pastors.

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 our Lord.

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

From Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Pray for the Lord to fill you, your household, and your home with His presence and His peace. Fix your eyes and the focus of your heart on Him.

Worshiping in Song:

Build Your Kingdom Here

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.

Consider sending a greeting text message to a church family member.

“The Lord be with you!”

and in response:

“and also with you!”

And if you’re alone:

“The Lord is with me!”

Your Grace is Enough

Resurrecting

Living Hope

Testimony/Family Prayer Time:

How has the Lord been at work this week? Consider sharing your story with those around you or writing it down. Give glory to the Lord for the good work that He has done!

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

Consider asking a church family member how you can be in prayer for them or inviting a church family member to pray for you.

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 give through PayPal here.
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.

I Will Follow

The Preaching of the Word:

Access the audio of the sermon here: Sermon Audio Recording

Song of Response:

The song of response gives opportunity to consider, apply, and respond what we’ve just heard from the Word. If you need to and are able, take a few minutes to process what you’ve just heard and how the Lord may be inviting you to respond. Sing in response as you feel led.

If you’d like to learn more about Discipleship Groups at Gold Avenue Church, please contact Stephanie McClain at stephaniemc.gold@gmail.com.

King of Kings

The Lord’s Blessing:

The Lord’s Blessing serves to make space for us the Lord to bless us to continue to walk in faithful obedience and to grow up into maturity.

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

Psalm 90:17

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Closing Song:

The Stand

January 2, 2021/by Gold Avenue Church

Children’s Worship 01.03.21

Children's Worship

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

In My Father’s House

Based on: Luke 2:41-52

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.)

The story of Jesus at the Temple reminds us that Jesus was MAN as well as GOD. He was born and grew up, experiencing growth, feelings and temptations just like we do. He knows what it is like to be one of us. He is our perfect example to follow. But because He is also God, perfect and holy in every respect, He is the only One who can bridge the gap that sin creates between us and our Father in heaven.

Activity 1: STORY

Introduction to read to the children:

What are some good things about being a kid?
What might be fun about being a grown-up?
Today we’re going to talk about what God wants us to do as we grow up.

As a child, Jesus lived in Nazareth. He probably grew up like the other kids in that little village. What do you think kids did in the village?

Families had gardens and animals, and kids probably had chores, helping their parents take care of the garden and animals. Jesus probably helped Joseph, who was a carpenter. And most boys learned Hebrew and Old Testament history at a school.

When Jesus was 12 years old, he went with his family to the Temple to celebrate the Passover holiday, as usual. This was a very special celebration when the Jewish people remembered how God had helped them escape slavery in Egypt.

I wonder what Jesus did while the family was in Jerusalem. It was a surprise to Mary and Joseph!

Watch the video:

Activity 2: DISCUSSION

Jesus’ Father in heaven knew RIGHT where Jesus was! God was His Father, even though Joseph was raising Him. And Jesus knew His Father in heaven had work for Him to do! But Jesus didn’t have a proud attitude. Instead, He gladly went back home with Mary and Joseph. Listen as I read Luke 2:52 to find out what the Bible says about how Jesus grew. (52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.) As Jesus grew to be an adult, He grew physically strong and He grew in wisdom and knowledge. People liked Jesus, but even more importantly, God was very pleased with Him!

Wonder Questions:

Why did Jesus and His family go to Jerusalem? (To celebrate Passover.)

What did Joseph and Mary learn about Jesus?

How would you describe Jesus as He grew? What did you learn about
Jesus from this story?

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

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

Worship Song:

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1

Even as a child, Jesus lived in ways that showed His faith in God. That’s what we can do, too! No matter how old or young we are, the way we live can show our faith in God and show that we are His followers. That’s what this Bible verse talks about. Read aloud 1 Timothy 4:12 (12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.) The words we say, the things we do to show love to others and the way we try to do what’s right are all ways we show faith in God. And just like Jesus, we don’t do these things because we have to or someone is forcing us. We do them because we love God and want to be His followers.

Babies have a lot of fun playing, but growing up and being a kid is good! The same thing is true about growing in faith. We start out not knowing very much about how to please God, but as we grow in faith, we learn more and more about pleasing God and loving Him.

Let’s decorate a page and fill in the empty tabs by writing what we can do to please God and be an example this week (look for someone to share with, invite a friend to church, look for a way to encourage a kid in class, read the Bible, pray for a friend, etc.). Cut the tabs so that they are easy to tear off during the week.

Click on the above blank page and print.

Response Activity #2

Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

May you always remember that we can follow Jesus as our example and know that He is with us. All of us can show our love for God by doing what 1 Timothy 4:12 says: Be an example to others. That’s something that pleases God!