Prelude: Faithful written by Pastor Mike Cosper, founder of Sojourn Music. You can hear “Faithful” on our Psalm-based record These Things I Remember.

Call to Worship:
Today is Pentecost – a day that celebrates the Holy Spirit descending upon God’s people and when the first Gospel sermon was preached.  Simply put, today is the anniversary of the church. It’s a day for us to express our thankfulness that God dwells with His people. Let’s stand and let God’s word call us to worship

The love of God has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us;
we dwell in him and he in us.
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him,
and speak of all his marvelous works.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was and is and is to come!
—based on Psalm 105:1-2; Romans 5:5; Revelation 4:8

Song: Come and Sing written by Sojourn’s Jeremy Quillo. “Come and Sing” is the call to worship song on our liturgically-themed album Before The Throne.

Song: Lord, Let Your Glory Fall written by Matt Redman.

Confession:
It’s the Holy Spirit that works in our hearts and minds to reveal to us the Good News only found in the Bible. Pray with me:

God, Your Word is like a lamp shining in the darkest places, and it provides us with the necessary guidance that we need every day of our lives.
Help us to pay close attention to it. We confess that we often turn to our own understanding,
but we know understanding apart from You always fails.
Thank You for speaking to us through Your Word and Your Spirit.
-Based on 2 Peter 1:16-21

Song: Shine Into Our Night written by Joel Sczebel of Sovereign Grace Music.

Assurance/Peace:

The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to continuously show us that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection accomplished the reconciling work that we could never accomplish.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
-1 Peter 1:21-22

Welcome one another, remembering your calling as brothers and sisters.
Giving

Then our preacher taught from Gen 42-43 “The Famine Strikes.” You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing the classic hymn written by Charles Wesley.

Reading:
Jesus tells us that we are not left alone to our own devices as God’s children:
The Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.
-John 14:26-28a

Song: Awesome God (Your Voice) written by Vicky Beeching.
Song: Whom Have I in Heaven written by Isaac Watts & Sojourners Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Elliott. You can hear this on our double EP project The War/The Mercy Seat.

Benediction:
…be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace be with you.
-Ephesians 5:18b-20

Song: You written by Tim Hughes.

Call to Worship
When we the body of Christ gathers,  we have a unique opportunity. We’re not just here to be entertained, listen to songs or sermons, but because of what Christ has done for us, we can be active participants; uniting our voices in the praise of our Glorious God that has continued since before the creation of the world.
Let’s read God’s word together:

Sing to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:19-20

Make it your goal while here today to sing out and take part, as we continue to respond to God’s great love for us in Christ Jesus.

Song: With Every Breath written by Marc and Christine Byrd.

Confession
Let’s pray…

Wondrous God,
who sets suns and moons above us,
mountains and valleys beneath us, and friends and family among us:
how often have we tried to hide from your presence,
how seldom have we looked to You or Your creative work!
Father, have mercy upon us.

Wondrous God,
Who took upon Yourself flesh of our flesh in Jesus our brother,
And being found in human form, made yourself known to us in the face of Jesus Christ:
How often we have forgotten Your cross,
How seldom have we really loved and followed you!
Christ, have mercy upon us.

Wondrous God,
Who freely pours out the Holy Spirit,
Who points us to Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer:
How often have we ignored You,
How seldom have we asked for your help or accepted your gifts!
Spirit, have mercy upon us. Amen.
-Adapted from the Worship SourceBook “Confession and Assurance” #25

Let’s sing to our forgiving God…

Song: Lead Us Back written by me (Bobby Gilles) and Brooks Ritter, recorded on our album Before The Throne.

Song: All I Have is Christ written by Jordan Kauflin of the Na Band & Sovereign Grace. Hear “All I Have Is Christ” and read all about it here.

Assurance/Peace
Hear these words from the book of Colossians:

Once we were alienated from God and were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled us by Christ’s physical body through death to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if we continue in our faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that we heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.
-Adapted from Colossians 1:21-23

This is the call for us today.  The Gospel that Paul speaks of has reconciled us not only to God, but to each other as well.  So with gratitude and thankfulness, let’s take a moment and greet one another now.

Giving

Then our preacher taught from Gen 41:41-57: From a Prison to a Palace. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Christ Or Else I Die written by William Hammond and Drew Holcomb.

Reading: God has a plan for his people, and it’s a plan of redemption. Hear this prophetic word:
Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth:
“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”
They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
-Isaiah 62:10-12

Song: A City No Longer Forsaken written by Jamie Barnes, recorded on his EP The Mercy Seat, which we released last year at the same time as Brooks Ritter’s EP The War.

Song: We Are Changed written by me, Neil Robins and Dave Moisan, recorded on our album Over The Grave. You can hear We Are Changed and read my story behind it (and the story behind Lead Us Back) right here.

Benediction
Christ, who knew no sin, became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God.  As messengers of this good news, go in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Prelude: When the Savior Reached Down For Me

Call to Worship:
Happy Mothers Day! We celebrate mothers and family as a gift from God – the giver of every good gift. We worship Him and Him alone the One who provides everything for us, including a place within his holy family. Stand with me as we hear his word:

Let God’s children rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence!
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
He is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
-Psalm 68:3-6

Song: Come Thou Fount

Prayer of Lament:
We recognize on a day like today, that everything in God’s creation isn’t as it should be. Sin has broken families and caused deep pain and heartache, and suffering in creation has led to suffering in the flesh – some who long to be parents are unable to experience that joy. Pray with me:

Lord, on this Mother’s Day
we lift up the aching hearts of all those who long to be mothers,
that mourn the absence of new life within them who have conceived,
and those that suffered loss through miscarriage or abortion
who have given birth, but endured the tragedy of burying a child.
Their grief is often hidden from us or neglected on this day of celebration of motherhood.
We pray that they may experience healing in this church family.
How long, O Lord, must death get its way at the outset of new life?
How long must joy be deferred or interrupted by such cruel sorrow?
Risen Lord of life, grant them comfort and peace,
breathe in us all the breath of new life.
Through Jesus Christ, who defeated death,
Amen.

Song: Abide With Me

Assurance:
A day is coming when Jesus will return and set everything right and gather his family for eternity. Hear this hopeful vision John was given:

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
- Revelation 21: 3-5

Song: Cling to the Crucified

Passing of Peace: Let’s greet each other and give a special welcome to all the moms in attendance today.

Giving
Song: Remember Me (Prayer of Hannah) a song for Mother’s Day written by our own Jamie Barnes. Listen to Jamie’s demo, view the lyrics and download the chord sheet here.

Then our preacher taught a Mother’s Day sermon on Eve: Life Giver. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Beautiful Scandalous Night our communion hymn of the week.

*Baptisms

Song: Only Your Blood is Enough written by Sojourn’s Neil and Kate Robins, based on “Psalm 51, Part 2″ by Isaac Watts. We recorded this on Over The Grave: The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Volume One.


Song: Awake My Soul

Benediction: May God the giver of life bless you, keep you and cause his face to shine upon you. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. peace be with you.

Photos this week by Chuck Heeke, from Sojourn Midtown.

Song: Psalm 25 by Joe Day of Mars Hill Church. Read my interview with Joe Day and listen to his recording of “Psalm 25″ in full here.

Call to Worship:
It is a good thing when we gather to remember God’s promises. When our lives seem chaotic and out of control, we need to hear God say “I am in control.” We can worship Him knowing that He loves us, has a plan for us and has solidified his people’s salvation in Jesus.

Let all that we are wait quietly before God, for our hope is in him.
He alone is our rock and our salvation, our fortress where we will not be shaken.
Our victory and honor come from God alone.
He is our refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach us.
People of God, trust in him at all times.
We pour out our hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
- Psalm 55:5-8

Song: Refuge written by Sojourn’s own Neil Robins, adapted from “Psalm 31, Part 1″ by Isaac Watts. We recorded this on Over The Grave: The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Volume 1.

Confession:
Lord God ruler of all,
We have heard so many times that you are our rock and refuge.
But we confess that our hearts are haunted with doubt.
If we could only hear and believe our Savior when he says,
“Let not your hearts be troubled, believe in God”.
We ask for a faith that truly relies and trusts you even in the darkest situations.
Help us to fully understand that if you are for us, that nothing can be against us.
Sustain us according to your word.
Let not our hope be put to shame.
Hold us safely in Jesus Christ that we may live according to your promise. Amen.
-Based on Psalm 119:116-117, John 14:1

Song: O Love That Will Not Let Me Go written by George Matheson and Christopher Miner.

Song: There is A Peace written by Sojourn’s Charlie Richardson, recorded on our Before The Throne album.

Assurance/Peace:
Having peace with God doesn’t mean we lead quiet, care-free lives frollicking through the fields with birds serenely chirping on our shoulders. Our sin put us at war with a Holy God and condemned us. But Christ ended the war by offering his own life for us.

