July 30, 2017

This week we’ll be in Psalm 74 for Christ in the Psalms, our annual summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for the service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 74.

God’s people felt abandoned. They were captives in a foreign land. The places where they worshiped God had been totally destroyed. There was no prophet to deliver a word from the Lord. As far as they could tell, God was not going to act to make any of this right. This week we’ll discuss how Psalm 74 points to God’s steadfast love for us, proven in His Son, Jesus Christ. Even when we feel abandoned, even when God feels distant, due to our own wandering or not, His love for us is never-ending.

As you read the passage, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 147:1–11

Beautiful (Phil Wickham)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Davenport Babcock arr. by Gungor)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook

Almighty and merciful God,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much
the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare those who confess their faults.
Restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared to the world
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
And grant, O merciful God, for his sake,
that we may live a holy, just, and humble life
to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

Oh God (Zach Bolen)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: From Romans 8:35–39

No Longer Slaves (Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser)

GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer

Twenty-Three (Aaron Strumpel)
One Thing Remains (Christa Black, Brian Johnson, and Jeremy Riddle)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

July 23, 2017

We continue our annual Christ in the Psalms summer series this week with Psalm 73. Here’s how you can prepare for the service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 73.

Before we get to Asaph’s well-quoted verse 26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” we read his complaint before God about the “prosperity of the wicked.” There are many worthwhile observations here, but among the most prominent is the cause of Asaph’s sudden turn in v. 16–17: upon approaching the Lord in His sanctuary, an issue that seemed complicated and wearisome became quite clear. On its own, that realization helps us, but in context of the rest of the psalm it also reminds us that nearness to God is actual prosperity, and all else is “like a dream when one awakens.”

As you read the passage, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 34:1–3; 8–10

Rising Sun (Leonard, Lee, Jordan, Mabury)
(73) The Nearness of You (Asher Seevinck, Dave Wilton)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook

God of everlasting love,
we confess that we have been unfaithful
to our covenant with You and with one another.
We have worshiped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience.
We have served our own self-interest
instead of serving only You and Your people.
We have not loved our neighbor as You have commanded,
nor have we rightly loved ourselves.
Forgive us, gracious God,
and bring us back into the fullness
of our covenant with You and one another.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

All I Have Is Christ (Jordan Kauflin)

Be Thou My Vision (Mary Elizabeth Byrne, Eleanor Henrietta Hull arr. by Ascend The Hill)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: From Ephesians 2:4–8

GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer

House Of God Forever (Jon Foreman)
Jesus Is Better (Aaron Ivey, Brett Land)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

July 16, 2017

This week we’ll study Psalm 72 at Park Church, continuing our annual Christ in the Psalms summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for the service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 72.

Psalm 72 was written by either Solomon or David as a blessing over their lineage and its dynasty. However, as with many Psalms, reading it just in this immediate context gives an incomplete picture. On this side of history, we know that the righteous reign of Davidic kings in Israel was relatively short-lived as a result of sin. We also know that, in Jesus, every line in Psalm 72 and every promise of God to David’s descendants is gloriously fulfilled. This is the big picture of Psalm 72.

As you read the passage, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: From Psalm 98

All Creatures Of Our God And King (William Henry Draper, St. Francis of Assisi)
Rejoice The Lord Is King (Charles Wesley, Joel Limpic)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook

Righteous God,
You have crowned Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
We confess that we have not bowed before Him
and are slow to acknowledge His rule.
We give allegiance to the powers of this world
and fail to be governed by justice and love.
In Your mercy, forgive us.
Raise us to acclaim Him as ruler of all,
that we may be loyal ambassadors,
obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your Name Is Good (Psalm 54) (Joel Limpic, Scott Mills)

Good Good Father (Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: From Psalm 103

GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer

In Tenderness (Gordon, Garvey, Walton arr. Brian Eichelberger)
King Of My Heart (John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

July 9, 2017

This week we’ll study Psalm 71 at Park Church, continuing our annual Christ in the Psalms summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for the service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 71.

We observe in this Psalm that the relationship between the Psalmist’s supplication to and admiration of God is nearly direct, that is, as often as he makes a request of God, he worships Him in the next breath. He can write, “O God, be not far from me; Oh my God, make haste to help me!” before immediately turning to “tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation.” Why? He knows well of the righteous acts of God, and that “their number is past [his] knowledge.” He says to God, “from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds.” In remembering the countless, perfect works of God, we can seek His help from a worshipful place of informed trust.

As you read the passage, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 46:1–7

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther, Matt Boswell)
Ever Be (Strand, Greely, Wilson, Heiligenthal)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From Every Seasons Prayers by Scotty Smith.

Dear heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy of our mind’s attention,
our heart’s affection, and our soul’s adoration.
There is no God as merciful and mighty as You;
no God more holy and welcoming, powerful and present,
compassionate and caring as You.
Because the gospel is true,
we fear You with deep affection and love You with expectant hope.

Hear our confession.
We grieve the ways we loved poorly this past week.
We were often too busy to listen,
too hasty in our judgments,
and too preoccupied to care.
We grieve the ways we blamed others for our discontent,
the ways we didn’t humble ourselves before You,
the ways we didn’t avail ourselves of Your grace.

Father, forgive us of our sins.
Our hope is built on nothing more, nothing less,
and nothing other than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Lord I Need You (Carson, Maher, Nockels, Reeves, Stanfill)

Man Of Sorrows (Matt Crocker, Brooke Ligertwood)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 53:3–5

GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer

Christ The Sure And Steady Anchor (Matt Boswell, Matt Papa)
Cornerstone (Bradbury, Liljero, Morgan, Mote, Myrin)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

July 2, 2017

We’re in Psalm 70 this week at Park Church, continuing Christ in the Psalms, our annual summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 70.

When we’re in danger, the only true way to escape those who seek our lives is turning to God and finding our joy and gladness fully and finally in Him and His salvation. The desperate cry of our heart and all our prayers must be, “Come quickly, do not delay, and satisfy us with Your steadfast love.”

As you read, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 18:1–6

All The Poor And Powerless (David Leonard, Leslie Jordan)
Great Is The Lord (Joseph Pat Barrett, Daniel Bashta, Ben Smith)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From Every Seasons Prayers by Scotty Smith.

Dear heavenly Father,
our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide,
and too deep to undo.

We praise You for Your welcoming heart,
daily mercies, and gospel riches.
Forgive what our lips struggle to name,
what our hearts can no longer hide,
and what our hands cannot change.

Set us free from the lingering shame from our past;
meet us in the present reality of our need;
and grant us hope in the future You have secured.
We trust in the finished work of Your Son
and the ongoing work of Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name we make our prayer. Amen.

Your Name Is Good (Psalm 54) (Joel Limpic, Scott Mills)

Seas Of Crimson (Johnson, Bashta, Taylor, Strand)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Romans 6:5–10

GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer

The Secret Place (Pete Kipley, Phil Wickham)
Always (Kristian Stanfill, Jason Ingram)

BENEDICTION

in Preparing for Sunday

June 25, 2017

This Sunday we’ll be in Psalm 69 as we continue Christ in the Psalms, our annual summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for service:

1. Read through our text, Psalm 69.

Sometimes in life, it feels like we’re treading water and it starts to rain. In David’s case, the answer to this problem was prayer.

As you read, consider asking yourself the following three questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 34:1–6

Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson and John Wyeth)
In Tenderness (Adoniram Judson Gordon, Nate Garvey, W. Spencer Walton, arr. Brian Eichelberger)

CONFESSION OF SIN: Adapted from Prone to Wander by Barbara R. Duguid and Wayne Duguid Houk.

O God, our Savior, We come before you today as foolish sheep who find it our natural inclination to wander far from you. You have set your love upon us, chosen us, and saved us, but we find it hard to trust you and prefer to turn to our own wisdom and understanding. You lead us in green pastures for your own name’s sake, but we reject the feast that you lay before us and try frantically to fill ourselves up with things that cannot satisfy. Father, we stray from you every day and turn to our own ways; forgive us for our many sins.

