Sunday, May 9, 2021 - Insight into Thriving
Theme - Sustainable Hope: Insight into Thriving
Hymn Lord, Prepare Me
Welcome
Prayer
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Common English Bible Translation
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. That is because we receive so much comfort through Christ in the same way that we share so many of Christ’s sufferings. (Ps 98:1) Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things! His own strong hand and his own holy arm have won the victory! (Question: How does God comfort you?)
2 Corinthians 1:6-7
So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer. Our hope for you is certain, because we know that as you are partners in suffering, so also you are partners in comfort. (Ps 98:3) God has remembered his loyal love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation. (Question: How does your experience with suffering impact others?)
Hymn Light Dawns on a Weary World (In Person Only)
2 Corinthians 1:8-9
Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be unaware of the troubles that we went through in Asia. We were weighed down with a load of suffering that was so far beyond our strength that we were afraid we might not survive. It certainly seemed to us as if we had gotten the death penalty. This was so that we would have confidence in God, who raises the dead, instead of ourselves. (Ps 98:4) Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! Sing praises! (Question: What confidence do you have in how God is working in your life?)
2 Corinthians 1:10-11
God rescued us from a terrible death, and he will rescue us. We have set our hope on him that he will rescue us again, since you are helping with your prayer for us. Then many people can thank God on our behalf for the gift that was given to us through the prayers of many people. (Ps 98:5-6) Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre- with the lyre and the sound of music. With trumpets and a horn blast, shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king! (Question: What are the ways you want and need to be rescued in life?)
Hymn Goodness Is Stronger than Evil (In Person Only)
2 Corinthians 1:12-14
We have conducted ourselves with godly sincerity and pure motives in the world, and especially toward you. This is why we are confident, and our conscience confirms this. We didn’t act with human wisdom but we relied on the grace of God. We don’t write anything to you except what you can read and also understand. I hope that you will understand totally since you have already understood us partly. Understand that in the day of our Lord Jesus, we will make you proud as you will also make us proud. (Ps 98:8-9) Let all the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether before the Lord because he is coming to establish justice on the earth! He will establish justice in the world rightly; he will establish justice among all people fairly. (Question: What do you rely upon during difficult times? Why?)
Hymn O Day of Rest and Gladness (In Person Only)
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 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
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 You Shall Go Out with Joy
Hymn List
Light Dawns on a Weary World – 79 GTG
You Shall Go Out with Joy – 80 GTG
O Day of Rest and Gladness – 393 GTG
Lord, Prepare Me – 701 GTG
Goodness Is Stronger than Evil – 750 GTG
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service – 761 GTG
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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 16th – Being a Hopeful Presence
Pentecost May 23rd
Theme: Igniting Our Relationships
Sermon Series May 30th – June 27th
Theme: Prayers for Life