Centering Practice
Stand together, take several deep breaths, open in a wide embrace, and say together:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it”
— Psalm 24:1
Call to Worship/Creed
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
we trust in the one triune God,
the Holy One of Israel,
whom alone we worship and serve.
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Worship Songs
So Good to Me
I waited patiently upon the Lord
And He inclined and heard my cry
He pulled me up out of the miry clay
He set my feet upon the Rock
He gave me beauty for ashes
And joy for my mourning
And praise for heaviness
He put a new song in my mouth
and a crown upon my head
He gave me life forevermore
So good, so, so good to me
So good, so, so good to me
So good, so, so good to me, Jesus
He picked me up and He turned me around
And He placed my feet on the solid ground
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Now I’ve got
Love, joy, peace and righteousness
In the Holy Spirit
The Way
Through every battle
Through every heartbreak
Through every circumstance
I believe that You are my fortress
You are my portion
And You are my hiding place
I believe You are
The way, the truth, the life
I believe You are
Through every blessing
Through every promise
Through every breath I take
I believe that You are Provider
You are Protector
You are the One I love
I believe You are
And it’s a new horizon
and I’m set on You
And You meet me here today
with mercies that are new
All my fears and doubts,
they can all come too
Because they can’t stay long
when I’m here with You
Prayer of Confession
Moment of silence
God of overflowing love and kindness,
You draw the circle of Your love wider,
and call us to do the same.
Forgive us when we close ourselves
from You and from others.
Help us to be faithful witnesses
of Christ’s hope and transformation.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
God of our past and our future,
who walks with us through joy and sorrow,
calling us with Your plan and purpose:
For Your beautiful creation,
for our church community,
for those who suffer or despair,
for the nations and the world, we pray:
Hold a moment of silent prayer
God of healing and hope,
guide our steps each day
and lead us in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Offering
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we invite you to use our QR code to fill out a visitors card so we can get to know you better
- Reset Sunday: We will not gather as a community on Sunday, July 2nd. Instead we encourage you to connect with God and others out in your world on that day — we’ll share resources on our website beforehand.
- Picnic in the park: After our regular worship service on Sunday, July 9th, we will gather at Sandburg Park (right across the parking lot) for a picnic lunch. More details to come!
- NextGen Sunday School: Thanks to everyone for helping to teach our Sunday School students. If you have any questions about our schedule, volunteering, or anything Sunday School-related, please talk to Ann Leong.
- Essentials series: We’re starting a new series today about the essentials of our faith. For the summer, we’ll explore theology and spiritual practices together. We’ll have a special “AMA” with the pastors on June 25th.
- Worship liturgy online: We’ve started posting our weekly worship liturgy on our website (on the blog). You can also click on our IG link tree!
- Youth Group: Peter will teach youth group today. All of our students will be sent with blessings after our family praise in a little bit.
- Bless the school: On Thursday, four of us from our core team had the chance to bless the teachers of Sandburg Elementary with donuts and coffee before class started at 7:45 am. Let’s continue to find ways to partner with this school, especially in the fall!
Passing of the Peace
Family Song
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Promises
God of Abraham
You’re the God of covenant
And of faithful promises
Time and time again
You have proven
You’ll do just what You said
Though the storms may come
and the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn,
when You speak a word
It will come to pass
Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me
God from age to age
Though the earth may pass away
Your word remains the same
Your history can prove
There’s nothing You can’t do
You’re faithful and true
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down
Scripture Reading
Acts 4:23-36
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Essentials: The Sovereignty of God
— Pastor Dan
Worship Song
You Hold It All Together
You come at the right time
When I least expect it
Never behind
So why would I be surprised
When You deliver every time?
On mountaintops, You stay the same
On valley low, You never change
And I believe that I will see
The goodness of the Lord
I’m confident as seasons change
Your faithfulness remains
You go, You go before me
To prepare a blessing
You madе a way
It’s more than I could imagine
More than I can fathom
Or comprehend
God of my present
God of my future
You write my story
You hold it all together
Anchor & Hope Church 