Sunday Worship - March 30

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.

Citylife strives to be a diverse community of grace that forms disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Boston and our neighbors.

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalms 100:2-3

Order of Worship

*Please stand as you are able

Welcome and Preparation

Call to Worship*

LEADER: God invites us into his healing presence with these words: “I am the Lord, who heals you.”

PEOPLE: Diseased, depressed, dysfunctional, defeated, we come hungering for health that only God can provide.

LEADER: God calls us to bring open eyes, hearing ears, and tender hearts turned toward him, the Great Physician.

ALL: We bow before him in faith and expectancy!

  • by Mike Crawford, Isaac Wardell

    God is our refuge, our strength, and our shield
    An ever-present help
    We will not fear though the earth gives way
    And the mountains crash into the sea

    Chorus 1
    There is a river whose streams will make glad
    The city of our most High King
    God is within her, and she will not fail
    He helps her at break of the day

    Nations in uproar, men’s kingdoms, they fall
    He speaks and the earth melts away
    The worst we imagine, the strongest of storms
    Our fortress, it will still remain

    Chorus 2
     There is a river whose streams will make glad
    The city of our most High King
    God is within her, and she will not fail
    Listen and hear the Lord say:
    “Be still and know that I am God”

    Come, let us see what the Lord has done
    The ruin He brings to the earth
    He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth
    He shatters the bow and the spear

    Chorus 3
    There is a river whose streams will make glad
    The city of our most High King
    God is within her, and she will not fail
    Listen and hear the Lord say:
    “Be still and know that I am God
    Be still and know that I am God"

    Be still and know that I am God
    Be still and know that I am God
    Be still, our hearts, before You, Lord
    Be still and know that I am God

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

  • by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Graham Kendrick

    My worth is not in what I own
    Not in the strength of flesh and bone
    But in the costly wounds of love
    At the cross

    My worth is not in skill or name
    In win or lose, in pride or shame
    But in the blood of Christ that flowed
    At the cross

    Chorus
    And I rejoice in my Redeemer
    Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul
    And I will trust in Him, no other
    My soul is satisfied in Him alone

    As summer flowers we fade and die
    Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
    But life eternal calls to us
    At the cross

    I will not boast in wealth or might
    Or human wisdom's fleeting light
    But I will boast in knowing Christ
    At the cross

    Chorus

    Two wonders here that I confess
    My worth and my unworthiness
    My value fixed, my ransom paid
    At the cross

    Chorus

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Corporate Confession

ALL: Most gracious and most merciful God, we confess to you and to one another that time after time we have entered your presence with countless prayers but with hearts that have been closed to your grace. We have lifted our hands to you in praise, but our feet have still walked in the ways of evil. We have rehearsed your commandments but have refused to see your face in the needs of our neighbor. We pray, Lord, that you forgive our lack of faith and pardon our acts of injustice. Grant us the healing that comes from your presence and the cleansing of your all-powerful Word, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Personal Confession

Receiving of Grace

The LORD is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.

Doxology*

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

  • by Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson

    Your will be done, my God and Father
    As in Heaven, so on earth
    My heart is drawn to self exalting
    Help me seek Your kingdom first

    Chorus
    As Jesus walked, so I shall walk
    Held by Your same unchanging love
    Be still my soul,
    Oh, lift your voice and pray
    Father not my will but Yours be done

    How in the garden He persisted
    I may never fully know
    The fearful weight of true obedience
    It was held by Him alone

    Chorus
    What wondrous faith, to bear that cross
    To bear my sin, what wondrous love
    My hope was sure when there my Savior prayed
    Father not my will but Yours be done

    When I am lost, when I am broken
    In the night of fear and doubt
    Still I will trust in my good Father
    Yes, to one great King I bow

    Chorus
    As Jesus rose, so I shall rise
    In ransomed glory at the throne
    My heart restored, with all Your saints I sing
    Father not my will but Yours be done

    As we go forth, our God and Father
    Lead us daily in the fight
    That all the world might see Your glory
    And Your Name be lifted high

    Chorus
    And in this Name we overcome
    For You shall see us safely home
    Now as Your church, we lift our voice and pray
    Father not my will but Yours be done

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Prayer of Intercession* (concluded by The Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer for Children

Extending Peace

MINISTER: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ALL: And also with you.

