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dgtully · 4 years

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Worship Guide for 5/10/20

Here is the guide for this week’s devotion and worship. You can use it with your family together or alone as an individual. While many of us who would normally gather with our church families are at home, we can be bound together by God’s Spirit as we pray together––wherever that might be.

Instructions: Together with your family or by yourself, join our online worship gathering on the Fall Branch United Methodist Church Facebook page for a Facebook Live event. We will be consecrating and together sharing in Holy Communion. To do so, gather the following:

Bread

A cup of grape juice or wine

Should you not have access to the internet, you may still use this guide to participate in worship. Offer the following prayers, readings, and engage the discussion/reflections as an act of worship today, knowing there are others who do so as well.

{The Facebook Live event begins Sunday, 5/10/20 at 11:00 AM, EDT.}

Order of Worship

(If you have a candle available, light it as a sign of this time being set apart as sacred and as a confession that God, who is our light, is present with us.)

Greeting

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer:

Read aloud: Psalm 103:1-11

Pray aloud:

Gracious God, on this day of worship, as we bear witness to the eternal love of Christ, remind us that we are responsible for caring for each other. We are called to lift up rather than tear down; to support rather than abandon, to reach out when others have turned away. As you are continually faithful to us, we are to be faithful to one another. Give us hearts of love that, in all places and times, we may be a witness to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. AMEN

Song of Praise:

Sing along with the words of the song, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” (displayed on screen) during the Facebook Live event, OR recite /sing the following verse if only making use of this worship guide:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Prayers of the People

If you are gathered online during today’s Facebook Live event, type in the comments any prayer requests you have for yourself or others, that we may all lift them in prayer together. Use the following responsive prayers, responding with the bold type if you are participating in online (Facebook Live) worship, or all if not:

Let us pray:

God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, who counts the hairs upon our head, who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts, who loves us more than we deserve, how can we not bring today, our sacrifice of praise? For in your Son, Jesus Christ lies the promise of relationship with a Savior who would die even for us; for a life of truth and meaning now and the promise of an eternity in which to praise you more each day. God of promise we praise your name; we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

For God’s word to spread, take deep roots in people’s lives—beginning with us—and for your people to be transformed into true servants, fit for your kingdom; may we be guided by your Spirit to love and serve others as we have and continue to be loved by you: Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord, we thank you for the many gifts you have poured into our lives, for those who love us and nurture us; for those who teach us to be loving people. Bless these people and bless the gifts they pour into our lives that we may, in turn, bless others in your name; bringing healing and hope to our fractured world., we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the healing of the sick or injured, for those who mourn this day, for those who find themselves in need (take time to remember by name those the Spirit of God brings to mind); come in power to bring healing, comfort, and provision: Lord, hear our prayer.

O God, for your people, the church, in this time of uncertainty and fear; may we be a light and beacon pointing to you, our rock. To those reaching out desperate hands, may we be known as people of open hands, always reaching out to lift others onto the same sure footing on which we stand: Jesus, our foundation; we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we your children never pray alone, but only with all your saints in all the world. Therefore, we pray now as Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; Both now and forever. Amen

Rehearsing Our Faith:

Recite aloud our proclamation of faith today, The Apostles’ Creed:

(“In remembrance of our/my baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we/I now make proclamation of our/my baptismal creed . . .”)

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic* church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

*meaning the universal Christian church—all believers in Jesus Christ

The Devotion of Giving

Consider making this time your opportunity to give a financial offering to God through his church. There are two ways you can do this through financially supporting the ongoing ministry of Fall Branch UMC:

Mail a check to:

Fall Branch United Methodist Church

P. O. Box 86

Fall Branch, TN 37656

Online Giving:

Go to holston.org/churchoffering and fill in your contact information.

Select Appalachian District in the first pull-down menu. Select Fall Branch United Methodist Church—Fall Branch, TN in the second pull-down menu.

Click the blue bar at the bottom to be taken to a secure site to put in your credit / debit card information and the amount of your offering and submit. That’s it!—100% of your offering will go to the ministry of Fall Branch UMC.

