Prelude Miriam Enman
Call to Worship: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
I kneel before the Father,
From whom his whole family
In heaven and on earth derives its name.
I pray that our of his glorious riches
He may strengthen you with power
Through his Spirit in your inner being,
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you,
Being rooted and established in love,
May have power,
Together with all the saints,
To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-
That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him
Who is able to do immeasurably more
Than all we ask or imagine,
According to his power that is at work within us,
To him be glory in the church
And in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
For ever and ever!
Amen.
I Love to Tell the Story
I love to tell the story of unseen things above:
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story. ’Tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy word. [Refrain]
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me, I pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Offering
Special Music Sue Dalby, Beth LePan, Miriam Enman
Prayer for Offering
Bless in every way, O Lord, the gifts of the people here given. Enrich the ministries of your people and make us grateful to be able to let go of the things we do not, finally , own. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
God of Grace, hear our prayer.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that our of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- What does it mean for Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith?
- Paul prays that you are to be rooted and established in love. What does it look like for your faith to be rooted and established?
- What has rooted and established your faith?
- When was a time when the love of Christ surprised you by how wide, long, high and deep it appeared?
- What has grown your faith?
- What effort have you put into tending your faith?
- “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today Is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people. -Richard Foster”
What does it mean for us to be deep people? - What is one way you can foster a deeper faith this week?
Blessing
Postlude