Announcements

jump to end for detailed descriptions

Gospel Lesson

Scripture Reading*

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4  They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Matthew 23:1-4 ESV

READER: This is the Word of God.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sermon

“Preaching But Not Practicing”

Rev. Jonathan Kerhoulas

Prayers for Tithes and Offerings

ALL: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, and our possessions - signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  • by Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham

    How great the chasm that lay between us
    How high the mountain I could not climb
    In desperation, I turned to heaven
    And spoke Your name into the night

    Then through the darkness
    Your loving kindness
    Tore through the shadows of my soul
    The work is finished, the end is written
    Jesus Christ, my living hope

    Who could imagine so great a mercy?
    What heart could fathom
    Such boundless grace?
    The God of ages stepped down from glory
    To wear my sin and bear my shame
    The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
    The King of kings calls me His own
    Beautiful Savior, I’m Yours forever
    Jesus Christ, my living hope

    Chorus
    Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free!
    Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!
    You have broken every chain
    There’s salvation in Your name
    Jesus Christ, my living hope
    (repeat)

    Then came the morning that sealed the promise
    Your buried body began to breathe
    Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
    Declared the grave has no claim on me
    (repeat)

    Jesus, Yours is the victory!

    Chorus

    Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free!
    Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!
    You have broken every chain
    There’s salvation in Your name
    Jesus Christ, my living hope
    Jesus Christ, my living hope
    O God, you are my living hope

    —

    CCLI License No. 4903820

Benediction & Dismissal*

MINISTER: Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

ALL: Thanks be to God!

Announcements

Citylife strives to be a diverse community of grace that forms disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Boston and our neighbors.

Connect with Citylife. We’re happy you’re here! If you are new, the easiest way to get in touch with us is by filling out the Connect Card HERE.

Thank you to everyone who made this retreat weekend possible!

Bible, Sexuality, and Gender Seminar, Part 1. Join us on 4/6 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. in Grandmaster Ballroom as Pastor Ben leads us in time together to learn about what Scripture has to say about our posture and engagement with culture at large especially in the area of sexuality and gender.

Corporate Worship

Location change for 4/6. Next Sunday, Citylife's main service will meet on the Mezzanine level of the Revere, in Grandmaster Ballroom. Please enter through the glass doors behind the valet desk and up the stairs. CCC’s service will meet on the 6th floor in Singlo.

Holy Week. Citylife will be holding Good Friday service on 4/18 at 7:00 p.m. and TWO Easter services on 4/20, at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Kids Ministry will be offered at 9:00 a.m. only. All Holy Week services will be held in Liberty Hall. We encourage you to invite friends and family!

Community

The next Community Meals are April 12th and 13th. Community Meals are casual potlucks where you have the chance to meet people you might not otherwise cross paths with. There will be a brunch and dinner option; people will sign up ahead of time and be randomly assigned a location. Sign ups close on 4/6! Sign up HERE.

Kids & Youth

Next Saturday Youth Group meets: 4/5
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 4/13

Justice & Mercy

Volunteers needed for Somerville Homeless Coalition. We are recruiting volunteers to provide dinner on Saturday 4/5 for the 16 residents at the adult shelter at Somerville Homeless Coalition. Drop off is between 4:30-5pm. More info and sign-up is HERE.

We are at Somerville Homeless Coalition on the 1st Saturday of the month, L Street Mission on the 2nd Saturday, and Pine Street Inn on the 3rd Saturday. Sign up to purchase for and assemble hygiene kits every 3rd Sunday.