Introduction
While our option to gather at Madison Elementary on Sundays has been stopped for the time being, our mission as a church remains the same: we are a community of disciples who are being formed into the image of Jesus for the sake of the world.
Today we would like to lead you through a guided liturgy that will become our new normal for the next season of our church life together. In addition to being united in the gospel and relationships (which aren’t going away), another layer of connection can be found in our common practice and habits. By studying the same Bible passages, singing the same songs and repeating the same prayers, we are reminded of our connection that goes far beyond a common meeting space. Be creative and look for ways to incorporate children and adults of all ages who are in the room as readers and participants.
We hope that as you walk through this, you will be encouraged by God to place your hope in Him and to continue to seize the chances to be and make disciples wherever you are.
REALITY Kids Materials
Each week, our regular Reality Kids curriculum which includes age specific videos, lessons and activities is posted on Realm for you and your children to use. You can find all the information and links on Realm - HERE
Once you are done with the lesson, enjoy the video and activity with Kailyn below.
Gather Together
Welcome to another Sunday filled with resurrection hope! Reality family, we have the chance today to worship the Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Call to Worship
From John’s Gospel in chapter 4, verses 21-24, “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Sing Together
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!”
(Psalm 105:1-2, ESV)
Singing together is a gift that allows us to both rehearse what is true and to express the cry of our soul in a unique way. Feel free to either sing along with the following playlist or have someone in the room lead you on an instrument or a cappella.
“My Lighthouse”
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
“The Joy of the Lord is My Strength”
PRAY TOGETHER
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm 51:1, ESV)
Corporate Confession & Assurance
Confessing our current sins is important to both our individual fellowship and our corporate holiness. Jesus expects his followers to ask God to forgive their current sins because sin damages fellowship with Him. Our public confession is followed with a scriptural promise of pardon to assure our hearts together that God hears and forgives us.
Corporate Prayer of Confession:
You are the everything we desire,
the everything we do not deserve.
You are the love we long to find,
the peace beyond imagining.
You are the breath of life
enlivening the hardest heart.
You are the vibrant color
illuminating the darkest dawn.
You are the truth that calls
in quiet whisper and through storm.
You are the precious moment
we reach out and touch the divine.
For those days when we forget, forgive us.
When life distracts and focus shifts, forgive us.
When self imposes its own will, forgive us.
When our words and motives fail to please, forgive us.
Embrace and enfold us, we pray,
in sweet and loving fellowship with you. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon:
Church, hear and receive the Good News that, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:16-19, NLT)
LEARN TOGETHER
Discussion Q’s
What is the source of your contentment? How closely tied is it to your circumstances?
Who among you needs your physical presence? A gift? Money? Who could benefit by your showing up?
Are you willing to share in the troubles of others? Who specifically this week?
CELEBRATE & REMEMBER TOGETHER
If you have the means to celebrate communion together, please do so - remembering the broken body and shed blood of Jesus for you. Thanks be to God!
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, ESV)
ADVENTURE TOGETHER
In this next section, begin to dream together: what does it look like for you to be the church this week where God has placed you? What does that look like on your block, your street, at your work, in your family and with your friendships?
We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions on how you can be the Body of Christ in this new and unprecedented time. Feel free to share your ideas by emailing the staff or by posting on Realm.
Benediction - Prayer of Sending
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25, ESV)
Giving
Our giving at Reality is primarily an act of worship- a response to the generosity of Jesus towards us.
Prayer Requests/Needs
If you would like someone to pray for you or you need help with a need, please contact:
admin@realityolympia.com
If you are new to the Reality community and want more information to get connected: