Welcome & Opening Prayer – Rev. Russell Clark
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I have been the senior pastor at Azle Christian Church for one year now! Today marks the one year anniversary for me as your senior pastor and for Jessie Button as our worship minister! This first year has flown by so quickly and we are SO thankful to be in ministry with you all! We look forward to continuing to serve Azle Christian Church and seeing what God has in store for us for year 2!
If you are new to our church, there is information in your bulletin about filling out the attendance registration and getting connected with us, about how we love our kids here and we have space in the back for them to move around or our nursery if needed, and how to find our liturgy on our website.
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May we open up our time of worship with a prayer:
Lord, we come to you to celebrate our graduates and how far you have brought the! We celebrate Jessie and I being in ministry here for one year! We look forward to where you will lead our graduates and this church on our journey to love and serve you and become who you have called us to be! Guide our steps as we look to you for our future! Amen.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet one another with a hug or a high five.
Opening Songs:
Sometimes you've gotta dance through the darkness
Sing through the fire
Praise when it don't make sense
Sometimes you've gotta stare down the giant
Worship from the lion's den
Sometimes you've gotta shout it from the mountain
Louder in the valley
Trusting that He's gonna get you there
Sometimes you've gotta welcome the wonder
Wait for the answer
Worship with your hands in the air
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Sometimes you've gotta praise in the prison
Cry out to heaven
Shout it 'til the doors swing wide
Sometimes you've gotta stand on your shackles
Brave in the battle
Worship with your hands held high
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the–
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Faithful all my life
Blessings day and night
Countless reasons why
I'll praise You anywhere
Every promise kept
Goodness every step
Each and every breath
I'll praise You anywhere
Faithful all my life
Blessings day and night
Countless reasons why
I'll praise You anywhere
Every promise kept
Goodness every step
Each and every breath
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Oh, I'll praise You anywhere
Oh, mountain, oh, valley
I know that You're with me there
I'll praise You anywhere
Our Father everlasting
The all-creating One
God Almighty
Through your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Saviour
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
Our Judge and our Defender
Suffered and crucified
Forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious light
Forever seated high
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
(I believe)
And I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
(We believe in Lord Jesus)
I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the saints' communion
And in Your Holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
When Jesus comes again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
Praise you, Lord
Worship you, Jesus
Litany of Faith – Susie Hiles
One: Lord, will you bless our graduates as they continue on their journey. Help them to seek who you have called them to be.
All: Will you guide their steps, Lord, and lead them to life everlasting.
One: Will you also be with us as we help all of your children to find their unique calling in this life.
All: May we raise all of our children to know of God’s grace and love. May they know how deeply they are loved by this church and how they will always have our support as they take this next step in their lives. Amen.
Scripture Meditation – Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
It’s appropriate on this Graduation Sunday that we are continuing our Mosaic Faith series talking about deconstructing evangelism and mission. Today is all about our purpose & calling on our journey. In some ways, our purpose and calling is the same. In other ways, we each have a unique calling specifically for us.
This scripture verse means a lot to parents and grandparents and guardians. We hope that we are guiding the children in our lives in the right way so they will grow up to be wonderful men and women. But it’s important to note that it says, “Start children off on the way THEY should go; not on the way WE want them to go.”
Our children might not go the way WE want them to go, but our prayer is not MY will be done, but THY will be done. Our hope should be for God to guide them where God is leading them.
May we ask for God to guide our children, our grandchildren, our loved ones, and ourselves on the way God call us to go, even if this is different than what our family might want from us. It’s important to follow our heart and seek after who God calls you to be – “not your brother, not your sister, but it’s me, O Lord. Standing in the need of prayer.”
There’s no one like you. Who is God calling YOU to be at this phase of your journey?
We’ll be talking about this more when we get to the sermon. Let us think about this as we enter our time of prayer…
Graduate Recognition
We ask for our graduates to come forward to be recognized at this time.
We applaud you for your accomplishment and we ask God to guide you on the next phase of your journey. If you would like to share your name, what school you graduated from, and what your plans are next for school or career?
Daryn Ford
Tye Hernandez
Brady Newquist
Cameron Weger
May we pray for you:
Lord, we give thanks for these graduates & their accomplishments. We know that they have not been alone in their journey, but their family and friends have supported them along the way and will continue to do so in their future. May they know they can rely on you, Lord, to direct their next steps and lead them on a path full of joy, purpose, and a whole, complete life. May they come to know your love and grace for them more and how you will always be with them on their journey, just as this church and their families and friends will always be here for support and cheering them on in the future. This life will be full of triumphs and failures, tough moments that teach us what not to do again, and beautiful moments that we will always want to hold onto. For every moment to come, may you continue to mold these young men, Lord, in good times and bad to bring the best out of them. In your name we pray and play, Amen.
Congratulations on behalf of Azle Christian Church and your families and we look forward to seeing what you do next!
Time of Prayer & Reflection –
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us pray.
God of peace –
We lift up those in our church, our families, & our community who have suffered losses from tragic car accidents, from the tornadoes and bad storms, and for those dealing with difficult health issues. May you comfort us in our grief and give us the strength to care for ourselves and reach out to those who need to know they’re not alone.
May our relationships grow deeper as we get to know one another, may our lives have greater purpose to share the love you have shown to us, and may we continue to deconstruct the thoughts and ways that separate us from you so we can be reconstructed to see more of who you are and who we are.
Take this church on a new journey for a new day, continually guiding our leaders, staff, members, and guests to be in ministry to the world. May we care for one another and our community, may we lift up the children & youth who need our guidance, and may we love & serve more than we thought was possible.
May we be a church who empowers the marginalized, gives hope to the broken, and rebuilds a stronger, mosaic faith where everyone is able to see the beauty of a life being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
For our beloved Karen Jett, who we lost this week, we pray for David and his family and all who loved Karen. Karen was our biggest cheerleader screaming, “Amen!” and “OWESOME” from where she sat. She was an example to all of us of having a passion for life, compassion for one another, and being a bright spirit everywhere you go. She was a disciple who definitely saw this beauty all around her. She will be deeply missed.
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 –
Sister, let me be your servant.
brother, let me walk with you;
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
fellow trav'lers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey thro'.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of great love and agony.
Brother, let me be your servant.
Sister, let me walk with you;
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
Children’s Moment – Susie Hiles
Sharing Our Resources
At this time may we give all of ourselves to God –
We give our time to love one another and show mercy to those who need it.
We give our talents by creating something new to make the world a little brighter.
We give financially to help the ministries of our church serving our community.
We give by laying down our bodies to serve the body of Christ – to love and serve one another in the way God has called each of us to live. Amen.
Anthem –
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 – Susie Hiles
Sermon Series: Mosaic Faith: Deconstructing What We Think About God to See Something More Beautiful
Sermon: Deconstructing Evangelism & Mission
Holy Communion Meditation & Prayer – Susie Hiles
Communion Song –
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
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
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 – Susie Hiles
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 –
Please check your bulletin for our weekly activities and calendar of upcoming events this summer and transfer these dates to your personal calendars.
Please note that we will have a Youth Lake Day on June 30 from 3-5pm at the Williams’ home for all youth and their family and friends. Parents are encouraged to attend as we will need adult supervision. This should be a really fun afternoon for youth and their families and friends! You may talk to Joey for more information about the lake day on June 30.
I will be out of town the next two weeks but Beverly, Joey, and our elders will be around if you need anything.
We will have a short reception after worship to celebrate our graduates.
Will you please rise in body and spirit to receive the benediction?
Next week our youth minister, Joey, will be sharing his own story of deconstruction to conclude our Mosaic Faith series as he talks about deconstructing towards faith. I am excited for everyone to hear more of Joey’s journey.
Until then,
May we love in a way that strives to know a person more fully. And to know that everyone we meet is already a child of God – and you are too! May we tap into who we already are in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*Benediction Response –
Sometimes you've gotta dance through the darkness
Sing through the fire
Praise when it don't make sense
Sometimes you've gotta stare down the giant
Worship from the lion's den
Sometimes you've gotta shout it from the mountain
Louder in the valley
Trusting that He's gonna get you there
Sometimes you've gotta welcome the wonder
Wait for the answer
Worship with your hands in the air
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Sometimes you've gotta praise in the prison
Cry out to heaven
Shout it 'til the doors swing wide
Sometimes you've gotta stand on your shackles
Brave in the battle
Worship with your hands held high
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the–
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In the highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Faithful all my life
Blessings day and night
Countless reasons why
I'll praise You anywhere
Every promise kept
Goodness every step
Each and every breath
I'll praise You anywhere
Faithful all my life
Blessings day and night
Countless reasons why
I'll praise You anywhere
Every promise kept
Goodness every step
Each and every breath
I'll praise You anywhere
Praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest grace, give Him praise, give Him praise
In my highest, He is worthy
Yes, He is worthy of all of the praise
Oh, I'll praise You anywhere
Oh, mountain, oh, valley
I know that You're with me there
I'll praise You anywhere