April 8, 2018
We’re in week 13 of Genesis at Park Church, discussing God’s foundational worldview for His people and their purpose in His world.
Additionally, we’re now in the season of Eastertide, the 50 days after Easter where the resurrection of Christ is commemorated by extended celebration. We’ve updated The Christian Year with some new resources for reflecting and rejoicing during the season, you can find those here!
Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday at Park:
1. Read through our text, Genesis 22.
Abraham, a man who has failed on several occasions to fully trust the Lord, now faithfully obeys Him even within an inch of offering his long-awaited son Isaac as a sacrifice. Just before this moment, Isaac asks his father where the lamb is for the offering. His confusion is understandable. Abraham’s response is Biblically transcendent—”God will provide for Himself the lamb.” Although God steps in at the last minute to keep Abraham from actually sacrificing Isaac, the day is foreshadowed where God would not step in for His beloved Son, accepting Jesus’ offering as the perfect and final sacrifice.
2. Read, pray and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: John 1:29, Welcome (From Immanuel Nashville):
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors
with a welcome from Jesus Christ,
the Ally of His enemies, the Defender of the guilty,
the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners.
Welcome!
Before The Throne (Charitie Lees Bancroft, arr. The Modern Post)
O Fount Of Love (Matt Boswell, Matt Papa)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer:
Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Good Good Father (Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett)
It Is Finished—Part 2 (Hark, the Voice of Love and Mercy) (Jonathan Evans, William Owen)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: John 3:16–17
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
It Is Well (Horatio G. Spafford, Philip P. Bliss)
Jesus Paid It All (Elvina Hall, Kristen Stanfill)