Song of Thanks & Gratitude:

As a way to show gratitude in our giving, sing along with the words of the song, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow,” (displayed on screen) during the Facebook Live event, OR recite/sing the following verse if only making use of this worship guide:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A-men.

Feasting on God’s Word/Sermon:

Read Matthew 28:16-20

{If you are NOT making use of today’s online service, reflect on the following . . .}

What does it mean to you that Jesus tells us to teach others to be obedient to what he has first taught us? (see v. 20)

If it’s true that Jesus’ “great commission” is more about discipleship/apprenticeship to him than merely the conversion of not-yet believers, what do you think the church/God’s people could do to better demonstrate that?

What has Jesus taught you that you believe is important to pass on to others? Is it something that is essential to have a way of life that would be considered faithful? How might you go about passing that on?

Holy Communion:

With bread and Cup (juice or wine) before you, join in The Great Thanksgiving in preparation of receiving God’s grace through this sacrament (for which our resident Bishop has allowed clergy to consecrate online during this time, for participation at home) speaking what is in bold, or all should you desire:

Invitation

Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Confession and Pardon

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

May the Lord be with us. We lift up our hearts to the Lord. Let us give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ is with us; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on we who are gathered in your name, in this and all places your people gather in the union of worship this day, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in you holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

(Share in the bread before you with the words, “The body of Christ, given for us.” Share in the cup before you with the words, “The blood of Christ, given for us.”)

Mission Challenge Response:

As a response of faithfulness to God from this time of worship, consider accepting one of the following acts of devotion to God and service to others beginning this week:

— If you would consider yourself a “handy person,” consider helping out someone in need with a (small?) project around their home. Be sure to maintain good health precautions.

— Choose 3 neighbors/friends/colleagues to check on regularly with a call, text, or email. Simply ask how they’re doing, if there’s any way you can help them, and how you can pray for them. (Listen more than talk!)

— Join a Vine Life online bible study small group. (Go to the Fall Branch UMC Facebook page for how you can be a part of one we’re starting this week!)

— Make a meal for a neighbor and let them know you’re dropping it off on their porch. Include a note of encouragement and your contact information.

— Begin reading through either the Psalms or the Gospel of Mark and keep a journal of your thoughts, questions, and insights!

— Keep a journal (yep, another journal idea!) of what, each day 1) you are most grateful for, 2) you are least grateful for, and 3) the craziest part of your day. Include any insights you might have from these and pray for God to show you how he is with you in all of it.

Concluding Prayer of Worship/Devotion:

Pray yourself, or along with those gathered with you the following prayer aloud:

O God, may you send us forth in peace. Empower us to bring hope to this world. May we go forth in love; bringing joy to this world. May we go forth in the knowledge that goes with us, loving and guiding our steps. Amen.

(Extinguish the candle as a way of closing this time of worship. )

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darinb · 6 years

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Me in the Mirror 1- What Image in the Mirror Do You See?

When you look into the mirror, what Image in the Mirror do you see looking back at you? Is that person the real you, or do you somehow distort or even enhance that person? What I would like to do in this series is look at perception, at the way you see yourself and ask the big question…

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Do I like what I see? Do I see myself in a true light? What or who am I reflecting, and what is the Image in the Mirror?

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV Strong's) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. Ok, we cannot truly see what the Lord wants us to see in ourselves, and we will not know fully until we get to heaven, but we can by faith begin to see things in our lives the way God see, and begin to reflect Him in our lives, not our selfish, self centred, self glorifying selves! So as I share this message, I want you to imagine you are holding a clock up to a mirror... In other words, it’s time for reflection!

Image in the Mirror- WHAT YOU SEE ISN’T WHAT YOU GET

As a Behavioural Optometrist, I specialise in visual perception. The thing is, having 20/20 vision really means very little. Sure, you need to see, but just because you physically have the capacity to see something doesn’t mean you understand what you see. Many things in life actually distort or affect what we perceive, especially when I comes to ourselves. Lenses or glasses can shape your view of the world, but mirrors can likewise distort your view of yourself. The devil does not want you to see yourself properly, he doesn’t want you to see yourself how God sees you. He also doesn’t want you to reflect the image of Jesus Christ, so he does his best to mess up how you see yourself, and who it is your life reflects! What Image in the Mirror Do You See? The purpose of this series is to gain a true reflection of ourselves, undistorted by anything that is not of God! Let’s let His Spirit guide us into truth. That’s why God’s Word says, John 16:13 (ESV Strong’s) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, So what things distort our reflection in the mirror? What changes how we see ourselves?

