Blessed are The Persecuted

Looking for the outdoor worship guide with lyrics and notes? Find them here.

Thank you for joining us for our Digital Worship Gathering! This is the eighth week in our series on the Beatitudes called Socially Distanced from God? 8 Ways He Draws Us Closer.

See last week’s service here | Listen to previously recorded talks here | Want to join us on Zoom? Send us a message.

Call to Worship

Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this.
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:7-11

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.

Prayer (from Psalm 37)

(vv. 23-24) The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Lord Jesus, uphold us by your Spirit, that we may stand firm when tested.
(v. 34) Hope in the Lord
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
Lord Jesus, help us to hope in you, and to long for the day when you bring justice.
(vv. 39-40) The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Lord Jesus, deliver us from the wickedness of the world and of our own hearts.
Help us, and deliver us from sin, evil, and death, for you alone are our refuge.

Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Gift Offering

For financial gifts, use your bank’s online payment option to send a gift to Discovery, or have someone address an envelope (a good opportunity for digital natives) and place the stamp on it. Checks can be mailed to:

Discovery Church
7245 Eastern Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Please specify “general fund” or “missions fund” on the memo line.

Or, use this form to give online via the Christian Reformed Church’s site (our denomination). Be sure to choose Michigan- Grand Rapids- Discovery CRC from the drop-down list. You can give via credit card or automatic bank withdrawal. A 3% fee will be charged to Discovery.

For gifts of encouragement, write a note or draw a picture for someone who may need encouragement at this time. Have someone address the envelope and place a stamp on it. Or deliver it in person (keep that six foot social distance) to a neighbor or loved one.

For gifts of art, share a picture or video of your artistic response to the talk with us on Instagram (@discoverycrc) (parents permitting).

Digital Prayer Pad

Prayer requests will be sent to Sara, our administrator, who will compile and distribute them to the congregation via email throughout the week as usual.

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