Call to Worship – Psalm 18:1-2
I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Songs of Praise
O Praise the Name –
God is So Good –
Goodness of God –
April Prayer Challenge by Kay Richardson
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
Giving thanks for the Corona Virus may sound like the strangest idea you have ever read, but I Thess. 5:16-18 reads, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God knows what you are going through. Try concentrating on what’s good not how bad things are. Attitude really matters each and every day. God is reaching his hand down to you – take hold of His hand and walk with Him.
Remember, God Is Love. This Easter season reminds us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. It was a tremendous sacrifice for others. Now, we are being asked to sacrifice our old way of life. Whatever we can do for others, helps us feel better. Think of some kindness to do for others each day. I John 4:18 reminds us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” The book I Will Sing With Joy states, “The command to not be afraid appears 365 times in the Bible, more than any other command, because each day we encounter things that can make us afraid.” We are all facing the unknown in these times. The good news is that you do not need to be afraid if you love God. God’s love for you should be able to drive every fear from your life. Don’t worry-accept God’s love and joy!!! Trust the Lord to us through these difficult times.
Give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross
Happy Easter-He’s Alive
Old Testament Reading – Zechariah 9:9-17
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword. Then the Lord will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, and the Lord Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
Devotional Message for April 5, 2020
New Testament Reading – Matthew 21:1-11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Closing Song
His Eye is on the Sparrow –
Closing Prayer –
Let us join together in this prayer of Clement of Rome:
We ask you, Master, be our helper and defender. Rescue those of our number in distress; raise up the fallen; assist the needy; heal the sick; turn back those of your people who stray; feed the hungry; release our captives; revive the weak; encourage those who lose heart. Let all the nations realize that you are the only God, that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. Amen.