Worship Service
Sunday, May 31st, 2020
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WELCOME
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests who have come to share in our worship service. May we be blessed as we worship our Lord even when we cannot gather together. Here you will find all the information for our worship service; a video sermon will be posted around 10 am Sunday morning. |
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Good Morning!
This Sunday is Pentecost. A day when we remember that the Spirit of God descended upon the apostles like tongues of fire, equipping them to speak in the native of tongue of the all the masses who had gathered. We remember that the Spirit of God has descended upon us, dwells within us, equips and empowers us to join in God’s mission to gather unto himself every tribe and tongue and nation. We join together with the nations in worship this morning with this call to worship:
“We’ve gathered together in the presence of God to offer our praise and our prayers. We come before God with confidence, knowing that even when we can’t find the words, God’s own Spirit is right here with us, praying in us and for us, giving shape to our wordless hopes and longings, and pleading for us before the throne of grace. So let’s come with joy to offer our worship to God who knows and loves us all.” (based on Romans 8:26-27)
Wherever we are, no matter what we have been experiencing, we are all invited to join together in worship. As we do, we are reminded that our God is with us and he welcomes us through the following words, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:2b)
This Sunday is Pentecost. A day when we remember that the Spirit of God descended upon the apostles like tongues of fire, equipping them to speak in the native of tongue of the all the masses who had gathered. We remember that the Spirit of God has descended upon us, dwells within us, equips and empowers us to join in God’s mission to gather unto himself every tribe and tongue and nation. We join together with the nations in worship this morning with this call to worship:
“We’ve gathered together in the presence of God to offer our praise and our prayers. We come before God with confidence, knowing that even when we can’t find the words, God’s own Spirit is right here with us, praying in us and for us, giving shape to our wordless hopes and longings, and pleading for us before the throne of grace. So let’s come with joy to offer our worship to God who knows and loves us all.” (based on Romans 8:26-27)
Wherever we are, no matter what we have been experiencing, we are all invited to join together in worship. As we do, we are reminded that our God is with us and he welcomes us through the following words, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:2b)
We Hear God's Word:
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:13-17
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A13-17&version=NIV
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
Sermon Title: Serving God In Society
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:13-17
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A13-17&version=NIV
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
Sermon Title: Serving God In Society
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Prayer:
After watching the sermon video, spend some time in prayer. Be encouraged to pray using your own prayer. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider using the following prayer:
Almighty God, on this day we thank you for the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit. We remember that first Pentecost when your Spirit descended upon your apostles, equipping and empowering them for your calling in their lives. We trust that your Spirit has also fallen upon us. We pray that the gift of your Spirit would be shed abroad throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; Lord, in your Spirit of wisdom help us to see clearly the path to which you have called us. In your Spirit of power, empower us to use the gifts and talents that you have bestowed upon us. Help us to hear our calling and to follow you in faith as we pursue that calling.
Lord, we pray this morning for the leaders in our society. For those who lead in government, the Prime Minister, the Premier, our MP and MPP. Lord, we ask that they would receive wisdom to know how to lead our country, province and county well. Give them a teachable spirit, that they would be quick to listen and discerning in their leadership.
Lord, we pray also for our leaders within our church. For our Elders, Youth Elders, Deacons and Pastor, we pray that they would know your Spirit’s presence. We ask that they would recognize their gifts, use their gifts and be a blessing to this church and its greater community. We pray also for our leaders within Classis Huron and within our denomination. As they prepare to make decisions on behalf of the larger body, we pray that they would be guided by your wisdom.
Lord, for all of the leaders in our society, we pray that words of encouragement would come quickly, that words of correction would be timely, and that words of critique would be measured carefully. Help us Lord, to submit to our authorities on this earth, for your glory.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
After watching the sermon video, spend some time in prayer. Be encouraged to pray using your own prayer. If you aren’t sure what to pray, consider using the following prayer:
Almighty God, on this day we thank you for the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit. We remember that first Pentecost when your Spirit descended upon your apostles, equipping and empowering them for your calling in their lives. We trust that your Spirit has also fallen upon us. We pray that the gift of your Spirit would be shed abroad throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; Lord, in your Spirit of wisdom help us to see clearly the path to which you have called us. In your Spirit of power, empower us to use the gifts and talents that you have bestowed upon us. Help us to hear our calling and to follow you in faith as we pursue that calling.
