pentecost, week 8 27 july 2014 C I T Y C H U R C H Reflection вЂњThere's no problem so awful, that you can't add some guilt to it and make it even worse.вЂќ вЂў Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes вЂњI've got a bad case of the 3:00 am guilts - you know, when you lie in bed awake and replay all those things you didn't do right? Because, as we all know, nothing solves insomnia like a nice warm glass of regret, depression and selfloathing.вЂќ вЂў D.D. Barant, Dying Bites ! Preparation Use the time before the service as an opportunity to prepare for worship, quiet your heart, and receive Christ. Feel free to read the reflections above. As a courtesy, please turn off your cell phone, beeper, iPod, or other noisemaker at this time. Welcome The ancient Celts believed that there were вЂњthin placesвЂќВ on this earth; places where you could experience the veryВ presence of God. Worship is a вЂњthin placeвЂќ between heaven and earth whereВ we meet with God. When we gather for congregational worshipВ we enter into the very presence of the Living God.В No matter who you are or what you have done, God by hisВ grace, is able to change your life forever. Meet withВ him at this вЂњthin placeвЂќ: worship. Credits All Scripture references taken from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted. 2. 2 7 J Call to Worship Psalm 63:1-4 You, God, are my God, В В В В earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, В В В В my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land В В В В where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary В В В В and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, В В В В my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, В В В В and in your name I will lift up my hands. Prayer of Invocation вЂњ10,000 ReasonsвЂќ * U L Y 2 0 1 4 The Call to Worship is an invitation into the unique activity of worship. Our primary activity in the worship service is to participate in the gift exchange of worship itself, by hearing GodвЂ™s Word, by offering prayers and praise, and by receiving spiritual nourishment offered at the LordвЂ™s table. The term invocation implies that the congregation invokes, or вЂњcalls upon,вЂќ God. In it, we express our longing for God as well as deep dependence and humility. The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing your song again Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes CHORUS Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul Worship his holy name Sing like never before, O my soul вЂЁ I'll worship your holy name You're rich in love, and you're slow to anger Your name is great, and your heart is kind For all your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find ! And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore вЂў Words + Music: Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman (2011) !! *Indicates congregation standing 3. C I T Y C H U R C H вЂњBlessed AssuranceвЂќ * Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!вЂЁ Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood ! CHORUS This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long Why do we sing in church? As God's people gather for worship, we focus our attention on God and away from ourselves by singing together. We respond with thanksgiving to God, because we have hope. And we sing because it is the best and most complete response that we can utter. Perfect submission, all is at restвЂЁ I in my Savior am happy and blest Watching and waiting, looking above Filled with his goodness, lost in his love вЂў Words + Music: Francis J. Crosby and Joseph F. Knapp (1873) ! First Reading * Psalm 110 (ESV) 1 The 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; LORD says to my lord: вЂњSit at my right hand therefore he will lift up his head. until I make your enemies a footstool.вЂќ 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, вЂњYou are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.вЂќ 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. 4. As the Bible is the primary means by which God speaks to and edifies his people, we read and listen to the Scriptures together in worship. In ancient Israel and the early church, services of worship were organized for the public reading of scripture вЂ“ a practice vital to building up the community of faith. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 Call to Confession Based on Psalm 139:23-24 (NRSV) The psalmist models a transparent faith with these words: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. We express our longing for GodвЂ™s leading by our own transparent confession. ! Corporate Confession 4 Because sin is so pervasive in both our corporate and individual lives, Christians and non-Christians are called to come before the Father with honesty and transparency, confessing our brokenness and asking for both forgiveness and healing through Jesus ChristвЂ¦ вЂ¦we confess corporately to show our unity even in our brokenness. Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Restore those who repent and believe the gospel, according to your promises declaredВ in Christ Jesus, our Lord.В Amen.В ! В Private Confession ! Assurance of Forgiveness From the Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 59-60)В We confess individually in order to own our failing toward God and toward humankind in thought, word and deed. Christ has given the Church authority to declare forgiveness of sins in his name. Because of this, when the liturgist proclaims that your sins are forgiven, you can know that Christ agrees. By true faith in Jesus Christ, I am right with God and heir to life everlasting. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all GodвЂ™s commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I do is accept this gift of God with a believing heart. !! ! ! ! ! ! 5. C I T Y C H U R C H вЂњBefore The Throne Of God AboveвЂќ * Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea A great high priest whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me My name is graven on his hands, my name is written on his heart I know that while in heaven he stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart ! When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see him there, who made an end to all my sin Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free For God the just is satisfied, to look on him and pardon me CHORUS Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One Risen Son of God ! Behold him there the Risen Lamb, my perfect spotless righteousness The great unchangeable I Am, the King of Glory and of Grace One in himself I cannot die, my soul is purchased with his blood My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God вЂў Words: Charitie Bancroft (1863); Music: William Bradbury (1861) вЂў AddвЂ™l words: Shane Bernard and Shane Everett (2007) ! Prayers of the People The Lord's PrayerВ In response to God's having gathered us in worship, we offer our petitions to him for the church, the nation, the world, the city and those who are suffering. Based on Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Community Updates ! ! !! ! 6. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 4 Second Reading Hebrews 7:18-28 (ESV) 18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: вЂњThe Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, вЂ�You are a priest forever.вЂ™вЂќ 22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Prayer of Illumination The prayer of illumination acknowledges the SpiritвЂ™s work in this part of worship by requesting GodвЂ™s Spirit to act through the reading and preaching of Scripture. The prayer is offered for both the preacher and the listener, for both the speaking and the hearing of the Word. 7. C I Sermon Hebrews, Part 4 вЂњChrist Our AdvocateвЂќ вЂ“ Hebrews 7:18-28 Rev. Brad Jones, Lead Pastor Notes ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 8. T Y C H U R C H A sermon is not just teaching for living; it is mainly a time when Christ encounters his people through his Word. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 Affirmation of Faith * The ApostlesвЂ™ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended to the dead. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 4 When we affirm our faith together, it reminds us that we are part of an ancient and global faith. This basic creed of Christian churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles' Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Invitation to the Table Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were eating, he took a piece of bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave it to them with the words, вЂњThis is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.вЂќ Later he took the cup, saying, вЂњThis cup is GodвЂ™s covenant, sealed with my blood. Drink from it, all of you, to remember me.вЂќ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the LordвЂ™s death until he comes. ! ! *The word "catholic" refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 9. C I T Y C H U R C H Distribution of the Bread + Cup CityChurch welcomes all baptized Christians вЂ“ those who are trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation and who are members of congregations that proclaim the gospel вЂ“ to receive the Holy Communion (also called the LordвЂ™s Supper, or the Eucharist) with us. We will be coming forward to receive Communion. When you come forward, tear a piece of the bread, and then dip it into the cup. Please note that we use wine in Communion. If you cannot receive wine, nonalcoholic white grape juice is also available. If you are not able to receive The LordвЂ™s Supper, please use this time to meditate on one of the prayers below. вЂњThe Eucharist is the definitive action practiced in the Christian community that keeps Jesus Christ before us as the Savior of the world and our Savior, and ourselves as sinners in need of being saved. The Eucharist is the sacramental act that pulls us into actual material participation with Christ (eating and drinking bread and wine) as he gives his very life вЂњfor us and for our salvationвЂќ (cf., the Nicene Creed)... The Eucharist puts Jesus in his place: dying on the cross and giving us that sacrificed life. And it puts us in our place: opening our hands and receiving the remission of our sins, which is our salvation.вЂќ вЂў Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places Prayers of Meditation for Those Not Communing Prayer for Those Searching for Truth Prayer of Belief Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. Amen. Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen. Prayer for Those Overcome with Sin Lord Jesus Christ, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen. Prayer for Renewal 10. Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism, to love God and neighbor, and to a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, to pursue forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace, and to live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 4 Communion Song вЂ“ вЂњJesusвЂ™ BloodвЂќ * There's a secret I must tell, of all the love IвЂ™ve foundвЂЁ And itвЂ™s hidden in my heart, the day you tore my world apartвЂЁ Hallelujah, king forever, friend and Saviour ! CHORUS Jesus' blood never fails me Jesus' blood never fails me Jesus' blood, Jesus' blood And this secret, it will run, to the corners of the earth Where every woman, every son, will carry high their chains undone Hallelujah, King forever, friend and Saviour Jesus your love is so much stronger Than anything I have found, than anything I have found Jesus your grace is so much deeper Than anything I have found, than anything I have found! вЂў Words + Music: Martin Smith (1999) вЂњYour Love Is All AroundвЂќ * Majesty enthroned in beauty, all my life your love pursues me, and I'm found in you Oh Holy One, the King of glory, you're the author of my story, and I'm found in you Cause you give me life, and lead me to find Your grace and your mercy, given so freely Your word is my light, it leads me to find Your comfort and healing, the hope that I'm needing CHORUS Your love is all around Your love is all around Living one, you reign forever, drawing me into your presence, and I'm found in you Oh Great Redeemer, precious Savior, you are faithful, though I wander, and I'm found in you And I hear your voice, I hear the words you've spoken This love is yours, this love restores the broken And this is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus And this is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus And oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus вЂў Words + Music: Leslie Jordan, David Leornard and Bryan Brown (2011)! 11. C I T Y C H U R C H Gifts + Offerings Christ calls us to give generously as a sign of gratitude for how much he has given us. Our response to his grace enables us to give sacrificially of ourselves to one another and the work of ChristвЂ™s Kingdom. Your gift is an act of personal worship to God in response to his grace in your life. The allocation of your time and money to GodвЂ™s service should be a byproduct of prayer and consultation with other Christians to whom you are accountable. If youвЂ™re new to CityChurch, or are exploring Christianity, youвЂ™re under no obligation to give. However, if you call CityChurch your вЂњhome church,вЂќ consider allocating a significant portion of your tithe and offering to the community where you invest most of your time, and where others are investing in you. The offering box is located on theВ tableВ as you exit.В For your convenience, one-time or recurring gifts can be made online at: citychurchpb.com/giving (select account CityChurch Pompano Beach).В You may also give via text message by simply texting a dollar amount to 954.320.0092 and following the instructions. Benediction * Hebrews 13:20-21 Just as we ordain new ministers and send them into the world to serve, in the Benediction, Christ ordains you with a blessing that equips you for service. Now 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, 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. 12. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 4 !VISION THE VISION OF CITYCHURCH is the Spiritual, Social, and Cultural renewal of Pompano Beach. MISSION WE SEEK TO BE the very presence of Christ in Pompano Beach by cultivating a community of Faith, Hope + Love VALUES Faith Hope Love Because we are a Community of Faith we value: Because we are a Community of Hope we value: Because we are a Community of Love we value: The Gospel. The Gospel is the only hope for humankind. The message of the Gospel is that Christ has done what is necessary to bring us into a relationship with God. We keep it at the center of everything. The City. Christianity has always thrived in an urban context. We love Pompano Beach, and want to live, work, celebrate, raise our families, enjoy, and serve this great city. Life in Community. The Trinity is at the core of Christian truth; namely that God himself has always been in community вЂ“ the Father and Son and Spirit all loving, giving and sharing with one another. We acknowledge that we need each other, and that the life Jesus offers works only in connection with a community of faith. Mission & Movement. Because God is the one who initiates relationships, and sent his Son to seek and save people, we will pursue relationships with people in hope that they will be restored to their Father. CityChurch does not exist as an end in itself вЂ“ we desire to be an incubator for church planting throughout South Florida, in that when we grow, we will be very intentional about spinning off and beginning new congregations throughout our city. Each of these churches will partner with us in pursuing the goal of spiritual, social, and cultural renewal.