Opening Prayer
Read Psalm 130 together.
This psalm is a “song of ascents”, meaning that it was a song sung by worshipers as they went up to Jerusalem to worship God in the temple. The Jerusalem and its temple were situated on Mount Zion. So no matter what direction you came from, you were always going up to the temple.
Make this psalm your own,
by praying one or more of the themes of Psalm 130 in your own words.
Worship
(Non-Musical Version)
How have you experienced God this week?
Go around and have each person share one thing
that makes them grateful to God.
At the end of your time of sharing,
have someone offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
(Musical Version)
This week Garrick, Michelle, and Sarah T recorded a few of the songs
if you’d like to listen and/or sing along with us!
This is a video of a Shane and Shane song based on Psalm 130 that we thought people might enjoy listening to. The lyrics are listed in the Worship Song Lyrics document linked above.
Word
Prayer
Have someone pray that God will:
open your minds that we might hear what God has to say in his word,
open our hearts to respond to what he is saying to us
and that he would give us the courage to share what we learning with others.
Children’s Message – Seeing God in the Dark
For families with children and for those who miss the Children’s Sermon.
Adults, if they would like to, can skip down to the Scripture Reading.
Family Challenge Discussion Guide – For Children
activity and discussion guide (pdf)
activity and discussion (blog version – you can post comments)
Scripture Reading
Read John 11:1-45 together.
Sermon – Seeing God in the Dark
watch the sermon and then follow the Going Deeper discussion guide
Going Deeper Discussion Guide
discussion guide (pdf)
discussion guide (blog version – you can post comments)
Prayer
Prayer for those who are gathered with you
Go around and pray for each other (here are some ideas):
What do you need to get through today?
How do you need God’s protection?
Instead of being consumed with worry,
have someone pray these concerns to God.
Prayer for the church
Pray that our church will not be overcome with fear,
but instead will be able to be secure in God’s love
so that we can love and care for our neighbors.
Pray for each of the small groups and families that are
gathered today to worship, pray and hear God’s word.
Pray for wisdom and peace for our leaders
at the federal, state and local level
as they make decisions during this crisis.
Pray for our health care workers
that God will protect them from infection
and that God will give them a clear mind
to make difficult decisions under pressure
Continue to pray for Sarah and JJ Hartley for peace and wisdom and for their babies Adam and Levi that they will be healthy and grow big and strong.
Pray for Ed Machado who is still dealing with various health issues and for Barbara Machado who is having
feet and leg pain.
Pray for Maryann Nelson’s niece, Cheryl Jardin,
who has the corona virus. Please pray for healing, strength, and peace for her and her family.
Pray for Pastor Nate who has asthma, that he will stay healthy and have strength to continue to shepherd and mobilize the church during this time.
Pray for your neighbors:
that God would give them what they need each day,
that God would protect them from fear and the coronavirus,
that God would work through the circumstances of their lives
so that they are open to following Jesus,
that God would give you opportunities to invite them
to follow Jesus with you.
Lord’s Prayer
say the Lord’s Prayer together to close out your time of prayer
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 trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
Outreach — During the Week
The Tic-Tac-Toe Grid
Draw a tic-tac-toe grid.
Place your home in the center square.
Place the names of your neighbors in the surrounding squares.
(if you don’t yet know their names, write down something that identifies them.)
Pray for your neighbors
Pray daily for each neighbor in your tic-tac-toe grid:
that God would give them what they need each day,
that God would protect them from fear and the coronavirus,
that God would work through the circumstances of their lives
so that they are open to following Jesus,
that God would give you opportunities to invite them
to follow Jesus with you.
Serve your neighbors
Look for opportunities to serve your neighbors.
If they have a need that you cannot meet,
reply to this email and the deacons will be notified
and if appropriate they will be added to the prayer chain.
Pacific Union Connect 