[10:30a – Walk out to stage right]Prayer of Confession 6-25-23

[10:30a – Walk out to stage right]

Good morning Journey Church.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Melanie and I get to work with our Journey Kids!

Whether you are here in person or online, we’re grateful that you are with us.

This morning, we end our series on WORSHIP.

So, if you have been with us any of the previous three weeks, you will be familiar with what we have been doing,

If this is your first time with us, WELCOME; we have been doing something a little different with this series – but it is my privilege today to walk you through it.

We have ordered our time together to reflect four different postures.

1. The first is looking UP to God in worship.

2. The second will be looking DOWN in confession and lament.

3. The third we are raised UP by the good news of the gospel.

4. Finally, we are sent OUT to our neighbors with the gospel we’ve received.

But today, we will start with BAPTISMS. Please turn your attention to one of the screens.

UP

So, please stand with me as we begin with scripture as we look UP to God in worship.

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with sounding cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Please remain standing as we continue worshipping through singing…

[SONGS: What a Beautiful Name – Santorini, then God Really Loves Us - Josh]

[STILL STAGE RIGHT]

Next comes our posture of looking DOWN in confession and lament.

In just a moment, I am going to lead us in a confession that we will all read through out loud and together.

During this time, I would encourage you to reflect in your heart where you are being led to confess your mess, confess your sins, where you can call on God for forgiveness, and maybe even where you can offer forgiveness to others.

This is also the time to cry out in your time of need, for yourself, others you know or the situations in the world where you see injustice or hurt.

You will see the words on the screens so Let’s read this prayer of confession together.

Merciful God,

We come before you with thankful hearts.

Thankful for the many gifts you have given us.

You have clothed us and sheltered us.

You have given us food to fill our stomachs and friendship to fill our hearts.

And yet, if we are honest with you, we know we fail to follow you in life-giving ways.

Instead of trusting in your power,

we trust in our strength.

Instead of trusting in your provision, we rely on our ability to provide.

And when it comes to your community, your Church, we limit our commitment.

Like the Corinthians, we are unable to give up our rights for the sake of others.

We care too highly for our own ways, our own thoughts, our own perspectives,

and not nearly enough about your Word and your influence on our lives.

Grant us, O Lord, a contrite spirit, that we may turn to you, that our community might resemble your kingdom more fully,

Amen.

And so, as we continue in this second posture, we are going to take communion together as we reflect on where we would be without Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

In 1 Corinthians, chapter 11, Paul tells us what communion is. He says,

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. [1]

In just a moment, as the band leads us into our next song

if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, we invite you to come to one of the tables around the room and take the different elements.

We encourage you to grab those seated around you and share in this time together. Especially if you see someone sitting alone, bring them into your family or friend group. Just like no one prays alone, no one should do communion alone. This is a celebration.

So grab others, come up and grab the bread and juice, and thank the Lord for all he has done!

If you are unable to make it to one of the tables, get the attention of one of the ushers with a little wave, and they would love to come and serve the elements to you.

Please take these moments to bring to the LORD whatever he might be putting on your heart.

[SONGS: Resurrender – Santorini, then Because of Christ - Josh]

Josh might pray, if not, then pray:

Heavenly Father, your Word says that If we confess our sins, [you are] faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We hold tight to that promise and celebrate the freedom you offer all those who would come to you. Amen.

We can confess and be assured that the Father hears us and forgives us because of the work Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – CENTER STAGE

Here at Journey Church, we believe that everybody is some kind of messy, that God is actively at work, and that faith is a journey we take together.

GIVING THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROSITY-

ways to give on the screen

CONNECTION CARD - ways to connect on the screen

Look at screen and describe.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Don’t forget to sign up for Mariners Tickets or to help at We Love Our City annual city-wide serve day; information on the church website and at the tables in the foyer

2. The Chosen: Season 3 > showing Monday Evenings, 6-9pm – starting July 3rd with an appetizer potluck & a double-feature

3. Pray for the middle schoolers heading to camp

TRANSITION TO MESSAGE Please use this next minute to fill out a card or prepare in some way to be RAISED UP by the good news of the Gospel through our message from Pastor Jesse today.