This is a guide to worship by yourself or with your household. If you’re in a group, choose a leader to speak the unbolded parts. If you’re by yourself, try reading all parts out loud.
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CALL TO WORSHIP
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34:17-22
PRAYERS OF PRAISE
Take a few moments with the people you are gathered with, or on your own, to pray that God would continue to glorify his name.
SONGS OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Leader: O Father, we gather before you, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Congregation: We confess that we have sinned in thought and word and deed.
L: L: We have not loved you with all our heart and soul.
We have not loved you with all our mind and strength.
C: We have not even loved our neighbor as ourselves.
L: In your mercy, deepen our sorrow for the wrong we have done and for the good we have left undone.
Together: You have not left us in sorrow. With you, O Lord, there is forgiveness. In your mercy, restore the joy of our salvation.
WORDS OF COMFORT AND ASSURANCE
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1‐2)
The Lord declares, "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Jeremiah 31:34)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Because of the peace with God we now know through Jesus Christ, we are told as "far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:8).
Take this time to contact through whatever means possible and reach out to share the peace of God.
SCRIPTURE READING
Ephesians 5:6-21 (ESV)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
THE MESSAGE IS BASED ON John 12:27-36 (ESV)
Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.