April 26, 2020
/Thanks for joining us for this week’s Home Worship! As you gather, we invite you to take a moment 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.
“True believers, although they dwell safely under the protection of God, are, notwithstanding, exposed to many dangers, or rather they are liable to all the afflictions which befall mankind in common, that they may the better feel how much they need the protection of God. David, therefore, here expressly declares, that if any adversity should befall him, he would lean upon the providence of God. Thus he does not promise himself continual pleasures; but he fortifies himself by the help of God courageously to endure the various calamities with which he might be visited. Pursuing his metaphor, he compares the care which God takes in governing true believers to a shepherd’s staff and crook, declaring that he is satisfied with this as all-sufficient for the protection of his life. As a sheep, when it wanders up and down through a dark valley, is preserved safe from the attacks of wild beasts and from harm in other ways, by the presence of the shepherd alone, so David now declares that as often as he shall be exposed to any danger, he will have sufficient defense and protection in being under the pastoral care of God.”
GATHERED BY GOD
WELCOME
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.
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
“Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Worship him, all you peoples!
Because God’s faithful love toward us is strong,
the Lord’s faithfulness lasts forever!
Praise the Lord!”
-Psalm 117
SONG OF PRAISE
“In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness”
In a deep, unbounded darkness
long before the first light shone,
you, O God, beyond all merit,
worked a wonder faith makes known:
in your mercy, in your mercy,
you embraced us as your own
evermore and evermore.
Though our world is ever-changing,
you are constant, firm, and sure,
faithful to your covenant promise.
Trusting you, we live, secure:
singing praises, singing praises,
long as heart and breath endure,
evermore and evermore.
Joy transforms our lips to boasting
only in your matchless grace,
sending Christ to dwell among us,
Word made flesh, in time and space:
Friend and Savior, Friend and Savior,
in whose life we glimpse your face
evermore and evermore.
God of Hagar, God of Sarah,
God of nomad Abraham;
God of Miriam, God of Moses,
Fiery Pillar, great I AM:
lead us homeward, lead us homeward,
to the love-feast of the Lamb
evermore and evermore.
SCRIPTURE
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:4-7
SONG OF PRAISE
“What a Friend We Have In Jesus”
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
oh, what needless pain we bear—
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness—
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
We come to you in prayer, O Christ,
Carrying our loss,
Carrying our grief,
Carrying our fear,
Carrying our tension and animosity,
Carrying our doubt,
Carrying our safety nets,
Carrying our strategies,
Carrying our pride,
Carrying our shame,
Carrying our sin.
Come, O Christ, our ever-present help. There are mountains of exhaustion and worry and distractedness that keep us from the peace you offer us. Lord, our sin is a life, a moment, chosen apart from you. So, we carry it all to you. Holy Spirit, strengthen us under the heavy load. Shepherd our hearts, guard our minds, speak your peace, that we might live.
PROMISE OF GRACE
Action: Pour water into the bowl and remember that God has already washed you clean in Jesus!
“The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.
The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.”
-Psalm 145:13-14
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. Even though we aren’t worshiping together, our ministry still continues! Please continue to support us!
DOXOLOGY
May be spoken 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: Psalm 23
Sermon: Psalms for the Journey
Pastor Andy Kadzban
DISCUSSION
Take a few minutes to reflect on what you just heard. What did you find challenging, helpful or troubling this week? What is the door for you to enter into this psalm?
RESPONDING TO GOD
SONG OF PRAISE
“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
My Shepherd will supply my need;
the LORD God is his name:
in pastures fresh he makes me feed,
beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back,
when I forsake his ways;
and leads me, for his mercy's sake,
in paths of truth and grace.
When I walk through the shades of death
your presence is my stay;
one word of your supporting breath
drives all my fears away.
Your hand, in sight of all my foes,
shall still my table spread;
my cup with blessings overflows,
your oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
O may your house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.
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
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
-Psalm 80:1-3
Lord, you are our shepherd and we will lack for nothing. So, Lord, we lift up these prayers to you and ask you to be faithful again.
We pray for those who are hungry. Lead us to green pastures.
Restore us, O God.
We pray for those in turbulent circumstances. Bring us to still waters.
Restore us, O God.
We pray for all those who are lost and on the wrong path. Lead us into your ways.
Restore us, O God.
We pray for all those who are, even now, in the darkest valley. For those whose lives are filled with despair and depression. For those filled with anxiety. For all who are lonely. For those who are in very real danger or live in the company of death. Take away our fear and replace it with the comfort of your presence.
Restore us, O God.
We pray for all those who suffer derision, whose relationships are broken; for all those who suffer at the hand of an enemy. Prepare your table before us and lead us into reconciliation.
Restore us, O God.
Finally, Lord, we pray for all those who yearn to be in your house, singing your praises. We pray for all those around the world who are unable to gather for worship out of fear of persecution. We pray for those who are unable to gather due to age or infirmity. We pray for all those who are under orders to stay at home. May your goodness and mercy find us and gather us soon into your house.
Restore us, O God.
Your restoration continues even in the darkest valley, the darkest hour. Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life. As we wait for the day when all of creation is at last fully restored, we offer the prayer you taught us to pray, saying,
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.
SENDING SONG
“My Hope Is Built”
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath His covenant and His blood
Support me in the 'whelming flood:
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless we stand before His throne.
Refrain
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
To stay connected with what’s going on at WRC, check out the following video of announcements
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 prayer and reflection for this week
A YouTube playlist of kid’s music for this week!
“In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness”, Words: based on anonymous Chinese poem, Mary Louise Bringle © 2012 GIA Publications, Inc; Music: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, 13th c., Public Domain; Used by Permission
“What A Friend We Have in Jesus”, Words: Joseph Scriven, 1855; Music: Charles D. Converse, 1866; Public Domain
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", Words: Isaac Watts, 1719; Music: W. Walker’s Southern Harmony, 1835; Public Domain
“My Hope Is Built”, Words: Edward Mote, 1834; Music: William Bradbury, 1863; Public Domain. Arrangement by Norton Hall Band