First Priorities in Last Days

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 seventh in our series Present Hope.

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

Sing praises to the LORD,
and give thanks to God’s holy name
for the LORD our God has healed us
when we cried for help
and restored us in times of deepest despair.
The LORD has turned our sorrow into dancing;
taken our sackcloth from us, and clothed us with joy.
Sing to the LORD without end,
and give thanks to the LORD forever.
Eternal and ever present God,
sustain and excite our gathered community;
awaken our hope.
Come, Holy Spirit, and embrace us.
Let the words we see and hear and speak and sing
be transformed by the Word made flesh,
that our worship may be wholly yours, Lord God.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 9

Lord, I will give thanks to you with all my heart.

    I will tell about all the wonderful things you have done.

2 I will be glad and full of joy because of you.

    Most High God, I will sing the praises of your name.

The Lord is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly.

    He keeps them safe in times of trouble.

10 Lord, those who know you will trust in you.

    You have never deserted those who look to you.

11 Sing the praises of the Lord. He rules from his throne in Zion.

    Tell among the nations what he has done.

Let us pray:

In a world where many would seek to damage your creation, bring hatred to your people, show violence to your children . . . help us always to be grateful for the gifts of love and life, for the glimpses of transforming beauty and unending wonder. Take us now, and use us well to combat evil and destruction wherever we find it.

In a world driven by greed and a lust for power; where the material threatens to overwhelm the spiritual; where goodness seems too frail in the face of evil . . . help us not to give up on righteousness and truth; to believe that you can use well the gifts we offer; that you will call forth the gifts of your people again and again.

In a world where people are broken at the hands of humanity and by the whims of nature . . . help us to trust the healing of your blessing and love, placed even now in the hands of those who seek to face down injustice and champion human rights; who stand in the dark places with your light held high; who give of themselves for the sake of others.

In a world where we struggle to understand pain and suffering, and, most especially, in the lives of those we love … we bring before you those for whom we weep; those we embrace in our hearts; those to who we reach out in the yearnings of our prayers . . . .

(take a moment to lift these people up to God in prayer)

In a world where we can feel so insignificant and helpless . . . help us to know you have a place for us; lift our spirits when we don’t feel good enough; fit us into your plan in amazing ways.

In a world where so much is focused on the here and now . . . help us to remain bound with those who have gone before us; to rejoice in our fellowship in the one kingdom of your love; to give thanks that, from time to time, we have a glimpse of eternity. Amen.

Feel free to read along with Paul when he reads this scripture:

^{1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)}

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Children’s Worship

This week Pastor Paul teaches us the importance of putting God first in our lives. Here are a few activities that will help us learn this.

Activity 1

Print and color this page.

Activity 2

With your parents’ help, try this activity about putting Jesus first.

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

Blessing

May our faithful Creator enable you this week to imitate Christ.
May your time be spent in seeking out His will for your life
so that in all that you do, He would be glorified.

May we be people who communicate
our God’s character through love, hospitality, service, and prayer.
May the Lord allow our actions to lead others to know Him more greatly.

When trials and storms come our way, may they never hinder our ability to remember
the imperishable and unfading hope we have because of Christ’s resurrection.

May we have a Christ-shaped view of our reality, and in all things may we continue to do good and entrust our souls to our all-loving and great Father as He makes His Spirit to rest upon us.

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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