Sunday Worship (April 28)
Update: Service is on the 6th floor today, we will not be gathering in Liberty Hall.
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.
PEOPLE: He is our refuge and our fortress, our God, in whom we trust.
LEADER: Let us confess with our mouths, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead.
PEOPLE: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
LEADER: Let us call upon our true God,
ALL: Believing him in our hearts, confessing him with our mouths, worshiping him in spirit and in truth.
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I sought the Lord, He answered me
He delivered me from all my fears
Taste and see that the Lord is good
Blessed is the man who takes
Refuge in HimChorus
Those who look to Him are radiant
Their faces are never covered in shame
So let the afflicted hear and rejoice
I will cry out, I will call outThe righteous man has many troubles
But God delivers him from them all
Fear the Lord, you His saints
He will redeem those who take
Refuge in HimChorus
Taste and see that the Lord is good
Blessed is the man who takes
Refuge in HimChorus
—
CCLI License No. 7161130
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When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my prideForbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His bloodSee from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crownWere the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all
Demands my soul my life my all—
CCLI License No. 7161130
Corporate Confession
ALL: Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and turn them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
Here are words you may trust, words that merit full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who confess their sins and resolve to lead a new life, he says, “Your sins are forgiven.” He also says, “Follow me.” Now to the one who rules all worlds, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.
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.
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Flesh will fail and bones will break
Thieves will steal, the earth will shake
Night will fall, the light will fade
The Lord will give and take awayPut no trust in the earth
In the sod you stand upon
Flowers fade into dust
The Lord will make a place for usChorus
Because of His great Love
We are not overcomeHave no fear for your life
Turn your cheek, turn your cheek
Bear the yoke of love and death
The Lord will give life and breathChorus (x2)
—
CCLI License No. 4903820
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*
15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:15-17, ESV
READER: This is the Word of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Thanksgiving - Part 1”
Series: Prayers of the People
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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Amazing love, that welcomes me
The kindness of mercy
That bought with blood, wholeheartedly
My soul undeservingChorus
God, You're so good
God, You're so good
God, You're so good
You're so good to meBehold the cross, age to age
And hour by hour
The dead are raised, the sinner saved
The work of Your powerChorus
Bridge
I am blessed, I am called
I am healed, I am whole
I am saved in Jesus' name
Highly favored, anointed
Filled with Your power
For the glory of Jesus' name
And should this life bring suffering
Lord, I will remember
What Calvary has bought for me
Both now and foreverChorus
—
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
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.
Men & Women
Men’s and Women’s Lunch - 5/5 at 12:30PM. Men's and Women's ministry facilitate lunches every first Sunday of the month after service. These lunches are open for anyone to attend whether you are interested in hearing more about upcoming men's and women's ministry events or looking to share a meal with fellow CityLifer's. We typically meet jointly at Panera or Chipotle in the winter and separately picnic-style in the Public Garden during the summer. Please join us on 5/5 by visiting the welcome table after service so we can walk to lunch together. Children are welcome!
University Ministry
City Night Fellowship - 5/2. Join us for our final City Night Fellowship of the Spring Semester! Seniors, we invite you to join us so we can celebrate your hard work and God's good work in your lives. There will be tacos, laughter, and gratitude. See you at 7pm on Thursday 05.02.24! Go HERE for more info.
Wellesley Fundraiser - Our friends at Wellesley CG love to attend at CityLife, but their means of transportation are more restricted than others due to their location. They will be hosting a fundraiser to help cover the cost of their transportation over this past year, and will be selling fun “Wellesley CG Mugs,” next Sunday 05.05.24 in Liberty Hall. The asking price for the mugs is $20, but if you desire to contribute more to the costs of Wellesley student transportation, you are welcome to do so.
Justice & Mercy
Somerville Homeless Coalition - We are at Somerville Homeless Coalition this Saturday! Learn more about ways to serve the city HERE.
Help Needed to Support a Citylife Foster Family. Join our community’s effort to wrap around the Van Meerbeke family as they care for their foster baby and their daughter while she undergoes cancer treatment. Contact namhee@citylifeboston.org to join a rotation of childcare volunteers.
Kids & Youth
Youth Ministry. We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm at Ruggles Baptist Church and every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 9:15-10:25AM in the Toddlers classroom. Hope to see you there! Next Saturday Youth Group meeting date is 5/4. The next Youth Sunday School meets 5/12.