Sunday Worship - September 13
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*
MINISTER: People of God, worship the living God today!
PEOPLE: Remember that out of nothing God created the heavens and earth.
MINISTER: Remember that God raised Jesus from the powerlessness of death to the power of his right hand.
PEOPLE: Remember that not even the gates of hell can stand against God’s purposes.
ALL: Behold your God, who reigns now and forever!
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by Catherine Winkworth and Joachim Neander
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adorationPraise to the Lord
Who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea, so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy
Here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend theePraise to the Lord
O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the Amen sound from His people again
Gladly will ever adore Him—
CCLI License No. 2051446
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by Charles Wesley, music by Mike Whang
I want a principle within
Of watchful, godly fear
A sensibility of sin
A pain to feel it near
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or wrong desire
To catch the wandering of my will
And quench the kindling fireFrom Thee that I no more may stray
No more Thy goodness grieve
Grant me the filial awe, I pray
The tender conscience give
Quick as the apple of an eye
O God, my conscience make
Awake my soul when sin is nigh
And keep it still awakeAlmighty God of truth and love
To me Thy power impart
The mountain from my soul remove
The hardness from my heart
O may the least omission pain
My reawakened soul
And drive me to that blood again
Which makes the wounded wholeO may the least omission pain
My reawakened soul
And drive me to that blood again
Which makes the wounded whole
And drive me to that blood again
Which makes the wounded whole—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Corporate Confession
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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 Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman
Who, O Lord, could save themselves
Their own soul could heal
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still(x2)
Chorus
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praiseYou, O Lord, have made a way
The great divide You healed
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes Your love goes further stillChorus
You alone can rescue
You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us
Led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise (x3)—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Kindergarten Bible Presentation
Jordan Bae, Janie Vickers, Lydia Fulford-Jones, Sophia Lee
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*
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Psalm 139:1-18, ESV
READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Grace and the Self”
Sermon Series: The Depth of Grace - Grace and Relationships
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 Michael Farren, Rich Thompson, and Jonny Robinson
What gift of grace is Jesus, my Redeemer
There is no more for Heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, "All is mine"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
The night is dark, but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior, He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley, He will lead
Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future's sure, the price, it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus, now and ever is my plea
Oh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
With every breath, I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day, I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me (x3)
—CCLI License No. 2051446
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. We’re so glad you’ve joined us today! Citylife meets at Josiah Quincy Elementary School; click HERE to view logistical details related to our new church home. If you have any questions, feel free to contact office@citylifeboston.org.
Churchwide Announcements
The Fall Welcome Picnic is today! Join us today immediately after service for lunch provided by the Food and Fellowship Team.
You're Invited to Citylife's Fall Welcome Week Events! Our annual Community Group (CG) Welcome Weeks run from 9/14-10/3, where our CGs host welcome gatherings for anyone new to our church and city. Click HERE for the Welcome Week schedule.
Fall Membership Class - 10/4 & 10/11. Our Fall 2026 Membership Class is beginning soon! If you are interested in being baptized and/or joining as a member of Citylife, we invite you to learn more about our vision, beliefs, and practice as a church. The next two-part membership class takes place on 10/4 and 10/11 Click HERE to register.
Coffee & Catechesis starting 10/4. Join us this fall for 5 weeks of Coffee & Catechesis - tracing the biblical story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration—and how it shapes our work, relationships, and everyday life. We'll meet before Sunday service, 9:00–10:15 am in the JQES cafeteria, on 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, and 12/6. Please click HERE to register by 10/4.
Ministry Opportunities
Do you feel led to become more involved in the life of our church? Check out these ministry volunteer opportunities. Join us as we use our unique personal gifts in worship to God and in service to each other and our neighbors!
Kids & Youth Ministry: Our teens and kids want to meet you! We invite you to consider investing in the spiritual formation of the next generation of Citylifers. Our Youth Ministry is currently seeking 3-4 more volunteers for Saturday Youth Group and Youth Sunday School. Our Kids Ministry is seeking volunteers to serve one rotation per month in either Nursery, Littles (2.5years-5yrs), Elementary (Prek-5th grd - broken down into 3 small groups). Kids Ministry relies on the volunteer work of 9-12 adults/teenagers every Sunday for Kids Church! Please contact cecily@citylifeboston.org for details.
