Thanks for joining us for this week’s Home Worship! As you gather, we invite you to set up your space differently. Sit at your dining room table or arrange chairs in your living room. Set out a candle, a bowl, and a small pitcher of water before you. If you’ve gathered with a group, you can take turns reading and praying so that everyone has a chance to help lead us in worship. The sections in bold can be read aloud together.

“With that preamble, what follows is a charter of freedom, a way of living that fits a people who are loved and redeemed by their creator God. In that context, the Ten Commandments are not merely restrictions but invitations to a flourishing life. In defining our relationship with God and with each other, the Ten Commandments set up the boundaries in which we may freely live. Each one of the commandments either fences off enslavement or embodies holy liberty.”

— Chuck DeGroat

GATHERED BY GOD

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth, Amen.
-Psalm 124:8

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

LIGHTING THE CANDLE

Action: Light a candle

One:   Jesus Christ
All:      is the Light of the World.
One:   The Light shines in the darkness,
All:      and the darkness did not overcome it.
-John 8:12; John 1:5

INVITATION TO WORSHIP

One: The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being.
All:      The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise.
One:   The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart.
All:      The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.
One: Honoring the Lord is correct, lasting forever.
All:      The Lord’s judgments are true. All of these are righteous!
One:   They are more desirable than gold—than tons of pure gold!
All:      They are sweeter than honey—even dripping off the honeycomb!
One:   No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them;
All:      There is great reward in keeping them.
-Psalm 19:7-11

PRAYER FOR RENEWAL

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PROMISE OF GRACE

“’For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!’”
-Ezekiel 36:25-28 (The Message)

Action: Pour water into the bowl

CHRIST’S NEW LIFE

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40

DOXOLOGY

May be said or sung

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him, above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

LISTENING TO GOD

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Sermon: “Leaving Egypt: A New Identity”
Pastor Andy Kadzban

DISCUSSION

Take a few moments to discuss together what you just heard. What was challenging, troubling, or helpful? What would you like to take away? How can you practice this in the week to come?

If you’re worshiping with kids, click here for the kids’ discussion guide!

REFLECTION

As we sing together, use these words to reflect and pray

“Flourishing”

Teach me, oh God to follow your decrees
Give me understanding, your word, I wanna keep
Direct me in the path of your commands
For there I find delight, my will is in your hands

Refrain:
Turn my heart away from worthless things
Preserve my life, according to your ways
Take away disgrace
You hold me in my place--flourishing

Fulfill your promise to the ones you love
Within your ways we walk, for your laws are good
Temptation loses pow'r, my soul's revived
In righteousness, oh God, preserve my life
Refrain

RESPONDING TO GOD

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world…