“Order of Worship” α

–RED TEXT indicates links to content with the exception of any prayers from The Worship Sourcebook.

§ WE ARE LED INTO GOD’S PRESENCE

Through prayer, let’s draw near to our heavenly Father through His only Son Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, approaching the throne of grace with confidence that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need:

Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us
part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves,
separated from sisters and brothers in Christ. We cling to destructive habits, hold
grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another; we allow the past to hold us
hostage. In your loving-kindness have mercy on us and free us from sin. Remind us
of the promises you make in baptism so that we may rise to new life and live together
in grace. (Baptism of Our Lord: Prayer of Confession G.2.2.1 — Worship Sourcebook 524)

§ WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Reading the Word – PSALM 110 (LISTEN HERE + SING HERE)

A period of silence may follow for reflection & recording insights.

FEATURED VIDEO – Scot McKnight: The Biblical Meaning of Love

+For More Bible Study Videos (CLICK HERE), Discipleship Videos (HERE), & Church History/Theology (HERE & HERE)

§ WE LIVE IN PRAYERFUL RESPONSE TO GOD

As we spend time with God in prayer (Listening as well as offering up prayers of Adoration, Confession of Sin, Thanksgiving, Surrender, & Supplication), we might include in our praying:

+The Jesus Creed (see * below) and/or The Apostles’ Creed (see ** below)

+The Lord’s Prayer (Prayed, Used as a Guide, or Both; see *** below)

+Prayers for Ourselves, Our Families, the Church, & the World

* – “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31, NIV 2011).

** – 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; the third day He rose from the dead;  he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead; I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. (United Methodist Hymnal 881)

*** – Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. (United Methodist Hymnal 895)

α NOTE: The following “Order of Worship” is offered as a possible way into prayerful communion with the Triune God of the Bible and into earnestly listening for God’s revelation of His nature, saving work, and will through the Scriptures. However, depending upon your time limitations, interests, and convictions, one can “pick and choose” what it will look like for him or her to seek God through disciplined engagement with Scripture (“Read”) and Prayer (“Pray”) with the goal of receiving and reflecting the love of God (“Love”) every day of our lives (“Daily”).

† = Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.