LEVEL GROUND MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP GUIDE (SEPTEMBER 27)

LET US PRAY: PRAYING TOGETHER AS A CHURCH FAMILY

CALL TO WORSHIP: THE LORD’S PRAYER

Read aloud together.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

LISTEN TOGETHER O Come to the Altar (www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpfuKKH_SCE) Lord, I Need You (www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMA)

PREPARING TO READ THE BIBLE TOGETHER Pray this together. As a group, read aloud the emphasized phrases.

Open our eyes, O God: that we may behold wondrous things out of your written word. Open our ears, O God: that we may hear what you will speak to those who turn to you in their hearts. Open our minds, O God: that we may understand what it means to trust you and to learn of your ways. Open our hearts, O God: that we may grasp the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. Open our mouths, O God: that we may proclaim the goodness of Jesus and speak of him boldly.

Source: adapted from The Worship Source Book 2nd ed. (pg 144)

READING THE BIBLE TOGETHER Read a loud and receive Scripture together. Pause briefly after each passage to allow for prayerful personal reflection and any public response, such as an observation, an expression of gratitude, a reflection of encourage and hope, etc. Possible guiding questions have been listed below each passage.

Psalm 31

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;

surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

In what ways have you been restored thru forgiveness? How does covering up sin affect your life?

What is God teaching you these days? How are you trusting him?

Zephaniah 3:16-20 (NLT)

16 On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! 17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

18 “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.

19 And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away.

I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.

20 On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth,

as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Do you believe that God delights in you? How have you experienced God’s love calming your fears?

What does God bringing you home look like in your life? What are you being brought home from?

John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

In what ways have you experienced God’s pruning in your life? Where is he at work right now?

How does remaining in God’s love shape what you ask of him?

How are you laying your life down … for Jesus … for loved ones … for ones you don’t love …?

Philippians 1:2-6, 9-11 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

God’s not done working with you yet … how does this stir up hope and confidence in you?

Who are you being led to pray for these days? How might you pray these words for them?

What fruit is God growing in you? Where do you see love, discernment, righteousness increasing?

SHARING TOGETHER Respond to the Scripture focus and the reflection questions, taking turns to express how the passage resonates with you. Perhaps you have a seen a prayer request filled, perhaps the text connected with you or you have observation that you would like to share with the group.

SILENCE In quietness turn what was shared into prayer. Take a moment or two of silence to contemplate, to express gratitude for God’s provisions, to intercede for matters shared, to worship.

PRAYING TOGETHER As prompted, pray aloud with your group. Allow the Scripture read to shape and inform your prayers. Intercede for our church family: our needs, questions, burdens, pains, and obstacles.

PERSONAL NOTES

COMMUNAL PRAYER Pray this together. As a group, read aloud the emphasized phrases.

Let us give thanks to God, the God of all peoples of the earth. For the wonder and beauty of your creation and our place within it, we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For our daily food, and for those whose work and skill bring your good gifts to us, we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For the gifts and graces inspired in human minds and hearts; for insight and imagination, for the skills of learning and sharing which bring healing and fulfillment to the lives of many; we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For the light and shades of the changing seasons, and their variety and dependability; for the promise of new life and growth out of barrenness and decay; we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For new hope and strength in our communities, especially in your churches and among all who come to serve you, we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For all in whose lives we see goodness, kindness, gentleness, patience and humility, and all the fruit of the Spirit, we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. For the life we have been given, and for all those whom you have given us to share it, we bring our thanks, Lord: your love endures forever. Amen.

Source: adapted from re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/09/thanksgiving-litany-your-mercy-endures.html

SENDING BENEDICTION

Read aloud together in closing.

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SONG LYRICS

O COME TO THE ALTAR (ELEVATION MUSIC)

VERSE ONE Are you hurting and broken within? Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? Jesus is calling Have you come to the end of yourself? Do you thirst for a drink from the well? Jesus is calling

CHORUS O come to the altar The Father's arms are open wide Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ

VERSE TWO Leave behind your regrets and mistakes Come today, there's no reason to wait Jesus is calling

Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy From the ashes, a new life is born Jesus is calling

CHORUS

BRIDGE Oh what a Savior Isn't He wonderful? Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen Bow down before Him For He is Lord of all Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen

CHORUS (2x)

The Father's arms are open wide

LORD, I NEED YOU (Matt Maher)

VERSE ONE Lord, I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest Without You I fall apart You're the One that guides my heart

CHORUS Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You

VERSE TWO Where sin runs deep Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are Where You are, Lord, I am free Holiness is Christ in me

CHORUS

BRIDGE So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way When I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus, You're my hope and stay

CHORUS You're my one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You

LEVEL GROUND MENNONITE CHURCH

SEPTEMBER IN-PERSONAL GATHERINGS: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Each of our four September in-person gatherings will include a guided discussion on how we can go forward as a church family. After a time of welcome, Scripture reading, sharing, and prayer, we will devote a significant amount of time to listening to one another as we go through the following set of questions together. The responses to these questions will provide the Lead Team and staff with valuable feedback as they make plan for sustainable and life-giving gatherings and rhythms for Level Ground going forward.

1. What are your questions related to church gatherings and rhythms, finances, future plans, etc?

2. What are your needs right now? What burdens, concerns, or shortcomings are you right now?

3. Thinking about the way we were a church before the pandemic and the way we are a church now ...

What is one thing about the way we used to “do church” that you have not missed?

What is one thing about the way we have been a church now that you want to take with us forward?

What is one thing that has been lost or limited about being a church that you want to recover?

4. Where do you see God at work, in your life, in your community, in our church family?

5. What should we (staff, Lead Team and church family) prioritize with our time, resources and efforts going forward?

6. What forms of gathering and faith formation practices would you commit to right now? In what ways to you want to participate with and contribute to the life of the church family?

7. How are you willing to serve the church family at this time? What adjustments to our church rhythms or personal expectations are you willing to make?