(One Person Read Aloud) 

Jude 24–25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Let us sing to our God!

Please take this time to pray for our benevolent funds that we may serve those in our church and community with financial needs in this time. Also pray for our Global Partners, as this virus adds difficulties to ministry. 

We have available online the ability to give to the benevolent fund as well as our church general fund. You may make this part of your worship this morning by going to this link:  https://www.simplechurchgiving.net/app/giving/wefc

(One Person Read Aloud) 

Mark 7:14–23

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?... What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” 

(One Person Read Aloud)

(All Read Together Statements in Bold)

Lord Jesus,

We come to you to confess our sins. We hear your teaching that it is not what is outside of us that defiles us, but it is sin's very presence within us. We cannot blame others for our sin. It is our own disordered desires that lead us to break your law, pervert your commandments, and sin against others.

As we examine our hearts today, reveal to us by your Spirit the ways that we have grieved you. Shed light on the darkness of our hearts that we try to keep hidden from you. Draw us to repentance by your love and grace.

Lord God, have mercy upon us.

(Continue to reflect upon your sin and brokenness during the next song. Boldly approach His throne of Grace to receive His mercy today.)

(One Person Read Aloud)

(All Read Together Statements in Bold)

Ephesians 2:1–10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

(One Person Read Aloud)

(All Read Together Statements in Bold)

Father God,

We are thankful for the great salvation we have in Christ. We thank you for a salvation that is not dependent upon our works--whether in the past, present, or future. Only by the sacrifice of Jesus have we been made righteous and given a justified standing before you. We trust in the work of Jesus, so that we may not boast in our own deeds. 

As we continue trusting in Christ's righteousness, we ask that you shape us more and more into your likeness.

-Grow us into a church that submits to your sovereign will

-Grow us into a church that proclaims your salvation to the lost

-Grow us into a church that loves justice and grieves broken systems

-Grow us into a church that loves our enemies

-Grow us into a church that remains steadfast in our service of Christ

-Grow us into a church that acts as your hands and feet

Grow us more and more into the likeness of Christ.

Amen

At this time, please take the opportunity to lift prayers to the Lord

• That many will turn to Christ and that we will have the boldness and willingness to tell others the truth of Jesus.

• Pray for the staff, faculty, and students of Hoover High school and Meredith Middle school
• That we will have patience and discernment when services and businesses begin to open up.  
• That God's will give us eager servant hearts

(One Person Read Aloud)

I Corinthians 16:23-24

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus Amen"