1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

pentecost, week 24
16 november 2014
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Reflection
“The fact that Joseph kept his eyes on God in adversity is remarkable. But even more remarkable
is the fact that he kept his eyes on God when he was prosperous.” • James Boice
“Religion begot prosperity, and the daughter devoured the mother.”
• Cotton Mather
Preparation
Use the time before the service as an opportunity to prepare for worship, quiet your heart, and
receive Christ. Feel free to read the reflections above. As a courtesy, please turn off your cell
phone, beeper, iPod, or other noisemaker at this time.
Welcome
The ancient Celts believed that there were “thin places” on this earth; places where you could
experience the very presence of God. Worship is a “thin place” between heaven and earth
where we meet with God. When we gather for congregational worship we enter into the very
presence of the Living God. No matter who you are or what you have done, God, by his grace, is
able to change your life forever. Meet with him at this “thin place”: worship.
Credits
All Scripture references taken from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted
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Call to Worship
Revelation 15:3-4
Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you.
Prayer of Invocation
“Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus” *
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The Call to Worship is an
invitation into the unique
activity of worship. Our
primary activity in the worship
service is to participate in the
gift exchange of worship itself,
by hearing God’s Word, by
offering prayers and praise,
and by receiving spiritual
nourishment offered at the
Lord’s table.
The term invocation implies that
the congregation invokes, or “calls
upon,” God. In it, we express our
longing for God as well as deep
dependence and humility.
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus
CHORUS
O! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon this I see, nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing can for sin atone, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus
• Words + Music: Robert Lowry (1876)
*Please rise in body or in spirit
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“Safely Through” *
Lord we adore thy vast designs, the great abyss of providence
Too deep to sound with mortal lines, too dark to view with feeble sense
CHORUS
Amen, great is your hand
Amen, great is your hand
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Why do we sing in church?
As God's people gather for
worship, we focus our attention
on God and away from
ourselves by singing together.
We respond with thanksgiving
to God, because we have hope.
And we sing because it is the
best and most complete
response that we can utter.
Through seas and storms of deep distress, we sail by faith and not by sight
Faith guides us in the wilderness, through all the briars and the night
Dear Father if thy lifted rod, resolve to scourge us here below
Still we must lean upon our God, thine arm shall bear us safely through
• Words: Isaac Watts (1709)
• Music: Phil Letizia (2006)
First Reading *
Philippians 2:1-11
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Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united
with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing
in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my
joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being
one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you
to the interests of the others.
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As the Bible is the primary
means by which God speaks to
and edifies his people, we read
and listen to the Scriptures
together in worship. In ancient
Israel and the early church,
services of worship were
organized for the public
reading of scripture – a
practice vital to building up the
community of faith.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
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Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being
made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest
place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Call to Confession
Isaiah 30:15, 18
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is
your strength, but you would have none of it. Yet the LORD longs
to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the
LORD is God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
Corporate Confession
God of love and justice,
we long for peace within and peace without.
We long for harmony in our families,
for serenity in the midst of struggle.
We long for the day when our homes
will be a dwelling place for your love.
Yet we confess that we are often anxious,
we do not trust each other,
and we harbor violence.
We are not willing to take the risks
and make the sacrifices that love requires. Look upon us with kindness and grace. Rule in our homes and in all the world; show us how to walk in your paths, through the mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 2
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Because sin is so pervasive in
both our corporate and
individual lives, Christians and
non-Christians are called to
come before the Father with
honesty and transparency,
confessing our brokenness
and asking for both forgiveness
and healing through Jesus Christ…
…we confess corporately to
show our unity even in our
brokenness.
Private Confession
We confess individually in
order to own our failing toward
God and toward humankind in
thought, word and deed.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Christ has given the Church
authority to declare
forgiveness of sins in his
name. Because of this, when
the liturgist proclaims that your
sins are forgiven, you can know
that Christ agrees.
