Sunday Celebration  05/07/2023

WELCOME & INVOCATION

Our Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God the creator of us all, whose desire for
diversity is seen in the rainbow of humanity. With unrelenting
passion God Seeks to be in relationship with all of us.
We believe in Jesus the Christ, who is the embodiment of
God’s redeeming grace; And in the Holy Spirit through whom
that grace continues its restoring work.
We believe in the Church. It is the body of Christ on the earth
today. As ministers of this church, we are all called like Jesus,
to heal, to deliver, to teach, and to serve.
We believe that together we can change the world,
in our time and for all time Amen!

Affirmation Chorus: In This Place
In this place, There’s joy that I can’t explain
In this place, There’s healing for all my pain
There is love unlike I’ve ever known
Everybody here makes me feel at home
As we gather here, I know I’m not alone
I feel God’s presence, Moving in this place..

SING AND CELEBRATE:

1. YOUR LOVE IS BEAUTIFUL
   You surrounded me with your songs of praise
   You have brought me to this place
   Where your love and grace, move within my life
   Now Your message is my light
   Chorus: Your love is beautiful, Your love is beautiful
   It’s the reason why I sing
   All around the world, let the praise begin
   All around the world, let the praise begin (BREAK)
   I am planted here by the waters and I am living for the King
   I have found my place in the house of God, This is where I’m meant to be
   Chorus 2:
   Your love is beautiful, Your love is beautiful
   It’s the reason why I sing
   All around the world, let the praise begin
   All around the world, let the praise begin
   All around the world, let the praise begin
   All around the world, let the praise begin
   (Long break then repeat Chorus 2)
   2.  I WON’T GO BACK
   I’ve been changed, healed, freed, delivered,
   I’ve found joy, peace, grace and favor
   I’ve been changed, healed, freed, delivered,
   I’ve found joy, peace, grace and favor
   BRIDGE Right now is the moment, today is the day,
   I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed
   I have waited for this moment to come,
   And I won’t let it pass me by
   CHORUS I won’t go back, can’t go back to the way it used to be
   Before your presence came and changed me
   I won’t go back, can’t go back to the way it used to be
   Before your presence came and changed me
   All my shame, guilt, sins, forgiven,
   No more chains, fear, my past is over
   REPEAT BRIDGE THEN CHORUS (4X)
   I won’t go back, can’t go back to the way it used to be
   Before your presence came and changed me
   I won’t go back, can’t go back to the way it used to be
   Before your presence came and changed me

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

Jesus said to them….

 “Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

Luke 6:46-47

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

JOHN 14:6

And [Saul who became Paul] asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem,” Acts 9:2

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 Love never fails.

SPECIAL MUSIC
PRAISE AND PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC
TODAY’S SERMON: “EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD”
FINAL SONG