Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church! Happy new year!
I am Russell Clark and I am the senior minister here at Azle Christian Church. We’re so thrilled you all are here with us in worship – both here in the sanctuary and online! May the love of God be present and real through the power of the Holy Spirit this morning!
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) First, if everyone will fill out the attendance registration. If you’re a guest at our church, sharing your names will help us to get to know you more. Sharing your e-mail will help us connect you with our weekly newsletter and all the church happenings. There are brochures with more info about our church in your pew to help you get to know us more and what we’re about. And there is also information about getting connected on the back of 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.
(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.
God – Create in this space a people willing to be your church for a new day in a new way in this new year. Amen.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five.
Opening Songs: This is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickam
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphans a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You've done for me
All that You've done for me
Blessed Assurance #543
Vs 1, 2 and 3
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting looking above
Filled with His goodness lost in His love
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
Praising my Savior all the day long
Litany of Faith – Dan Robinson
One: We begin a new year surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. For God has shown beautiful paintings to us the moment we step outside.
All: From blue sky to green grass, from brown trees to yellow flowers, from red ladybugs to orange giraffes, God’s paintbrush sweeps the entire earth!
One: Lord, may we be repainted this year to magnify your magnificent creation.
All: Lord, shape us, mold us, use us, renew us. Create in us a fresh canvas, O God, that we might paint something new for you. Amen.
Scripture Meditation Mark 1:7-8, Acts 4:31 – Kennedy Clark
“John the Baptist proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 1:7-8
“When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” – Acts 4:31
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
I love the feeling of a new year. It’s a chance for a fresh start to do what we hoped we did last year.
What is it that you hope to happen this year?
What do you feel God calling you to do?
How do you become who God has created you to be, to tap into your God-given purpose?
Reflect on this as we prepare for the sermon and as we pray together.
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, let us stop praying... Let us stop talking to you with our many requests and asking for our will to be done.
Let us start listening…
Let us pause to hear your voice and ask you where we should go next…
Let us start doing…
Let us use our hands and feet to help your people…
Let us be who we say we are…
Let us show the world your grace and mercy…
May your Holy Spirit fill us up and give us God-cultivated confidence to be who you call us to be in this new year.
Lord, may your will be done 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 – Here I am, Lord #452
I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I have made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
'Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I will hold Your people in my heart
Children’s Moment – Susie Hiles
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 – Gratitude by Brandon Lake
Doxology - Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer – Dan Robinson
Sermon: God Made You To Be OWESOME! – Rev. Russell Clark
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Dan Robinson
Communion Song – Be Still My Soul #566 vs 1
Be still my soul for God is on your side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Trust in your God your Savior and your guide
Who through all changes faithful will remain
Be still my soul your best, your heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a peaceful end
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 – Dan Robinson
INVITATION
If you would like to dedicate your life to Christ or become a member of Azle Christian Church, you may come forward after the benediction or speak with me after worship.
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 Wednesday after our dinner and bible studies the Disciples Men’s Ministry will be meeting. We would love to see new guys join us!
If you are an elder, deacon, or part of the leadership team, we will have an installation service for you in 2 weeks during worship.
In 3 weeks, we will have a lunch after worship to celebrate all of our new members and baptisms from 2023. Everyone is invited & encouraged to attend to welcome our new members to our church family!
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:
Please rise in body and spirit to receive the benediction:
Next week we will be starting a new sermon series called Love Wins about heaven and hell and the questions probably many of you have thought but have been afraid to ask, we will explore together.
Until next week,
May the Holy Spirit fill you up with God-cultivated confidence and boldness. May you see who you are in Christ Jesus. May you live knowing God made you to be OWESOME! Amen.
** BENEDICTION RESPONSE – I Am The Light of the World! #469
I am the Light of the World
You people come and follow me.
If you follow and love, You'll learn the mystery
Of what you were meant to do and be.
1. When the song of the angels is stilled.
When the star in the sky is gone.
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home.
The work of Christmas is begun!
2. To find the lost and lonely one,
To heal that broken soul with love,
To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
To feel the earth below the sky above!
3. To free the prisoner from his chains,
To make the powerful care,
To rebuild the nations with strength and goodwill,
To call a man your brother everywhere.
4. To bring hope to every task you do,
To dance at a baby's new birth,
To make music in an old man's heart,
And sing to the colors of the earth!