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.

  • 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 Him

    Chorus
    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 out

    The 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 Him

    Chorus

    Taste and see that the Lord is good
    Blessed is the man who takes
    Refuge in Him

    Chorus

    —

    CCLI License No. 7161130

  • 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 pride

    Forbid 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 blood

    See 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 crown

    Were 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.

  • 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 away

    Put no trust in the earth
    In the sod you stand upon
    Flowers fade into dust
    The Lord will make a place for us

    Chorus
    Because of His great Love
    We are not overcome

    Have no fear for your life
    Turn your cheek, turn your cheek
    Bear the yoke of love and death
    The Lord will give life and breath

    Chorus (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

jump to end for detailed descriptions

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.

  • Amazing love, that welcomes me
    The kindness of mercy
    That bought with blood, wholeheartedly
    My soul undeserving

    Chorus
    God, You're so good
    God, You're so good
    God, You're so good
    You're so good to me

    Behold the cross, age to age
    And hour by hour
    The dead are raised, the sinner saved
    The work of Your power

    Chorus

    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 forever

    Chorus

    —

    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.