Lord, we pray this morning for the leaders in our society. For those who lead in government, the Prime Minister, the Premier, our MP and MPP. Lord, we ask that they would receive wisdom to know how to lead our country, province and county well. Give them a teachable spirit, that they would be quick to listen and discerning in their leadership.
Lord, we pray also for our leaders within our church. For our Elders, Youth Elders, Deacons and Pastor, we pray that they would know your Spirit’s presence. We ask that they would recognize their gifts, use their gifts and be a blessing to this church and its greater community. We pray also for our leaders within Classis Huron and within our denomination. As they prepare to make decisions on behalf of the larger body, we pray that they would be guided by your wisdom.
Lord, for all of the leaders in our society, we pray that words of encouragement would come quickly, that words of correction would be timely, and that words of critique would be measured carefully. Help us Lord, to submit to our authorities on this earth, for your glory.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Offering:
Church Ministries
Although we are unable to meet together for regular Sunday worship gatherings, there is still opportunity to share of our gifts, talents and resources. First, be creative in thinking of the ways that you can be a blessing to those nearby to you (offering to buy or pick up groceries, offering child care for those who need to work, offering to cook a meal, etc). Second, for our members and regular attenders (we do not expect our guests to contribute financially), there are ways to continue to support our church and the other ministries/agencies that we would normally support on Sunday mornings. Our church is set up to receive e-transfers; they may be sent to vanastracrcdonations@gmail.com. Please add in your note where the donations are to be directed (i.e. Church Budget, World Renew, etc). If you are not set up for e-transfer or do not feel comfortable with it, then cheques may be mailed to the church at 50 Fifth Ave. Vanastra, ON N0M 1L0. Please consider giving as if we were gathering together regularly on these Sundays.
Special Collection for the month of May:
Our community here in Vanastra has been blessed with the Huron County Food Distribution Centre food bank truck coming to alleviate some of the struggles people face keeping their families fed and nourished. As the covid-19 pandemic has been shutting down businesses and people have been getting laid off, the struggles within the community continue to grow. We will be having a collection for the food bank truck throughout the month of May. Please prayerfully consider making a donation to this cause that has such a big impact on the community. The deacons will match the church's donation by up to $1000 to support the food bank here in Vanastra.
Church Ministries
Although we are unable to meet together for regular Sunday worship gatherings, there is still opportunity to share of our gifts, talents and resources. First, be creative in thinking of the ways that you can be a blessing to those nearby to you (offering to buy or pick up groceries, offering child care for those who need to work, offering to cook a meal, etc). Second, for our members and regular attenders (we do not expect our guests to contribute financially), there are ways to continue to support our church and the other ministries/agencies that we would normally support on Sunday mornings. Our church is set up to receive e-transfers; they may be sent to vanastracrcdonations@gmail.com. Please add in your note where the donations are to be directed (i.e. Church Budget, World Renew, etc). If you are not set up for e-transfer or do not feel comfortable with it, then cheques may be mailed to the church at 50 Fifth Ave. Vanastra, ON N0M 1L0. Please consider giving as if we were gathering together regularly on these Sundays.
Special Collection for the month of May:
Our community here in Vanastra has been blessed with the Huron County Food Distribution Centre food bank truck coming to alleviate some of the struggles people face keeping their families fed and nourished. As the covid-19 pandemic has been shutting down businesses and people have been getting laid off, the struggles within the community continue to grow. We will be having a collection for the food bank truck throughout the month of May. Please prayerfully consider making a donation to this cause that has such a big impact on the community. The deacons will match the church's donation by up to $1000 to support the food bank here in Vanastra.
Blessing:
As you go about your day of worship receive and hold tightly to the following blessing:
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
As you go about your day of worship receive and hold tightly to the following blessing:
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)