Transcription downloaded from https://services.pcumc.org/sermons/27541/jesus-is-baptized/. Disclaimer: this is an automatically generated machine transcription - there may be small errors or mistranscriptions. Please refer to the original audio if you are in any doubt. [0:00] Welcome to Pendleton Center Church, and have a good day. Morning, everyone. I'm so thankful that you're here and made it safely. We appreciate that, and we welcome you this morning to a wonderful service of worship. [0:16] We pray that you'll join us with our call to worship. This is the day that the Lord has made. This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made. [0:37] That the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, let us rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it. [0:49] This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. [1:09] Let us pray. Holy Spirit, come and fill us with your presence. Help us to experience you and to worship you boldly. [1:20] We pray that this service of worship will be a blessing to you. May everything we say, everything that we do, everything that we sing, sing your praises and bring you glory. [1:30] For it's in Jesus' name. Amen. I'd like to invite you all to stand if you're able as we sing together, O Spirit of the Living God. O Spirit of the Living God O Spirit of the Living God, Thou light and fire divine, Descend upon thy church once more, And make it truly thine. [2:25] Fill it with love and joy and power, With righteousness and peace. Till Christ shall dwell in human heart, And sin and sorrow cease. [2:44] Blow wind of God with wisdom, Blow until our minds are free. From mists of ever louds of doubt, Which blind our eyes to see. [3:02] Burn we in fire, inspire our lips, With flaming love and zeal, To preach to all thy great good news, God's glorious common weal. [3:20] Teach us to utter living words, Of truth which all may hear, The language all may understand, When love speaks loud and clear, Till every age and race and clime Shall blend the greats in one, And earth shall form one family, By whom thy will is done. [3:59] So shall we know the power of Christ, Who came this world to save? So shall we rise with him to life, Which soars beyond the grave, And earth shall win true holiness, Which makes thy children whole, Till earth and dead by thee we reach Creation's glorious goal. [4:37] The Lord be with you. And also with you. Please be seated. I like to help people who can like me. [4:55] I left the time in the last two or three years ago, And then I lived in the farm, In the refugee camp for almost 19 years. It feels great because I just did the same service, And then I'm doing the same for others. [5:11] So when I help them, I feel like I remember my past. Amen. [5:54] Journey's End is one of the missions that we support in this church. There's lots of information about it in your bulletin, If you want to read about that. And there's a clipboard going around, Where you can sign up to be a part of the Journey's End ministries. [6:10] In addition, I think there's one going around for first church for the dinner, And there's one big clipboard, That's got to make it all the way around to everybody. It's about bulletins and altar flowers and things like that. [6:22] So make sure that that big clipboard, That there's only one of, Makes it all the way around. There's a lot of space in between. I don't know. I think you all ought to move in and up. But I'll leave that to your discretion. [6:34] I am blessed and pleased to be back from Israel. I'm loving that there's snow, I know. But I'm loving that there's snow, Because there has been so little of it, Over, you know, the holidays and whatnot. [6:48] It was a wonderful trip. You'll be hearing more about it. We visited many places, Different from the places that I went, On the trip last year with the bishop, And the Upper New York Annual Conference. [7:00] One of the places, We want to keep the people of Syria in our prayers. We did take a drive all the way up into the Golan Heights, And went to the Syrian border, And spoke with a man who had been working, Until he retired a couple of months ago, With the IDF, In helping the Syrian people To be able to continue to have the health care And food that they need. [7:25] It's very, very interesting. And I will make a time when you can hear about that. What joys do you have? I also am very, very grateful That Pastor Sherry made it back from Cuba safe. She's all, she's back too. [7:36] So, everyone has returned. What blessings do you have to share this morning? I know you must have some. Nobody's thankful for anything. Louie is. [7:54] Snowplow guys, yes. The guys who get up in the middle of the night And plow through everything. It's awesome. Other Thanksgivings. Yes. 63 personal care bags that the Angel Wings kids made. [8:26] Awesome. That is amazing. God bless them. God bless them for their, For their, just their, Their open hearts and their willingness to help. Isn't it wonderful that they can learn From such an early age To really be servants of God. [8:39] Any other praises to lift up this morning? Well, I know you. We're safe. We're warm. We're here. We're going to pray for all those folks Who are at home That they will be blessed as well. [8:51] And let's return our gifts, tithes, and offerings To the Lord. Just as a testimony To all that God has done for us. Before us again, let's pray for you. [9:09] We'll be blessed with us. Thank you. Thank you. [9:24] Thank you. [9:54] Thank you. [10:24] Thank you. [10:54] Thank you. [11:24] Thank you. [11:54] Praise Him above the heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Host. [12:05] Amen. And bless the ministry and the work of Journey's End, that they may be a blessing to all those who are in need of what you have called them to provide. [12:47] In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. [12:58] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. [13:32] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. a couple or three, maybe more months before they'll be back. They, at this point, Pastor Sherry's been in touch with them. They have what they need. They're in a place where they're warm and safe and able to take care of themselves. I'm sure they appreciate your prayers, and if you want to keep in touch with them, I know that they would be grateful for that as well. What concerns do you have to lift up to the Lord this morning? Becky. Okay. Prayers for Howard with pancreatic cancer and who doesn't have a lot of time left. All right. Thank you. We will lift that up. Any others? Yes. Alex is having surgery this week. Sue and Pete's son, Alex, is having surgery. We want to keep him lifted up as well. Thank you. [14:42] Thank you, Sue. Any others this morning? With these concerns and those that are on your heart that you haven't lifted up out loud, whether you join me from your seats or at the rail, let's turn to the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, what a blessing it is this day to be called your children, that knowing that you call us your children. We may come before you with those concerns that are upon our hearts. Even as we have come with thanksgivings before you, knowing that you rejoice with us when we rejoice, you also desire to hear our concerns. As you mourn with us when we mourn, you are sad when we are sad. You are concerned when we are concerned. Lord, we take this time now and lift up all of those who are sick and infirm. Those with cancers, Lord. Oh, Father, we pray in Jesus' name that cancer cells. That cancer cells would die where they are in Jesus' name. That they would be kept from reproducing and from mutating and from doing all those things that cancer cells do that cause people to be sick, that cause people to die. We know, Lord God, that your people are always held in the palm of your hand. That you are with each and every one of us no matter what it is that we're going through in this world. But we pray in Jesus' name and ask for healing. We pray for those who are going to be enduring surgeries, [16:49] Lord God. We pray for the doctors and the nurses, for the surgeons, for the anesthetists, for all those who will be caring for them. We ask that they would have wisdom beyond their learning, beyond any experience that they may have. We ask that they would be able to do what is needed for each person according to your leading and guidance. We pray for children who are sick, Lord God, for their families. [17:29] We just ask in Jesus' name that you be with each and every one. Keep them safe, Lord. Father, we pray for those who have experienced losses. [17:45] There are all kinds of losses, Lord God. Losses of those that we love who have gone on from this life. Losses of employment and ways of making a living in this world. [18:01] And the concern and even fear that comes with that, not knowing for sure what will happen. We pray for those, Lord God, who have lost things that are important to them. [18:15] Lord God, in particular, those who have lost homes. We ask, Father God, that you would bless each and every one. We ask, Lord God, that you would draw near to each one. [18:32] Let them know your presence. Let them know your grace and your mercy. Let them know that your love never fails them. And that you are with them even in the darkest of times. [18:47] Lord, we pray in Jesus' name as we continue on with our worship. That we would be transformed. That you would make us, Lord, into vessels that may be your light in this world. [19:02] That may bear your love to all we encounter. Father, we pray in Jesus' name that as we sing songs of praise, as we pray, as we hear your word spoken, that you will teach us how to be more like Jesus. [19:26] That it's not by our own might or our own power that we are able to accomplish your work in this world, but that it is by your spirit. So fill us afresh, Lord, with your Holy Spirit this day as we go on through this time of worship that we might be servants that draw many to your saving grace. [19:55] Be with Pastor Sherry as she delivers the message you have given her for us today. Let it be a blessing to her and to us. And may all of our worship be a blessing to you this morning. [20:09] That is why we came. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Shall we hear from the word of the Lord? Amen. The scripture comes from Matthew chapter 3 verses 1 through 17. [21:06] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near. [21:16] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah. A voice of one calling in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him. [21:30] John's clothes were made of camel's hair and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan confessing their sins they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. [21:51] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing he said to them you brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the coming wrath produce fruit in keeping with repentance and do not think you can say to yourselves we have Abraham as our father. [22:10] I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. [22:24] I baptize you with water for repentance but one after me comes who is more powerful than I whose sandals I am not worthy to carry he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [22:39] His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his thrushing floor gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. [22:50] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John but John tried to deter him saying I need to be baptized by you and do you come to me? [23:02] Jesus replied let it be so now it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness then John consented as soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water at that moment heaven was opened and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him and a voice from heaven said this is my son whom I love with him I am well pleased this is the word of the Lord thank you Bill so I am back from Cuba to this I know Pastor Elise is excited about this I am not Cuba was nice and warm but I had somebody said oh Cuba there is a great restaurant there it is like no Cuba the communist country I went to and I was very excited to go and very nervous to go [24:03] I knew no Spanish whatsoever and there was a group that was going from Dayton Ohio because this was for school that I was doing this and I was flying from Buffalo alone going to a communist country where I speak no Spanish completely alone do you hear the anxiety okay and when I got there I couldn't figure out what was going on it was so packed we were like on top we were squished in with each other there were so many people in this terminal and there were two places where the bags were coming out and I tried to ask them which one my bags would be coming out and they basically said I don't know check them both all the time I'm like trying to go back and forth between the two and figuring out where my bags were and in the meantime I'm trying to get I'm not seeing my bags at all and I'm not knowing what I'm doing and I'm stuck in the airport for a long time because my bags were not coming out and I kept trying to figure out what was going on and I was stuck [25:11] I was really stuck you know the Israelites at the time of this story were stuck as well it was as if they were heading on a great journey with God but they were stuck in the airport and they were just stuck in a ritual based religion as opposed to going off to the great adventure that God had actually set out for them you see at the time they had these things called mikvahs and they were these basins big basins of water that were built out of stone and they would go in by themselves and they would step into it and they'd immerse themselves in water and come out and it was a ceremony it was a ritual for purification and they would do this for any time that they were ceremonially unclean they would go and get immersed in the waters and John comes along with a totally new idea John comes along dressed like a prophet he's received as a prophet he's speaking as a prophet and he's doing this baptism thing in the [26:16] Jordan which I saw the Jordan in Israel when I went I've always thought the Jordan no think Tanawada Creek that's about the size of it it was about the size you know it's that type of atmosphere Tanawada Creek but he's in the Jordan and he's baptizing and he's taking first of all the word baptize means to wash so they're calling him John the baptizer meaning he's John the guy who washes people that's what they're saying about him they're calling him John who washes people and he's doing it very very publicly for everybody to see and he's the first person ever to actually baptize another person where people would have to come and submit and surrender and be baptized by him and it was a baptism of repentance it was a baptism of spiritual renewal not just ceremonial ritual which explains why John's response to the Sadducees and the Pharisees was so intense he said produce fruit in keeping with repentance repentance again means turn around you know if you're a changed person if you're a transformed person you're heading in the way of God and he's saying [27:38] I'm not seeing any of that fruit in you produce fruit in keeping with the repentance otherwise you can say you're repenting all you want but you're not so keep produce fruit in keeping with repentance repentance and do not think you can say to yourself we have Abraham as our father you see what was going on with that is they were saying well hey I'm all good I'm following the rules I am an Israelite by birth I've got this heritage I'm covered I'm good I don't have to do any of this stuff I don't have to have a changed life I just have to survive and be because I've got Abraham as my father so do not think you can say to yourselves we have Abraham as our father I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham the axe is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire and so he's talking about repentance and with repentance is confession and people are coming confessing their sins and he talks about the winnowing fork of the holy spirit and burning away the shaft basically they would have wheat and they'd have a winnowing fork that would lift up the wheat they'd throw it up in the air and then they'd gather in all the wheat which was the good stuff and all the shaft is the bad stuff and that would be taken away and that would be burned and that's what John is saying we need to do with our lives we have to allow the holy spirit to separate out this is the good stuff that we'll keep this is the good stuff of God this is the shaft and you need to get rid of that and so he's saying you need to surrender to God you need to surrender completely and have a spiritual renewal he said repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near he was preparing the way for the [29:35] Lord for Jesus but John's main message was repent it was repent because of the message of the kingdom of heaven you see repenting is in response the kingdom of heaven is coming near and repenting is in response to that you come in contact with almighty God and your heart is supposed to transform and change in response to that glory in response to the good news and so the kingdom of God was near Jesus was coming and Jesus went to be baptized by John and when I first heard about that I was like what wait a minute but John's was a baptism of repentance and Jesus was sinless so how does that work but he had no need for repentance and he knew it and John knew it they actually had this little thing back and forth saying you know John saying yo I'm not ready for this [30:35] I'm fit to be your slave that's what the illustration about the sandals are you know I would not fit to carry the sandals I'm about ready to be your slave I can't do this I have no authority over you you are way up here Jesus and Jesus like no this is important this is to fulfill all righteousness and it's proper see he underwent baptism in order to identify with John's announcement of God's day of righteousness God John's call to repentance has little to do with the guilt that causes us to wallow in despair repentance for John was a call to action repentance is not to feel bad but to think differently and therefore to act differently renew your heart renew your mind which leads to actions which leads to a transformed life and Jesus models for us the expectation the expectation where he completely surrendered to God's will fulfilling all righteousness the law the prophets it ushered in his ministry it was a public proclamation that John's message was true to the point where Jesus his disciples from that point out started to baptize in the same way with the baptism of repentance and he was identifying with humanity with radical humility and complete surrender so it's a perfect picture of what God calls us to do complete surrender to God's will for our lives which leads to the heavens opening the Holy [32:16] Spirit coming upon us so we can live boldly into the mission of God God calling us one of his own the kingdom of heaven is here is here and yet the church in the United States seems to be stuck in the airport I know it's a broad based thing and I'm sorry for that because I know there are many that are spirit filled but for the most part the church in the United States is stuck in the airport we started and we're just stuck and there are things that are holding us back from going on the complete adventure that God has for us the complete transformation the things that God has called us to there are things that are blocking what was blocking me in the airport I couldn't find my baggage it took well over an hour to get my baggage I had no idea the language I very quickly learned afterwards lo siento means I'm sorry because that's what I felt like I was saying non-stop there were customs to go through where they were interrogating me and I wasn't allowed to go out and the people that wanted to help me couldn't come in and there were all these blocks keeping me from going out into Cuba which is where [33:29] I went wanted to go in the first place and there are things blocking us in the church lots of things blocking us in the church first thing I think is that we intellectualize our faith in fact we intellectualize it and make it into a religion we put you know our our brains in action and our faith is suppressed and we have sin and we nurture pain and resentment bitterness the things that will all block us from fully experiencing God's promise for us and so we have to make it through the gate Jesus is the gate and we have to make it through that by identifying all these blocks and getting through all of that stuff I finally found the right gate I found my bags after a ridiculously long time I walked out of the airport and it's not like here where you walk out of the terminal and there's like you know this big area where everybody's gathered you walk outside and swarms of people all speaking [34:36] Spanish and I'm like I have no idea what I'm doing I am so incredibly lost I don't and I walk out all of a sudden there's Pastor Guillermo who I've never met before so I had no idea who I was even looking for and he's got his cell phone up there and he's got it scrolling across Sherry Mahar Sherry Mahar and he's just holding it up here like this because they had been looking for me for an hour and a half assuming the worst you know they had no idea and they're I was lost and I didn't know it does that sound like our churches lost and we don't even know it I was lost and I didn't even know it and I looked out and I was like oh hey that's me and he was like Sherry and later found out they said I was famous they had been shouting my name for hours they just shouting my name and shouting my name and looking for me and they were all concerned and wanting me so desperately to come out of the airport so that we could have this great adventure together and we did oh my goodness oh my goodness [35:46] I can't even scratch the surface in telling you all the things that are happening in the churches in Cuba where they are fully surrendered to God people are healed the last day that we were there the last worship service I mean every single time people are worshiping with complete abandon and complete joy and we're dancing and we're praising and we're just amening all over the place because these people have not made God a little portion of their life God is their life and all the rest of this stuff is peripheral and every single service we were praying and people were getting healed and people were getting slain in the spirit and demons were getting cast out and you know I can see the intellectual part just slapping on you right there it's like demons yes demons being cast out this is a supernatural faith demons are real and as we prayed for people and demons came out with shrieks and convulsions and they're real and we have to fight it when we talk about spiritual warfare this is real people were healed people who were in pain had no more pain one woman came in she was very elderly and she came in all hunched over and could barely walk she had a cane they got her a chair really quickly she was prayed over and she got up and she walked around as if nothing was wrong and had no more use for her cane and there was one man who he came up at the end with tears in his eyes and he grabbed the microphone because he just wanted to testify and proclaim [37:26] God's glory because he had had an accident several years before where he had been hit in the head with a hammer and he lost his sight he was completely blind in the one eye and the other eye he could only see if he looked up like this and he could see just a little sliver and that was it and he said I was blind and now I see I was completely healed and he's praising God and his wife she comes running to the front grabbing onto him sobbing in joy and throws herself at the altar just praising God we haven't scratched the surface in our churches there is so much more so much more but the only way that we can actually get to the point where we are living a full spirit filled life being in complete communion with the Holy Spirit is if we are in complete surrender surrender and we have to make a choice in that we have to partner with the Holy Spirit and live boldly into the mission of God as if the heavens opened because the heavens open and we have worship with abandoned incredible joy and we live that way when the heavens opened it's the Trinity we have Jesus there living as complete surrender our gate to promise and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove and rested on him just like the Holy Spirit does for us and the Father says this is my Son whom I love with Him [39:11] I am well pleased His identity is revealed as the Son of God and when the heavens are open for us we too receive our identity as God says to us you are my Son you are my daughter you are my child child of mine whom I love and I am well pleased it's a perfect picture for us Jesus agreeing with the need for humanity to repent and in full surrender to God's will He says you're a child of God you and you and you and you and you and me a child of God Almighty partnering with the Holy Spirit and in that way and only in that way can we produce good fruit fruit in keeping with repentance so fruit the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control and these are things that can only be given through the Holy Spirit you can't just do it and people say well you know [40:22] I accepted Christ and so I've got the Holy Spirit in me and so I'm all good right wrong whatever you feed will grow whatever you feed will grow and so we have to be in complete surrender and make sure we are feeding feeding our relationship with God feeding our commitment to God feeding our complete surrender to God and making sure that whatever's been blocking us is cast out the kingdom of heaven is here through Jesus Christ it's not a distant God somewhere out there it's not a story of Jesus dying for our sins resulting in forgiveness and then that's the end of the story you know the Cuban church is praying for the churches in the United States they're praying fervently for us we say what do you mean they're praying for us I mean this country this communist oppressed country that has very little food they have no clean drinking water they have their homes falling apart some of it looked like bombs going off and they're praying for us they're praying for us because they see that within our churches we need the spirit to live fully that we have intellectualized and and put boundaries and borders up around the spirit so much that we're practicing a religion instead of living a faith in the Cuban church people were so on fire for God they were packed into the brim to the point where there was no room to be there and people were coming along the sides of the church and worshiping through the window and we went out to the streets and we were praying with them on the streets and people were sobbing and over 50 people gave their lives to Christ in one day [42:22] I said I have to come up with a better word but all I keep saying is wow wow it's like wow I have no other way to describe it it's like when somebody who has accepted Christ but hasn't ever experienced the Holy Spirit before the first time they experience the Holy Spirit falling on them and they just say wow yeah yeah this is real there is more and we need to get there don't be stuck in the airport there is so much more for us our lives should proclaim the good news of the gospel in complete transformation and so what do we need to do to do that we need to completely surrender completely surrender to God's wills will never be the same again we need to examine how surrendered are we how completely surrendered are we what fraction are we not surrendered because anything and all of that will keep us from living into the fullness of God and so we have to live a life that's sifted we have to keep the wheat burn off the shaft and say [43:46] Lord I am here Holy Spirit fill me because I know I am a child of God and I am going to walk in this fullness I am going to walk in this power and presence of God I would like to invite you to a prayer of confession along with me Lord I am a sinner I need your grace forgive my sins reveal my brokenness examine my life show me the shaft help me to surrender completely to your will break down any strong holds and fill me with your spirit that I may proclaim your glory with my very life in Jesus name I pray amen the next day John the Baptist said look the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and that's exactly what he does in the name of Jesus [45:01] Christ your sins are forgiven amen we will never be the same again I will never be the same again I can never return I'll close the door I will walk the path I'll run the race and die will never be the same again on like fire so like rain low like mighty waters again and again sweep away the darkness burn away death and lead of labor to glorify your name there are higher heights there are deeper seats whatever you need to do [46:40] Lord do it in me The glory of God fills my life And I will never be the same again On my heart, so my brain Flow like my waters again and again Scream away the darkness, burn away the death And let our labor do not by your name I will never be the same again I can never return, I've closed the door I will walk the path, I will run the race [47:45] And I will never be the same again And I will never be the same again With a hunger and a thirst for God's righteousness For God's power, for God's glory in our life I long for your embrace Every single day To meet you in this place And see you face to face Will you show me? [48:49] Reveal yourself to me Because of your mercy I fall down on my knees And I can feel your presence, you in me Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty Caught up in the wonder of your touch Here in this moment I surrender to your love You're everywhere I go I am not alone You call me as your role To know you and be known [49:49] You are holy And I fall down on my knees And I can feel your presence, you in me Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty Caught up in the wonder of your touch Here in this moment I surrender to your love I surrender to your grace I surrender to the one who took my place I can feel your presence here with me Suddenly I'm lost within your beauty [50:50] Caught up in the wonder of your touch Here in this moment I surrender to your love Just say, wow, wow, God is good God is so good And you know, we're here together as a people And worship glorifies God And reveals the Spirit And part of our job As a community of believers Is also to encourage this It means we're encouraging one another In seeking the Spirit Encouraging one another In growing in our faith And also holding one another accountable Which is a terrifying word in our culture But we do We hold each other accountable [51:51] And we encourage one another And we lift each other up As we lift up God And receive glory Because we're a community of faith Together So as we prepare for the table of grace Let's greet one another In our church family With the peace of the Holy Spirit Did I miss it? [52:14] Yes Okay Okay I'm going to be full of spirit here Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace All right Peace Peace All to Jesus I surrender All to Him I freely give [53:18] I will ever love and trust Him In His presence daily live I surrender all I surrender all All to Thee my blessed Savior I surrender all All to Jesus I surrender Humbly at His feet I bow Worldly pleasures all forsaken Take me Jesus, take me now I surrender all [54:20] I surrender all All to Thee my blessed Savior I surrender all All to Jesus I surrender Lord I give myself to Thee Fill me with Thy love and power Let Thy blessing fall on me I surrender all I surrender all All to Thee my blessed Savior I surrender all [55:21] All to Jesus I surrender All to Jesus I surrender Now I feel the sacred flame All to Jesus I surrender Now I feel the sacred flame All to the joy of full salvation Glory glory glory glory to His name I surrender all Glory glory glory to His name I surrender all Amen Amen Amen God loved us so much that He surrendered all for us He gave us His Son He gave us His Son [56:23] So that we could be reunited with Him What a blessing that is What a wonderful, wonderful thing to realize How much God has done How much God has given to us When we come to the table As God has invited us We come surrendering all in our hearts But it truly is Only God Who can make us able To receive what God has for us We choose to come Freely to come But it's God's grace in our lives That makes us able to receive So when you come Come knowing that God wants to meet you Come knowing that God Is the one who wants to bless you With the grace you need To do all things That He has called you to do To be able to truly surrender all to Him [57:25] That grace comes from Him Come to the table Everyone is welcome If you love God Repent of your sin And seek to live in peace As a disciple of Jesus Christ You are welcome