Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I am the senior minister here at Azle Christian Church. May we find our thirst quenched and our nourishment fulfilled by the food & drink Jesus offers.
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) If you’re a guest today, we’re so happy you’re here! Filling out the attendance registration in your pew helps us connect names with faces and sharing your e-mail helps us to connect you to our weekly newsletter. There are information brochures in your pew to get to know us more and there is information about our weekly activities and calendar in your bulletin.
(2) Second, we love our children here in worship and we always welcome them here. There is a kids corner in the back if your children need a space to move around. There is also a nursery available if you’d like. [TBD - We’re in the process of improving our nursery and bringing back children’s church soon. Parents, we’re asking you to get in the habit of signing in your child before the service if you plan to take them to the nursery or children’s church after children’s moment.]
(3) Finally, our liturgy is posted each week on the website if you would like to follow along with our service.
Now, may we take a moment to pray as we enter this time of worship.
Jesus – May the living water that flows freely be poured onto our souls this morning. Amen.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five.
Opening Songs:
1 Alas! and did my Savior bleed,
and did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I?
2 Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
5 But drops of tears can ne'er repay
the debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'tis all that I can do.
Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think You're like
But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You're pleased and that I'm never alone
You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers only You provide
'Cause You know just what we need before we say a word
You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You're perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, love
You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
And You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
You're a good, good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
(You're a good, good Father)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are)
(And I'm loved by You)
Litany of Faith – Diane Weger
One: Think of yourself the way Christ thought of himself. Christ had equal status with God, but he did not claim special privileges because of his status.
All: No, he became a human like us. He became a servant for us.
One: He lived a selfless, obedient life and died a selfless, obedient death. He even died on a cross.
All: Even his death was for us. He paid the price for our sins.
One: Because of his obedience, God lifted him higher than anyone, ever. Now, all beings in heaven and earth, and under the earth, shall scream, “Jesus Christ is Lord!”
All: Jesus Christ is Lord! To the Glory of God the Father! Amen!
Scripture Meditation – John 19:28-29 (NIV)
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Why is Jesus’ statement about being thirsty important?
How does this reflect other things he said and did throughout his life?
Think about this as we get ready for our sermon and enter our time of prayer.
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, may your Spirit rain down on us, refreshing our souls. May your living water always be available to us for the renewal of our minds and spirits.
May we thirst after you, O Lord, settings our hearts fully towards you and your ways. Teach us how to drink from the cup we have been called to drink from. May we not stray away from the calling and purpose you have for our lives. May we ask you every day, “Lord, what do you want me to do next?”
You are the bread of life. You are the living water. You give us food that lasts. You give us your body and blood which renews and fulfills our lives to be whole and transformed.
Thank you, Lord, for quenching our thirst. May we have your heart for humanity to quench the thirst of the broken and widows and poor and hurting. May we do our part to break the damns of corruption that keep your people out. May we burst through the walls to show radical hospitality and amazing grace to those who need it.
And Lord, will you hear us as we pray 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
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But Deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
RESPONSIVE HYMN –
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul
What wondrous love is this, O my soul
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul
When I was sinking down sinking down sinking down
When I was sinking down sinking down
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul for my soul, Christ laoid aside his crown for my soul
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on
And through eternity, I'll sing on
Children’s Moment – Dan Robinson
Sharing Our Resources
There are many ways to support the ministries of Azle Christian Church. You can give online on our website, on Venmo, use the QR code in your bulletin, or place it in the offering plate as the deacons come by during our anthem. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
Anthem – Thirst
Doxology - Praise God from whom all blessing flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer – Diane Weger
Series: Seven Sayings on the Cross
Sermon: “I Thirst.” – Rev. Russell Clark
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Diane Weger
Communion Song –
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end
Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below
We believe Jesus Christ is the gracious host at this table.
Everyone is welcome to participate in communion. Please pass tray to your neighbor after receiving your communion cups. Please help those who need assistance. Hold cups until instructed by Elder to take in unison.
Holy Communion Words of Institution – Diane Weger
Invitation – If you would like to make your statement of faith or become a member of ACC, you may come forward after the benediction or talk to our minister after worship.
*Announcements & Benediction – Rev. Russ Clark
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A few announcements for this week before our benediction:
You can find information on the back of your bulletin about our weekly activities, such as Sunday School, our Ukulele Group, our Wednesday dinner and bible study, and our prayer group. In the insert, you will find our calendar to transfer to your personal calendars. We also have a google calendar on our website to add to your personal calendar.
This afternoon, the youth will be playing mini golf from 3-5pm. See Joey after church with any questions.
Directly after worship is the DWM meeting.
This Wednesday, we have our Wednesday dinner at 5:30pm. There will be activities for youth and children after dinner, but there will be no adult bible study. On the 3rd Wednesday of every month, we will be going straight into our leadership team meeting at 6:30pm.
Our final Lent Devotional & Lunch is this Thursday starting at 11:30 with Dr. Gladys Childs, chaplain at Texas Wesleyan University, giving the devotional.
This Saturday is Food Hub, where we will be giving food out to the community at 8am.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday in worship, followed by our Easter egg hunt, so bring all your kids and grandkids next Sunday.
Be sure to check out our calendar for everything coming up with holy week starting next Sunday!
Finally, If you or someone you know needs a visit OR has a prayer request OR would like home communion, you may contact the church office or contact me directly.
BENEDICTION –
Will you please rise in body and spirit for the benediction and receive this blessing?
Next week is Palm Sunday and our Easter Egg Hunt after church, and I hope to see you all then, but until next week…
May you examine your hearts all throughout this week to see if you are drinking from the cup you are called to drink from.
And may you see Jesus’ humanity by how he lived his life so you are better able to see the humanity in one another.
And then, may we all see Jesus’ divinity as we complete our mission and drink from our own cup of salvation. Amen.
*Benediction Response –
O let the Son of God enfold you
With His Spirit and His love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let Him have the things that hold you
And His Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole
Refrain:
Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus
Come and fill Your lambs
O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness
Give Him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name (Refrain)