worship

Worship Service for May 4, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: I Just Wanna Be A Sheep

Chorus:
I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.
I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.

Verse 1:
Don’t wanna be a goat…nope! Don’t wanna be a goat…nope!
Haven’t got any hope…nope! Don’t wanna be a goat…nope!

Verse 4:
Don’t wanna be a Sadducee. Don’t wanna be a Sadducee.
‘Cause they’re so sad you see. Don’t wanna be a Sadducee.

(Chorus)

Verse 5:
Just wanna be a child of God. Just wanna be a child of God.
Walkin’ the same path He trod. Just wanna be a child of God.

(Chorus)                                                                            © 1974 Mission Hills Music

Invocation 

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: We have come here today to worship the Lord.  In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise.  We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness.  He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord. 

P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,

P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.

P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.

P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.

P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.

P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.

P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.

P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.

P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.

P: Amen.
C: Amen.

P: God has heard your apology.  He loves you very much.  God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children.  As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven.  So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 
C: Amen.

Song: Jesus Loves Me

Verse 1:
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong. 

Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so. 

Verse 2:
Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gates to open wide.
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.

(Chorus)                                                                          © Public Domain 

First Reading – John 10:11-15

“I am the good shepherd…The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone…The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep. “I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.

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

Children’s Message “The Good Shepherd vs the Hired Hand”

Song: Gratitude

All my words fall short. I got nothing new.
How could I express all my gratitude?

I could sing these songs, as I often do

But every song must end and You never do

Chorus:

So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again

‘Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah. Hallelujah!

And I know it’s not much but I’ve nothing else fit for a King

Except for a heart singing, Hallelujah  Hallelujah

I’ve got one response. I’ve got just one move

With my arm stretched wide, I will worship You

(Chorus)

Bridge:

So come on, my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me. Lift up your song,

‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

(Repeat 2x)

(Chorus)                                                                  © 2021 Bethel Worship Publishing

Second Reading – Ezekiel 34:11-13

The Lord God says, “I myself will be their Shepherd. I will search for my sheep and take care of them. If a shepherd is with his sheep when they begin to wander away, he will go searching for them. In the same way I will search for my sheep. I will save them and bring them back from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back from those nations.

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

Children’s Message “The Good Shepherd Gathers the Scattered Sheep”

Song: I See You

God of love, God of all glory, every day I see new mercy.
Great is Your faithfulness!
God of love, God of my story, You never fail. You never forsake me
Great is Your faithfulness!

Chorus:
I see You in the morning light. I feel You in the fire by night.
I hear You say, “Child, I am with you. Everything will be alright.”
I see You in the tears that run. I feel You when the healing comes.
I hear You say, “Beloved one, I am with you,” Every moment of my life.
I see You. I see You. I see You. God, I see You. 

God of love, God of new vision, every blessing You have given.
Great is Your faithfulness! Oh, how great is Your faithfulness!

(Chorus) 

Bridge:
I will worship through the storm,
Through the storm, Through the storm.
All my hope is in You Lord, In You Lord, In You Lord. 

I see You in the morning light. I feel You in the fire by night.
I hear You say, “Child, I am with you. Everything will be alright.”

(Chorus)                                                                                © 2021 Capitol CMG Paragon 

Sermon – “Jesus is Our Good Shepherd”

Sermon Reading – John 10:11-16

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song – This Is Our God
Remember those walls that we called sin and shame?
They were like prisons that we couldn’t escape.
But He came, and He died, and He rose.
Those walls are rubble now.

Remember those giants we called death and grave?
They were like mountains that stood in our way.
But He came, and He died, and He rose.
Those giants are dead now.

Chorus
This is our God, this is who He is, He loves us.
This is our God, this is what He does, He saves us.
He bore the cross, beat the grave,
let heaven and earth proclaim,
this is our God, King Jesus.

Remember that fear that took our breath away?
Faith so weak that we could barely pray.
But He heard, Every word, every whisper.

Now those altars in the wilderness.
Tell the story of His faithfulness.
Never once, did He fail, and He never will.