Jesus, you are our sacrificial lamb. You never strayed from the path of obedience to your Father, even when that path led you to a brutal cross and the mockery of those who should have worshiped and adored you. Jesus, you are the Great Shepherd, who laid down your life for your beloved, silly sheep, and you are the tender shepherd who gathers us in your arms and carries us. You were torn for all our sinful and rebellious wandering, and through your wounds we find healing and peace. Thank you.

Holy Spirit, help us to see where the path of blessing lies, and give us hearts that are eager to travel that path. While we live in a fallen world with sinful hearts, we will always be prone to wander. Thank you for holding fast to us, for we cannot hold onto you. Give us strong appetites for spiritual food: the Word of God and the body and blood of our precious Savior. Grant us unshakable confidence in the death and life of Jesus, until his wounds cleanse our guilt and give us great joy. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) (Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon Ligthelm)
Man Of Sorrows (Matt Crocker and Brooke Ligertwood)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 Peter 2:24–25

GREETING & SERMON

RESPONSE: Communion, Prayer, & Song

Always (Kristian Stanfill and Jason Ingram)
Be Thou My Vision (Mary Elizabeth Byrne and Eleanor Henrietta Hull, arr. by Citizens & Saints)

BENEDICTION & SENDING

in Preparing for Sunday

June 18, 2017

This is a weekly blog post with one purpose: to help those coming to Park’s Sunday gathering engage with the teaching and liturgy in a more meaningful way. We use this space to share in advance our Sunday’s liturgy: the scripture we’ll be studying, the songs we’ll be singing, and the prayers we’ll be praying together. We also share a handful of thoughts each week to help you use these things to prepare for the service. This Sunday, we continue our annual summer series, Christ in the Psalms, with Psalm 68. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Read through Psalm 68.

This week’s psalm is a poem-song by David, telling the story of God and His people—a story of salvation. The song recounts how God’s people came from slavery to salvation before turning to discuss how salvation’s benefits and power play out.

Throughout the 12 weeks of this series, consider asking yourself the following three questions regularly as you prepare:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 68:4–6

Fairest Lord Jesus (Traditional, arr. ) Centuries (Aaron Strumpel)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From Scotty Smith’s Every Season Prayers

Heavenly Father, for your steadfast love, we bless you. For your patience and kindness, we praise you. For your daily mercies, we trust you. Forgive our sins, for they are real and many. We confess loving relief from our pain more than change in our hearts. We confess thinking too often of ourselves and too seldom of you. We confess that it’s easier to be cynical than hopeful. We confess under-trusting the gospel and over-honoring our fears. We confess seeking our kingdoms first and your kingdom last. Have mercy on us, Lord; have mercy on me. In Jesus’ name and for his glory, we offer our prayer and ask for forgiveness. Amen.
Your Name Is Good (Psalm 54) (Joel Limpic, Scott Mills) King Of My Heart (John Mark McMillan, Sarah McMillan)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: From Romans 5:8–9:

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

SERMON & COMMUNION

Twenty-Three (Aaron Strumpel) Good Good Father (Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett)

BENEDICTION & SENDING

in Preparing for Sunday

June 11, 2017

This is a weekly blog post with one purpose: to help those coming to Park’s Sunday gathering engage with the teaching and liturgy in a more meaningful way. We use this space to share in advance our Sunday’s liturgy: the scripture we’ll be studying, the songs we’ll be singing, and the prayers we’ll be praying together. We also share a handful of thoughts each week to help you use these things to prepare for the service.

This Sunday, we continue our annual summer series, Christ in the Psalms, with Psalm 67. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Read through Psalm 67.

This short Psalms calls the whole world to see the works of God towards humankind and respond with praise, gladness, joy, and fear.

Through the 12 weeks of this series, consider asking yourself the following three questions as you prepare:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 96:1–4; 11–13

All Creatures Of Our God And King (William Henry Draper, St. Francis of Assisi)
Beautiful (Phil Wickham)

CONFESSION OF SIN: From Scotty Smith’s Every Season Prayers

Dear heavenly Father, we come into your presence today
only because your mercies are new every morning.
We stand before you in this place
only because we stand firmly in your grace.
We dare call you Abba Father
only because you have made us your beloved sons and daughters.
We freely confess our sins to you
only because you fully gave Jesus for us.

