August 3, 2025 • Worship liturgy



Centering Practice

We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself. Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths

  • This month, we will explore what it means to engage with, live into, and dialogue with Scripture 
  • We invite you to cover your ears, to block out the noise — listen to the sound of your own breathing and with openness to hearing God’s voice

Call to Worship

We gather together to seek Jesus,
the Light of the World
and the One who sets us free.

We open our hearts, minds, and lives
to hear the voice of Love.
May the word of Christ dwell in us richly.
Amen. 


Worship Songs

Called Me Higher

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence

And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am
and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord

You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord

Where You lead me Lord

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside

And I could be safe
I could be safe here in Your arms
and never leave home
Never let these walls down

And I will be Yours
I will be Yours for all my life


My Hallelujah

Open up the doors again
Let the King of glory in
His Kingdom will never end
Oh, I know that You are good

Break the darkness with the light
All the earth let praise arise
Every dead place come alive
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good

You will have my hallelujah
You alone the highest name
All to You I surrender
Every breath I take
Make my life Your praise

Oh, Spirit of the Living God
Fire burning in my heart
I’m wide awake to who You are
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good

You are my strength when I am weak
You are my sight when I can’t see
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down

Oh, when I was lost, You rescued me
When I was bound, You set me free
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down


Prayer of Confession

God of justice and joy,
We see evidence of Your love all around us:
In growing gardens and growing children.

We confess our fears and failures to You:
When we hesitate to offer generosity;
For the ways we try to control outcomes;
Hear us, O God, we pray: 

— Moment of silent prayer — 

Renewing Spirit,
Breathe the breath of life into us again.
Renew us in overflowing love.
Amen. 


Assurance of God’s Love

Prayers of the People

Communion

Offering Prayer

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’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
  • Run Club: Thanks for all the support and encouragement for our Balboa Park 8 Miler team! If you’re interested in joining the Anchor & Hope Run Club, please talk to Jin today!
  • Promotion Sunday/Blessing of the Backpacks: School is starting up soon! Next Sunday, August 10th, will be our Promotion Sunday and Blessing of the Backpacks as our students head back to campus.
  • Reset Sunday: August is a month with 5 Sundays, which means we will not gather in community on Sunday, August 31st.
  • Church Retreat: Our retreat is coming up next month on September 20th and 21st (Saturday and Sunday). We’ll be in town at Marina Village. 
  • Women’s Bible Study: Starting up this month! Please talk to PJ if you’re interested in joining.
  • Young Adult’s Bible Study: Please contact Pastor David if you’re interested — every other Thursday via Zoom at 5:30 pm.
  • Office Space: Please join us in prayer as we look to establish an ongoing presence in the Mira Mesa area — and keep an eye out!

Passing of the Peace

Let’s greet each other at this time! 


Blessing of the Children

Worship Song

Great Are You Lord

You give life
You are love
You bring light to the darkness

You give hope
You restore
every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise

We pour out our praise

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise

To You only

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord


Scripture Reading

Psalm 119:1-48

Happy are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong
    but walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.

O that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me.

How can young people keep their way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
    so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes.

13 With my lips I declare
    all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
    so that I may live and observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I live as an alien in the land;
    do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your ordinances at all times.

21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments;
22 take away from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your decrees.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your decrees are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

25 My soul clings to the dust;
    revive me according to your word.
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.

29 Put false ways far from me,
    and graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments,
    for you enlarge my understanding.

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
    and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees
    and not to selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
    be gracious to me according to your word.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
    for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts;
    in your righteousness be gracious to me.

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise.
42 Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your ordinances.
44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever.

45 I shall walk at liberty,
    for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your decrees before kings
    and shall not be put to shame;
47 I find my delight in your commandments
    because I love them.
48 I revere your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.


Sermon
Image of an open Bible with a lake in the background, with text overlaid, "Freedom & Formation"

Freedom & Formation

Pastor Jeya


Worship Song

Have My Heart

You love with no reservations
You’re not looking for perfection
And there’s no need in me pretending
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything

You deserve my full attention
Nothing less than my devotion
Oh, speak to me and I will listen
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh 
You can have my heart
You can have my heart

Be the Lord of my emotions
Set me free from selfish motives
And search me ’til there’s nothing hidden
And I’ll give You everything
Yes, I’ll give You everything

My heart is Yours forever
My heart is Yours forever


Benediction