WELCOME
Communion Worship Service
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
This I Believe
I believe there is one salvation
One doorway that leads to life
One redemption, one confession
I believe in the name of Jesus Christ, hey.
I believe in the crucifixion
By His blood, I have been set free
I believe in the resurrection
Hallelujah, His life is death’s defeat.
All praise to God the Father
All praise to Christ the Son
All praise to the Holy Spirit
Our God has overcome
The King who was and is and evermore will be
In Jesus mighty name, I believe.
I believe, I believe.
I believe in the hope of Heaven
He’s preparing a place for me
Far beyond what hearts imagine
Ears have heard or eyes have seen.
I believe that a day is coming
He’s returning to claim His bride
Light the altar, keep it burning
See the Lamb who rose a roaring Lion.
All praise to God the Father
All praise to Christ the Son
All praise to the Holy Spirit
Our God has overcome
The King who was and is and evermore will be
In Jesus mighty name, I believe.
Oh, I believe in You.
No, I’ll never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ
How could I ever walk away from the One who saved my life?
No, I’ll never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ
How could I ever walk away from the One who saved my life?
Oh, no, I’ll never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ
How could I ever walk away from the One who saved my life?
All praise to God the Father (to the Lord, I praise)
All praise to Christ the Son (to Christ the Son)
All praise to the Holy Spirit
Our God has overcome
The King who was and is and evermore will be
In Jesus mighty name, I believe.
And all praise to God Our Father
All praise to Christ the Son
All praise to the Holy Spirit
Our God has overcome
The King who was and is and evermore will be
In Jesus mighty name, I believe
In Jesus mighty name, I believe.
I believe, I believe.
I believe, I believe.
Call to Worship
Let us worship God,
who reconciled us to Himself through Christ.
We are new creations;
the old has gone, the new has come!
Let us worship God as Christ’s ambassadors.
Through us and through our worship
may we announce the good news to all.
Let us worship God in spirit and in truth;
Praise God! We are reconciled, redeemed, renewed!
Songs
Overcome
Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God’s only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned but suffered as if He didAll authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is YoursSavior
Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcamePower in hand speaking the Father’s plan
You’re sending us out, light in this broken landAll authority
Every victory is YoursSavior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame, yeahWe will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcomeWe will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcomeWe will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcomeWe will overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony, everyone overcomeSavior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame, You overcame Jesus
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcameYou overcame (You overcame)
Jesus (You overcame)
You overcame (You overcame)
You overcameSavior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name (Your name), You overcame
You overcame
Jesus
You overcame
How Deep The Father’s Love
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasureHow great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to gloryBehold the-
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffersIt was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finishedYes, it is finished, oh-oh
It is finished, oh-ohI will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransomWhy should I gain-
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Yes, this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Prayer
Prayer of Confession & Assurance
Forgiving and gracious God, You have called us to be the church, to live out our Resurrection faith in unity. You have asked us to place our trust in You and to bring to all the good news of Your saving love. But we have failed to do this. We have given our faith a back seat to the troubles of the world and to the stresses in our own life. We look for the quick and easy answers. Forgive us for the smallness of our faith. You, who raised Christ from the dead, have promised to raise our spirits and bring us to new life. You have done this and yet, we remain static in our response to You. Clear our spirits of the clutter of everyday living. Help us to be open always to Your word and Your love. Challenge us to move in directions of peace and hope for all people. These things we pray in the name of our risen Lord. AMEN.
Words of Assurance
Forgiveness and love have been poured out upon you, to offer hope to all nations. You are called and blessed to be messengers of God’s good news to all people.
AMEN.
Laura Gaffan
CommUNITY
Communion
Our children are joining us for Communion today, but just let me clarify. Parents and caregivers: you know your children best. The church is here as a resource to help you as you guide and nurture your children’s spiritual journey. You will know the best time for them to participate in Communion. Our prayer is that their participation or simply their observations will help them take one step closer to Jesus.
Their big questions and impossibly huge imaginations long for answers. One of their biggest curiosities as of late, revolve around this table.
We are a family because of Jesus. Today, we will practice remembering Him and what He did for us together.
When we have something really important to remember, how do we make sure that we don’t forget?
You might repeat it over and over, maybe you write it on a sticky note and put it somewhere where you will see it all the time. Maybe you have other people around you that you might ask for help with remembering.
This special table is so important and what it represents, so special that we do all 3 to remember! We repeat it every month, it was written down for us, luckily on something larger than a sticky note, because I seem to misplace mine all the time! We have the Bible, God’s Word to help us understand. And lastly, and my favourite, we remember together. We remind each other and ourselves of the big WHY? Question.
This special table is so important, that churches all over the world, for as long as Jesus told us to remember, have been remembering. One big Church, celebrating one big gift!