Hospitality: Help Citylife reflect and extend the welcome and hospitality of Christ to all who come to worship on Sundays! Volunteers on the Welcome Team and Usher Team are the first faces people see when they walk in to worship at Citylife, and often the first point of contact for newcomers. We aim for each volunteer to commit one Sunday per month to serve. Click HERE to learn more.
Communion: Volunteers needed to help prepare the elements to be distributed during Sunday service. Please contact diaconate@citylifeboston.org.
University Ministry Retreat: This year, University Students will be going on a Fall Retreat October 9-11 to Camp Spofford in New Hampshire to get away from the pace of the City, slow down, and enjoy a weekend of worship, fellowship, and reflection. We're looking for volunteers to help facilitate small group discussions, assist with Audio/Visual needs, and head up group activities for students. Email tyler@citylifeboston.org for details.
University Ministry
University Ministry Fall Retreat Registration and Fundraising. This year, University Students will be going on a Fall Retreat to Camp Spofford in New Hampshire to get away from the pace of the City, slow down, and enjoy a weekend of worship, fellowship, and reflection. For the past 5 years, because of your generosity, we also have been able to extend hospitality to students by offering scholarships to help cover some of the registration cost for those who need it. We would like to extend that some hospitality this year and provide 25 scholarships for first-time students. The registration cost is $140 per student, and we're hoping to lower the cost to just $40 for first-time students. We'd also like to offer needs-based financial aid to non-first time students, and a discount for volunteers; so the total we are hoping to raise is $4000. To give, please use THIS LINK and select "University Retreat Scholarship Fund" from the drop-down box.
University Students, register for retreat today! Registration cost is $140 per student. Scholarships are available for freshmen! Click HERE to register.
University Ministry: Table Talk Lunch. If you are a college student who is new to our church, come join us for lunch in the Cafeteria immediately after service next Sunday 9/20 and meet students from different colleges, connect with other students from your school, and share what God has been teaching you lately! Please click here to register ASAP so we can get a headcount.
University Ministry: City Night Fellowship. Citylife is one church made up of college students from multiple campuses across our city. We gather monthly at City Night Fellowship to develop meaningful relationships with students across campuses. Invite your friends and join us for our next monthly large group gathering next Thursday 9/24 at Ruggles Baptist Church. Go to our church website HERE for more info.
Kids & Youth
Saturday Youth Group is back! Our first meeting will be on 9/19 at Cornerstone Church from 6:30-8:30pm. Join us for snacks, games, worship, Bible study at 20 Linden St, Boston, MA 02134. Click HERE to sign-up for our Youth Ministry Highlights email chain to stay in-the-loop about all Youth Ministry happenings!
During the academic year, Saturday Youth Group meets at Ruggles Baptist Church every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 6:30-8:30. Youth Sunday School meets year-round at Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQES) every 2nd & 4th Sunday from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Justice & Mercy
Volunteers needed for this month's service date at Pine Street Inn! On the third Saturday of each month, Citylife volunteers help to serve dinner to guests of the men's shelter. Parking is available for volunteers! Pine Street Inn is the largest homeless services provider in New England. Sign up HERE.
**Please note that Pine Street Inn requires all new volunteers to register at least 12 hours before serving.**
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.
Community
The Gym and Playground are open for use. Families are welcome to use the gym each Sunday until 1:00 p.m. The gym will be available from 1:00 - 3:00 for the following activities:
1st Sunday - free play
2nd Sunday - Badminton (organizers: Jimmy He and Dany Gould)
3rd Sunday - Basketball (organizer: Eugene Xi)
4th Sunday - free play
If you’re interested in learning more about badminton, basketball, or coordinating an organized activity, please contact office@citylifeboston.org. All adults and children using the gym or playground must have a signed Citylife Recreation Agreement. There is no food or drink allowed in the gym. We ask that all gym users exit before 3:15, return equipment to its proper storage space, and refrain from using ping-pong tables. Please note that if you park at Tufts Medical Center, your validation period ends at 3:00 p.m.