These are extraordinary times. Though we are unable to gather together for worship this morning due to the precautions surrounding COVID-19, we still have an opportunity to worship at home, and as we each do so, we do so together, united in spirit as we seek God together. Follow through this post, pausing to think about each reading, listening to each song, praying at the appropriate times, and listening to the recorded message, for a personal or family worship time at home.
Call to Worship
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
Psalm 46 puts steel in our spines and calm in our hearts as we watch our world tearing itself apart and, try as we do, we can’t stop the foolish self-destruction all around — right, left and center. But God reigns, God is present, God is with us. No need to freak out.
Ray Ortlund, Jr.
How does Psalm 46 give you peace in these troubled times?
Prayer
Our Lord God,
You are the mighty God, the sovereign God, the ever-present God.
You are our ever present help.
Even though we are gathered in different places,
We still seek You, worship You, love You together as Your people here,
United in Christ, His Spirit at work in each of us.
As we seek You,
Strengthen our spirits and calm our hearts,
So that though the world be in uncertain and chaotic,
As we see You,
We know the peace, hope, and joy You bring.
We look to You and love You.
In Jesus’ holy name we pray,
Amen.
Worship in Song
Though this is a time that may threaten to cause anxiety or fear, not knowing what even the next hour or day holds, we have an even stronger hope, an even mightier God, an even greater Saviour, and an even more sure hope in eternity.
So in the face of fear and anxiety, we have every cause to rejoice:
For His perfect love will never change,
And His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days
With the certain hope of peace.
Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice, O church of Christ, rejoice!
(Keith & Kristyn Getty)
Listen to Come People of the Risen King
“Safe,” by Paul Tripp, shared on his facebook page on Thursday, March 19
“We who have fled for refuge [in Christ] might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone…“ (Hebrews 6:18-20)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness… let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Reminded that Christ is our safe place, our very-present help, our steady anchor through our days, listen to “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor”
Pray
Leader: O God our Rock,
All: hold us in this chaos.
O Christ our King,
calm us in this storm.
O Holy Spirit,
Intercede for us.
Be merciful, most merciful God!
O God our Rock,
hold us in the chaos
of this hard hour
O Christ our King,
calm us in the storm
of our distress.
O Holy Spirit,
Intervene and intercede
We need you now, most merciful God!
(A prayer from Every Moment Holy, by Doug McKelvey).
Lord Jesus, you are the faithful God, the faithfully loving God, who are so good to us in so many ways we can’t even count. We pray that as we face these uncertain days, with the spread of COVID-19, You would remind us of Your presence with us, to help us, sustain us, and bring us peace. Help us as we self-isolate, that we may have contentment in moments of struggling to do so. Help those of us who may have weaker immune systems or other health problems, to remain healthy. Heal those who have contracted COVID-19. Help the health-care workers on the front lines of battling COVID-19, that they may remain strong and rested, both physically and mentally.
We bring to you the concerns of our day and on our hearts
(Take this time now to pray silently or together as a family for any need and concern you may have.)
Lord, we are glad that we are able to come to you with our every need,
That you hear our every plea,
That you are able and willing to answer,
That you faithfully know our good, even better than we do.
With this in mind, we pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reminded of Jesus’ great faithfulness to us, no matter what our situation, listen to Great is thy Faithfulness.
Message
Discussion Questions
-What about our present situation troubles or worries you? How do the promises of Jesus meet that fear or worry?
-What about eternity do you look forward to?
-How willing are we to see what God might do - even if we have no control? How excited are we? How do we trust Him more in things we feel no control over? How do we give over what we might want to control?
-How do you sense God’s hope, peace, and love today?
Hymn of Assurance
Benediction
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory
Giving
You can give by e-transfer at kingsborobaptist [at] gmail.com. As well, you can mail or drop off offerings at 3055 East Point Road, Kingsboro, PE, C0A 2B0.