Due to national emergency and state-wide ban on assembly amidst the spread of COVID-19, Citylight is unable to gather for corporate worship on Sunday, March 29, 2020. Instead, we encourage you worship in your home–on your own or with family and friends. Below is a suggested order of worship with prayers, Scripture readings, songs and sermon.
Note: Everything is outlined below, including embedded videos for songs and sermon. Scripture readings and song lyrics are also here on a PDF.
GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP
PRAYER:
Begin this time of home worship with prayer, thanking God for this opportunity to worship Him and asking God to focus your thoughts and affections to praise Him.
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CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 37 (ESV)
1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
12 The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.
20 But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
27 Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
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SONG: “Rock of Ages” (Norton Hall Band) CCLI Song #40588
VERSE 1:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
VERSE 2:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
VERSE 3:
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
VERSE 4:
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
ENDING:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
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SONG: “Sovereign Over Us” (Eleos) CCLI Song #6011370
VERSE 1:
There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
VERSE 2:
You are working in our waiting
You’re sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust
CHORUS:
Your plans are still to prosper
You've not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
VERSE 3:
You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
VERSE 4:
You're the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight
CHORUS x2
BRIDGE:
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good,
You turn it for our good, And for Your glory
Even in the valley You are faithful
You're working for our good,
You’re working for our good, And for Your glory
(REPEAT)
CHORUS x2
ENDING
Faithful forever perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
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PRAYER:
Spend several minutes in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this. Here is a suggested approach to this time of prayer.
- praise and thanksgiving: Thank God for who He is — His presence, His character, His promises and His work.
- confession: Confess your sin to God and thank Him for the forgiveness which is ours in Christ Jesus. Confess any fear or anxiety and ask God for comfort and peace.
- petitions and supplications: Pray for God’s mercies in this time of pandemic. Pray for the sick and suffering. Pray for our leaders. Pray for medical professionals and first responders. Pray for those who are facing economic uncertainty.
- petitions and supplications: Pray to know God’s presence more in this time, to love and trust Jesus more. Pray that the church is revived by God’s Spirit and that many more come to saving faith in Christ.
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GOD SPEAKS TO US IN HIS WORD
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
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OLD TESTAMENT READING: Psalm 62 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
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SERMON:
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DISCUSSION:
Home worship can also incorporate discussion like City Groups. Here are a few suggested questions:
- How are you tempted to fret over evildoers this day? How are you tempted toward anxiety and despair of soul this day? Are you able to pour out your heart to God? Why or why not?
- We trust God alone or we don’t trust God at all. What else are you tempted to trust besides God or along with God? How are you learning to repent of false trusts?
- This Psalm tells us to wait in silence before God. Why do you perhaps avoid silence and resist waiting? Why is it good to wait in silence before God, especially in this day?
- As with Psalm 91 last week, Psalm 62 gives metaphors of God as rock, fortress and refuge. How do these help you know God and to trust God for life today?
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GOD CALLS US TO RESPONSE
SONG: “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)” (Kari Jobe) CCLI Song # 6534077
VERSE 1:
Be still, my soul, The Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God, to order and provide
In every change, He faithful will remain
Be still, my soul, thy best thy heav’nly friend
Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end
VERSE 2:
Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below
CHORUS
In You I rest, in You I found my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soul
VERSE 3:
Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening 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
CHORUS x2
ENDING
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soul
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SONG: “A Mighty Fortress” (Christy Nockels) CCLI Song # 5488935
VERSE 1:
Our God is a consuming fire
A burning holy flame with glory and freedom
Our God is the only righteous Judge
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom
PRE-CHORUS:
And we will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
CHORUS:
A mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your name
Your kingdom is unshakable
And with You forever we will reign
VERSE 2:
Our God is jealous for His own
None could comprehend His love and His mercy
Our God is exalted on His throne
High above the heavens forever He is worthy
PRE-CHORUS
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
So we can set our hearts on You
Lord we will set our hearts on You
CHORUS x2
ENDING:
With You forever we will reign
With You forever we will reign
TAG:
Our God is a consuming fire
A burning holy flame with glory and freedom
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GIVING:
To worship in giving to the ministry of the gospel at Citylight, go HERE for instructions on how to give – https://citylightroanoke.com/give/.
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GOD SENDS US FOR WITNESS AND WORK IN THIS WORLD
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 12:1-2,28 (ESV)
have one or more read aloud or read in unison
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God…
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank God for this time of worship, and ask Him for blessing into this new week of witness and work, especially in these days of uncertainty and trouble.
ENCOURAGEMENT:
In this day of social distancing, send a text or make a call, encouraging someone today in life and faith. Check in with someone who may be lonely or anxious. If you know someone with a need and you can fill, serve that person in the name of Christ, loving both in word and deed.