House Church Liturgy | April 28th
Liturgy | lit·ur·gy
the work of the people.
a pattern of worship practices designed to form our lives in a particular direction.
Retelling the story of Jesus through the breaking of bread, fellowship, prayers, and the scriptures, slowly seeps into our imagination, transforming who we are.
The Sunday liturgy is not particularly spectacular or necessarily a "quick fix" to the weekly struggles of life; instead, it is a slow-working cadence, done in community, allowing the Spirit to renew our minds and giving us the character of Christ.
Sometimes the liturgy may feel foreign, sometimes awkward, and other times rich and significant. Regardless, we can trust that the Spirit is at work in us through the ordinary of the gathered church.
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Assign someone from the House Church Community to lead communion. You can share something impacting you about the Lords Supper, or share a scripture/word for the moment, or simply read
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Communion is primarily a feast of shared food within the community of Jesus followers. Continue communion as you eat and share life together.
Invite a kid or student in your House Church to pray for the meal.
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THE BEATITUDES:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Public Reading of the Psalms from the lectionary for this week:
Sing Together
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Scriptures from the Lectionary this week:
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Give some space for prayer, encouragement, and edification.
Teaching from this week’s Scripture reading.
Take time to pray for one another.
Encourage one another.
Bring something to edify the Church.
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Receive the Lord's blessing as you are released into your ministry this week
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
River & Way Announcements:
Elder Nominations: Just as Paul instructed Timothy and Titus to appoint Elders in the early churches, we seek to follow this pattern of appointing Godly leadership to serve the River & Way community for this next chapter of her life. Nominating an Elder is an opportunity for each member of our community to participate in the oversight and care of River & Way. Nominations will take place throughout April in House Churches. If you’d like more information, you can get it here.
May “All Gathering”: We’re looking forward to the upcoming All Gathering on May 5th at 4:30 PM at Westside Church (7300 Stockdale Highway). Taco dinner afterward - appropriate meal for the day, I’d say ;)
SAVE THE DATE! We're doing a special All Gathering on Sunday, May 19th, location and time TBA. Pentecost is the Christian holiday where we remember and commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus (Acts 2:1-31). More info to come shortly