House Church Worship Guide
House Church is designed to help you meet with the Lord, and with each other, in a very special way. You might spend some time catching up, having food, relaxing. Try to make your time as interactive as possible, taking the opportunity to be personal, real, and attentive to what God is doing.
How to Prepare:
1. Have a read through this Worship Guide to get the flow of it, see what parts you’ll use, and how you might do transitions. You can print a simple version of it here:
2. Get communion ready, and any kids resources you need. You can print the lyrics here:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 145
Focus your hearts and draw near to God with this Scripture, from Psalm 145:
1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
Ask someone to set this time apart for God, dedicating it to Jesus, our Lord.
SING!
Pick one, or some, or your own to sing!
CHURCH UPDATE AND PRAYER
Stream the following church update (Length: 4 mins)
The update gives you a few things to pray about. What else would you like to pray for?
Take some time to pray for the church of the week and missionary:
Richmond Methodist Church, Martin Oh
Kelly Eason
FAMILY CONNECTION
Click on this Family video and take part (5 mins)
Optional Extra video
PARENTS: Click on the Family Resources button to find some colouring in activities and videos for preschool and school age children that you can use at any time:
SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 4:7-18
Today’s passage looks like a list of names as Paul signs off his letter. But its full of gold that helps us in our faith. Ask someone to read this passage.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
BIBLE MESSAGE
Stream this message on Colossians 4:7-18
(Length: 15 mins)
RESPOND
Today we have talked about the power of examples around us, and the need to open our lives to each other:
- With love (words) that builds up
- With grace that welcomes back
- With stickability that hangs in there
Discuss:
Can you think of someone who God has used to comfort you, strengthen you, encourage you, help you feel like you belong? How did it happen? What was it like for you? (Maybe the person is in the room right now and you can thank them).
Paul was not shy to tell people what they meant to him. Do you think we find this easy or hard? What is God saying to you about this?
COMMUNION AND PRAYER
We, who are many parts, make up one body. The one bread loaf and the one cup of juice speak to us about the unity we have in Jesus.
Take time to meditate on the unity we have with Jesus and with each other – as costly and precious as the death of Jesus for us.
Pray that as God’s grace renews us, the life of Jesus would be shared among us
BENEDICTION
Ask someone to pronounce this benediction to finish your time:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
And the love of God the Father,
And the friendship of the Holy Spirit,
Be with us all as we go into this week,
Amen.
The whole service will stream live at 10am if you would prefer to watch it this way. Click on LIVE CHURCH at www.hopechurch.org.nz. Or from midday on, you can find it by clicking on PAST SERVICES.