Gathering and Praise

It's Mother's Day, and you might be thinking about good mothers who are gentle and nurturing. Have everyone get their hearts ready for worship by remembering that Jesus described himself in this way too...


Have someone read these words:

Jesus said:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

 

Have someone, perhaps a child, pray this prayer:

Dear God,
help us to worship you today.
May we listen carefully and pray honestly.
Send your Holy Spirit
so that our words will bring you glory.
Thank you that Jesus makes our worship perfect for you.
Help us remember that, when we worship you,
we are part of your family;
we join everyone who loves you
around the world and throughout history.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Have each person share one way they are glad that God is good like the good mothers in our lives.

Confession

Have someone read these words:

If we confess our sins, 

he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins

and purify us from all unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:9, NIV)

 

Have someone pray:

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
(Psalm 130, NIV)

Remind everyone that God teaches us how to live in thankfulness to him with the Ten Commandments. Read them together:

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below...

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God...

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...

Honor your father and your mother...

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet...

(Exodus 20, NIV)


Have each person pick one of those commandments and explain how they can obey that commandment this week in thankfulness to God.

 

You can contribute to the ministry of the church 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 on 1 Kings 12:25-33

Sending

Here are some prayer requests:

  • Give thanks with Brian and Joni V as they celebrate the birth of a baby girl: Evelyn Faye on May 1.
  • The researchers who are working on testing, treatment, and vaccines for covid-19.
  • People in nursing homes, assisted living, prisons, and other places where they are largely confined to their rooms.
  • Give thanks to God that Maria B's health is slowly improving.
  • Pray for comfort for the family of Kelly M as they mourn the death of her grandfather in Northern Michigan on Friday.

Share other prayer requests, maybe some having to do with Mother's Day, and have someone write them down. Have someone pray for the things you have written down.

 

Have someone read these words:

Grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

(2 Peter 3:18, NIV)

 

Some prayers and portions of prayers reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition, Β© 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources.