Sunday Worship - September 28

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: God invites us into his healing presence with these words: “I am the Lord, who heals you.”

PEOPLE: Diseased, depressed, dysfunctional, defeated, we come hungering for health that only God can provide.

LEADER: God calls us to bring open eyes, hearing ears, and tender hearts turned toward him, the Great Physician.

ALL: We bow before him in faith and expectancy!

  • Come ye sinners, poor and needy
    Weak and wounded, sick and sore
    Jesus ready stands to save you
    Full of pity, love, and power

    Chorus
    I will arise and go to Jesus
    He will embrace me in His arms
    In the arms of my dear Savior
    O there are ten thousand charms

    Come ye thirsty, come and welcome
    God’s free bounty glorify
    True belief and true repentance
    Every grace that brings you nigh

    Come ye weary, heavy-laden
    Lost and ruined by the fall
    If you tarry until you’re better
    You will never come at all

    Chorus

    Feel Him prostrate in the garden
    On the ground your Maker lies
    On the bloody tree behold Him
    Sinner, will this not suffice?

    Lo! Incarnate God ascended
    Pleads the merit of His blood
    Venture on Him, venture wholly
    Let no other trust intrude

    Chorus

    _

    CCLI License No. 2051446

  • by Adam Daniel Westlake, Dinah Kathryn Wright, Henry Williams Baker, John Bacchus Dykes, Nathan Fox

    The King of love my Shepherd is
    Whose goodness faileth never
    I nothing lack if I am His
    And He is mine forever

    Where streams of living water flow
    My ransomed soul He leadeth
    And where the verdant pastures grow
    With food so heav'nly feedeth

    Perverse and foolish oft I strayed
    But yet in love He sought me
    And on His shoulder gently laid
    And home rejoicing brought me

    Chorus
    Sing praise for love that knows no end
    To Christ who died for sin
    For He will all your wrongs forgive
    The King of love my Shepherd is

    In death's dark vale I fear no ill
    With Thee dear Lord beside me
    Thy rod and staff my comfort still
    Thy cross before to guide me

    Thou spread'st a table in my sight
    Thy Spirit grace bestoweth
    And O what pleasures of delight
    From Thy pure cup o'erfloweth

    Chorus

    And so through all the length of days
    Thy goodness faileth never
    Good Shepherd may I sing Thy praise
    Within Thy house forever

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Corporate Confession

ALL: Jesus, who sat at the table with outcasts and sinners, we confess that too often our words and actions are not consistent with our beliefs. Often we ignore the needy, show indifference to the lonely, and reject those who seem different from us. Forgive us, we pray. Empower us to reach out in love and acceptance through your name. Amen.

Personal Confession

Receiving of Grace

Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Glory to God. Amen.

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 Joel Houston, Matt Crocker

    Grace, what have you done?
    Murdered for me on that cross
    Accused in absence of wrong
    My sin washed away in Your blood

    Too much to make sense of it all
    I know that Your love breaks my fall
    The scandal of grace, You died in my place
    So my soul will live

    Chorus
    Oh to be like You
    Give all I have just to know You
    Jesus, there’s no one beside You
    Forever the Hope in my heart

    Death, where is your sting?
    Your power is as dead as my sin
    The Cross has taught me to live
    And mercy, my heart now to sing

    The day and its troubles shall come
    I know that Your strength is enough
    The scandal of grace, You died in my place
    So my soul will live

    Chorus

    And it’s all because of You, Jesus
    It’s all because of You, Jesus
    It’s all because of Your love
    That my soul will live

    Chorus

    —

    CCLI License No. 2051446

Stories of Grace

Enjeh Liu

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*

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 ESV

READER: This is the Word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sermon

“Hospitality”

Sermon Series: People Values

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.

  • by Frances Ridley Havergal, Henri Abraham Cesar Malan

    Take my life and let it be
    Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
    Take my moments and my days,
    Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
    Let them flow in ceaseless praise

    Take my hands, and let them move
    At the impulse of Thy love;
    Take my feet and let them be
    Swift and beautiful for Thee,
    Swift and beautiful for Thee.

    Take my voice, and let me sing
    Always, only, for my King;
    Take my lips, and let them be
    Filled with messages from Thee,
    Filled with messages from Thee.

    Take my will, and make it Thine;
    It shall be no longer mine.
    Take my heart; it is Thine own;
    It shall be Thy royal throne,
    It shall be Thy royal throne.

    Take my love; my Lord, I pour
    At Thy feet its treasure store.
    Take myself, and I will be
    Ever, only, all for Thee,
    Ever, only, all for Thee.

