Sunday Worship - March 2, 2025
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: Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.
PEOPLE: The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.
LEADER: We desire to live in God’s house and to seek God in his holy temple.
PEOPLE: We have come with shouts of joy, to sing and to make music to the Lord.
LEADER: Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
ALL: Teach us your ways and make straight our paths in this hour of worship and always.
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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 seaThere 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 dayNations 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 remainThere 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 spearThere 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. 4903820
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by Mack Brock, Wade Joye, Christopher Brown, and Steven Furtick
Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is callingChorus
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is callingBridge
Oh what a Savior
Isn't he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Corporate Confession
ALL: Merciful God, you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the offenses of your people? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show your mercy. Once again you have compassion on us. You tread our sins underfoot and hurl our transgressions into the depths of the sea.
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 Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I standIn Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of ChristNo guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand—
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
Gospel Lesson
Scripture Reading*
42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
49 For everyone will be salted with fire.
50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
Mark 9:42-50, ESV
READER: This is the Word of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Salted with Fire”
Sermon Series: More Like Jesus
Rev. Benjamin Bae
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.
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by Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heartChorus
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need YouWhere sin runs deep,
Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in meChorus
Bridge
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stayChorus
You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You—
CCLI License No. 7105729
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.
Community
Men’s Ministry Breakfast and Conversation. Our Men's Ministry would like to invite the men in our church to join us on Saturday, 3/15 from 9:00 - 11:30 at Ruggles Baptist Church for a breakfast and conversation and part 2 of exploring the topic of Cultivating Godly Friendships in the church. Register and view more details HERE.
Join us for an Evangelism in the Workplace Panel on 3/22 from 10am-12pm at Ruggles Baptist Church! Featuring three Citylife members in different industries, followed by breakout discussions to encourage one another to grow in a heart for missions and evangelism in your vocation, whether that be in your job, your family, or your place of study. Register HERE. Questions? Email missions@citylifeboston.org.
Our next Prayer and Worship Night will take place on 3/5, from 7:30 - 9:00 at Ruggles Baptist Church. This evening is an opportunity to seek God together at a slower pace, and to let the Lord minister to you in worship and prayer. As this is also Ash Wednesday, we will pray through a theme that befits the start of Lent.
Men’s Intergenerational Prayer Triads. The Men's Lay Ministry team is excited to launch a new cohort of Intergenerational Prayer Triads! This cohort will meet from the beginning of March through the end of May, and we recommend meeting about every 2 weeks, whether virtually and/or in-person, so that you may develop and experience deeper conversations over the 3-month period. Please complete the men's registration by 3/2 and let us know if you will be continuing your triad from the fall.
Men’s and Women’s Lunches. Men’s and Women's ministry facilitate lunches every first Sunday of the month after service. These lunches are open for anyone to attend and are great opportunities to build relationships and learn how to get involved. Please join us TODAY at 12:30pm. We will meet at the welcome table. Children are welcome!
Kids & Youth
New & Expectant Parents Breakfast. Join Cecily and our pastors for breakfast and conversation Sunday, March 16. We will have a simple breakfast prepared for you at 9:15am in the Elementary Kids Church room. RSVP here.
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 3/9
Next Saturday Youth Group meets: 3/15
Justice & Mercy
Volunteers Needed for Pine Street Inn on Saturday 3/15. On the 3rd Saturday of each month, 3 to 5 Citylife volunteers serve dinner at the men's shelter in the South End of Boston from 4:45-6:00 p.m. Food is already prepared before we arrive, and there is parking for volunteers. More info 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.