What follows is a self-guided, home liturgy. This liturgy can be read alone by a single individual, or it can be followed by a coupe or family. In any case, we recommend reading it aloud. There is power in spoken worship. We recommend designating leaders for certain sections. We also recommend reading all scripture aloud. Appropriate songs from YouTube have been included. We highly recommend playing all of them as they are part of the liturgy of this worship service.
Gathering
(Please stand as you gather from your busy life to worship Almighty God.)
Hymn: Come Thou Almighty King
Call to Worship (Leader reads normal text, others present respond with bold text.) Blessed by God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
About the most important commandment, Jesus said:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord you God with all you heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
May we hear from and respond to God’s word today. Amen.
Song: Revelation Song
Collect of Purity (together)
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect of the Day (leader)
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(You may be seated for the reading of scripture.)
The Word of God
(Please select someone to read the following scripture passages.) First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Second Reading Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon
Response to the Word of God
(Please select someone to lead the following Psalm. Pray responsively as a group.) Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Glory to the Father, the the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the begging, is now, and ever more shall be. Amen.
Song: This Is Amazing Grace
Confession of Faith (together) 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.
The Prayers of God's People (Please selected someone to lead prayer. The following categories may be covered. Each category could be given to a different individual if so desired.) Prayer for:
The church around the world: members and leaders. That they might stand strong in faith and lead boldly during this time.
The leaders of nations around the world. That they might seek wise council and lead with integrity during this time.
Individuals as they live life on the way of Jesus. That we might live with love and compassion.
Individuals who suffer from any grief or trouble.
Rest for those whom have died and comfort for their families.
Pray for peace and empathy among the different factions in our country.
Prayer for people you know who might be sick or affected by COVID-19.
Conclude with the Lord's Prayer together. (Position your body into a posture of reverence, either kneeling or bowing down in a seated position. Please select someone to lead the following confession.) Confession of Sin
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole hearts;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all our goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Sending
(Please stand for the closing song and benediction.)
Closing Hymn: Crown Him With Many Crowns
(Please select someone to lead the following benediction.) Benediction The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
(If you've enjoyed this liturgy, please share. Like our Facebook page or follow our blog for more self-guided, home liturgies.)