GRACEMOUNT COMMUNITY CHURCH | 260420

WORSHIPPING WHEN ABSENT IN BODY
BUT TOGETHER IN SPIRIT

[This is just a suggestion to aid your Sunday worship at home, not to a dictation to restrict it!]

[1] Opening Reading | PSALM 105:1-3 | This song combines a call to us as Christians to thank God what he’s done for us and a command to make that known to others. What God’s done for us in Jesus draws us to Him in thanksgiving for his goodness, and pushes us towards others testifying about that goodness.

[2] Song ONE | CHRIST OUR HOPE IN LIFE & DEATH

[3] Prayer | Living God, help us to truly hear your Word that we may truly understand; that, through understanding, we would believe; and by believing, we may follow your way faithfully, seeking your honour and glory in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

[4] Reading | ACTS 1:1-11

[5] SERMON

In response to God’s Word we’ll sing the story of Jesus, from birth to ascension and return, and then sing of the benefits of that as it’s applied to the life of someone who trusts in that story for their own salvation…

[6] Song TWO | LIVING HE LOVED ME
[7] Song THREE | HOW SWEET THE NAME

[8] Reading | JOHN 15:18 – 16:15. Jesus explains, in the context of a world that hates Him and His disciples, how his return to heaven, and the gift and work of the Spirit, will be everything they need.

[9] Affirmation of Faith | In response to reading of Jesus being taken up to heaven in Acts 1, lets remind ourselves and affirm together how the ascension benefits us as Christians… [Heidelberg Catechism, Q.49]

Q. How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us?

A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself. Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge. By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.

[10] Prayer | Watch the COVID-19 DISASTER RELIEF 50K FUND on the playlist, and spend some time praying for the Acts29 Church in Hard Places church planters and interns across the world…

[11] Song FOUR | THE KING IN ALL HIS BEAUTY

[12] BENEDICTION | Revelation 22:20-21 | ‘He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.