Sunday Worship - October 25

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: In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

PEOPLE: Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to God’s holy name!

MINISTER: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.

ALL: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; God’s greatness is unsearchable.

  • by Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kable, Pat Barrett, and Matt Redman

    Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing
    Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
    Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
    We live for You

    Jesus the name above ev'ry other name
    Jesus the only one who could ever save
    Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
    We live for You
    We live for You

    Holy there is no one like You
    There is none beside You
    Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who
    You are
    And fill me with Your heart
    And lead me in Your love to those around me

    Worthy of every song we could ever sing
    Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
    Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
    We live for You, oh we live for You

    I will build my life upon Your love
    It is a firm foundation
    I will put my trust in You alone
    And I will not be shaken

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

  • by Stuart Townend

    How deep the Father’s love for us
    How vast beyond all measure
    That He should give His only Son
    To make a wretch His treasure
    How great the pain of searing loss
    The Father turns His face away
    As wounds which mar the Chosen One
    Bring many sons to glory

    Behold the Man upon a cross
    My sin upon His shoulders
    Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
    Call out among the scoffers
    It was my sin that held Him there
    Until it was accomplished
    His dying breath has brought me life
    I know that it is finished

    I will not boast in anything
    No gifts, no power, no wisdom
    But I will boast in Jesus Christ
    His death and resurrection
    Why should I gain from His reward?
    I cannot give an answer
    But this I know with all my heart
    His wounds have paid my ransom

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Corporate Confession

ALL: Lord, we have sinned, without considering how much you love us. You see our sins more clearly than we can ourselves. Lord, you know when we are indifferent to your Word, how often we forget to pray; the times we come unwillingly to worship; and yet we turn to you when we are in trouble. Lord, you know when we are untruthful and when we think evil of others. You see our anger and unfairness to our friends. You know how hard it is for us to forgive. Forgive us and make us clean, so that we can obey your call to take up your cross and follow you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Personal Confession

Receiving of Grace

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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 Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson

    Mine are days that God has numbered
    I was made to walk with Him
    Yet I look for worldly treasure
    And forsake the King of kings

    But mine is hope in my Redeemer
    Though I fall His love is sure
    For Christ has paid for every failing
    I am His forevermore

    Mine are tears in times of sorrow
    Darkness not yet understood
    Through the valley I must travel
    Where I see no earthly good

    But mine is peace that flows from heaven
    And the strength in times of need
    I know my pain will not be wasted
    Christ completes His work in me

    Mine are days here as a stranger
    Pilgrim on a narrow way
    One with Christ I will encounter
    Harm and hatred for His name

    But mine is armour for this battle
    Strong enough to last the war
    And He has said He will deliver
    Safely to the golden shore

    And mine are keys to Zion city
    Where beside the King I walk
    For there my heart has found its treasure
    Christ is mine forevermore

    Come rejoice now O my soul
    For His love is my reward
    Fear is gone and hope is sure
    Christ is mine forevermore

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Honoring the Session Advisory Committee

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*

6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:6-9; 32-35, ESV

READER: This is the Word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sermon

“Grace and Singleness”

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.

Online Giving

  • by Kalley Heiligenthal, Hannah McClure, and Paul McClure

    Old things have passed away
    Your love has stayed the same
    Your constant grace remains the cornerstone
    Things that we thought were dead
    Are breathing in life again
    You cause Your Son to shine on darkest nights

    For all that You've done
    We will pour out our love
    This will be our anthem song

    Chorus
    Jesus, we love You
    Oh, how we love You
    You are the one our, our hearts adore

    Our hearts adore (x3)

    The hopeless have found their hope
    The orphans now have a home
    All that was lost has found its place in You
    You lift our weary head
    You make us strong instead
    You took these rags and made us beautiful

    Our affection, our devotion
    Poured out on the feet of Jesus
    (Repeat x2)

    —

    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!

Jump back to Gospel Lesson

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

Update: Thanksgiving Potluck is now on 11/14. Our Church-Wide Thanksgiving Potluck is now on 11/14. It will be held at Aletheia Church, 85 Bishop Richard Allen Dr. in Cambridge. Click here to sign-up for food, and here to sign-up to volunteer!

Congregational Meeting TODAY. Citylife's congregational meeting is happening TODAY, immediately after service in the cafeteria. All are invited, members are strongly encouraged to join and hear about the upcoming nomination process for Diaconate and Session Advisory Council (SAC).

Registration Open: Parents’ Night Out 11/13, 6pm-10pm at Cornerstone Church in Allston. Registration is OPEN and volunteers are needed! Spots will be limited. Register HERE.

Overflow Room in the Cafeteria. This Sunday (10/25) will be the last Sunday for experimenting with our overflow room as we pause to debrief, clarify purpose, and identify needs going forward. More info to come in 2027! Thank you to all of the teams who helped to make the overflow room possible.

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!

Worship Ministry's Ops team is seeking volunteers for Sundays. Our team leads setup and breakdown for worship every Sunday. As a critical ministry for our weekly worship service, It's a great way to serve our church behind the scenes and get connected to oher brothers and sisters at Citylife. All are welcome with or without experience. Please contact samjclee@citylifeboston.org if you are interested.

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.

Kids & Youth

All middle school and high school students are invited to join our Youth Group! We meet at Ruggles Baptist Church every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 6:30-8:30 during the academic year. Youth Sunday School meets year-round at Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQES) every 2nd & 4th Sunday from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Click HERE to sign-up for our Youth Ministry Highlights email chain to stay in-the-loop about all Youth Ministry happenings!

The next Saturday Youth Group is on 11/7 at Ruggles Baptist.
The next Youth Sunday School is on 11/8 at JQES.

Justice & Mercy

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.

University Ministry

City Night Fellowship on 10/29! 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 THIS Thursday 10/29 at Ruggles Baptist Church. Go to our church website for more info.

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. Join the WhatsApp chat)
4th Sunday - free play

Volleyball is coming soon! If you’re interested in learning more about volleyball, 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.