(Chorus)

Bridge
Who pulled me out of that pit? He did. He did.
Who paid for all of our sins? Nobody but Jesus.
(Repeat both lines)
Who rescued me from that grave? Yahweh. Yahweh.
Who gets the glory and praise? Nobody but Jesus.
(Repeat both lines)

(Chorus)                                                                                                © Brandon Lake Music

Worship Service for April 27, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: I Know that My Redeemer Lives 
I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave. He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky. He lives exalted there on high. 
He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart. 

He lives, all glory to His name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives;
I know that my Redeemer lives!
I know that my Redeemer lives!                                        © Public Domain 

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:
P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(A time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins) 

P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Let us confess our sin before the Lord. Let us confess together.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.  Amen.

P: The Lord is gracious and merciful. He promises to forgive our sins. Therefore, upon this, your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Song – Now All The Vault Of Heaven Resounds (sit)

Now all the vault of Heav’n resounds,
In praise of love that still abound,
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear.
Repeat their song of glory here.
“Christ has triumphed! Christ has triumphed!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.” 

Eternal is the gift He brings.
Therefore, our heart with rapture sings,
“Christ has triumphed! He is living!”
Now, still, He comes to give us life,
And by His presence stills all strife.
Christ has triumphed! He is living!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. 

Adoring praises now we bring
And with the heavenly blessed sing,
“Christ has triumphed, Alleluia!
Be to the Father, and our Lord,
To Spirit blest, most holy God,
All the glory, never-ending!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.“               © 1989,1994 Lorenz Publishing Company 

Old Testament Reading – Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

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

Epistle Reading – 1 John 5:4–10
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

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

Gospel Reading – John 20:19–31
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.            C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – Because He Lives (Amen)
I believe in the Son. I believe in the risen One
I believe I overcome. By the power of His blood

Chorus
Amen, Amen. I’m alive, I’m alive because He lives
Amen, Amen. Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives

I was dead in the grave. I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name. He rolled the stone away 

(Chorus)

Bridge
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life my future in His hands

(Chorus 2x)                                                                                                         © 2014

Sermon – “Fear and Peace, Unbelief and Faith, Death and Life”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Apostles’ Creed (stand)
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, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song – This Is Our God
Remember those walls that we called sin and shame?
They were like prisons that we couldn’t escape.
But He came, and He died, and He rose.
Those walls are rubble now.

Remember those giants we called death and grave?
They were like mountains that stood in our way.
But He came, and He died, and He rose.
Those giants are dead now.

Chorus
This is our God, this is who He is, He loves us.
This is our God, this is what He does, He saves us.
He bore the cross, beat the grave,
let heaven and earth proclaim,
this is our God, King Jesus.

Remember that fear that took our breath away?
Faith so weak that we could barely pray.
But He heard, Every word, every whisper.

Now those altars in the wilderness.
Tell the story of His faithfulness.
Never once, did He fail, and He never will.

(Chorus)

Bridge
Who pulled me out of that pit? He did. He did.
Who paid for all of our sins? Nobody but Jesus.
(Repeat both lines)
Who rescued me from that grave? Yahweh. Yahweh.
Who gets the glory and praise? Nobody but Jesus.
(Repeat both lines)

(Chorus)                                                                                                © Brandon Lake Music

Easter Sunday Worship Service for April 20, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Gospel Reading – Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Opening Song: Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

Verse 1:
Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain:
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia! 

Verse 2:
For three long days, the grave did its worst,
Until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo;
And in its conquest, His might did show.

(Refrain)

Verse 4:
Go spread the news: He’s not in the grave;
He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done; even the battle with sin is won.

(Refrain)                                       Tr. © 1977 Augsburg Publishing House; © 1968   
          

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness: (stand)

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you and against our neighbor in our thoughts, words, and actions.  We are truly sorry for our sins and sincerely repent of them. We ask for Your mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ’s bitter suffering and death, please forgive us and renew us that we may walk in Your Spirit to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Christ Is Risen

Let no one caught in sin remain inside the lie of inward shame.
We fix our eyes upon the cross and run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us. Freely You’ve bled for us.

Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead, we are one with Him again.
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave.

Beneath the weight of all our sin You bowed to none but Heaven’s will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer’s crown,
No burden great can hold You down.
In strength You reign. Forever let Your church proclaim.

(Chorus)

O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
The glory of God has defeated the night!
O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
Our God is not dead. He is alive! He is alive!

(Chorus)             © 2009 Thankyou Music, spiritandsong.com, Unknown, and SHOUT! Publishing

Old Testament Reading – Job 19:23-27

“Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

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

Epistle Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Children’s Message (Children return to their seats)

Sermon Hymn – Jesus Christ is Risen, Today

Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!                                      © Public Domain

Sermon – “Resurrection Day”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255 

Nicene Creed (stand)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song: Forever
The moon and stars they wept. The morning sun was dead.
The Savior of the world was fallen.
His body on the cross. His blood poured out for us.
The weight of every curse upon Him.

One final breath He gave, as Heaven looked away.
The Son of God was laid in darkness.
A battle in the grave. The war on death was waged.
The power of hell forever broken. 

Pre-Chorus:
The ground began to shake. The stone was rolled away.
His perfect love could not be overcome.
Now death where is your sting. Our resurrected King,
Has rendered you defeated. 

Chorus:
Forever, He is glorified. Forever, He is lifted high!
Forever, He is risen. He is alive; He is alive! 

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus) 

We sing hallelujah. We sing hallelujah.
We sing hallelujah. The Lamb has overcome!

(Chorus)                                                                    © 2013 Bethel Music

Good Friday Worship Service for April 18, 2025 at 7 PM

About the Service

Tenebrae

Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness.” The Officium Tenebrae, the Service of Darkness, is a devotional and meditative service held on Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Service of Darkness is not a funeral service for Jesus but a time for repentance and reflection on his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. The darkness in the church symbolizes the miraculous Tenebrae, the darkness which surrounded the cross and darkened the earth from noon until three o’clock on the day Jesus died.

Seven Candles

There are seven candles and the Christ candle in the front of the church. Throughout the service the candles are extinguished and the lights are dimmed representing the extinguishing of the life of Jesus. The Christ candle is not extinguished but it is removed from the chancel. Just as Christ’s body was hidden in the grave until the third day so also is the Christ candle removed from sight for a short time. We then hear the loud sound of the Bible closing representing the stone being set in place in front of the tomb. The Christ candle is returned to its place at the end of the service foreshadowing Christ’s return from death to life.

Silence

In keeping with the solemnity of the day, there is no pre-service or post-service music. The service begins in silence and ends in silence. Worshipers are invited to remain after the service for as long as they wish for prayer and meditation. All are asked to leave the sanctuary, the courtyard and the parking lot in silence. The stillness and darkness of tonight are intended to contrast with the bright and glorious celebration of Easter morning

Preservice: Silence for Meditation

Invocation

Responsive Prayer

P: Come let us worship the Lord,
C: Who was obedient to death, even death on a cross.

P: God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
C: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

P: Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
C: As a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Confession and Forgiveness (Hebrews 4:14-16)

P: Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,
C: let us hold fast our confession.

P: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
C: but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

P: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
C: that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Time of Silent Reflection and Confession)

P: Let us confess our sins before the Lord.

C: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. …Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. Here the promise of our merciful God in 1 John chapter 1. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God’s promises are always true. Your sins are forgiven.

C: Amen 

First Reading: John 18:1-11

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

The First Candle is Extinguished

Music: Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs 1 and 2)

“Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye that feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; Watch with Him one bitter hour
Turn not from His griefs away; Learn from Him to watch and pray.

“See Him at the judgment-hall, Beaten, bound, reviled, arraign’d
See Him meekly bearing all! Love to man His soul sustain’d!
Shun not suffering, shame or loss; Learn of Christ to bear the cross.

Second Reading: John 18:12-27

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

The Second Candle is Extinguished

Music: What Wondrous Love is This (vs 1 and 2)
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this. That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down. Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Third Reading: John 18:28-40

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

The Third Candle is Extinguished

Music Old Rugged Cross (vs 1 and 3)

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus

Fourth Reading: John 19:1-16a

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Fourth Candle is Extinguished

Music When I Survey (vs 1 and 3)

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See from his head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Fifth Reading: John 19:16b-27

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Fifth Candle is Extinguished

Music Were You There (vs 1 and 2)

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Sixth Reading: John 19:28-30

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Sixth Candle is Extinguished

Music (Were You There – vs 3)

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Seventh Reading: John 19:31-42

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

The Seventh Candle is Extinguished

The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken softly by the congregation)

The Christ Candle is Removed and Extinguished

THE CLOSING OF THE BIBLE AND THE “STREPITUS” (a loud noise symbolizing the closing of our Savior’s tomb and the earthquake which occurred when Jesus died.)

The Christ Candle is Returned (Unlit)

The Service Ends and the People Exit in Silence

Worship Service for April 6, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: Father Abraham

Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them and so are you. So, let’s just praise the Lord! 

Right arm
Left arm
Right foot
Left foot
Chin up
Turn around
Sit down                                                                       © Public Domain

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: We have come here today to worship the Lord.  In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise.  We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness.  He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord. 

P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,

P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.

P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.

P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.

P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.

P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.

P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.

P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.

P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.

P: Amen.
C: Amen.

P: God has heard your apology.  He loves you very much.  God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children.  As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven.  So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 
C: Amen.

Song: God Is So Good

God is so good. God is so good.
God is so good. He’s so good to me.

He died for me. He died for me so.
He died for me. He’s so good to me.

He loves me so. He loves me so.
He loves me so. He’s so good to me.                                               © Public Domain

First Reading – Genesis 22:7-14

Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” Abraham answered, “Yes, son?” Isaac said, “I see the wood and the fire. But where is the lamb we will burn as a sacrifice?” Abraham answered, “God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.”

So both Abraham and his son went together to that place. When they came to the place where God told them to go, Abraham built an altar. He carefully laid the wood on the altar. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached for his knife to kill his son.

But the angel of the Lord stopped him. The angel called from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” Abraham answered, “Yes?” The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you do respect and obey God. I see that you are ready to kill your son, your only son, for me.”

Then Abraham noticed a ram whose horns were caught in a bush. So Abraham went and took the ram. He offered it, instead of his son, as a sacrifice to God. So Abraham gave that place a name, “The Lord Provides.” Even today people say, “On the mountain of the Lord, he will give us what we need.”

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

Children’s Message “The Lord Provides”

Song: At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

There’s a place, where mercy reigns and never dies
There’s a place, where streams of grace flows deep and wide

Pre-Chorus
All the love, I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood, comes flowing down

Chorus
At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life
I’m in awe of you; I’m in awe of you
Where your love ran red, and my sins washed white
I owe all to you, I owe all to you, Jesus

There’s a place, where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God, and forgiveness

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus)

Bridge
Here my hope is found, here on holy ground
Here I bow down, here I bow down
Here arms open wide, here you saved my life
Here I bow down, here I bow

(Chorus)                                                                        © Countless Wonder Publishing 

Second Reading – Genesis 22:1-2

After these things God decided to test Abraham’s faith. God said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Yes!” Then God said, “Take your son to the land of Moriah and kill your son there as a sacrifice for me. This must be Isaac, your only son, the one you love. Use him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains there. I will tell you which mountain.”

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

Children’s Message “What Would You Sacrifice?”

Gospel Reading – John 8:42–59
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,

for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.            C: Praise be to You, O Christ. 

Song: Seek Ye First

Seek ye first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and ye shall find.
Knock and it shall be opened unto you. Allelu, Alleluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word,
That proceeds out from the mouth of the Lord. Allelu, Alleluia.

© Public Domain

Sermon – “Sacrificing Something Precious”

Sermon Reading – Genesis 22:1-14

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young mn with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song: This Is Amazing Grace

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Chorus:
This is amazing grace. This is unfailing love
That You would take my place. That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life, that I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me

Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, The King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

(Repeat 2x)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!

(Chorus) © 2012 Bethel Music, Seems Like Music, Sing My Songs, Phil Wickham Music, and Warner Chappell Music

Worship Service for March 30, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the World by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.
‘Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
(Repeat last two lines)                                        © 2001 Thankyou Music

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Come into the presence of God. It is God, Himself, who bids us to come to Him in prayer, especially when we have sinned, so that we may receive His forgiveness. So, we enter His courts with confidence that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us as He promised.

(A time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart and have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen

P: Words of Forgiveness
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – Living Hope

How great the chasm that lay between us.
How high the mountain I could not climb.
In desperation, I turned to heaven,
And spoke Your name into the night.
Then through the darkness Your loving kindness,
Tore through the shadows of my soul.
The work is finished, the end is written,
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope. 

Who could imagine so great a mercy.
What heart could fathom such boundless grace.
The God of ages stepped down from glory,
To wear my sin and bear my shame.
The cross has spoken. I am forgiven. The King of Kings calls me His own.
Beautiful Savior I’m Yours forever, Jesus Christ, my Living Hope. 

Chorus:
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free!
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!
You have broken every chain. There’s salvation in Your Name,
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope.

Then came the morning that sealed the promise,

Your buried body began to breathe.

Out of the silence the roaring Lion,

Declared the grave has no claim on me.

(Repeat)

 Jesus, Yours is the victory!

(Chorus 2x)              © Bethel Music Publishing and Remaining portion is unaffiliated 

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 49:8-13

Thus says the Lord:
“In a time of favor I have answered you;
    in a day of salvation I have helped you;
I will keep you and give you
    as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
    to apportion the desolate heritages,
saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’
    to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’
They shall feed along the ways;
    on all bare heights shall be their pasture;
they shall not hunger or thirst,
    neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,
for he who has pity on them will lead them,
    and by springs of water will guide them.
And I will make all my mountains a road,
    and my highways shall be raised up.
Behold, these shall come from afar,
    and behold, these from the north and from the west,
    and these from the land of Syene.”

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
    break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted.

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

Epistle Reading – Acts 2:41-47

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

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

Gospel Reading – John 6:1-15

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – Christ, the Life of All the Living

Christ, the Life of all the living. Christ, the death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving to the darkest depths of woe:
Through thy suff’rings, death, and merit, I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee, O Thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst Thou my soul deliver from the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, dearest Jesus, unto Thee. 

Thou hast suffered great affliction and hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion, fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented that my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

Then, for all that wrought my pardon, for Thy sorrows deep and sore,
For Thine anguish in the Garden, I will thank Thee evermore,
Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing, for Thy bleeding and Thy dying,
For that last triumphant cry, and shall praise Thee, Lord, on high.                                                   © Public Domain

Sermon – “The Time of Favor”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Nicene Creed (stand)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song – God So Loved

Come all you weary. Come all you thirsty.
Come to the well that never runs dry.
Drink of the Water. Come and thirst no more.

Come all you sinners. Come find His mercy.
Come to the table. He Will satisfy.
Taste of His goodness. Find what you’re looking for.

Chorus 1:
For God so loved the World that He gave us,
His one and only Son to save us.
Whoever believes in Him, will live forever.

Bring all your failures. Bring your addictions.
Come lay them down at the Foot of the cross.
Jesus is waiting there with open arms.

(Chorus 1) 

Chorus 2:
The power of Hell forever defeated.
Now, it is well. I’m Walking in freedom.
For God so loved, God so loved the world.

Bridge:
Praise God! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him! Praise Him for the wonders of His love.
(Repeat)
His amazing love! 

(Chorus 1) 

(Chorus 2) 

Bring all your failures. Bring your addictions.
Come lay them down at the Foot of the cross.
Jesus is waiting there with open arms.       © 2019 Andrew Bergthold Designee

Worship Service for March 23, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: When we come into the presence of God we cannot help but see our sinfulness. God does not require us to cleanse our own sin and be perfect of our own power for, surely, we could never achieve this. Instead, He tells us to come just as we are and receive His great mercy.

