This is part of the worship series,
"A Classic TULIP Bouquet”
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
Week 4 | Week 5
Week Four—Irresistible grace
Opening of Worship
For this Sunday, we used resources from our brothers and sisters in Africa, starting with “Come, All You People,” arranged by John Bell. The two hymns were chosen for their focus on grace: “Amid the Thronging Worshipers” Psalter 1912 and “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord” Johnston
“Come, All You People,” Bell
Opening Prayer
God of grace,
you have given us minds to know you,
hearts to love you,
and voices to sing your praise.
Fill us with your Spirit
that we may celebrate your glory
and worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Mary Hulst © 2002 Reformed Worship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
“Amid the Thronging Worshipers” Psalter 1912
“Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord” Johnston
We Are Reconciled to God
[“Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done” Bell served as our sung response during the confession section, which also included a prayer by a Nigerian Christian. The choir sang the refrain the first time in Zulu, and then the congregation sang it the next two times in English.]
Call to Confession
Remember that our Lord Jesus can sympathize with us in our weaknesses, since in every respect he was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with boldness approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Sung Response
“Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done” Bell (sung in Zulu by the choir)
Prayer of Confession
God in heaven, you have helped my life grow like a tree. Now something has happened. Satan, like a bird, has carried in one twig of his own choosing after another. Before I knew it, he had built a dwelling place and was living in it. Today, my Father, I am throwing out both the bird and the nest.
—Anon. Nigerian, The Oxford Book of Prayer, George Appleton, editor.
Sung Response
“Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done” Bell (sung in English by congregation)
Assurance of Pardon
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
Amen.
Sung Response
“Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done” Bell (sung by congregation)
Prayer of Dedication
Let the healing grace of your love, O Lord, so transform us that we may play our part in the transfiguration of the world from a place of suffering, death, and corruption to a realm of infinite light, joy, and love. Make us so obedient to your Spirit that our lives may become a living prayer and a witness to your unfailing presence.
The Word
Scripture Lessons
Genesis 12:1–9; Ephesians 2:1–10
Sermon Notes
Philip Yancey tells a C. S. Lewis story in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace? Attendees at a conference on comparative religions in Britain were debating if there was any belief that was unique to Christianity among world religions. Incarnation? No, other religions had gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? No, other religions had people coming back to life. Lewis walked in. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked. When he heard what they were talking about, Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Christianity is the only religion in which all of the hard work has already been done.
Why aren’t more people lining up to get into church? Maybe because they see that the people in church don’t allow themselves to rest in God’s grace. We imagine God with a red pen and a record book, waiting to give us a demerit if we slip up. In truth, God is in heaven overseeing the completion of our rooms, like a parent awaiting the birth of a child. God is eager to have us home with him. God says, “You are mine and I love you. There is nothing you have to do. You are my child, I call you by name, and I love you. I will wash away your sins and clothe you in righteousness. I will feed you from my table and supply all your needs. I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
That’s grace. God loves us. Not because of anything we have done, but because that is who God is. The One who loves. The One who chooses. The one who extends irresistible grace to his beloved children. Rest in God’s love, rest in God’s care, rest in God’s grace.
Hymn of Response
“Amazing Grace” Newton
Offertory
“O Rest in the Lord,” Mendelssohn
Closing Hymn
“Siyahamba/We Are Marching in the Light of God” Walton Music Corporation
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Lent—Second Sunday in Lent
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 5 (10)
Year B: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent
