MARCH 11, 2012 SERVICE

Enter to Worship, Depart to Serve

We invite you to sign the worship registry at the end of each row and pass it on to others in your pew, then pass the book back. 

Our Mission:  "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

WORDS OF WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORGAN PRELUDE

+CALL TO WORSHIP

   Leader: Great Healer, send your Spirit here to lead us in

               our worship.
People: Touch us deep in our hearts with your healing

               and loving power. Leader: Enable us to lift our hearts in song and praise.
People: Fill us with your mercy and grace so that

               we may be empowered to serve effectively in

               the world.  Amen!

+OPENING HYMN       “Thine Be the Glory”                   #308

PRAYER

Thou who art over us, Thou who art one of us, Thou who art:  Give me a pure heart, that I may see thee; a humble heart, that I may hear thee; a heart of love, that I may serve thee; a heart of faith, that I may abide in thee.  Amen.

Time with Young Disciples

HYMN                        “Spirit of the Living God”                 #393

SCRIPTURES  

            Psalter: Psalm 50:7-15  #789

            Epistle: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

            Gospel: Luke 10:25-37  

MESSAGE

OFFERING

As forgiven and reconciled people, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.  

+DOXOLOGY #95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

+ CLOSING HYMN   “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”        #703

+ SENDING FORTH WITH BLESSING

+ POSTLUDE

(+) Those who are able are invited to stand.

CRAZY LOVE CHAPTER 8 and Hebrew 13:1-6 QUESTIONS

1)      Would you say that you place personal comfort and safety above what God may want to do in you and through you?  How so?  

2)      What risks might God be calling you to take? 

3)      Have you ever tried to do something risky or crazy for God, only to be discouraged from doing so by another Christian?   Have you ever been that person who tries to discourage other Christians from doing crazy or risky things for God?   Describe your experience and how you think God would want you to respond in those situations.  

4)      What would it look like to do incredible things for God, but in a way where God gets all the glory and attention, rather than you. 

5)      Are there people in your life who might fit Jesus’ description in Luke 14:12-14?  If so, who are they, and what needs do they have?  

6)      What blessings has God given you that you can use to bless these people?   How can you go about doing this?

7)      Describe what your gathering of Christians would look like if you began to live the type of obsessed Christian life that characterized the early church.  Try to be both practical (be specific) and imaginative (think outside the box). 

8)      How can you join together with and commit to the other Christians in your life so that you can help one another live this type of devoted life? 

9)      What are the personal qualities that should characterize Christians?  (see Heb. 13:1-6)

10) You’ve been thinking through some pretty audacious concepts.   Spend some time praying that God would move this beyond wishful thinking.  Passion, obsession, and love can only come from God.   Pray that He would work in your heart and in the other Christians around you to create a community that is characterized by obsession with Jesus.  Ask Him to do amazing things through you in such a way that He receives all of the glory.