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He, Me, We: Humility

Thank you for joining us for our Digital Worship Gathering! You can use the worship guide below to follow along with songs, prayers and readings. This week is the second in our series He, Me, We: Community & Joy in Philippians.

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

Twice a year Discovery Church does Coffee & Conversations, a time of small group discussion before regular worship, and we’ve decided to base our new normal of digital worship on that format. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and join us in some thoughtful conversation led by Pastor Heather Stroobosscher.

Call to Worship

Come, let us bow down before the Holy One.
Come, let us acknowledge God’s strength.
Come, let us feel God’s mercy.
Come, let us live in God’s light.
As God’s people, we lift our voices in praise.
Glory to you, gracious and loving God!

Let’s worship God together:

Micah 6:8 (NLT)

O people, the Lord has told you what is good,

    and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy,

    and to walk humbly with your God.

Lord God,
how shall we do your will today?
Will it be in acts of praise, in gifts shared, in prayers lifted?
Who will you lead us to serve?
We are called to act without selfishness.
We are called to think of others first and to pay attention to what is best for others.
We are called to practice humility.
Help us to trust you.
Help us to listen.
Bless this community as we come together in worship.
Encourage us, comfort us, unite us, make our joy complete. Amen.

Let’s pray.

Our God, we give you praise this morning for your great redeeming work completed in Christ. We thank you for the mercy you have shown to sinful people such as us. It is only through his death and resurrection that we are able to come to you this morning. We thank you for the example Jesus is to us. The fact that he gave up the splendors of heaven to take up appearance as a man, that he bore the burden of the cross for us, that he even became obedient to death. Dear Lord Jesus, what humility you showed.

As we seek you we admit that we so often fail to listen to your words and follow your earthly example. We know that our hearts so often drift away from you. Though we hate to admit it our motives are often selfish and our thoughts are full of deceit. We love to think ourselves better than others and seek to undermine each other whenever the chance occurs. Though we might claim to be at peace with one another we harbor resentment. Though we long for fellowship with each other we sometimes only seek to do so on our terms. We know that your example of humility seems to only momentarily show its face in our lives in brief moments. So we pray that you will forgive us for our attitudes to each other.

We do lift our eyes and long to live lives which mirror Christ’s example of self-sacrifice and humility. We pray that you will constantly call us back to Christ and that you will graciously mold us and shape us to be more like him. We know that this restoration of our hearts is a lifelong process and we pray that through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we may grow in humility and love for each other. We pray that the love you have shown us might overflow in the relationships we have with other believers yet also the friends and family we long to see touched by your gospel. You have called us out of darkness into a most marvelous light and we pray that our hearts, minds and tongues will be used to praise your name above all others. We pray these things in your holy name. Amen.

We welcome Pastor Heather Stroobosscher for this series. Heather, her husband Chris, and children Zoe, Phoebe, and Nick were members of Discovery Church. Heather is one of the pastors at Calvary CRC in Wyoming.

Feel free to read along with Heather as she begins her talk with this scripture:

Philippians 2:1-11

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Questions for discussion: 

1. Discuss tangible ways you can put others’ needs ahead of your own in two categories: first, ways that seem easy and bring you joy; second, ways that come with sacrifice and feel like mini deaths to self.
2. When Christ humbled himself, God exalted him. How does this nuance relate to God’s invitation to us to humble ourselves? Can humility exercised with the promise of exaltation actually be considered humility?
3. Where in culture and in your own home do you see entitlement mentalities? Where do you observe servant attitudes?
4. N.T. Wright relays a quote a dinner party host makes before the meal begins: “Remember, the most interesting person in the room is the person sitting right next to you.” What invitations do you hear in this announcement, and results might it yield?
5. As a church community, what does it mean to be “like-minded,” to “have the same love,” and to be “one in spirit and of one mind”? How are we doing? What steps could we take to grow stronger in this area?

Scripture Prayers from Philippians 

You may wish to use some of these to pray together as a small group. Find this in PDF form here if you’d like to download and use throughout the week.

“Gracious God, who began a good work in [name], we pray that you carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). 

“God of hope, we pray that [name]’s love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that [name] may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10). 

“Generous God, we pray that you fill [name] with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). 

“Father God, we pray through your provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, that what has happened to [name] will turn out for his/her deliverance” (Philippians 1:19). 

“Gracious God, we pray that in humility, [name] will value others above himself/herself, not looking to his/her own interests but to the interests of others. And we pray that in [name]’s relationships with others, he/she will have the mindset of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5). 

“Righteous God, do a work in [name] that he/she may do everything without grumbling or arguing. Cause [nameto shine like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2: 14-15). 

“God of Strength, we pray that [name] will strain toward what is ahead and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which you have called him/her heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). 

“Heavenly Father, we pray that [name] will rejoice in the Lord always. And we pray that [name] will let his/her gentleness be evident to all” (Philippians 4:4-5). 

“Lord who is near, we pray that [name] will not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, that [name] will present his/her requests to you, God. We pray that your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard [name]’s heart and mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Children’s Worship

Activity 1

Read this week’s passage (Philippians 2:1-11) with your parents and create a list of what we know about Jesus. Example: Jesus was a servant. 
  • Read the passage to yourself, then read it out loud.
  • What does Paul say about Jesus in these passages? Make a list.
  • Are there any words or things you don’t understand in Paul’s description of Jesus? 
  • What new things have you learned about Jesus today? 

Activity 2

Even though Jesus is God, He humbled Himself and served others. We can imitate or copy Jesus’ example in our lives too!  Here are a few ways you can practice being like Jesus: 
  • Serve simply to be helpful. If you notice that the dishwasher needs to be emptied, go ahead and empty it. 
  • Serve, even if it is undesirable. Sometimes there are things no one wants to do, but they have to be done. Take the trash out if you notice it’s stinky and full. 
  • Serve without complaining. If your parents ask you to clean your room, do it without complaining. 
  • Serve without being asked. After a meal, clear the table before your parents ask you to.

Activity 3

Read Philippians 2:1–13, then print this coloring page. Once you’re finished coloring, create a puzzle by cutting the page into medium sized pieces. Shuffle up the pieces and then try putting the picture back together.  Each one of us is like the different puzzle pieces. We are unique and different. When we come together, we can make a picture of Christ in this world.

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 coloring page with us on Instagram (@discoverycrc) (parents permitting).

Blessing

Go now to will and to work for God’s purposes.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
Be filled with the same love and look to the interests of others.

May the Lord God provide you love and comfort;
May Christ Jesus strengthen you and encourage you;
And may the Holy Spirit lead you on and make your joy complete.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Amen.

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.

9 + 7 =

Thank you for joining us today! And thanks to Pastor Heather Stroobosscher, Pastor Mary, Kristi Stulp, Ahna Ziegler, and Bill TerHaar for creating this week’s service. Watch our Facebook & Instagram feeds for ways to stay connected throughout this self-imposed quarantine, including tips for making delicious coffee at home (so you’re well prepared for Coffee & Conversations). Social distancing does not mean social isolation!

Contact

Phone

(616) 554-1440

Email

discoverycrc@gmail.com

Address

7245 Eastern Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

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