Sunday Worship - September 6
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: I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;
PEOPLE: With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
MINISTER: I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
PEOPLE: Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
MINISTER: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’”
ALL: Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!
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by Brian Eichelberger
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. 2051446
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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
Till 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
Corporate Confession
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
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you, says the Lord.
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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O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Greatest treasure of my longing soul
My God, like You there is no other
True delight is found in You aloneYour grace, a well too deep to fathom
Your love exceeds the heaven's reach
Your truth, a fount of perfect wisdom
My highest good and my unending needO Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Strong defender of my weary heart
My sword to fight the cruel deceiver
And my shield against his hateful dartsMy song, when enemies surround me
My hope, when tides of sorrow rise
My joy, when trials are abounding
Your faithfulness, my refuge in the nightO Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
Gracious Savior of my ruined life
My guilt and cross laid on Your shoulders
In my place You suffered bled and diedYou rose, the grave and death are conquered
You broke my bonds of sin and shame
You rose, the grave and death are conquered
You broke my bonds of sin and shameO Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer
May all my days bring glory to Your Name
May all my days bring glory to Your Name—
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*
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1;26-28, ESV
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Genesis 3:8-13, ESV
READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Created for Relationships”
Sermon Series: The Depth of Grace - Grace and Relationships
Rev. Benjamin Bae
The Sacrament of Communion
Confession of Faith
MINISTER: Let us boldly proclaim the mystery of faith.
ALL:Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
MINISTER: Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us.
ALL:Therefore, let us keep the feast.
MINISTER: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Distribution of the Bread and Cup
Citylife welcomes all Christians, who profess faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation, who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaim the gospel, and are at peace with God and neighbor (1 Cor. 11:17, Matt. 5:21-26), to participate and to receive Communion. If you are unable to receive Communion today, we welcome you to reflect on one of the following prayers:
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Prayer for Those Searching for the Truth
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen.
Prayer of Belief
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to off er me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.*
Prayer of Commitment
Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship through membership in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
*If you are saying this prayer for the first time today, please share with a church leader up front, or let one of the pastors know.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
ALL: Lord of all mercy, we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace. By our communion, keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel, preserve us from all sin and strengthen us for life as your ambassadors in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer 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 Brooke Ligertwood and Matt Crocker
Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laidSilent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thornsOh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honour unto TheeSent of heaven God's own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that treeNow my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeedSee the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He's risen from the grave—
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
Join us for the Fall Welcome Picnic! You're invited to join us next Sunday 9/13 for our annual Fall Welcome Picnic, to be held immediately after service upstairs on the rooftop of Josiah Quincy Elementary School! Lunch will be served. Click HERE to sign up to contribute an item! Please invite your friends and bring a picnic blanket or chairs! View the details on Church Center.
You're Invited to Citylife's Fall Welcome Week Events! The Welcome Picnic kicks off our annual Community Group (CG) Welcome Weeks 9/14-10/2, where our neighborhood CGs host welcome gatherings for anyone new to our church and city. More info about the Welcome Week events will go live on our website next week.
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 on 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.
Volunteer at the Fall Retreat for University Students. We're looking for volunteers to help facilitate small group discussions, assist with Audio/Visual needs, and head up group activities for students; if you are interested in serving we will be having a meeting TODAY after service to cover the schedule, expectations, and plan. Please register on Church Center.
Kids & Youth
Saturday Youth Group is paused for the summer. 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
JQES Clothing Closet visit TODAY! The volunteer team will meet at the Connect Table immediately after service to organize and plan for restocking the closet.
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 - Pickleball
If you’re interested in learning more about basketball, pickleball, 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.