PROVIDENCE CHURCH

   April  19, 2020

 

Welcome

Passing of the Peace: Though we are separated by distance our hearts are one in Christ. The peace of Christ be with you!

Doxology:

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

 

Call to worship:   Psalm 96  (responsive)

Pastor: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
People: Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Pastor:  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
People: For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
Pastor:  For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
People: Splendor and majesty are before him;    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Pastor: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
People: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
ALL:  Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Song of Praise:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Elisha Hoffman, 1887; tune Anthony Showalter, 1887)

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Chorus: Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

 

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;

Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. (chorus)

 

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. (chorus X2)

 

Confession/Assurance:   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

Respond in Praise:  

Living Waters   (Kristyn Getty and Ed Cash, 2016)

Are you thirsty? Are you empty? Come and drink these Living Waters.

Tired and broken, peace unspoken, rest beside these Living Waters.

 

Christ is calling: find refreshing at the Cross of Living Waters.

Lay your life down, all the old gone; rise up in these Living Waters.

 

Chorus: There’s a river that flows with mercy and love, bringing joy to the city of our God.

There our hope is secure, do not fear anymore; praise the Lord of Living Waters.

 

Spirit moving, mercy washing, healing in these Living Waters.

Lead your children to the shoreline, Life is in these Living Waters. (chorus)

 

Are you thirsty? Are you empty? Come and drink these Living Waters.

Love, Forgiveness—vast and boundless—Christ, He is our Living Waters. (chorus)

 

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.  “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

This is the Word of the Lord.

 

​REFLECTION:  A copy of the reflection is available upon request

 

Prayers of the people: Pray for yourself, family and community, nation and the world.

 

Hymn of Thanksgiving: 

Be Still My Soul (Katharina von Schlegel, 1752; tr. Jane Borthwick, 1855; tune Jean Sibelius, 1899)

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to your God to order and provide; in ev’ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: your best, your heav’nly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past.

Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Benediction: (The Lord speaks this blessing over you)

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

As He has in Christ Jesus,

And may you live and abide in His peace!