Based on 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:2
Hear the good news: This saying is sure and worthy of full
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be
dead to sin, and alive to God.
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“All The Poor And Powerless” *
All the poor and powerless, and all the lost and lonely
All the thieves will come confess, and know that you are holy, and know that you are holy
CHORUS
And all will sing out, hallelujah
And we will cry out, hallelujah
All the hearts who are content, and all who feel unworthy
And all who hurt with nothing left, will know that you are holy
Shout it, go on scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That he is God
• Words + Music: Leslie Jordan and David Leonard (2011)
Prayers of the People
After each petition of the prayer, there will be a time to pray silently.
Please join us in the following refrain:
Leader: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
In response to God's having
gathered us in worship, we
offer our petitions to him for
the church, the nation, the
world, the city and those who
are suffering.
The Lord's Prayer Based on Matthew 6:9-13
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 the kingdom, the
power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
CityChurch Update
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Passing the peace is a
tradition rooted in Scripture
that embodies our identity as
peacemakers (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor.
5:20) and trains ours hearts,
hands, and tongues in the ways
of peace.
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Second Reading
Genesis 41:37-57
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The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we
find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
39
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so
discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to
submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then
Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in
robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his
second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of
the whole land of Egypt.
44
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot
in all Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter
of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
46
Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph
went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of
abundance the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those
seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown
in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea;
it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
50
Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of
Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has
made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named
Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
53
The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine
began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of
Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh
for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”
56
When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and
sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the world
came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.
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Prayer of Illumination
Sermon
The Gospel According to Joseph, Part 3
“The Good News of Power” – Genesis 41:37-57
Rev. Dr. Michael Allen
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The prayer of illumination
acknowledges the Spirit’s work
in this part of worship by
requesting God’s Spirit to act
through the reading and
preaching of Scripture. The
prayer is offered for both the
preacher and the listener, for
both the speaking and the
hearing of the Word.
A sermon is not just teaching
for living; it is mainly a time
when Christ encounters his
people through his Word.
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Affirmation of Faith *
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and
earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into
heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the
dead.
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When we affirm our
faith together, it reminds us
that we are part of an ancient
and global faith. This basic
creed of Christian churches, as
most familiarly known, is called
the Apostles' Creed. It has
received this title because of its
great antiquity; it dates from
very early times in the Church,
a half century or so from the
last writings of the New
Testament.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of
sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Words of Institution
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were
eating, he took a piece of bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave it to them with the words,
“This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.” Later he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is God’s covenant, sealed with my blood. Drink from it, all of you, to remember me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes.
*The word "catholic" refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Distribution of the Bread + Cup
CityChurch welcomes all baptized Christians – those who are
trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation and who are members of
congregations that proclaim the gospel – to receive the Holy
Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, or the Eucharist)
with us. We will be coming forward to receive Communion.
When you come forward, tear a piece of the bread, and then
dip it into the cup.
Please note that we use wine in Communion. If you cannot
receive wine, non-alcoholic white grape juice is also available. If you
are not able to receive The Lord’s Supper, please use this time
to meditate on one of the prayers below.
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“The Eucharist is the definitive
action practiced in the Christian
community that keeps Jesus
Christ before us as the Savior of
the world and our Savior, and
ourselves as sinners in need of
being saved. The Eucharist is
the sacramental act that pulls
us into actual material
participation with Christ
(eating and drinking bread and
wine) as he gives his very life
“for us and for our
salvation” (cf., the Nicene
Creed)... The Eucharist puts
Jesus in his place: dying on the
cross and giving us that
sacrificed life. And it puts us in
our place: opening our hands
and receiving the remission of
our sins, which is our
salvation.”
