Home Church How-To:

If possible, we encourage you to please gather with those in your home community to read, pray, and sing aloud to one another, following the exhortation of Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

• Before 10:15am, please prepare the elements for communion to eat and drink.
• At 10:15am, begin by reading the Call To Worship, followed by a prayer of thanksgiving.
• Sing the songs and read the readings below. Feel free to take turns reading if you're gathered with multiple people.
• Although we are not all under one roof, your financial support towards gospel-work is critical. Please consider giving online. You may do so by clicking HERE.
• Listen to sermon, followed by a song of praise.
• Feel free to discuss and pray together.
• If you have not done so, please sign up for Branch Groups (virtual Branch Groups for now) by clicking HERE.
• For Twigs curriculum (children), you can click HERE for a step-by-step lesson plan along with the materials to download. 

Call to Worship

The Lord Jesus who calls us to worship him today is the same Jesus who refused the temptation to worship the evil one. Rather than receive the glorious kingdoms of this world, he endured the shame of the cross, and today is Lord of lords and King of kings. Now are gathered in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, glory, and power. With the saints of all ages we say, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” based on Colossians 2:3; Revelation 5:12

Catechism

Q - Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?

A - Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.

1 Peter 2:9–12

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Confession

Lord, you showed us true humility by becoming one of us, yet too often we practice pride. You cried alongside your friends and for the city of Jerusalem, yet too often we rush past the pain of others and are careless about our cities. You loved those who were weak, despised, or cast out, yet too often we love those who are strong, respected, or popular. You freely forgave and healed, yet too often we hold grudges and cause pain. You lived a perfectly holy life, yet too often we do not yearn for righteousness. You prayed that we who believe in you should be united with each other and you, yet too often we focus on the differences that separate us from other believers. You were mocked, whipped, and even killed for us, yet too often we deny you. You call us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, yet too often we blend into or hide from our culture. Forgive us, Lord, so that we will shine with your glory. Amen. 

Assurance

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:8-9

Online Giving

During this time we worship with our tithes and offerings to the Lord. We give regularly. We give sacrificially. We give cheerfully. We give and it reminds us that The Lord has given us all that we have. He gives us our very breath today. We look forward and trust that The Lord will do good things for His people and through His people to His Glory. We give and it supports our local mission and the missions we support through our church networks. Click Here to give now. 

Sermon