1. DISTORTED BY DIRT AND GRIME

If a mirror is dirty, you cannot clearly see the image in the surface. It does not mean that the mirror doesn’t work, but rather that the mirror is covered in a substance that is not reflective. Going through your life, you can pick up dirt and grime, which we call sin. Sin separates you from God, covers up the true reflection of yourself, and covers any chance you have of reflecting Jesus to the world. If you constantly live in sin, the dirt and grime builds up until you cannot see God, you are not close to Him and you cannot be the person God wants you to be… Isaiah 59:2 (ESV Strong's) but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. The Hebrew word for hidden is satar, which literally means covered or concealed. A layer of grime or sin conceals the true reflection, and if it is thick enough or deep enough you cannot see anything! 1 John 1:5-7 (ESV Strong's) God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. God is light, and if you are disobedient and wilfully sinning, or tolerate sin in your life, you are misting the mirror, and the light cannot reflect properly off the surface. The Greek word for cleanses is katharizo, which means to purify, wash, to scrub clean. 1 John 1:9 (ESV Strong's) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Harbouring sin in your life, even a hidden sin, tolerating it instead of confessing it covers over the true image you should be. If you are tolerating sin, it’s time to confess it, and allow the blood of Jesus to wash your life clean!

2. DISTORTED BY THE PAST

If a mirror gets old, the inner surface of silver nitrate often breaks down, and gets scratchy, and this distorts the image on the front. This is not dirt on the outside, the inner layer is breaking down! So many people including Christians allow their past to distort what they reflect in the present. It might have been words spoken to you, situations you have been through, your upbringing, your fears, your pain. But God says this… Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV-WS) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The Lord is saying, “Stop dwelling on past failures! Don’t you get it… I’m doing a new thing!”it’s time to make the past past at last. When the past quarrels with the present, there can be no future. We all need to learn from our past. But we must also stop living in the past, or letting past failures control us, and move on to God’s new assignments and goals. Spiritual renewal involves letting go of the past so that we can take hold of what is in the present and redirect our course toward a new life for the future. What Image in the Mirror Do You See? If you had a difficult upbringing, a troubled relationship with your mum or dad, then today is the day you give that to the Lord and let Him carry that burden, not you. If you have something in your past you’re ashamed of, something you still feel guilty for, it’s is time to hand it over to Jesus, not carry the load yourself. So if you have had a divorce or separation, if you’ve been abused or controlled, if you’ve done something you just hate yourself for doing, today is the day to hand it over to Jesus, and let it stop affecting how you see yourself.

3. DISTORTED BY BEING SHATTERED

If you drop a hand mirror, any mirror, they don’t bounce too well. They shatter, and you allegedly get 7 years bad luck and a distorted, fractured image. In the same way, hurt and pain that has affected your life, that has damaged or even shattered your life, destroys the image in your mirror. Pain affects how you see yourself, so whether it’s physical pain from sickness or disease, or emotional pain from someone betraying you or letting you down, pain affects how you see and value yourself, and how you reflect God. It also affects people around you, because hurt people hurt people. You don’t mean to be like this, but that hurt inside you causes you to lash out and hurt the ones you love. What Image in the Mirror Do You See? But the Bible says this… Psalms 34:18 (ESV Strong's) The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Are you crushed today, are you shattered today? How long have you carried that pain deep inside you? God loves you, God can heal that pain and today, He is willing if you will trust Him. Don’t let bitterness ruin how you see yourself or how you reflect Christ. What Image in the Mirror Do You See? Hebrews 12:15 (ESV Strong's) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled If you have been hurt and you haven’t given it over to God, which involves forgiving other people, then it is like drinking poison hoping the other guys dies! Holding onto hurt shatters the image of God in you, and distorts how you see yourself. Today is the day to forgive and give your hurt to God. Forgiving someone who hurt you dies not legitimise or condone what they did, it simply releases the hold they have on you, and set you free to see yourself as God sees you!