• Eugene Peterson, Christ
Prayers of Meditation for Those Not Communing
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Prayer for Those Searching for Truth
Prayer of Belief
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 to me the
reality of who you are. Give me an
understanding of you that is coherent,
convincing, and that leads to the life that you
promise. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more
sinful than I ever before believed, but through
you I am more loved and accepted than I ever
dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt,
bearing my punishment on the cross, and
offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that
you have been raised from the dead, I turn from
my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for Those Overcome with Sin
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that I may see in you the
fulfillment of all my need and may turn from
every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true
and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin
that clings so closely and run with perseverance
the race set before me, looking to you, the
pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen.
Prayer for Covenant Children (Not Yet
Confirmed)
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for placing me inside
your family, the church. Help me more and more
to know you, to love you and to follow you as
your faithful disciple. Amen.
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Gifts + Offerings
Christ calls us, to give generously as a sign of gratitude for how much he has given us. Our
response to his grace enables us to give sacrificially of ourselves to one another and the work
of Christ’s Kingdom. Your gift is an act of personal worship to God in response to his grace in
your life.
If you’re new to CityChurch, or are exploring Christianity, you’re under no obligation to give.
Consider allocating a significant portion of your tithe and offering to the community where you
invest most of your time, and where others are investing in you.
The offering box is located in the back. For your convenience, one-time or recurring gifts can be
made online. You may also give via text message by simply texting a dollar amount to
954.719.7992 and following the instructions. For more details, visit: citychurchwm.com/giving
Songs of Response – “Let Me Find Thee” *
Behold me here, in grief draw near, pleading at thy throne oh King
To thee each tear, each trembling fear, Jesus Son of Man I bring
Let me find thee, let me find thee
Let me find thee, Lord of mercy, King of grace
Look down in love, and from above, with thy Spirit satisfy
Thou hast sought me, thou hast bought me, and thy purchase Lord am I
Let me find thee, let me find thee
Let me find thee, here on earth and then on high
Hear the broken, scarcely spoken, longings of my heart to thee
All the crying, all the sighing, of thy child accepted be
Let me find thee, let me find thee
Let me find thee, wounded healer, suffering Lord
• Words: Joachim Neander (1679)
• Music: Matthew S. Smith (2012)
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“Mystery” *
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the Mystery
CHORUS
Christ has died and
Christ is risen
And Christ will come again
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his coming
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes
• Words + Music: Charlie Hall (2008)
Benediction *
2 Corinthians 13:13 (NRSV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
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Just as we ordain new
ministers and send them into
the world to serve, in the
Benediction, Christ ordains
you with a blessing that equips
you for service.
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VISION
THE VISION OF CITYCHURCH is the Spiritual, Social, and Cultural renewal of Wilton Manors.
MISSION
WE SEEK TO BE the very presence of Christ in Wilton Manors by cultivating a community of
Faith, Hope + Love
VALUES
The Gospel. The Gospel is the only hope for humankind. The message of the Gospel is that Christ
has done what is necessary to bring us into a relationship with God. We keep it at the center of
everything.
Mission & Movement. Because God is the one who initiates relationships, and sent his Son to
seek and save people, we will pursue relationships with people in hope that they will be restored
to their Father. CityChurch does not exist as an end in itself – we desire to be an incubator for
church planting throughout South Florida, in that when we grow, we will be very intentional
about spinning off and beginning new congregations throughout our city. Each of these
churches will partner with us in pursuing the goal of spiritual, social, and cultural renewal.
The City. Christianity has always thrived in an urban context. We love Wilton Manors, and want
to live, work, celebrate, raise our families, enjoy, and serve this great city.
Arts & Industries. We believe that the good news of the Gospel is about God’s redemption of
this fallen world and its cultural expressions. We are a church that welcomes, encourages, and
equips artists of every medium... and therefore we will seek to offer artists opportunities to show
or perform their work, providing encouragement for them to grow and develop as artists. We
also believe that the good news of the Gospel impacts work and the marketplace. We will
encourage men and women to use their positions, talents, and gifts to the best of their abilities,
and to the betterment of our city.