at the table The Lord be with you Lift up your hearts Lift up your hearts Lift up your hearts Let us give thanks to the Lord our God It is right And a good and joyful thing Always and everywhere To give thanks to you Father Almighty Creator of heaven and earth Before the mountains were brought forth Or you had formed the earth From everlasting to everlasting You alone are God You created light Out of darkness And brought forth life On the earth You formed us In your image And breathed into us The breath of life When we turned away And our love failed Your love remained Steadfast [58:26] You delivered us From captivity Made covenant To be our sovereign God And spoke to us Through your prophets And so with your people On earth And all the company Of heaven We praise your name And join their unending hymn Holy Holy Holy Lord God of power And might Heaven and earth Are full of your glory Hosanna In the highest Blessed is he Who comes In the name of the Lord Hosanna In the highest Holy are you And blessed is your son Jesus Christ In whom you have revealed Yourself Our light And our salvation In his baptism And in table fellowship He took his place With sinners Your spirit Anointed him To preach good news To the poor To proclaim release To the captives And recovering of sight To the blind To set at liberty Those who are oppressed And to announce [59:27] That the time Had come When you would Save your people By the baptism Of his suffering Death and resurrection You gave birth To your church Delivered us From slavery To sin and death And made with us A new covenant By water and the spirit On the night In which he gave himself Up for us He took bread And he gave thanks To you He broke the bread And gave it To his disciples He said Take and eat This is my body Which is given For you Do this In remembrance Of me And when the supper Was over He took the cup Again he gave you Thanks and praise And gave it to his disciples Saying drink from this All of you This is the cup Of my blood The blood [60:27] Of the new covenant Poured out for you And for many For the forgiveness Of sins Do this as often As you drink it In remembrance Of me And so In remembrance Of these Your mighty acts In Jesus Christ We offer ourselves In praise And thanksgiving As a holy And living sacrifice In union With Christ's Offering for us As we proclaim The mystery of faith Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again Pour out your Holy Spirit On us gathered here And on these gifts Of bread and wine Make them be for us The body and blood Of Christ That we may be For the world The body of Christ Redeemed by his blood By your spirit Make us One with Christ One with each other And one in ministry [61:28] To all the world Until Christ comes In final victory And we feast At his heavenly banquet Through your son Jesus Christ With the Holy Spirit And your holy church All honor and glory Is yours Almighty God Now and forever Amen Shall we pray together With the confidence Of children of God The prayer Jesus taught us Our Father Who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day Our daily bread And forgive us Our trespasses As we forgive those Who trespass against us And lead us not Into temptation But deliver us From evil For thine is the kingdom And the power And the glory Forever and ever Amen Will those who are serving This morning Please come forward Lord [62:29] Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Thank you. [63:28] Thank you. [63:58] Thank you. [64:28] Thank you. [64:58] Thank you. The table is ready. Come, expecting to receive the grace God has poured out for you. [65:12] Light a candle as a symbol of your prayer. Stop at the rail for anointing with oil or prayer, whatever it is that you are in need of. Come and meet with the Lord. He's here for you. [65:23] He calls you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. He feels like this much. [65:38] He's here for you. He throughout hopefully it will be the Lord. She feels like this early tomorrow. They want you to get out of severalfach, even if you do do do do do. He teaches you to God, even if you don't like it for us. [65:48] There it is. He seems like this later. And when we say the Lord has mangled it on you. Amen. Amen. [66:53] Amen. Amen. [67:53] Please stand if you're able. All I once held dear Built my life upon All this world reveals And wars to roam All I once had gained I have counted loss Spent and worthless now Compared to this Knowing you, Jesus Knowing you There is no greater thing [68:53] You're my awe You're the best You're my joy You're my righteousness And I love you, Lord Now my heart's desire Is to know you more To be found in you And known as yours To possess my faith What I could not earn All surpassing it Of righteousness Knowing you, Jesus Knowing you [69:56] There is no greater thing You're my hope You're my hope You're the best You're my joy Joy, my righteousness And I love you, Lord Oh, to know you To know the power Of your risen life And to know you In your sufferings To become like you In your death In your death My Lord Come with you To live And never die Knowing you, Jesus [71:01] Knowing you There is no greater thing You're my awe You're the best You're my joy My righteousness You're my awe You're the best You're my joy My righteousness You're my awe You're the best You're my joy You're my joy My righteousness And I love you, Lord Now as people Who are hungry And thirsty For the righteousness Of God Go in God's glory And live a life Transformed As a witness [72:02] To Him Go in peace Amen Amen.