4. DISTORTED BY SURROUNDING REFLECTIONS

The image in the mirror can be affected by external things surrounding the mirror, such as reflections, lights or other images. In the same way your imagein the mirror of yourself can be affected, even destroyed but the opinions of others. “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!” Is not true. James 3:8-9 (ESV Strong's) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone else’s inability to see your worth. What Image in the Mirror Do You See, not them? If you have had someone speaking negative words over your life, whether now or sometime in the past, you need to recognise that someone else’s opinion is just that. Opinions are like noses… everybody has one, and most of them smell! Don’t let your Image in the Mirror of who you truly are be distorted or sometimes even destroyed by the word of others. Their words only have power if you let them, if you give them permission to affect your life. Proverbs 15:4 (NIV-WS) The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. In the Message Bible it says this… Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. If someone has or is speaking negatives over your life, today is the day we break those curses and they fall to the ground dead, lifeless and powerless. Some of you will need prayer to break this power, but it can and indeed must be done for you to begin to see the image of yourself correctly. What Image in the Mirror Do You See? Proverbs 26:2 (ESV Strong's) Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.

5. DISTORTED BY UNEVEN LAYERING

If a mirror has uneven layers of silver nitrate, thin spots appear and these are not as reflective. This can cause distortions or warping in the image. In the same way if our relationship with God is patchy, if we only connect with Him once a week at church, if we skip services or skip quiet times, we will not reflect the Lord the way we should, and this will affect even how we view ourselves. James 4:8 (ESV Strong's) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God longs to be close to you, and all it takes is your saying yes, I want to spend time with you, Lord. Spending time every day with the Lord, reading His Word and praying, causes layer upon layer to be painted on the glass, and this makes you more and more reflective, more and more like Jesus! What Image in the Mirror Do You See?

WHOSE IMAGE DO YOU REFLECT?

