Welcome to Sojourn’s Online Worship for Sunday, april 5th!
Even though we can’t be physically present with one another, we can nevertheless come together around the same gospel rhythms that form us and fuel us as Christ’s body. We’ve laid those gospel rhythms out for you below, so we’d encourage you to work your way through each section in order. Some important things to note:
Several fellow Sojourners have recorded themselves leading parts of the liturgy, and you’re encouraged to read along when it’s your turn. Whenever the text is underlined, read out loud and proud!
We’ve embedded videos for each of the songs in our liturgy into this page. Just click, wait until those pesky ads let you click again, go full screen if you so desire, and sing along! Most of the songs have the lyrics built in; the rest have a closed captioning option.
If you’d prefer to have a copy of the liturgy, you can click here. And if you want to listen to the songs and not watch, we have this Spotify playlist. And if you want to play along at home on a piano or guitar or banjo or mandolin, we’ve got chord charts next to each song.
We’ve also got some excellent kids’ resources!
OPENING INVITATION:
LEADER: To all who are weary and need rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who feel worthless and wonder if God even cares; to all who are weak and fail and desire strength; to all who sin and need a Savior — this church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus, the mighty friend of sinners, the ally of his enemies, the defender of the indefensible, the justifier of those who have no excuses left.
Song: All creatures of our God and King
Original words by St. Francis of Assisi, Additional words by Jonathan Baird & Ryan Baird / © 2013 Sovereign Grace Worship / CCLI License # 505896
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
But emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on the cross.
Therefore God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,
So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth; and under the earth,.
And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [adapted from Philippians 2:5-11]
PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
Lord God, although we are scattered over many different places, we are gathered together in you. We are united in you — not because we are deserving of your love and not because we have lived faithfully before your face, but because you have called us to yourself. You loved us before we could love you. You have given your Son for our salvation. For this we join all creation in blessing you, praising you, thanking you. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! You are great, and greatly to be praised. As we offer our praise, we long for you to mold us in the image of your Son, whose death and resurrection give us hope. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son, we pray. Amen.
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy
By John Bacchus Dykes and Reginald Heber / Public Domain / CCLI Song # 1156 / License # 505896
If you’d like to play along at home, here are some chord charts:
CONFESSION:
Holy and merciful God, you are slow to anger and full of mercy, welcoming sinners who return to you. Because of who you are and what you promise, we confess before you our own sinfulness. We have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such trust and love that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing your will. Amen. – The Worship Sourcebook pg. 563 #9
Song: Lord, From Sorrows Deep I Call
© 2018 Matt Boswell & Matt Papa / Getty Music Hymns & Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, & Messenger Hymns / CCLI Song # 7127376 / License # 505896
If you’d like to play along at home, here is a chord chart: Key of G
What are the specific burdens that you’re carrying?
Take some time to share them with God.
If you’re with others, feel free to share with them and collectively take them before God’s throne of grace.
Song: Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb
© 2018 David Gentiles, Sean Carter, The Emerging Sound, Will Yates, and Melanie Tierce / New Hope Road Music, Tent Peg Music, & The Emerging Sound Publishing / CCLI Song # 7125327 / License # 505896
If you’d like to play along at home, here are some chord charts:
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
LEADER: The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
PEOPLE: He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we, free from sins, might live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed.
LEADER: Receive the good news of the gospel:
PEOPLE: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
[from 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24]
PASSING OF THE PEACE:
As God has given us peace through Christ, let us pass the peace of Christ to each other. [Text, Call, FaceTime, Marco Polo, etc.]
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 15:1-15
1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
LEADER: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Praise be to Christ!
Sermon: Jesus and Pilate
Text: Mark 15:1-15
Speaker: Matt Herron
Song: Jerusalem
© 2013 by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson / Robinson, Jonny & Thompson, Rich / CCLI Song # 7003218 / License # 505896
If you’d like to play along at home, here are some chord charts:
Song: Echoes
© 2018 by Ben Fielding, Benjamin Hastings, & Joel Houston / Hillsong Music Publishing / CCLI Song # 7124908 / License # 505896
If you’d like to play along at home, here is a chord chart: Key of A
BENEDICTION:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13