Sunday, April 25, 2021 - Elevating Our Expectations

Theme - Sustainable Hope: Elevating Our Expectations

Hymn     Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing    (Recording Only)

Hymn    The Lord’s My Shepherd            (In Person Only)

Welcome

Prayer

Romans 8:18-19                            Common English Bible Translation

I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. (Ps 23:1-3) The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. (Question: How do you want God to be at work in your life and with those around you?)

Romans 8:20-22

Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice – it was the choice of the one who subjected it – but in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. (Ps 23:4) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff – they protect me. (Question: What is your greatest hope? How is it connected to God?)

Hymn  Everyone Who Longs for the Boundless Love of God    (In Person Only)

Romans 8:23-25

And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. (Acts 4:8-10a)Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders of the people and elders, are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him? If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. (Question: What is the most difficult about having hope?)

Romans 8:26-27

In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will. (Ps 23:5) You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! (Question: Have you ever pleaded with God for something?)

Hymn       There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy                     (In Person Only)

Romans 8:28

We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Ps 23:6) Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. (1 Jn 3:2Hil4) Those who keep his commandments dwell in God and God dwells in them. This is how we know that he dwells in us, because of the Spirit he has given us. (Question: What do we expect of God and what should we expect of God in our lives?)

Reflection Together              (In Person only)

Offering Ourselves to God

       During this time let us reflect upon and commit ourselves to how we can connect to God through giving of our time, our thoughts, our resources, and our actions.

Hymn     Live into Hope.   (Recording Only)   

Hymn   Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing      (In Person Only)   

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Benediction

Hymn      May the God of Hope Go with Us     

Hymn List

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy – 435 GTG

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing – 475 GTG

Live into Hope– 772 GTG

May the God of Hope Go with Us – 765 GTG

Everyone Who Longs for the Boundless Love of God – 849 GTG

***********************************************************

Guiding Scripture for the Easter Season

Isaiah 33:2

“Lord, show us favor;

    we hope in you.

Be our strength every morning,

   Our salvation in times of distress.”

Easter Series: Sustainable Hope April 18th – May 16th

May 2nd – Cultivating the Practices that Matter

May 9th – Insight into Thriving

May 16th – Being a Hopeful Presence