The thing is, mirrors do not create images, they reflect them. They can be distorted by sin, pain, your past, the words of others and stepping away from God. When you look in the mirror, do you see the real you? Do you see the person you are destined to be? Do you see Jesus reflected in your life. Romans 8:29 (ESV Strong's) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. God has a plan for your life, and His plan is that you reflect His Son! As you read His Word , as you pray, as you surrender your life to His will, and His care, as you give Him your burdens, you will reflect Jesus, and your life will move into His destiny for you! What Image in the Mirror Do You See? A mirror differs from a pane of glass in that it is painted by several layers of silver nitrate. But where does refined silver come from? It is not mined as pure silver, but dug out of the ground… Psalms 66:10 (ESV Strong's) For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. Let me finish by taking you through the ancient process of refining silver, and in this is a great lesson for all of us who want to be true mirrors, seeing ourselves as a reflection of Christ… As people, we want a great life, we want to be success, we want a great family, people who love us, we want health, wealth, wisdom and blessing. That’s what we want from God, isn’t it? It’s what we pray for, work for and believe for. But the fact is, many of us face tests, trials and hardship. So instead of blaming God for not giving you what you ordered Him to bless you with, why not step back and see things from His point of view, His Holy perspective? God tests every believer, both to reveal the character of his or her heart and to lead him or her into a deeper relationship with Himself. We tend to learn more in the valley than on the mountaintop. Isaiah 48:10 (ESV Strong's) Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. God refines us with the trials, tests and hardships of life, because He wants us to be refined and pure. So what was the process of refining silver in Biblical times? Stage I: The Breaking —The refiner breaks up the natural ore. In biblical times, a refiner began by breaking up rough ore—hardened rock encased with common minerals such as tin, copper, and zinc. But sometimes, somewhere in that rock was precious metals like silver. He has to break the rock to expose the metals to heat. Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV Strong's) Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Perhaps you feel broken today, maybe shattered by a family breakup or a business collapse. If you have been broken you are ready for the next step in refinement… Stage II: The Crucible —The refiner places unrefined silver into a crucible. The crucible is a special metal pot able to withstand extreme heat. The refiner then places the crucible into the furnace at the precise temperature which separates the metals. Proverbs 17:3 (ESV Strong's) The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. Stage III: The Dross —The refiner places the crucible in the heated furnace to remove dross. As the ore melts in the crucible under the watchful eye of the refiner, a layer of impurities called “dross” eventually bubbles to the top and forms on the surface. Proverbs 25:4 (ESV Strong's) Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; For us individually, dross represents any sin mixed into our life—any wrong motive, wrong attitude, wrong action, and unforgiveness, unrepentance, or disobedience—anything that keeps us from being all that God wants us to be. Stage IV: The Heat —The refiner raises the temperature again and again. The refiner painstakingly skims off the dross or impurities. Then he then turns up the heat and places the crucible back into the furnace, skimming off more dross each time. Ancient literature tells us he does this up to 7 times. He knows that only certain impurities are released at certain temperatures. Psalms 12:6 (ESV Strong's) The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. This process continues and each time the silver is more and more refined. In your life you may find yourself facing trial after trial, pain after pain, and wonder why your testing seems endless. Yet each time a little more dross, a little more impurity is removed. Multiple trials are often necessary to clean out the dross. So when does the refiner know that the process is complete? Stage V: The Reflection —The refiner sees a clear image of himself. The refiner knows the process is complete, and you need to get this, when he looks into the crucible as sees his reflection clearly. When He looks at you, What Image in the Mirror does He See? Isaiah 48:10 (ESV Strong's) Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. When the refiner looks at your life, does He see His own image reflected back? When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you see the Master reflected in your image? Today is the day we start refining your life. Today is the day we clean out those words spoken over you, the times you were told you’re useless and will amount to nothing. Today is the day we begin to break their power, we forget the things past and we press on towards the future God has for you. If you’ve had something in your past that you are ashamed of, or have had negative or hurtful words spoken over your life, even if they were said in jest, let’s start freeing you right now. Let’s stop this distortion of your image in the mirror, and let’s start reflecting Jesus. Some years ago I was told by another pastor still on the Coast that I would never be a leader, never be a pastor and never have an impact for God. I knew immediately when said that he was wrong, so Fiona and I took that to the Lord, prayed it through and committed ourselves to follow Him into our destinies. I still meet this guy at pastor’s meetings. He doesn’t talk to me, and I don’t care… his words have no power over me! I don’t have to fight him, because God has vindicated me! If words have been spoken over you in the past, distorting the image of the refiner in your life, stand up. Proverbs 26:2 (ESV Strong's) Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. Also, if you have resented the tests that have allowed the Lord to refine your life, it is time to repent and rejoice in the character He is building as He makes you into the image of His Son. What Image in the Mirror Do You See?

https://ignitechurch.org.au/me-in-the-mirror-1-what-image-in-the-mirror-do-you-see/

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dgtully · 4 years

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Sunday Worship Guide

You’re invited to join with Fall Branch United Methodist Church for a Facebook Live event on Sunday, April 26th @ 11:00 AM, EDT. Here’s the worship guide that will help you to participate:

Instructions: Together with your family or by yourself, join our online Easter service on the Fall Branch United Methodist Church Facebook page for a Facebook Live event. We will be consecrating and together sharing in Holy Communion. To do so, gather the following:

Bread

A cup of grape juice or wine

{The Facebook Live event begins Sunday, 4/26/20 at 11:00 AM, EDT.}

Order of Worship

(If you have a candle available, light it as a sign of this time being set apart as sacred and as a confession that God, who is our light, is present with us.)

Greeting

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer:

Read aloud: 1 Peter 1:3-5, 8-9

Pray aloud:

O God, we celebrate the triumph of life over death—this is the good news of Jesus, our risen savior. You have ransomed us from our futility—our salvation wasn’t purchased with gold or silver, or with perishable earthly goods, but with the precious blood of Christ himself. In his resurrection, we are born anew with him—born of the immortal, born of the everlasting, born into a living hope. Fill us with all good gifts of your Holy Spirit, that we may share your love with boldness and power, with passion and conviction! In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Rehearsing Our Faith:

Recite aloud our proclamation of faith today, The Apostles’ Creed:

(“In remembrance of our/my baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we/I now make proclamation of our/my baptismal creed . . .”)