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. – Romans 4:25-5:1

Having peace with God means we also have peace with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s take some time to welcome one another here today in a spirit of peace.

Giving

Then our preacher taught from Genesis 40-41, two dreams interpreted by Joseph, and a time of famine. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Give Reviving one of Indelible Grace’s “retuned” hymns, written by Albert Midlane, Chelsey Scott and Aaron Sands. This was our Communion hymn of the week.

Reading:
God promises to save us when we place our hope in Him and seek refuge in Jesus Christ. Hear these words of hope:

Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. – Hebrews 9:14-15, 27-28

Song: Let Your Blood Plead For Me written by me (Bobby Gilles), Jeremy Quillo and Pastor Mike Cosper, inspired by Hymn 115 by Isaac Watts. We recorded this on The Water And The Blood.

Song: Rock of Ages written by Augustus Toplady and Thomas Hastings. Our arrangement is by our own Brooks Ritter, who recorded it as part of the double-EP The War/The Mercy Seat. Hear this version in full and read my article on the hymn “Rock Of Ages” here.

Benediction:

People of God, hide in the cross of Jesus where you will find shelter and true rest. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Call to Worship
Here at Sojourn, we begin our services each week with a call to worship to remind ourselves that worship doesn’t begin with us- it begins with God. Because of this truth we don’t need to
“clean ourselves up” before coming to God. Through Jesus’ work on the cross we are free to approach Him just as we are- as sinners who are desperately in need of His grace.  Hear the word of the Lord…

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
-Hebrews 10:19-23

Song: Gifted Response written by Matt Redman.

Confession:
God’s Word shows us that He offers us more than the things the world could offer.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
-1 John 2:15-17

Take a moment to confess silently before the Lord, and know that He is ready to forgive.

Song: Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat by Isaac Watts and Jamie Barnes, recorded on last year’s The War/The Mercy Seat double EP. Listen to this song in full below:


Song: Grace Upon Grace written by Sandra McCracken.

Assurance/Peace:
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Col. 1:19-20

Friends, it is amazing news that we can have peace with God because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Though we have sinned against God, though we have yielded to temptation and forgotten God, Christ’s blood has spoken on our behalf, granting us peace with God–a peace that passes human understanding. Let us now share this peace with one another.

Giving
Then our preacher taught from Genesis 39, the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Nothing But the Blood (Page CVXI version). This was our Communion hymn this week.

Song: Your Great Name written by Michael Neale and Krissy Nordhoff.

Reading:
…Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
-Hebrews 12:1-2

Song: O Church Arise written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.

Benediction:
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
-1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Then late 2012 we will record our first album of all-original children’s worship music. So we have plenty of music coming your way. To whet your appetite and tide you over, you download a free EP of four new worship songs right here, recorded by Sojourn musicians at the studio where we recorded albums like Before The Throne and A Child Is Born. Get it right here, right now:

These songs feature Kristen Gilles, who leads worship at our New Albany campus and was featured on last year’s The Water And The Blood: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, Volume Two. Kristen wrote these songs with her husband Bobby Gilles, songwriter on Sojourn songs like “Warrior,” “Lead Us Back,” “All I Have Is Yours” and “Let Your Blood Plead For Me.” The songs on this new, free EP The Whole Big Story tell the story of God and mankind, from Creation to the Second Coming.

“Listening to Kristen Gilles’ forthcoming album “The Whole Big Story.” Wow, is it good! Lots of great kingdom warfare themes. Lyrically and musically excellent.” — Dr. Russell Moore, pastor, author, Dean of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Track 3, “Rising Tide,” features a guest vocal appearance by our Midtown Campus Worship Director Brooks Ritter. Together and separately, the musicians on The Whole Big Story have played on all Sojourn albums from the beginning to our most recent.

Download it now, and help us spread the word by posting it to your Facebook, Twitter and other social media feeds.

Call to Worship:

We come together today as God’s family in response to the kindness he has shown us. He has invited us into his own family, not because of our track record or our potential, but because of his grace. We are sinful. But God is kind. Hear the word of the Lord

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”
-Ephesians 1:4-7

Song: Compel My Heart To Sing written by Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Elliott, based on Hymn 126 by Isaac Watts. We recorded this one last year’s The Water And The Blood, The Hymns of Isaac Watts, Volume Two.

Song: The Love of God

Baby Dedication

Song: All I Have Is Yours written by me (Bobby Gilles) and Rebecca Elliott. This song of offering is often used as a Baby Dedication song by churches, including our own on this Baby Dedication Sunday. We recorded it on Before The Throne. Hear it in full below and learn the story behind “All I Have Is Yours” here.


