Exalt the Lord our God! (Ps. 99:5)
Thanks for joining us today! It is a joy to worship with you. We pray that as you worship with us online you would grow as a joyful, passionate disciple of Jesus. If you want to connect with a pastor, reach out to one of the pastors here.
Enjoy this time in God’s Word as we sing loudly to the Lord. Exalt him!
Welcome and Call to Worship:
ONLINE GREETING TIME –> Click on the following link to say hi to the pastors from 11:00-11:30 am this Sunday!
LINK FOR GREETING TIME
Calvary Kids Sermon Note Sheet
Parents: take some time to watch this video from the Gospel Project.
Spend some time asking them questions like these to help them think about the story they just watched:
What did God create on Day #____?
Why does it matter that God created the world?
What does the New City Catechism say about God as the Creator?
What is your favorite thing that God created in this world?
Call To Worship
Psalm 62:5-8
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
Worship Through Song:
I Stand Amazed —> Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, Chris Tomlin; #4674207
Holy is the Lord —> Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio; #4158039
We Fall Down —> Chris Tomlin; #2437367
Worship Through Giving:
Click here to give online
**If you prefer to write a physical check, please hold on to that check until we can get together again in person. Thanks for your generosity!**
Worship Through the Reading of God’s Word:
Matthew 12:9-21
A Man with a Withered Hand
9 He [Jesus] went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
God’s Chosen Servant
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Worship Through the Preaching of God’s Word:
Worship Through Prayer:
Pray this with us (from Isaiah 43:1-3a):
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Lord, God, Almighty Maker of heaven and earth: we give you thanks for this day of communal worship. You draw us together in the gospel of Jesus, and though we practice social distancing, your Church still stands united as your people. Truly our bond is not in our physical proximity, but in the love of Christ by which we have a steady anchor for our souls.
We praise you Father, for you are the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. You have formed us as your people. We are the workmanship of your hand. We are fearfully and wonderfully made to glorify you and enjoy you forever. Without you, we do not have breath in our lungs. And yet Lord, we confess that still we are quick to abandon our creator. We are prone to wander, as Israel has done before us. But Lord, you are rich in mercy, full of steadfast love, slow to anger, and quick to be gracious towards us. Remind us this day, Father, that you have formed us and redeemed us. Remind our anxious hearts that you have called us by name, and we are yours, body and soul, in life and death.
We praise you Jesus, for in you we have life eternal. When we pass through the waters, we know that with us is our great high priest who has passed through the valley of the shadow of death and emerged in resurrected glory. When we walk through the fire, we know with us is our mighty Savior who has walked through temptation, only without sin. Son of God and Son of David, have mercy on us when we think the waves of life will overtake us, and be gracious to us when the flames are too much to take. Point us to you, the Holy One of Israel; help us fix our eyes on you.
We praise you Holy Spirit, for you remain present with us in everything. You soften our ears to hear the good news, and you soften our hearts so that fruit may grow in the fresh soil of humble faith. Though sin still affects us in every way, you are making us new every day. We long for the day when we dwell with the Triune God in the new heavens and new earth; grant us perseverance of faith as we look toward that day as though looking in a mirror dimly lit. Complete your good work in us until the day we see you face to face.
News of coronavirus and financial ups and downs can cause us to lose focus. We become quick to serve our own needs, and act out in anger, outrage, and even malice towards those we disagree with or who get in our way. For our arrogance, we repent and ask your mercy. We also become quick to worry, focusing on our anxiety and not on who you are. For our concerns and apprehensions, we repent and ask your mercy.
As we enter another week of uncertainty, bless us with love for you and love for neighbor. Where we can meet needs, give us resources to do so; where we can share your love, give us courage to do so; and where we can proclaim “Fear not!” go before us and give us wisdom to do so.
In Christ’s name we pray these things. Amen and amen.
-Pastor Aaron
In Closing:
We love you! It is always encouraging to be together on Sundays, and we pray that it is just as encouraging online.
We leave you with this song from the band CityAlight called “Your Will Be Done.” May it be a prayer from your heart in the form of a song.
We love you!
Words and music by Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson. CCLI #7149566.