This week our pastor, Joe Hishmeh, shared some biblical wisdom regarding marriage, as we continued our third week in our series called "Can You Relate?". In his message, Joe called us to the example of Christ and the Church. The three challenges were to You can listen to or watch the entire message and service here. For our singing this week, we focused on the unfailing love of God. He loved us when we were unlovable, and is faithful even when we are faithless (2 Tim. 2:13).
Here's our service plan from this weekend:
"Unchanging" (G) [Chris Tomlin] Welcome/Greeting Time Call To Worship/Confession "Blessed Be Your Name" (Bb) [Matt Redman, Beth Redman] "One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)" (Bb) [Brian Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, Christa Black] "How He Loves" (Bb) [John Mark McMillan] Message - "Can You Relate? - Marriage" [Joe Hishmeh] Offering "You Never Let Go" (Bb) [Matt Redman, Beth Redman] Announcements/Dismissal
"Unchanging" - This was our opening song this week, because it laid the foundation for the rest of what we sang and studied in Scripture: God's faithful, steadfast love for us. It is one that is well-known for our congregation, so we sing it well together.
"Blessed Be Your Name" - We sang this song to continue with the truth that we can trust God no matter what, and that He is always in control and worthy of praise.
"One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)" - - This was a new song for much of our congregation, and it's one that I have become pretty excited about over the last week or so. It is a fairly simple song overall, repeating this line in the chorus: "Your love never fails/ It never gives up/ It never runs out on me." It has been sung and recorded by at least four groups, so look it up. This is one that we will continue to sing in the future, because it a great reminder about God's love.
"How He Loves" - this is a very familiar song through various avenues, but is one that I haven't led before with Fellowship. It really resonates with many in our congregation. I enjoy the fresh, unique lyric in the verses, and the simple pre-chorus and chorus. And yes, we sing the Crowder lyric ("unforeseen kiss"). I cannot sing "sloppy wet kiss" without laughing.
"You Never Let Go" - This was our response song this week, as it pointed us once again to the steadfast love of God. His love casts out fear and gives us rest, because He never leaves us or forsakes us. The Lord is so good to us, and we find hope in His unfailing love.
This weekend was a great weekend of worship together. The team did a fantastic job serving the congregation. One thing I was reminded of this week was that I need to leave room in my worship planning for songs that are currently and freshly moving my heart. That song this week was "One Thing Remains." It has really been encouraging me to trust God more over this past week. I still very much believe that my planning is what I need to do to lead my congregation well, but my leading feels more alive when I am finding and incorporating songs that are speaking to my heart in fresh ways. It made the weekend very special for me. I will definitely keep this tweak in mind as I plan toward the future.
I hope you had a great weekend of worship wherever you were!
What were your thoughts or experiences from this weekend in your church?
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