For the ways we loved poorly this past week—
in our families, at our vocations, and among our neighbors, forgive us.
From the foolish idols to which we cling,
the broken cisterns from which we drink,
and the false lovers to which we turn, free us.

For not believing Jesus is enough and your grace is sufficient,
and for not trusting you to be really sovereign and really good,
have mercy on us.
Our hope rests alone in Jesus’ finished work and your steadfast love.
Amen.

His Mercy Is More (Matt Boswell, Matt Papa)
Build My Life (Younker, Martin, Kable, Redman, and Barrett)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: John 3:16–17

SERMON & COMMUNION

Let The Nations Be Glad (Aaron Boswell, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa)
All The Poor And Powerless (David Leonard, Leslie Jordan)

BENEDICTION & SENDING

in Preparing for Sunday

June 4, 2017

This is a weekly blog post with one purpose: to help those coming to Park’s Sunday gathering engage with the teaching and liturgy in a more meaningful way. We use this space to share in advance our Sunday’s liturgy: the scripture we’ll be studying, the songs we’ll be singing, and the prayers we’ll be praying together. We also share a handful of thoughts each week to help you use these things to prepare for the service. This Sunday, we switch over to our annual summer series, Christ in the Psalms, picking up where we left off last year—Psalm 66. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Read through Psalm 66.

We believe that the Psalms are a book of prayers, a book of poems, and a book about Jesus. They teach us to pray, teach us to feel, and ultimately point to Jesus.

Through the 12 weeks of this series, we’ll be returning to this same set of questions:

  1. How does this Psalm help me pray?
  2. How does this Psalm help me feel?
  3. How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?

2. Read, pray and sing through the service in advance:

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 66:1–4 Hallelujah, What A Savior (Philip P. Bliss, arr. Austin Stone) Great Is The Lord (Joseph Pat Barrett, Daniel Bashta, Ben Smith) CONFESSION OF SIN: Psalm 66:16–19 Come Ye Sinners (Joseph Hart, arr. Robbie Seay) Cornerstone (Bradbury, Liljero, Morgan, Mote, Myrin) ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Psalm 66:20 SERMON & COMMUNION Psalm 66:16–17 (James Lepine) Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery (Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker) BENEDICTION & SENDING
in Preparing for Sunday

May 28, 2017

This is a weekly blog post with one purpose: to help those coming to Park’s Sunday gathering engage with the teaching and liturgy in a more meaningful way. We use this space to share in advance our Sunday’s liturgy: the scripture we’ll be studying, the songs we’ll be singing, and the prayers we’ll be praying together. We also share a handful of thoughts each week to help you use these things to prepare for the service. We return this Sunday to The Book of Acts: You Will Be My Witnesses for week 32 in the series. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. READ THROUGH OUR TEXT, ACTS 19:21-20:1.

Paul, en route to Jerusalem, stops in the city of Ephesus, well-known for its worship of Artemis, the popular goddess of fertility. The silversmiths were concerned for the profitability of their idol manufacturing business and the impacts the gospel would have on the local economy (and ultimately their livelihood). Again we find the gospel making its way throughout the region, confronting lies and idols, while calling people into right relationship with the God who created all things.

If Paul walked into Denver today and began preaching the gospel, what sorts of businesses do you think would feel threatened? What sorts of idols would be exposed? In what ways is God the ultimately fulfillment of each of those idols?

2. READ, PRAY AND SING THROUGH THE SERVICE.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 44:6-8

Doxology How Great Thou Art (arr. by Citizens & Saints) Great Is The Lord (Housefires)

CONFESSION OF SIN:

(Together) Our Father In Heaven, we confess that in our quest for pleasure, wisdom, wealth and honor, we have sinned against you and have tried to find meaning without You. We use Your good gifts of time, wine, and work; We feast without looking to You as the giver of life and gifts. Please forgive us and remind us You are the Source of true life. Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You, our Creator and Redeemer. (From Frontline Church) On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand (Mote)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Psalm 62:5-8

Build My Life (Housefires)

SERMON

Give Us Clean Hands (Charlie Hall) All I Have Is Christ (Jordan Kauflin) Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

BENEDICTION & SENDING

in Preparing for Sunday