House Church Liturgy | April 14th
Liturgy | lit·ur·gy
the work of the people.
a pattern of worship practices designed to form our lives in a particular direction.
Retelling the story of Jesus through the breaking of bread, fellowship, prayers, and the scriptures, slowly seeps into our imagination, transforming who we are.
The Sunday liturgy is not particularly spectacular or necessarily a "quick fix" to the weekly struggles of life; instead, it is a slow-working cadence, done in community, allowing the Spirit to renew our minds and giving us the character of Christ.
Sometimes the liturgy may feel foreign, sometimes awkward, and other times rich and significant. Regardless, we can trust that the Spirit is at work in us through the ordinary of the gathered church.
Use + to expand section.
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Assign someone from the House Church Community to lead communion. You can share something impacting you about the Lords Supper, or share a scripture/word for the moment, or simply read
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Communion is primarily a feast of shared food within the community of Jesus followers. Continue communion as you eat and share life together.
Invite a kid or student in your House Church to pray for the meal.
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CONFESSION OF THE MYSTERY
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Confession of the Mystery is a simple prayer that captures the essence of Christian belief. Christianity is not a mere collection of doctrines, propositions or dogmas, but rather a mystery. As the Bible states, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14), revealing God's presence among humanity in the person of Jesus of Nazareth - the Incarnation. Christianity rests on the bold claim that God chose to become human and reveal himself to us in this way.
However, the story of Jesus also includes his brutal murder by those he came to save. But through his death, new life was made possible for all (Romans 6:5-11). His resurrection confirms that the people of God will also be resurrected (Colossians 2:12-15), and he will return to bring about a new heaven and new earth. The mystery of Christianity is that through the death of one, many can have new life (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
Let us affirm our faith in this mystery.
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Public Reading of the Psalms from the lectionary for this week:
Sing Together
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Scriptures from the Lectionary this week:
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Give some space for prayer, encouragement, and edification.
Teaching from this week’s Scripture reading.
Take time to pray for one another.
Encourage one another.
Bring something to edify the Church.
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Receive the Lord's blessing as you are released into your ministry this week
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Kids Scripture Work Page:
Feel free to use this page before/during House Church to support Kids to stay involved and understand the Scriptures as you read them together.
*Thanks Moffett House Church for making these!
Big Kid Page
River & Way Announcements:
Elder Nominations: Just as Paul instructed Timothy and Titus to appoint Elders in the early churches, we seek to follow this pattern of appointing Godly leadership to serve the River & Way community for this next chapter of her life. Nominating an Elder is an opportunity for each member of our community to participate in the oversight and care of River & Way. Nominations will take place throughout April in House Churches. If you’d like more information, you can get it here.
May “All Gathering”: We’re looking forward to the upcoming All Gathering on May 5th at 4:30 PM at Westside Church (7300 Stockdale Highway). Taco dinner afterward - appropriate meal for the day, I’d say ;)
SAVE THE DATE! We're doing a special All Gathering on Sunday, May 19th, location and time TBA. Pentecost is the Christian holiday where we remember and commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus (Acts 2:1-31). More info to come shortly
