Rising From the Ashes

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Service of Worship

Pavane
G. Faure
Public Domain

Opening Prayer
(credit: A. Osdieck)

Lord,
you bring glad tidings to the poor.
Let us hear.
You heal the brokenhearted.
Heal us too.
You free the prisoners from their jails.
Free us from ourselves.
Loving God,
please come to us,
and send us out, forgiven,
to the poor, the brokenhearted the imprisoned.

Opening Hymn — #364 Because He Lives

1. God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus;
he came to love, heal, and forgive;
he lived and died to buy my pardon,
an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Refrain
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow;
because he lives, all fear is gone;
because I know He holds the future,
and life is worth the living just because He lives.

2. How sweet to hold our newborn baby,
and feel the pride and joy he gives;
but greater still the calm assurance,
this child can face uncertain days because he lives.

Refrain

3. And then one day I’ll cross that river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
and then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he reigns.

Refrain

Because He Lives
Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither
© 1971 Hanna Street Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 61:1-7 (NRSV)

1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.

5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines;
6 but you shall be called priests of the LORD,
you shall be named ministers of our God;
you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,
and in their riches you shall glory.
7 Because theira shame was double,
and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot,
therefore they shall possess a double portion;
everlasting joy shall be theirs.

Children’s Time with Ms Becky

Joys and Concerns, and Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer
(credit: Michael Saward)

God of grace and mercy,
open the eyes of the blind,
breathe life into the dead,
release those bound by sin and Satan,
and, through your Holy Spirit’s power,
may hearts be challenged,
minds convinced
and wills conquered.
In the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to the Lord
For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.

Offertory — Marshall and Richard

In this Very Room
Carol Harris | Ron Harris
© 1979 Ron Harris Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Doxology

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.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain

Offertory Prayer

God of boundless generosity, as we offer our gifts and our lives to you, help us to hear and heed your Word. We long to grow as disciples, so that we grow in generosity. The abundance we’ve been given has a purpose in your plan, that we might know the joy of sharing that abundance with those in need. We long for that vision of your kin-dom, where loving hearts bring a better balance between abundance and need. In the name of Christ, our teacher and redeemer, we pray. Amen.

Sermon – Pastor Stacy
Rising From the Ashes

Closing Song — Amazing Grace/ My Chains are Gone

1. Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Chorus
My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing grace

3. The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

4. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Chris Tomlin | John Newton | Louie Giglio
© 2006 sixsteps Music | Vamos Publishing | worshiptogether.com songs
Used by Permission. CCLI License # 656051

Benediction

(credit: Connie Epp)

The Spirit of God is upon you and has anointed you.
You are the salt of the earth and you bring light to the world.

You are not too young or too old,
you are not too rich or too needy
to bring good news to the impoverished,
to give a hand to the broken-hearted,
and to live out freedom and pardon
through the gifts you have been given.

So remember to pack peace in your toolbox,
hope in your briefcase,
love in your lunch box,
and may integrity, honesty, and joy be your designer wear of choice.

Do not be frightened, for you are never alone.
The God in whose image you are made
will walk with you and guide you today, tomorrow, and every day. Amen.

Postlude – Hani

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Arr. Pierce Dickens