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic* church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

*meaning the universal Christian church—all believers in Jesus Christ

Prayers of the People

Use the following responsive prayers, responding with the bold type if you are participating in online (Facebook Live) worship, or all if not:

Let us pray:

Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, we your people praise you, we exalt you, we bless your holy name. It is your love that is revealed in the life and death of Jesus, it is your power that is seen in his resurrection, and it is your authority that empowers us for obedient life in your kingdom. Help us, O God, to always live boldly and walk joyfully in the freedom of your new life, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

For God’s word to spread, take deep roots in people’s lives—beginning with us, and for your people to be transformed into true servants, fit for your kingdom; may we be guided by the Spirit to love others as we have and continue to be loved by you: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the healing of the sick or injured, for those who mourn this day, for those who find themselves in need; come in power to bring healing, comfort, and provision: Lord, hear our prayer.

For all those who serve and lead others, that your strength will be given them, that your compassion will guide them, that your protection will surround them—trusting that you will never leave or forsake them, we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

O God, for your people, the church, in this time of uncertainty and fear; may we be a light and beacon pointing to you, our rock. May we be known as people of open hands, always reaching out to lift others onto the same sure footing on which we stand; we pray to the Lord: Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving God, we your children never pray alone, but only with all your saints in all the world. Therefore, we pray now as Jesus taught us:

The Devotion of Giving

Mail a check to:

Fall Branch United Methodist Church

P. O. Box 86

Fall Branch, TN 37656

Online Giving:

Go to holston.org/churchoffering and fill in your contact information.

Select Appalachian District in the first pull-down menu. Select Fall Branch United Methodist Church—Fall Branch, TN in the second pull-down menu.

Feasting on God’s Word/Sermon:

Read Matthew 28:16-20

{If you are NOT making use of today’s online service, reflect on the following . . .}

Does the fact that Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth?” (v. 18) give you a sense of joy? a sense of dread? Why do you think that is?

Is Jesus’ promise to “be with you always, to the end of the age” (v. 20) something you think about as more comforting, or possibly confining? How would each lead you to approach your relationship with Jesus?

What difference does it make for you that you don’t have to “bootstrap” a righteous life out of your own power, but it is God who makes you who you are (in Jesus) and enables you to do what you do in following him?

Holy Communion:

Invitation

Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

Confession and Pardon

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving

May the Lord be with us. We lift up our hearts to the Lord. Let us give our thanks and praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ is with us; Christ will come again.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in you holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

(Share in the bread before you with the words, “The body of Christ, given for us.” Share in the cup before you with the words, “The blood of Christ, given for us.”)

Mission Challenge Response:

As a response of faithfulness to God from this time of worship, consider accepting one of the following acts of devotion to God and service to others for this week:

— Do a regular prayer walk in your neighborhood, praying for blessing on each household.

— Join an online prayer, bible study, or devotional group. (Stay tuned to the Fall Branch UMC Facebook page for how you can be a part of one we’re starting this coming week!)

— Offer to do the shopping (including the pharmacy) for your elderly neighbor.

— Begin reading through the Psalms and keep a journal of your thoughts, questions, and insights!

— Keep a journal (yep, another journal idea!) of what, each day 1) you are most grateful for, 2) you

are least grateful for, and 3) the craziest part of your day. Include any insights you might have

from these and pray for God to show you how he is with you in all of it.

Concluding Prayer of Worship/Devotion:

Pray yourself, or along with those gathered with you the following prayer aloud:

In great mercy, O God, you have given us a new birth into a living hope, for it is the risen Christ who stands in our midst and says, “I am with you always.” We move through our lives following in the wake of the One who’s authority has no rival. We go forth to walk in this new life and living hope. May the peace of the risen Christ, and confident trust in him, be with us! Amen.

(Extinguish the candle as a way of closing this time of worship. )

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