Jesus loved stories. He told the best ones. I think that is why we love the parable box so much. Parables are special stories that Jesus told that helped us to understand how much God loves us and what He did for us because of that great love. He very often used everyday things people saw like sheep and coins and lamps and salt and seeds. He helped people then and now, to think about God differently, not way out there, but here, now, with us.
On the night before Jesus was crucified, He was having dinner with His friends, the disciples. They were celebrating a meal called Passover. Passover is a meal that God wanted His people to celebrate to remember another important time. Long, long before Jesus, God’s people, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Pharoah was so cruel to the Israelites, that horrible plagues had been sent to the Egyptian people to help them see that our God was the one true God, and that God was the only one in control, not Pharoah. The last plague was the saddest one. God’s people were instructed to sacrifice a perfect lamb and paint its blood on the doorposts and lentils of their houses. The angel of death Passed Over those homes, but the Egyptian people were not protected, and their firstborn sons died. Pharoah finally ordered the Israelites to leave, as he was sad and angry at losing his own son. When the Israelites were finally out of Egypt and out of danger, God told His people to remember this and celebrate their rescue with a meal called Passover.
As Jesus ate this meal with His friends, the everyday things on the table, the bread, the cup of wine, Jesus used these things too, to help us remember some things differently.
Jesus picked up some bread, thanked God and broke it. He gave it to his friends. He picked up a cup of wine and thanked God for it. He poured it out and shared it.
“My body is like this bread. It will break,” Jesus told them. “This cup of wine is like my blood, it will pour out.” “But this is how God will rescue the whole world. My life will break, and God’s broken world will mend. My heart will tear apart, and your hearts will heal. Just as the Passover lamb died, so now I will die instead of you. My blood will wash away all of your sins. And you’ll be clean on the inside, in your hearts.”
“So, whenever you eat and drink, remember,” Jesus said, “I’ve rescued you!”
Jesus knew it was nearly time for Him to leave the world and to go back to be with God again. “I won’t be with you for too much longer. And this will make you very sad, but God’s Helper, the Holy Spirit will come when I go, and you will be filled with a Forever Friend that won’t leave you and will remind you of my love. So, remember, you are my friends and I love you.”
So, we take this little cup, one part bread, one part juice and we eat, and drink and we remember that Jesus said and did this for us because He loves us so much.
Let’s pray and thank God for this most important reminder and then let’s eat and drink it together as one big family.
Prayer for the Bread and the Cup
Gracious God, we ask you to bless this bread and cup. May we be strengthened through your Holy Spirit to be the body of Christ, your servant people, faithful in all things, serving You and Your people.
We give thanks, God, that you gave us Jesus. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Sweet little worshipers, Miss Jennie has a wonderful lesson for you, so let me pray as you go and join her.
Prayer for the Children
Father, we are so thankful for these children and their participation as part of our family. May they grow to understand the deep love God has for them. May they always remember He sent His one and only Son so that they might live.
May this example of love set the standard for the way they love others throughout their lives. May they never forget that God fills us with His love so we, in turn, can give that love away to others.
Today's Message: Guest Speaker: Laura Gaffan
Now that my bosses are gone, I can tell on them. No group of individuals has pushed me to study as much as those children. By nature, children are forever questioning. Spend even a few minutes with them and you will hear questions like: “Why do I have to go to bed early?” “Why can’t I have candy for dinner?” “But why do we have to keep my brother?” Those why questions are tame compared to some of the why questions I have had fired at me. “If God knew Eve was going to eat that piece of fruit, why did He put it there at all?” “God loves the whole world, but what about the places where they are fighting?” “How can someone be three but one?” I would love to tell you that I masterfully answered that question and satisfied their curious minds, but for some questions, the answer simply is this is a God sized mystery.
Because their lessons are now currently centered on the life of Jesus and the events of Easter, the questions seem to have become more pointed and personal. A recent question posed was, “How could God possibly love me that much? I know me,” this inquisitive girl observed. “I sometimes don’t like myself.” Good question sweet girl, I am still working this out myself. Their questions are not unlike ours. I am not sure if they feel comforted or frustrated by the fact that some of this is mystery and that mystery will remain until we are finally with Jesus. And probably by then, we won’t even care!
I am sure you have heard the children referred to as “the church of tomorrow” and although this is true, their presence in the service today should make it more than clear that this is the church of today and an incredibly important part of our community, and as I said, some of their biggest questions revolve around this table and you, their church family. In seeking some answers for them, I will be honest, I see these two things as inseparable.
Let’s look at Jesus’s prayer in John 17:
Scripture Reading: John 17:11-26
11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. 13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
Can you picture the disciples faces as Jesus prays this? Their best friend, their Rabbi has just announced it is time for Him to leave. Jesus is still a puzzle to them in many respects, but they have lived with Him for 3 years. He is going back to His father? He will send another? Who? He washes their feet, horrifying Peter, as Jesus takes the position of a slave. He takes the elements of the Passover meal and paints a picture that will only make sense in the days to come. He reminds them not to be scared, he will give His peace. Abide in me He says, as I abide in you. The words fall on their ears, figures of speech will become reality, but it is like trying to get a sip of water from a fire hose. Having given them His attention, His face turns upward, and He addresses His Father. In the longest recorded prayer of Jesus, we catch a glimpse of not only His plan for the disciples, our Saviour prays for us.
This prayer in John 17 can be seen in 3 sections. In Verses 1-5 Jesus prays that the Father would give Him glory so Jesus could return that glory back to Him. His work on earth has glorified God and resulted in eternal life, “This is”, He says, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” He then prays for the disciples, that they would be protected from the evil one as they continue the work in His name through His Word. The commentary in my bible reads, “Ponder all that we learn of the Trinity’s work and our own as Jesus prays for His disciples. Too often we fail to realize how much God wants the Christian community to be one as part of the triune character. The community follows Jeus in abiding in the Father’s word; how much more of an impact the Church would have on the world if we didn’t belong to it so much! Are we willing to die for the world? To live for its sake? To give our all at great cost?” How is this even possible? The next part of His prayer holds the answer. Unity.
I can not think of a more counter cultural word currently. You name it, we’re divided. I won’t say that we are the most divided generation, I think a quick overview of history would show us that where there are people, there are problems. I think those little devices in our hands have allowed us to obtain information at the swipe or touch of a finger making us the most information rich, relationship poor generation ever. Interacting on social media has made us brave. It is easy to put an opinion out there when you aren’t staring in the face of the one it may affect.
But the church is different. Isn’t it?
This prayer says it should be. But how in this hurting world does the church live into its mission to live in unity as directed by the Saviour? The very one Who came and lived and taught and died for us?
Our God is a God of Unity.
The Word Made Flesh
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”
These opening lines of the book of John point us to the trinity that John says existed before creation. In the beginning was relationship. “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” A few chapters later we read, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.” “I in them and you in me”. The language is so woven together that we can hardly tell where one part of the Trinity ends, and another begins and here we are Jesus praying that we too be in Him as He is in us, and I can’t help but wonder if this is the point! 5 times Jesus prays in these few short verses this way. Chapters 13-17 are called the Upper Room Discourse. These 5 Chapters are filled with Trinitarian language, the Father, Son and Spirit; their interrelationships and our relationship. It is an invitation to immerse yourself into the Kingdom of God.
This is an icon by Andrei Rublev. It was created between 1408 and 1427 and is titled, “The Holy Trinity”. It is a study in itself, each nuanced position of each member holds meaning. Do yourself a favour and do a google search. The piece is so fascinating that it is my background on my computers! The place I want your eyes to fall is on the little rectangle in the center front of the table. Some art historians believe that it is glue. What could have possibly been glued there? A piece of mirror. A way to see yourself within that precious relationship that you and I are invited into.
As the Father, Son and Spirit are united, you and I are invited into that relationship, that oneness.
This is the standard. That we would be one as the Father, Son and Spirit are one. As seemingly unattainable as that may seem, think about this: there is actually only one thing that unifies us, it is our faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Do you know our mission statement? “We are committed to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and inviting other to do the same.”
It is not: becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and playing the right worship music? How about, and agreeing politically?
There isn’t an “and” because there is nothing else that has as much power to unite us as our faith in Jesus. Not a perfect end times theology, which translation of the bible you think is best, not the right music, your bank account balance, the colour of your skin, nothing. It is Christ and Christ alone.
Our source is God and His Word. Jesus implores the Father,
“17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”
It is God’s will and God’s work through God’s word. It is our source of truth. Jesus states this clearly. What will heal this broken world is the gospel. That our God loved His world so much that He never wanted to be separated from us. That’s why Jesus came. To reconcile us to God and give us the hope of eternal life. This is our foundation. Our one solid foundation. This is the good news that this divided world needs. And our adversary knows it, his game is “divide and conquer”. The exact opposite of unity. He knows if he can get us alone and keep us focused on past and present wounds or distract us with all that this world has to offer, ultimately, the church will suffer. Jesus knew this reality and prayed for that protection as well. This is not an easy assignment; Jesus knew that we would need Him and each other. I can’t count how many times I have been in conversation with someone of faith going through something traumatic and what I hear most often is, “How do people do this without God?” I am blessed to not have to wonder because my salvation through Jesus is my Assurance of unity with Him and my bond of unity within my church family. Whatever happens, I am held fast. But My heart aches for those who do not have this.