Assurance/Peace

We celebrate these children and these families as part of God’s big family. Hear the word of Lord:

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For we are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that we belong to Christ, we are the true children of Abraham. We are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to us.
-Galatians 3:26-29

As one in Christ, let’s greet one another here today.

Giving

Then our preacher taught from Genesis 38, the surprising story of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Sovereign Grace O’er Sin Abounding written by John Kent and Sandra McCracken. This was our communion hymn for the week.

Reading:

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.
Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
-Romans 8:14-17

Song: All You Saints by Isaac Watts, Brooks Ritter, Mike Cosper, Jamie Barnes.

Song: Great and Mighty by Aaron Senseman and Kinley Lange.

Benediction:

Christian, because of what Christ has done, you are accepted and called a child of God.  Go now, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Peace be with you.

Photos this week are courtesy of Tom Branch, from Sojourn Midown.

Call to Worship
In God’s story of redemption, he used one of the cruelest acts in history to accomplish his plan of salvation through Christ. Suffering is not the final word for Christians.  In the darkest situations, even when we can’t see it, God is at work in our lives. So wherever you are, whether mourning or rejoicing, God is inviting you to come before Him and to trust in Him alone.

All who thirst, come to the water.
Come, all who are weary; come, all who yearn for forgiveness.
The Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ has washed over us, and our gracious and holy God beckons and blesses us.
Drink deeply of these living waters.
All praise to our God who rescues us.
-based on Matthew 11:28-30 and adapted from the Worship Sourcebook

Song: Invitation Fountain written by Michael Pritzl.

Confession
It’s easy for us to believe that God has forgotten us when we suffer and face trials.  You may be here today questioning if God even hears you or knows what you’re going through.  Know, today, that He is present and loves to hear you depend on Him by bringing your needs before Him.  The Psalms show us how we can present our requests before the Lord while remembering that He is always faithful.  Let’s pray like the psalmist:

Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever. Why do you look the other way? Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? We collapse in the dust, lying face down in the dirt. Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love.

-Psalm 44:23-26

Song: In Feast or Fallow written by Sandra McCracken
Song: In the Hours written by Helen L. Parmelee and Indelible Grace’s Kevin Twit.

Assurance/Peace
Hear God’s Word:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.                                                     -Romans 8:28-30

God has intentionally made us family in Christ. Families greet, families share, families love; let’s be a family and welcome each other today!

Giving: Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul another hymn adapted and fitted with new music by Kevin Twit. This hymn text originally comes from Anne Steele.

Then our preacher taught from Genesis 37, the beginning of Joseph’s story. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me written by Edward Hopper and Bifrost Arts. This was our Communion hymn of the week.

Reading
God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds we are healed.
Once we were like sheep who wandered away.
But now we have turned to our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.

-based on 1 Peter 2:21-25

Song: My Mourning Into Dancing written by Sojourn’s Jeremy Quillo. This song has been a favorite at Sojourn Gathered for almost eight years. You can find it on our These Things I Remember album.

Song: You Never Let Go written by Matt and Beth Redman.

Benediction:

Go now, knowing that the God who saves also sustains in the good times and bad. Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Call to Worship
Good morning! It’s Easter Sunday, a day when we celebrate the fact that Jesus died in our place on the cross, but the grave couldn’t contain or conquer him. On the third day, he rose. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the victory flag signifying that our greatest enemies-Satan, sin and death – have forever been defeated. Let’s stand and celebrate!

Joyful is the sound we make today!
For this day liberates us from doubt and fear.
Thankful is the song we sing!
For this day moves us past darkness and despair.
Hopeful is the prayer upon our lips!
For this day awakens in us long-awaited new life.
Jesus said, “Where two or more are gathered in my name,
I am there among them.”
Christ lives here and now.
He is among us at this and every moment!
(shout it) He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
He is risen!
He is risen indeed!
—based on Psalm 118, Matthew 18:20 and Luke 24:34

Song: Beautiful Savior

Confession:
Pray with me:

Almighty God,in raising Jesus from the grave,
you shattered the power of sin and death.
We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear,
bound by the ways that lead to death.
We return to our sinful ways instead of stepping into the new life you give.
Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired;
new love where have turned hard-hearted;
forgiveness where we feel hurt and where we have wounded.
Forgive us, God of mercy.
Help us to trust your power
to change our lives and make us new,
that we may know the joy of life abundant
given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

Song: Death Has Lost Its Sting

Assurance: (musical intro under reading)
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace we have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:4-7

Song: In Christ Alone

Passing of Peace:
Friends, In Christ, your fears are met with assurance, your failure is met with victory, death has no grip on you, and you share in His triumph over death.
Thanks be to God!
He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!
He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!
He is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!