Life in Community. The Trinity is at the core of Christian truth; namely that God himself has
always been in community – the Father and Son and Spirit all loving, giving and sharing with one
another. We acknowledge that we need each other, and that the life Jesus offers works only in
connection with a community of faith.
Social Healing. The Gospel is the good news of Christ’s kingdom. CityChurch seeks to partner
with local social service agencies that assist the suffering in our own local community.
Furthermore, we will pray for sensitivity to the mercy needs of our community and will seek to
serve our neighbors out of Christ’s love.
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CityGroups
CityGroups are mid-week gatherings giving opportunity for
people to rehearse the Gospel together, live it out to one
another, and to be an extension of God’s love to our neighbors
while serving the community around us.
Mondays
7p - Led by Dan Franklin and Mary Gundlach
Hosted at the home of Dan Franklin (2832 NW 9 Ter, WM)
If you would like to be a part of this new CityGroup, contact Dan
Franklin ([email protected]) or Mary Gundlach
([email protected]) for more information.
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“We who follow Jesus are a sent
people, even as Jesus was sent
into the world by His Heavenly
Father. We are a community
sent on a mission together: to
keep on doing the ministry of
Jesus so that all people and all
creation might experience the
reconciliation of God. God has
designed the church of Jesus
Christ to be a ‘missional’
fellowship. The word ‘mission’
comes from the Latin word
‘missio’, which means ‘having
been sent.’ Since we have been
sent to do God's work, we are a
‘missional’ community together.”
• Mark D. Roberts
Wednesdays
6p - Led by the Letizias
From 6-6:45pm, dinner will be on the table for everyone. Around 6:45 we'll have our time of
scripture reading and prayer. If you need to leave early after dinner, you're free to. If you can't
arrive until 7-7:30, there'll be food waiting for you and you can jump into the conversation at any
time! Whether you need to put kids to bed, get home earlier, or you get off work late, join us. We're
looking forward to our mid-week CityGroup being a place of wonderful fellowship.
For more information or to join a CityGroup, email us at: [email protected].
Text-to-Give Platform
We are excited to announce that you can now give via text message to CCWM. Simply send a text
message to 954.719.7992 with the amount you would like to give (i.e. 20). You will receive an
immediate response with a link to enter an email address and a credit/debit card number. Once you
enter this information, you will never have to enter it again, just save the number in your phone for
future giving. You can begin at anytime, and even give during our worship service! For more
information, contact us at [email protected].
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Upcoming Events (Mark Your Calendar!)
Nov 21-23 – Rabbit Hole
MUSE Center for the Arts (99 SW 14 St, FTL)
The City Arts Initiative is proud to present Rabbit
Hole, a production of the New City Players. This
critically-acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama
touches on themes such as grief, loss and family.
There are mature themes throughout (not kidfriendly). For showtimes and tickets, visit
RabbitHole2014.com.
Sun, Dec 14, 6p – Lessons + Carols Service
Second Presbyterian Church (1400 N Federal Hwy, FTL)
Join the Citychurch South Florida congregations
as we celebrate the Christmas story with music
and spoken word. For childcare, please RSVP with
Amber Peavyhouse ([email protected]).
Visit Us Online Keep up-to-date with our events calendar, set up repeated
giving, and more on our website (citychurchwm.com). Get
updates throughout the week on Twitter
(@CityChurchWM) or by joining our Facebook page
(facebook.com/citychurchwiltonmanors).
Ministry Team
Rev. Phil Letizia, Lead Pastor
Dan Franklin, Pastoral Apprentice
Jeff Schmidt, Media Director
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Office ✦ 441 NE 3 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 | Phone ✦ 754.300.7191
Web ✦ citychurchwm.com Email ✦ [email protected]
CityChurch Wilton Manors has no formal affiliation with the Historic Richardson House.
We are grateful to the City of Wilton Manors allowing us rental space at this facility.
CityChurch Wilton Manors is a Presbyterian congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian