Digital Liturgy 4/5/20
The purpose of this resource is to walk your family, roommates, or friends (using proper social distancing methods) through a gospel liturgy in your home. It will feature some of the elements we would normally have when we gather together as a church family. Pick someone to do the invitation, readings and prayers or take turns. The purpose is to participate in, and be shaped by, all the elements we would normally practice together as a church.
Invitation to Worship
To all who are weary and need rest
To all who mourn and long for comfort
To all those who wander and are looking for a story
To all who feel isolated and miss community
To all who are broken and want healing
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares
To all who are oppressed and yearn for justice
To all who fail and desire strength
To all who sin and need a Savior
To all who hunger and thirst for righteousness
And to whomever will come–
This church opens wide her doors and offers welcome
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Scripture Reading
Psalm 118
[1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
[2] Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
[3] Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
[4] Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
[5] Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
[6] The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
[7] The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
[8] It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
[9] It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
[10] All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
[11] They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
[12] They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
[13] I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
[14] The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
[15] Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
[16] the right hand of the LORD exalts,
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
[17] I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the LORD.
[18] The LORD has disciplined me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
[19] Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
[20] This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
[21] I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
[22] The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
[23] This is the LORD's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
[24] This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
[25] Save us, we pray, O LORD!
O LORD, we pray, give us success!
[26] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
[27] The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
[28] You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
[29] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Opening Prayer
Merciful God, as we enter Holy Week, our homes a house of prayer,
turn our hearts again to Jerusalem,
to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that,
united with Christ and all the faithful,
we may one day enter in triumph the city not made by human hands,
the new Jerusalem, eternal in the heavens,
where with you and the Holy Spirit,
Christ lives in glory forever. Amen.
Songs
Family Prayer
Take a few moments to pray together for needs in your own lives, our church family and the community around us.
Sermon “Longing for a King”
A Palm Sunday sermon from Matthew 21:1-11. The sermon will “premiere” at 10:45 AM on Sunday, April 5. It will be available to watch any time after that.
Response
In response to God’s goodness and faithfulness, let’s respond through giving, communion, and singing.
Give
If you are part of the Town Church family, you can give online.
Communion
If you follow Jesus, we invite you to share in communion in your home. As Jesus taught, take some bread and wine or juice and remember his sacrifice death for us. Take communion together and then join together for the last two songs.
Sing
Benediction
Say this together:
May the God who sent his Son
so that we could be adopted as God’s own children,
send his Spirit into your hearts—
especially in this week of remembrance and renewal—
and equip you to live as God’s own children,
dearly loved and called to serve a needy world.