March 29, 2020
/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.
“Our idols are touchstones of the transcendent. They give us a sense of control, of access, of intimacy and connection. It would be easy to point the finger at Israel if we didn’t have a hundred different ways of manufacturing a sense of security in our own lives. We’ve got shopping therapy or chocolate therapy. We find the transcendent in a bottle of wine or in a moment of false intimacy through pornography. We seek security in wealth, in academic credentials, in reputation. When left unsatisfied, our longing for the transcendent leads to a frantic search for a more expedient way. We long for something we can touch, taste, see—and control.”
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
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.”
-Psalm 40:1-3
SONG OF PRAISE
“All Thy Fullness”
You are my fullness, firm and steady;
To lavish mercies, at the ready;
Despite my wand'ring, Despite my weakness
Unrelenting strength and goodness
Holy, Holy God almighty
All thy fullness here beside me
You are my courage, truth and wisdom
Guiding hand and purest vision
Hope in fear, joy in victory
endless song, hope and yearning
I am breaking, you are building
I am empty, you are filling
In my silence, you are speaking
In my dying, ever living
Holy, Holy God almighty
All Thy fullness here beside me
Holy, Holy, Alleluia
All Thy fullness here among us
SCRIPTURE
“But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.”
-Psalm 40:16-17
SONG OF RENEWAL
“I Need Thee Every Hour”
I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like thine can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need thee, O I need thee; every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.
I need thee every hour, stay thou near by;
Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly, and abide, or life is vain,
Refrain
I need thee every hour; teach me thy will,
And thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
Do not delay, O Lord. We need you to satisfy our longing hearts. We need your fullness to overwhelm our wayward desires. Only you, God, can quench our thirst, satisfy our hunger, still our fears, and quiet our restlessness. We confess our struggle in the wilderness to remember your goodness and faithfulness and to trust in your perfect will. Instead we find our own means of control, security, intimacy and connection. We are sorry. In your mercy and grace, forgive us and help us, Lord, to wait with hope and trust in your Holy name.
PROMISE OF GRACE
Action: Pour water into the bowl
“The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.”
-Psalm 103:8-12
CALL TO 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
OFFERING
We respond to the love and grace of Jesus by giving back our whole lives to God in worship. In this offering, we give our financial gifts as a symbol that all we have comes from God and is to be used for God’s glory.
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 32:1-14
Sermon: “Leaving Egypt: Where is God?”
Pastor Andy Kadzban
DISCUSSION
Take a few moments to discuss together what you just heard. What was challenging, troubling, or helpful? What are some of the “idols” you fall back on? When did you experience a “Wilderness Place” in your life?
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
“Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27)”
The Lord is my light and salvation
Of whom shall I be afraid?
For you are my strength and my shelter
You are the sun and the shade
The one thing that I’m asking of You
Is only to see your face
And live in your presence forever
Lost in your beauty and grace
Refrain:
Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord
Be strong, take heart, and wait
My enemies dance all around me
Soon they will stumble and fall
Do not turn me over to darkness
Lord, hear my voice when I call
Refrain
RESPONDING TO GOD
APOSTLES’ CREED
We join our voices together with Christians throughout the ages and across the world to proclaim these words:
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
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression...
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For all who serve God in his Church…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the special needs and concerns of these gathered...
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
SENT WITH GOD’S BLESSING
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his presence to you and give you his peace,
Now and always, Amen.
-Numbers 6:24-26
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Our congregation is able to do what it does because of your contributions! Even though we aren’t meeting in person during this season, you can continue to give your gifts to God. Visit www.wyckoffreformed.org/give to set up your one-time or recurring gift online. You’re also welcome to mail a check or set us up as an automatic payment through your bank!
Check out these playlists to guide your prayer and worship this week
Music to guide your reflection and prayers this week!
A YouTube playlist of kid’s music for this week!