MARCH 22, 2020
An Order for Personal or Family Worship
March 22, 2020
This order of worship is designed for individuals and families who are worshipping alone or with family due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is an adaptable worship aid; it can be rearranged and its parts can be skipped. Even though we cannot meet together, our goal is to find unity as a church in the theme of Psalm 23 - God is our shepherd, and he will lead us through trouble.
If you’re worshiping in a group, choose someone to read the lector’s lines, and then read the bold part in unison. If you’re worshipping alone, we encourage you to read the included texts and prayers aloud.
Call to Worship - Psalter Reading: Ps 107:1-3, 17-22 NRSV (read responsively)
Lector: 1O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.
Group: 2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble
3and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
17Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
20he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
21Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
22And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
Hymn: Man of Sorrows
Singing in small groups or alone without music can be awkward, and we know that. You may be tempted to skip this part, and it’s okay if you do. If you’re not comfortable singing the included hymns, we want to encourage you to sing something, whether that’s singing an easy song like Amazing Grace or listening to or singing along with a recorded piece of music.
“Man of Sorrows,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption—can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Prayer of Illumination
If you are worshipping with children, let us suggest having a child read this prayer.
Lord God, thank you for giving us the Bible.
Thank you that through reading it we can learn more about you and learn to love you more.
Send your Spirit to help us understand your Word and to help us grow.
For Jesus’ sake, Amen.*
First Reading: John 10:11-18 NRSV
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Hymn: What A Friend We Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Second Reading: Psalm 23
Homily: “The Lord Is My Shepherd”