Sunday Worship - July 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*
LEADER: Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.
PEOPLE: The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.
LEADER: We desire to live in God’s house and to seek God in his holy temple.
PEOPLE: We have come with shouts of joy, to sing and to make music to the Lord.
LEADER: Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
ALL: Teach us your ways and make straight our paths in this hour of worship and always.
-
by Adrian Disch and Shane Barnard
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 ordainethPraise 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 theeChorus (x2)
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee
Opening to the sun abovePraise 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—
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 foreverWhere streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food so heav'nly feedethPerverse and foolish oft I strayed
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought meChorus
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 isIn 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 meThou spread'st a table in my sight
Thy Spirit grace bestoweth
And O what pleasures of delight
From Thy pure cup o'erflowethChorus
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
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer. We confess that it is still all too easy for us to sacrifice our convictions for convenience, your standards for status, your principles for promotion, your absolutes for our ambition, our souls for shallow and unsatisfying success. How easily we are seduced by power, prestige, pleasure, or possessions — seduced into violating our integrity or harming our fellowship with you. From earth’s fullest bliss we turn to you again, unfulfilled. Forgive us our half-hearted devotion and our double-minded spirit. In the name of him who refused to save himself we pray. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.
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 Ben Fielding and Matt Crocker
Our Father everlasting
The all creating One
God Almighty
Through Your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our SaviorChorus
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in One
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of JesusOur Judge and our Defender
Suffered and crucified
Forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious life
Forever seated highChorus
Bridge (x2)
I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is LordChorus
I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the saint's communion
And in Your holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
When Jesus comes again
For I believe in the Name of JesusChorus
—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Prayer of Intercession*
(concluding with the Lord's Prayer)
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 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Mark 14:26-31, 66-72 ESV
READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Peter’s Denial”
Sermon Series: More Like Jesus
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:
-
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.
-
by Brian Eichelberger and Zach Bolen
How could we recount the ways
That You have multiplied our faith
The wisdom of Your ways
The currents of Your grace expressed
In every moment every waveChorus
In the longing of our souls
In the darkness where we go
You are there, You are love
You are altogether good
In the weakness of our faith
In the silence where we wait
You are here, You're enough
You are altogether goodThrough our joys and in our griefs
You have led us to believe
The wisdom of Your ways
The currents of Your grace express
Our only hope for all our daysChorus
Bridge (x2)
I love You Lord
I love You Lord
You are my more
Wholly present and pure
(Repeat)Chorus
Bridge
—
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.
Citylife Ministries
We have an urgent need for Kids Church volunteers for the summer. Please email Cecily (cecily@citylifeboston.org) if available and interested!
Citylife’s Ops Ministry, which is part of the Worship ministry, and is looking to recruit more volunteers. If you are interested sound production and setup, or just want to help out on Sundays, please reach out to Sam at samjclee@citylifeboston.org.
Community
Men's and Women's Ministry Lunches happen 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. If weather allows we will picnic in the Public Garden! Feel free to bring your own blanket and lunch or pick up local takeout and meet us there. Please join us TODAY at 12:30pm. We will meet at the welcome table. Children are welcome!
University Ministry
Summer University Ministry. If you are a student staying in Boston through the Summer, we would love to get connected with you. We gather each Wednesday at Northeastern University (Centennial Common) at 6pm to explore how Jesus taught us to pray. Please sign up via the link in the newsletter or contact Tyler (tyler@citylifeboston.org) to let us know you're coming!
Kids & Youth
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 7/13
Saturday Youth Group at Ruggles is paused for the summer and will resume in September. Please check the Family Ministry Newsletter for updates on summer youth group events!
Justice & Mercy
Thank you to those who attended the 6/22 Justice & Mercy in the City discussion! An edited version of the slides is available HERE. Please note that some QR codes shared during the meeting may no longer work, but can be found in this version. If you would like to be on the Justice & Mercy email list, or missed the session and would attend if we held it a second time, please use this form or email Nam Hee.
Support a Citylife Foster Family. A big thank you to all who have pitched in to wrap around the Van Meerbeke family as they welcome 2 more foster kiddos! They received a HUGE Amazon shipment recently and are so grateful for the support from our community! Please continue to sign up for their meal train and pick up the last few things on their Amazon registry. Contact Laura, Andrew, or Nam Hee (namhee@citylifeboston.org) to volunteer to help with childcare (background check required).
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.