вЂ© Arts & Industries. We believe that the good news of the Gospel is about GodвЂ™s redemption of this fallen world and its cultural expressions. We are a church that welcomes, encourages, and equips artists of every medium... and therefore we will seek to offer artists opportunities to show or perform their work, providing encouragement for them to grow and develop as artists. We also believe that the good news of the Gospel impacts work and the marketplace. We will encourage men and women to use their positions, talents, and gifts to the best of their abilities, and to the betterment of our city.вЂ© Social Healing. The Gospel is the good news of ChristвЂ™s kingdom. CityChurch seeks to partner with local social service agencies that assist the suffering in our own local community. Furthermore, we will pray for sensitivity to the mercy needs of our community and will seek to serve our neighbors out of ChristвЂ™s love. 13. C I T Y C H U R C H CityGroups CityGroups are mid-sized gatherings of 15-20 people who exist to rehearse the Gospel together, live it out to one another, and to be an extension of God's love to our neighbors while serving the community around us. В ! ! For more information or to join a CityGroup, email: [email protected]. Upcoming Summer Schedule (6pm Tuesdays) July 29 - John and Vanessa ThompsonвЂ™s (31 NE 15 Ave, Pompano, 33060) August 5 - Brad and Mandi JonesвЂ™s (224 SW 6th Ct, Pompano, 33060) !! ! DNA Groups вЂњWe who follow Jesus are a sent people, even as Jesus was sent into the world by His Heavenly Father. We are a community sent on a mission together: to keep on doing the ministry of Jesus so that all people and all creation might experience the reconciliation of God. God has designed the church of Jesus Christ to be a вЂ�missionalвЂ™ fellowship. The word вЂ�missionвЂ™ comes from the Latin word вЂ�missioвЂ™, which means вЂ�having been sent.вЂ™ Since we have been sent to do God's work, we are a вЂ�missionalвЂ™ community together.вЂќ вЂў Mark D. Roberts DNA (Discipleship, Nurture, Accountability) groups usually consist of 3-4 peopleвЂ”men with men, women with womenвЂ”who meet together weekly to be known and to bring the gospel to bear on each others lives so that they grow in and live out our identity in Christ.В If you are interested in being a part of a DNA group, email [email protected]. ! CityKids Check-In System Parents, please note that we have a new wristband check-in system for our CityKids ministry. Upon signing in your child to CityKids, the child will receive a green numbered wristband and you will receive a tear off tab with the same number. The tab is to be presented to the classroom leader during pick up. В If the tab is misplaced, a photo ID from the person who signed the child in must be presented. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive for a fun and safe environment for our CityKids. В For any questions, email us at [email protected]. 14. 2 7 J U L Y 2 0 1 4 Upcoming Events (Mark Your Calendar!) Tuesdays, 6p вЂ“ CityGroups Summer Schedule During the summer all CityGroups will be gathering together weekly. Please check page 14 for more details and locations. Weds, July 30, 4:30-7:30p вЂ“ Volunteer Opportunity Parkway United Methodist Church (100 NE 44 St, Pompano Bch) CityChurch will be serving at the Wednesday dinner for the homeless and underserved in our community hosted by Parkway United Methodist Church and the Fruitful Field Community Garden. If you would like to help with cooking, serving or clean-up, email: [email protected]В or call: 954-543-1142. Sun, August 3, 4-7p вЂ“ CityChurch Cookout Pompano Beach (100 N Pompano Beach Blvd, 33062) CityChurch South Florida will be having a cookout at Pompano Beach hosted by CityChurch Pompano. Bring a side dish to share. Mon, August 11, 7:30p вЂ“ CityChurch Writers Group Brew VicPark (638 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale) Songwriters, poets, playwrights, authors: you are invited to a monthly meeting of creative minds in our community. For more information, contact CityChurch Fort LauderdaleвЂ™s Artist-in-Residence, Laura Creel ([email protected]). ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! Aug 30-Sept 1 вЂ“ Labor Day Weekend Retreat Join us Labor Day Weekend at the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa on the beach! This is a special time each year to be refreshed in the Gospel and in community. Save with вЂ�Early BirdвЂ™ registration and book a double occupancy room, two night package for $179. Kids stay free!. Check online or at the Info table for other rates as well as three night packages. Registration and payment can be done online at citychurshsfl.com/ retreat or after the service at the Info table. To inquire about a scholarship or to give to the scholarship fund, contact [email protected]. ! ! Visit Us Online В Download next week's bulletin, get sermon audio, keep up-to-date with our events calendar, set up repeated giving, and more on our website (citychurchpb.com). Get updates throughout the week on Twitter (@CityChurchPB) or by joining our Facebook page (facebook.com/citychurchpompano). 15. Office вњ¦ 441 NE 3 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 | Phone вњ¦ 954.543.1142 Web вњ¦ citychurchpb.com | Email вњ¦ [email protected] CityChurch has no formal affiliation with the Pompano Beach Civic Center. We are grateful to them for allowing us rental space at their facility. CityChurch Pompano is a Baptist congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention