If you’ve been reading Preparing for Sunday for any amount of time, you’ll notice that it’s a little simpler now than it used to be! After moving our Sunday Worship online for families and smaller groups of people to walk through together, what used to be available on Thursdays in Preparing for Sunday has been enhanced and has now become the bulk of what people access to use on Sundays.
The new, temporary focus of Preparing for Sunday is preparing people who are preparing to lead their family or small group of people in their localized, home services. You may not think that’s you at first, but the “Church Scattered” requires many more people to take up the responsibility to lead their families or groups in worship. You may choose to prayerfully consider that role.
In summary, Preparing for Sunday has been simplified to a list of our three-ish songs (now including chords and lyrics downloads) and the main passage we’ll study. For those who would like to prepare in advance for reading Scripture to your group or leading them in this week’s music, here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
Read through our text, Matthew 5:1–12.
See passage
(Click to Read)
(Click to Read)
Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Practice singing or playing through our songs:
Download Chords (PDF)Download Lyrics (PDF)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Build My Life (Barrett, Kable, Martin, Redman, Younker)
Your Name Is Good (Psalm 54) (Joel Limpic, Scott Mills)
CONFESSION OF SIN
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Come Ye Sinners (Joseph Hart arr. Robbie Seay)
PASSING THE PEACE, SCRIPTURE READING, SERMON VIDEO, PRAYER, & COMMUNION
Doxology (A Cappella) (Louis Bourgeois, Thomas Ken)
BENEDICTION
If you’ve been reading Preparing for Sunday for any amount of time, this new version of our weekly post may look a lot different to you. Suspending our weekly gatherings has caused numerous shifts in how we do ministry at Park Church, and amongst the biggest changes has been moving our services online for families and smaller groups of people to walk through together. For this reason, what used to be available on Thursdays in Preparing for Sunday has now become the bulk of what people will access to use on Sundays for worship together (though we’ve improved that as a resource).
The new, temporary focus of Preparing for Sunday is this: preparing people who are preparing to lead their family or small group of people in their localized, home services. If you’re thinking, “That’s not me!”, don’t click unsubscribe just yet! The Church Scattered requires many more people to take up the responsibility to lead their families and/or groups. You may consider dedicating a little time to pray about that if you haven’t already.
Preparing for Sunday has been simplified to a list of three-ish songs and the main passage we’ll study. It’s really simple, but by moving the rest of the service content to Sunday’s larger post that includes the sermon video, we also hope to emphasize the corporate nature of the service and have groups and families enjoy those things together. So, for those who would like to prepare in advance for reading Scripture to your group or leading them in this week’s music, here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
Read through our text, Isaiah 9:1–7.
See passage
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time He brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
You have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of His burden,
and the staff for His shoulder,
the rod of His oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Practice singing or playing through our songs:
Download Chords (PDF)Download Lyrics (PDF)
CALL TO WORSHIP
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Matt Boswell, Charles Wesley) / Psalm 32:7 (Mark Wilkins)
Cornerstone (Bradbury, Liljero, Morgan, Mote, Myrin)
CONFESSION OF SIN
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Living Hope (Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham)
PASSING THE PEACE, SCRIPTURE READING, SERMON VIDEO, PRAYER, & COMMUNION
Doxology (A Cappella) (Louis Bourgeois, Thomas Ken)
BENEDICTION
Instead of our previously-planned service with Isaiah 9:1–7 and Matthew 4, we’ll be in Psalm 46 this week. Here’s the content of our service:
1. Read our text, Psalm 46.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
In addition to or instead of Spotify, you can also click the title of each song below to see a video (with lyrics if available).
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 145:8–13, Greeting:
To those who feel the goodness and mercy of God today,
and to those who don’t;
to those who love His Kingship and Kingdom,
and to those who struggle to believe in Him or surrender to Him,
may we all hear and respond to the voice of Jesus the King, calling us today:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Rejoice The Lord Is King (Joel Limpic, Charles Wesley)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Davenport Babcock arr. Gungor)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:
Merciful God,
in Your gracious presence
we confess our sin and the sin of this world.
Although Christ is among us as our peace,
we are a people divided against ourselves
as we cling to the values of a broken world.
The profit and pleasures we pursue
lay waste the land and pollute the seas.
The fears and jealousies that we harbor
set neighbor against neighbor
and nation against nation.
We abuse Your good gifts of imagination and freedom,
of intellect and reason,
and turn them into bonds of oppression.
Lord, have mercy upon us;
heal and forgive us.
Set us free to serve You in the world
as agents of Your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 53:4–5
Way Maker (Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu)GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION
All Hail King Jesus (Gretzinger, Jackson, Mattis, Riddle) King Of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)BENEDICTION
This is the seventh week of our series in Matthew. In the scope of the whole book (and our greater, three-part series), this week marks the end of the introduction to the story (Matthew 1:1–4:11) and the beginning of the first grand section (Matthew 4:12–7:29), which we’ve titled “The Upside Down Kingdom”. This week we see Jesus begin to invite people into His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.
As a reminder, the Gospel According to Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Jesus, presenting Jesus not as a mere historical figure, but as “good news” for the world that should reshape every part of life. As we continue to engage with this book this Sunday, here’s how you can prepare your heart in advance:
1. Read our text, Matthew 4:12–25.
This story marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and introduces us to the core message of Jesus: “Turn to me, The Kingdom of Heaven is here.” Jesus is announcing to the world that He is God’s chosen King, and He has come to establish God’s reign on Earth as it is in Heaven. The message is profound, and it demands a response. Either people will believe that He is the King and turn to Him, or they will reject Him as King and continue going their own way. In the story, we see the powerful transformation that is experienced by those who believe His message and follow Him. The arrival of Jesus and His Kingdom is good news for the world, and His invitation continues to extend today through His people to all nations and all generations, “Follow me.”
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Joel 2:12–13, Greeting:
To those who feel half-hearted
and to those whose hearts are full;
To those who sin and need a Savior
And to those who wonder if God is really good.
May we together hear the gracious and merciful voice of Jesus
calling out to us today:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Yet Even Now (Joel Limpic)
You Keep On Getting Better (Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Majesty Rose)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Book of Common Prayer:
Most merciful God
whose Son, Jesus Christ, was tempted in every way, yet was without sin,
we confess before You our own sinfulness;
we have hungered after that which does not satisfy;
we have compromised with evil;
we have doubted Your power to protect us.
Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness.
Restore in us such trust and love that we may walk in Your ways
and delight in doing Your will. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 55:1–3
O Come To The Altar (Brock, Brown, Furtick, Joye)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE & COMMUNION
Jesus, Strong And Kind (Buchanan, Farren, Robinson, Thompson)
Revive Us Again (Hall, Husband, Mackay, Ragland) / Sometimes By Step (Rich Mullens, David (Beaker) Strasser)