As a family with shared hope & peace , let’s greet and welcome one another here today.

Giving
Song: He’s Alive (totally optional based on players and time)

Sermon/Communion

Song: Death In His Grave

*Baptisms

Song: The God Who Saves

Reading: (over song intro)
Hear the word of the Lord:

I keep the Lord before me always.
Because he is close by my side,
I will not be hurt.
So I rejoice and am glad.
Even my body has hope,
because you will not leave me in the grave.
You will not let your holy one rot.
You will teach me how to live a holy life.
Being with you will fill me with joy;
at your right hand I will find pleasure forever
- Psalm 16: 8-11

This is God’s promise to us! Let’s celebrate that freedom and hope with lifted voices and lifted hands, and let’s seize this moment to respond to our Lord. He is RISEN!

Song: Absent From Flesh

Benediction:
May the resurrection of Jesus bring you all joy and peace in believing
so that you may abound in hope. Go in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

Photos this week are courtesy of Tom Branch, from Sojourn Midown.

Call to Worship:
Today is Palm Sunday – a day that looks back to Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. It was a day when he was honored as a King who’d come to conquer the enemies of God. The people lined the roads, waving palms branches and hailing him as Lord.  Today we echo those shouts of praise to Christ, who unites us, saves us and rules over our lives.

People of God, be gathered together!
Like a hen who gathers her offspring under her wings,
God has brought us together!
People of God, await Christ’s coming!
Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord of heaven!
—based on Luke 13:34; 19:38

Song: Before the Throne of God Above from our 2007 album Before The Throne.


Song: Hosanna in the Highest by Jeremy Quillo. This is a Palm Sunday version of a song we recorded on Advent Songs. Download the lyrics/chord sheet for our Palm Sunday Hosanna in the Highest here.

Confession
Jesus, our Lord, we shout hosannas and worship you.
With eager hands, we place our palms of praise on the path before you.
Yet, Lord, we confess that our mouths often deny or defy you.
And we confess that the hands that seek to serve you often become clenched fists.
We confess our praise is often empty.
Just as the people of Jerusalem did long ago  - We sing “Hosanna,” but cry “Crucify.”
We want to rule our own lives rather than bow before you.
Jesus, you came in weakness and in humility to give us strength and a place in your kingdom. We acknowledge you alone as Lord and ruler of all.
Forgive us, lift us up and help us to follow you in obedience.
Help us to be loyal and loving servants of Jesus, our King.
In his Holy Name, Amen – adapted from The Worship Sourcebook

Song: May Your Power Rest on Me written by Joel Gerdis and Neil Degraide, based on “Hymn 15″ by Isaac Watts.

Assurance/Peace
Let’s say this together:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:16-17

Christ our King embraced his enemies, reaching out in love and calling them friends. That’s what only the Gospel can do – break down the walls of hostility between us all. In the spirit of the Gospel, we’re called to become friends and family of one another. So let’s welcome each other now.

Giving

Song: No Tread of Soldier’s Marching Feet, a hymn text for Palm Sunday sent to us from the late Chip Stam, with melody by Jamie Barnes. Read about this song, get the lyrics and listen to Jamie’s acoustic demo here.

Then our preacher taught from Genesis 27-36, on the life of the patriarch Jacob. You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.

Song: Be Thou My Vision the anonymously written Irish hymn.
Song: King of Glory by Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves.

Prayer:
Let’s pray together:

God, our divine Redeemer
Your faithfulness to your people is seen throughout Your word.
Your goodness is plainly seen in our redemption,
How you became sin for us and conquered all of our enemies.
Your strength is seen in how you endured the extremes of God’s wrath,
and erased our failure to live up to God’s standards.
Your love is seen in your resurrection,
in your sacred wounds, erasing every fear and every doubt.
Now, our King and Conqueror,
you’ve ascended to heaven,
crowned and enthroned,
praying for us, protecting us
and providing for us by the power of your Spirit
until the time comes for you to receive us there.
May we live in repentance,
join you in conquering Satan,
and finding victory in life in the Gospel. Amen.

Song: Warrior written by me, Dave Moisan and Neil Degraide, recorded on Over The Grave.

Benediction:
Jesus, our King and Conqueror, has defeated Satan, Sin, and Death.
Go now and fight the good fight in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.