    —

    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.

Community

Men’s Ministry Fall BBQ on 10/18. Come join us as we kick off the fall with great food and fellowship! The Men’s Ministry is hosting a BBQ — an opportunity to meet and connect with men in the church, enjoy good food, and hear more about what’s coming up this year. Invite a friend and don’t miss it! Register HERE by 10/14.

Men’s and Women’s Lunch 10/5. Men's and Women's ministry facilitate lunches every first Sunday of the month after service. These lunches are open for anyone to attend and are great opportunities to build relationships and learn how to get involved. Weather permitting, we will picnic in the Public Garden across from the Charles St and Boylston St intersection. Please join us next Sunday at 12:30pm. We will meet at the Welcome Table and walk over the Public Garden together. Feel free to pick up food and meet us there! Children are welcome!

Community Group (CG) Welcome Weeks are happening through 10/2, where our neighborhood CGs host welcome gatherings for anyone new to our church and city. Click here to view the Welcome Week schedule and contact information for each CG.

Registration for Fall Membership Class is now open! 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 begins NEXT Sunday, taking place in person on 10/5 and 10/12 at 1:00 p.m. Register here.

Join us for a gathering of Worship and Prayer on Wednesday 10/8 from 7:30-9:00 PM at Ruggles Baptist Church. This will be a chance for us to come together as a church community to worship and pray together on a weeknight.

SAVE THE DATE! Please join us for our Church-Wide Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch! Saturday, November, 8, 11:00 - 2:00 p.m. in Cambridge. On this special day, our entire church will gather together for one large community feast - where we bring delicious dishes to share with one another and set the table for our neighbors to experience our life together as a church community. More info HERE. Sign-up sheet to come!

Missions

Gospel Fluency Evangelism Workshop. Can you use hard experiences like job search or grief to bear witness to the Gospel? What story of redemption can fighter jets tell? Are there evangelism opportunities in your weekly pickleball league? Join us for an evangelism workshop NEXT Saturday 10/4 from 10am-1pm at Ruggles! As a follow up to the panel event last spring, we'll dive into different ways to practically start Gospel conversations in everyday life, and then dedicate some time to practice together in small groups. Light lunch provided. While formal childcare will not be available, please feel free to bring your little ones and we’ll have a kids area. Please RSVP on Church Center ASAP`!

Serve at Citylife

Volunteer for the Welcome or Usher Team! The Hospitality teams extend the welcome and hospitality of Christ to all who join us to worship on Sundays. Our volunteers are often the first faces people see when they walk in to worship at Citylife, and the first point of contact for newcomers. Sign up or learn more HERE.

Support the Fall University Ministry Retreat. Our University Ministry (UM) is hoping to raise $3,500 for scholarships so that college students can attend the October retreat and find community, hear the gospel, and seek after God with other students. We're hoping to lower the cost for volunteers and 20 freshmen, and offer needs-based financial aid to returning students. If you'd like to contribute to scholarships and financial aid, please click here and select "University Retreat Scholarship Fund" from the drop-down box. University Ministry is also recruiting volunteers to attend the retreat at a discounted rate! Please email tyler@citylifeboston.org if interested.

University Ministry

All University students are invited to our 2025 Fall Retreat to Camp Spofford in New Hampshire. Join us for a weekend to get away from the pace of the city, slow down, and enjoy worship, fellowship, and reflection. Retreat registration fees are subsidized: general registration is $125 per student. A limited number of registrations are available for freshmen at $25. Financial aid is also available to sophmores and above based on need and availability. Click here to register before 10/3, when registration closes!

Kids & Youth

Parents, please fill our our annual Liability Form for you child(ren) TODAY to keep your child updated in our system. Thank you. Please email cecily@citylifeboston.org with any questions.

Next Saturday Youth Group meets: 10/4
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 10/12

Justice & Mercy

Justice & Mercy in the City, TODAY 1:00 p.m. Whether you are new to Citylife or missed the June session of Citylife's Justice & Mercy in the City, please join us next Sunday to learn about how Citylife loves the poor and marginalized in the city of Boston and our surrounding communities. Grab some lunch and we will see you in Silver Ballroom 3!

Get involved in Justice and Mercy Ministries! An important part of Citylife's vision is to be for the flourishing of Boston and our neighbors. Will you join us? If you would like to be more involved in the ways Citylife serves the most vulnerable in our communities, please fill out this form. Please make sure each CG is represented!

For more info, find this event on our website HERE or email Nam Hee.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.