Gathering and Praise

Have everyone focus their minds and their hearts on worshiping God.


Have someone read these words:

Psalm 2:2, 5-6, 10-12 (NIV)

The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the LORD and against his anointed…

He rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear

and celebrate his rule with trembling.

Kiss his son, or he will be angry

and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.


Have someone pray:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

you gave us your Son,

the beloved one who was rejected,

the Savior who appeared defeated.

Yet the mystery of his kingship illumines our lives.

Show us in his death the victory that crowns the ages,

and in his broken body the love that unites heaven and earth. 

We ask this through your Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen.


Have each person in your house think of something they want to praise God for, and pray this prayer:

God, you are King of the world.

I praise you for…


End your prayer by saying together:

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Confession

Explain to everyone that when we worship God we need to confess our sins and listen to God’s promise of grace. 


Have someone pray:

Righteous God,

you have crowned Jesus Christ as Lord of all.

We confess that we have not bowed before him

and are slow to acknowledge his rule.

We act like we are kings and queens of our lives,

And we are more concerned

with the people in our world who have power

than we are with you and your will.

Forgive us, and help us to know that you are king. Amen.


Have someone read these words:

Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,”

says the Lord God,

“who is, and who was, and who is to come,

the Almighty.”


Profess your faith together using the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended to heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic* church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.


*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places


You can contribute to the ministry of the church online Give Now or by mailing a check to PO Box 9339, Fresno, CA, 93791. 

Our special offering for April is World Renew (formerly CRWRC) the CRC’s disaster response and community development agency.

Teaching

Sending

Here are some prayer requests we shared this week during our devotions Monday and Wednesday evenings: 

• Those who have medical needs:

     o Bob D’s cousin Jane with cancer.

     o Kelly M’s grandfather Rod, who is dying of a recently discovered cancer in Northern Michigan.

     o Nan W's mother, who is recovering from a hip fracture in Florida.

     o Maria B, who is struggling with her health.

     o Carol E's sister-in-law, who is suffering with cancer.

     o Carol E, Bev M, and others who are struggling with changes in their lives.

     o All those who are suffering from covid or are in danger of contracting it.

• Those who are mourning a death:

     o Pastor Bruce P in Ripon, whose wife Joyce died.

     o Janet D’s sister-in-law’s family.

     o The family of our drummer Juan D, whose grandmother recently died.

     o All those who have lost loved ones to covid.

• Those who are struggling with work:

     o Those who have lost jobs or income.

     o Those who are struggling with increased work and demands.

     o Parents and children who are struggling with school closures.


Share other prayer requests and have someone write them down. Have someone pray for the things you have written down. 


Have someone read these words:

Revelation 1:4-5 (NIV)

Grace and peace to you from him who is,

and who was, and who is to come,

And from the seven spirits before his throne,

And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,

and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us

and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

and has made us to be a kingdom and priests

to serve his God and Father…

To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.


Some prayers and portions of prayers reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition, ©

2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources.