*GATHERING SONG
Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like you
None like you
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's No one like you
None like you
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
No one like you
None like you
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I am **officially** the senior pastor here at Azle Christian Church. May everyone here in this room and those joining us online know they are invited to tell a new story with us!
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five.
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) First, if you are new to our church, we want you to see what we are doing and to be a part of our story! There is information in the bulletin about getting connected to our weekly eBlast newsletter or Realm, which is like our church social media. You may also fill out an information card so we can get to know you more and care for you.
(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.
Comforting God – May you meet us here in our mess this morning and teach us how to be there for those who need your healing and your grace. Amen.
OPENING SONG -
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)
You are perfect in all of Your ways (it's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am)
Litany of Faith** – Anne Cummings
One: Lord, we are sometimes overtaken by our fears, worries, and insecurities. We witness suffering, confusion, and hardship all around us.
All: We turn to you, O Lord, in this season of distress.
One: Be merciful, O Lord, to those who suffer, worry, and grieve. Let your holy compassion be active throughout the world even now.
All: Lord, tend to the afflicted, comfort the brokenhearted, and bring hope to the hopeless. Amen.
Scripture Meditation
Our scripture meditation for today is Romans 8:18:
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why does suffering exist?
How is God all-powerful, all-knowing, always present, and loves us unconditionally if suffering exists?
These questions have been asked for centuries by theologians and biblical scholars and really anyone who is human. We’ll be looking at these questions and a word I made up, Affirmessy. I’ll tell you what that means when we get to the sermon.
Let us reflect on this scripture passage as we prepare for the sermon and our time of prayer:
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, we ask you to continue to be with the people of Israel and the war that is going on. For the innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfires of this war, we pray. For the hostages and the horrible atrocities that are being done to families, may this evil be eradicated.
Lord, for the destruction and turmoil and suffering in our lives, we lay them down at your feet. Bring your mercy upon us, O Lord.
For the worries and anxieties that plague our hearts, may you take them from us and bring us your healing and peace.
Lord, for the ways we have fallen short and screw up every day, may you meet us in our mess and transform our lives and our character to be more like you.
Teach us how to follow you. Sit with us in the mud and comfort us during our time of sorrow, struggle, and need. May your serenity surround us when we see no way out of our mess.
May we affirm the messy lives all around us and seek a new way to meet one another in our mess.
Thank you, Lord, for hearing the cries of your people. You are our friend who listens to us when we need it the most. You are the only one who can transform our lives and make everything glorious.
Lord, hear us as we pray the prayer your son 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
Faith of Our Fathers
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word.
[Chorus]
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death!
2. Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee,
And thru the truth that comes from God,
Mankind shall then be truly free.
3. Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how,
By kindly words and virtuous life.
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
*ANTHEM - “Blessed be Your Name” by Matt Redman
SERIES: The Affirmessy Process: Learning to Sit with Each Other in Our Mess
SERMON: Stuck in the Mud
COMMUNION MEDITATION & PRAYER
*COMMUNION SONG
Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley
1 Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
He had to walk it by himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for him;
He had to walk it by himself.
2 We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
3 You must go and stand your trial;
You have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
You have to stand it by yourself.
COMMUNION WORDS OF INSTITUTION
**Stewardship Moment – Sheila Foster
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 final song. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
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 about our weekly activities, such as Sunday School, our Ukulele Group, our Wednesday dinner and bible study, and our prayer group, on the back of your bulletin or on our website. Our calendar is found in the insert of your bulletin so you can transfer that to your personal calendars – or you can also add our calendar to your google calendar through our website.
Tonight at 5pm we will meet at Rick Seed’s house for Bible & Beer. We’ll have bible study and light snacks and adult beverages.
Immediately following the service the Disciples Women’s Ministry is meeting for any and all women who would like to join.
Our leadership team meeting is this Wednesday after dinner & bible study.
This Saturday is our 24th annual Drive for Compassion Golf Tournament at Cross Timbers Golf Course. See Nancy Robbins if you haven’t signed up to volunteer yet, see James Cudd to make a $25 donation towards door prizes, see Scottie if you can help with breakfast donations, and see Rick Seeds with any other questions.
This Thursday, we will be stuffing the goody bags for the golf tournament from 6:30-8:30pm.
Breakfast will be from 6:30-8am on Saturday with the golf tournament starting at 8am, and lunch will be provided by Spring Creek Barbeque after the tournament is over. Anything else we need to say?
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 for the benediction, the final song, and the doxology. Receive this blessing:
We’ll be talking more about The Affirmessy Process the next two weeks and can’t wait to share more with you but until next week…
Do not let the messiness of life destroy you this week. Rather affirm the messiness of life knowing that it’s not the end of our story.
If you’re stuck in the mud, know that you’re not alone. God meets us in our mess and I promise you that anyone at this church would be happy to sit in the mud with you.
We’ll get through this together. Amen.
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
We welcome Richard & Meredith Salsman as new members of Azle Christian Church.
Richard & Meredith have been attending our church for a while and we feel like they are already a part of our church family. We’re happy to make it “official” today! I’m excited about their passion for God and loving people and we hope to help you grow in your faith as you help us grow.
In your hymnals page 341 is our congregation response or it is printed on our screen.
Reaffirming our own faith in Jesus the Christ,
We gladly welcome you into this community of faith,
Enfolding you with our love
And committing ourselves to your care.
In the power of God’s Spirit
Let us mutually encourage each other to trust God
and strengthen one another to serve others,
that Christ’s church may in all things stand faithful.
Welcome Richard and Meredith to our church family!
Weave
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.