1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
A communion worship service originally held at the Calvin Symposium on Worship, planned around Hebrews 13. The last of a six-part series on the book of Hebrews from the 2008 Symposium on Worship. These services are designed to rejuvenate the vigor of the faithful by returning us to our first love: our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ.
Prelude: “We Proclaim,” Randy Wright
“Jesus Is King,” Wendy Churchill
Call to Worship
As we are called into worship today,
we are mindful that when God appeared on earth in the person of Jesus,
most of the world did not recognize him
and therefore did not worship him.
Today we seek a faith that will open our eyes
that we might worship Christ Jesus in truth.
People of God, behold and see your God.
Worship this great God now with joy, fervor, and love!
Lord our God,
Open our eyes to see your glory.
Open our ears to hear your wisdom.
Open our hands to offer you gifts.
Open our mouths to sing your praise.
Open our hearts to offer you love.
Jesus is Lord! We worship with joy!
* God’s Greeting
* Mutual Greetings
* Opening Songs of Praise
“Great Is the Lord”
Text and music: Psalm 145:3; Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith
Text and music copyright © 1982, Meadowgreen Music Co. (admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing).
“We Proclaim”
Text and music: Randy Wright
Text and music copyright © 1991, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.).
“You Have Been Given”
Text and music: Bob Kauflin
Text and music copyright © 1987, People of Destiny International (now Sovereign Grace Praise, www.sovereigngraceministries.org), admin. Integrity Music, Inc.
Silence/instrumental
Call to Confession
When we come into the holy presence of God,
our own humanity is laid bare.
When we stand in the living presence of truth,
our own falsehood is revealed.
People of God, let us acknowledge who we are
and ask our ever-present God to forgive us.
Hymn of Confession: “Your Mercy Flows”
Text and music: Wes Sutton (b. 1955)
Text and music copyright © 1988, Sovereign Lifestyle Music, Ltd.
Litany of Confession
Wondrous God,
who sets suns and moons above us,
mountains and valleys beneath us,
and friends and strangers among us:
how often have we tried to hide from your presence,
how seldom have we looked for your creating face
and your fashioning hand!
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Wondrous God,
who took upon yourself flesh of our flesh in Jesus our brother,
and being found in human form made the ultimate disclosure of yourself
in the face of Jesus Christ:
how often we have forgotten you,
how seldom have we really loved and followed you!
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Wondrous God,
who pours out freely the Holy Spirit:
how often have we ignored your promptings,
how seldom have we asked for your help or accepted your gifts!
Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Hymn of Confession: “Your Mercy Flows” (see previous page)
Assurance of Pardon
In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus,
we are assured that there is no sin so terrible
that God cannot forgive,
no hurt so terrible that God cannot heal.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest
ho has gone through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
we know we receive mercy and grace unto forgiveness.
In Christ, God accepts, God forgives, and God sets free.
Receive the forgiving love of God.
Thanks be to God.
* Song of Response: “Praise the Lord Together” (sing a cappella as directed)
Text and music: Anonymous. Public domain.
Prayer of Intercession
Lord God,
How we long to see your goodness in the land of the living,
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to you.
We long to see our universe void of floods, famines and forest fires,
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to you.
We long to see our world free from poverty, disease and warfare,
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to you.
We long to see our homes empty of anger, jealousy, and abuse,
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to you.
We long to see our churches pure from divisions, apathy, and unbelief,
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to you.
(Extemporaneous prayers)
Lord, give us eyes to see.
Give us eyes to see Jesus!
In the name of Christ, Amen.
Sung Prayer for Illumination: “Open Our Eyes, Lord”
Sung twice, first in English, then in another language of your choice (English, Spanish, Dutch, Romanian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic)
Text: Robert Cull (b. 1949); arr. David Allen (b. 1941)
Text copyright © 1976, Maranatha Music, admin. The Copyright Company.
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-12
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 2:1-12
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Yet at Present”
• Listen (8 MB)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Glory be to our Triune God. In God’s great mercy we have been given eyes to see Jesus now crowned with glory and honor. And though at present we do not see everything subject to Jesus,
Through the eyes of faith, we see Jesus.
And though we suffer the effects of a fallen universe and world,
Through the eyes of faith, we see Jesus.
And though we live and worship in broken homes and churches,
Through the eyes of faith, we see Jesus.
And together we proclaim that God has put everything under Jesus, leaving nothing that is not subject to our Lord.
Glory be to our Triune God. We see Jesus!
In the name of Christ, Amen.
* Doxology: “Jesus Is King”
Text and music: Wendy Churchill
Text and music copyright © 1982, Authentic Publishing (admin. by The Copyright Company).
* Benediction
Postlude
Please be seated for announcements.
Credits
Call to worship, call to confession, litany of confession and assurance of pardon are reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications (TWS 1.2.26, alt.; TWS 2.1.15; TWS 2.2.25; TWS 2.4.37, alt.)
