Worship III
Chapter 3: Don’t be a Chill Host: Active Welcoming & The Invisible Church
1 Corinthians 10:1-4
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of* the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Call to Worship: (based on the words of Mother Teresa)
Christ grant us the joy of our baptism
Joy is prayer
Help our joy in small things to continue
Joy is strength
Let us take joy in one another
Joy is love
Teach us how to share Joy with one another
Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Let us rejoice together today!
Confession: Reflective Questions
Do you make a better host or a better guest?
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street: How did you get to this church family?
—Take a moment to Pray for all the church, the past members, current members, the children, the new members.—
Creative Activity: Plant Seeds, Pray for those names that are brought in
Homework: Find someone who doesn’t go to church, say you and some of your friends at church are trying to figure out how to make our church even more open to new people so you are conducting interviews. Tell them you’ve been a Christian so long, you don’t have a good perspective on it anymore. Over (safe) lunch or coffee as questions. Listen without interrupting. Don’t give advice or answers, just ask clarifying questions. Take notes.
(Unbinding the gospel p. 83 and 84)
- What pops in your mind when you hear the word church
- Has anyone invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? If you went how did that feel? If you didn’t go why not?
- Have you ever had a sense of God or Jesus communicating with you?
- If you could ask God any question what would it be?
- Would you like prayer for anything (pray there if it’s not awkward. If not pray throughout the week/bring that prayer to church.)
Get back to the person if they asked for prayer a week later and ask how that situation his going.
Study Verse: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us—Hebrews 12:1
Prayer of Dedication/the Day: Soul of Christ, sanctify me, Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, refresh me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. Be with me as I go, assured of myself as a beloved and baptized child of God. Amen. (184 UTG)
Suggested Hymns: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service, Guide My Feet, Jesu Jesu Fill Us with Your Love, In Christ There is No East or West, It is Well with My Soul
Gathering & Gospelling Worship Series
If you want doc versions, sample bulletins, and the handouts as a separate materials page, email me at Katyandtheword at Gmail
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