October 7, 2018
This is the fifth week of our Ephesians series at Park Church. As our society continues its trend toward self-centered and superficial worldviews, many have adopted a watered-down view of God that that leads us away from the glory we were made to enjoy. Ephesians shatters this diluted view of God by putting the weight of His glory in our faces in a way that is overwhelming and life-transforming.
Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Ephesians 2:11–22.
God has not only forgiven us and made us alive by grace, He has also brought us into His new, multi-ethnic family by this same grace. Jesus has not merely overcome the hostility that existed between God and humanity, He has also broken down the wall of hostility that has long divided diverse people groups. Jesus has opened the way to God’s grace to all people. And now, the promises that were made to the Jewish people have been extended to people from every ethnicity—to all who are united to Jesus through faith. Because of God’s grace, we have nothing to prove and no need to exalt ourselves over one another. We can have peace and communion with our Father and with one another as God’s united, multi-ethnic family that He is building by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: 1 Peter 1:3–4, 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!
All Creatures Of Our God And King (William Henry Draper, St. Francis of Assisi)
Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:
O God, our great shepherd,
you tenderly gather us as lambs,
carrying us with your all-embracing love.
Yet, like sheep, we wander from you:
following our own ways, ignoring your voice,
distrusting your provisions.
Forgive our stubborn rebellion, our hardened hearts, our lack of trust.
Refresh us once again by your quiet waters of mercy
and restore our souls by your redeeming love.
Guide our paths, that we might follow you more closely…
Through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, we pray. Amen.
Come Ye Sinners (Joseph Hart, arr. Robbie Seay)
Living Hope (Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Ephesians 2:19–22
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
By Grace (James Lepine)
O Holy Night (Adolphe Charles Adam, Placide Cappeau, John Sullivan Dwight)