Unity vs. Uniformity
I think one of the most exciting things to watch is a symphony preparing to play. Each instrument squeaks out it’s notes so randomly, that it makes no sense to our ears, it is honestly more noise than anything else! And then the Conductor takes their place. There is silence, as all attention turns in one direction to the person who will keep the rhythm and hold true to the music of its Creator. The baton is raised, and all of those different instrument’s work together in breathtaking harmony. I think this is a perfect picture of the church at its best. Paul has another picture for us. In 1 Corinthians 12, we read that we have the same Spirit but different gifts. Paul uses the analogy of a body and its parts.
One Body with Many Members
“12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
Listen to the unity in that passage! The word “one” is recorded 11 times!
We have each been given gifts. Those gifts are different on purpose! There are so many moving parts on your body, so many things we do that we don’t even think about. Did you know that you blink between 14 and 19,000 times in a day? Do we even consider our tiny tear ducts and the important role they play? You will when they cease to work properly! So it is with the body of Christ. We can’t function without all of the parts living out and sharing their gifts. Unity does not mean uniformity. I love the people who come to me and say, “I would love to help with children’s ministry, but me and kids,….just nope! What can I do to help?” Their gifts lie elsewhere, and they know it! I love to sing, but my voice is way better singing with all of you in the congregation and not on a microphone on stage! Those of you who know me well will never ask me to be a teller! I can’t count! We are not called to be the same, but we are called to use those gifts as one unified body of believers. Just as the orchestra has so many different instruments, when tuned and following our Saviour, the music we bring to this world is beautiful, healing and a model of harmony. It is what this world is dying to hear and see. We really do need each other and as Courteney so beautifully reminded us last week, we have joy when we know we have each other to journey with! Celebrating and suffering together! This is another gift God so graciously gives.
God models and calls us to unity, but it is ours to maintain!
Being “others centered” is hard work! It is not a part of our nature! We tend more toward the “self centered”. But obviously, one leads to division and one to unity. Paul again clarifies this for us in Ephesians 2,
By Grace Through Faith
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world, He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
You are now a different person! We are His workmanship, created for His good works. These good works are not what we do to win salvation; they are what we do to demonstrate and enjoy it. How is this drastic change even possible? The same resurrection Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same Spirit that courses through our bodies!
Our friends in Herrington Hall would have another Why? Question for us, one that is maybe the most important: Why does this matter so much?
Jesus answers this clearly,
“May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
Our unity, our relationships, in community in the body of Christ, how we treat one another is a part of our mission to take the gospel to those who have not yet heard.
I think that is why I love our Communion table and the very act of Communion so much. Think about the placement of this table. It is central to our Sanctuary. It stands as a constant reminder of our “ONENESS” in Christ. It is a meal of reconciliation and resolving differences, a reminder of reconciliation of people to one another and people to God. Jesus Christ is forever our ONE foundation. One body, broken and given and gathered. So, the world may know.
Jesus asked us to,” Do this in remembrance of me…” The word “Remember” in Hebrew is the word ZAKAR. The word is much more meaningful than ours. It literally is a directive to allow the memory to shape you as you remember.
Several weeks ago, I had someone from our congregation sit in a lesson time with the kids. She was interested in leading and helping in Children’s Ministry and wanted to know what it looks like. When the parents arrived to pick up their children, I asked what she thought. “This is a little community.” I had not ever looked at it this way. I am so thankful for that comment. That is what we want.
If this is something you are longing for, there are so many of us in this church who would love to help you find your place. Talk to the Pastors, our Board members, any of us would love to help you. We truly are devoted to becoming Christ followers and inviting you to do the same.
You have a place here in this Community. Thankfully unity is tied right up in that word, may that never be far from our collective remembering.
Prayer
Lord, we sometimes wonder why You bother with us. Throughout history, You have called to humankind to be Your witnesses. You have given to each a special blessing. But the historical record reveals the stubborn, selfish responses of Your people. We think that we deserve Your blessing and don’t have to do Your will. We have acted in wicked ways far too often. Today You have called us together to hear the words of Jesus as He prayed for his disciples, telling you that his love for them is complete and that he believes in them. We would like to think that we are included in that number, that Jesus prays for us and loves us. And, indeed, he does. He has given His life for us. Now we are called to give our lives for Him, to offer to all the good news that God’s love is real and powerful. God’s healing mercy is for all people. We offer our prayers for our families and our friends who are in situations of need, asking God’s blessings upon them. We raise our voices in choruses of pleading for You to be present to all Your people, creating pathways of peace. Be with us, gracious Lord. Help us to witness to the world, not only by our words and our thoughts, but by our very unity, that Your peace may be known. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
AMEN.
Song
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.This glorious hope revives
our courage by the way;
while each in expectation lives
and waits to see the day.From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
Benediction
As Christ has loved you and prayed for you, go now in peace, bringing Christ’s loving words to all you meet. Know that Christ is with you in all that you do. AMEN.