Song: Just As I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not,To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without, Lamb of God, I come!  I come!

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you and each other. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, please forgive us and help us to live according to Your ways. Amen 

Just As I Am Verse 4:
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!                                          © Public Domain

P: Words of Forgiveness
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – O Praise The Name (Anástasis)

I cast my mind to Calvary Where Jesus bled and died for me.
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet.
My Savior on that cursed tree.

His body bound and drenched in tears.
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb.
The entrance sealed by heavy stone, Messiah still and all alone.

Chorus:
O praise the Name of the Lord our God.
O praise His Name forevermore.
For endless days, we will sing Your praise,
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God.

Then on the third, at break of dawn, the Son of heaven rose again.
O trampled death, where is your sting.
The angels roar for Christ the King.

(Chorus)

He shall return in robes of white.
The blazing sun shall pierce the night.
And I will rise among the saints, my gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face.

(Chorus 2x)                                                © 2015 © Hillsong Music Publishing

Old Testament Reading – Jeremiah 26:1-15

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. You shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law that I have set before you, and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you urgently, though you have not listened, then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.’”

The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, “You shall die! Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant’?” And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”

Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”

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

Epistle Reading – Ephesians 5:1-14

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

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

Gospel Reading – Luke 11:14–28

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – Take My Life And Let It Be

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days. Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my will and make it Thine. It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own. It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.                 
                                                                                                           © DO NOT VERIFY: SEECOMBO RECORD

Sermon – “You’re an Imitator…But of Who?”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255 

Apostles’ Creed (stand)

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, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song – Marvelous Light                                      

Chorus:
Into marvelous light I’m running, out of darkness out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth, You are the life, You are the way.

I once was fatherless, a stranger with no hope.
Your kindness wakened me, wakened me from my sleep, now.
Your love it beckons deeply, a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come. Take this life, take your life!

Pre-Chorus:
Sin has lost its power! Death has lost its sting!
From the grave you’ve risen victoriously!

(Chorus)

My dead heart now is beating, my deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs, now I’m free, now I’m free.
(Repeat)

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Lift my hands and spin around. See the light that I have found,
Oh the marvelous light, marvelous light!
(Repeat)

(Chorus 2x)                                                                              © 2005 sixsteps Music

Worship Service for March 16, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: Blessed Be Your Name

Verse 1:
Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful.
Where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name when I’m found in the desert place.
Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.

Pre-Chorus:
Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say, 

Chorus:
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be Your glorious name. 

Verse 2:
Blessed be Your name when the sun’s shining down on me.
When the world’s “all as it should be,” blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering.
Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name.

(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)

Bridge:
You give and take away. You give and take away.
My heart will choose to say, “Lord, blessed be Your name.” 

(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)                                                                   © 2002 Thankyou Music

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Come into the presence of the Lord our God.
C: Have mercy, O Lord. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand; but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(A time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Let us confess our sin before the Lord. Let us confess together.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.  Amen.

P: The Lord is gracious and merciful. He promises to forgive our sins. Therefore, upon this, your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Cornerstone

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Chorus:
Christ alone, Cornerstone, Weak made strong in the Savior’s love.
Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all. 

Verse 2:
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.
My anchor holds within the veil.

(Chorus) 

He is Lord. Lord of all. 

Verse 3:
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless, stand before the throne. 

(Chorus)                                                        © 2011 Hillsong Music

Old Testament Reading – Genesis 32:22-32

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

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

Epistle Reading – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

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

Gospel Reading – Matthew 15:21-28

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – I Surrender All

Verse 1:
All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him. In His presence daily live. 

Chorus:
I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

Verse 2:
All to Jesus I surrender. Humbly at His feet I bow.
Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus, take me now. 

(Chorus)

Verse 4:
All to Jesus I surrender. Lord, I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power. Let Thy blessing fall on me. 

(Chorus 2x)                © 2005 Maranatha! Music, Nickeldimeus Music, and LAVIKMUSIC

Sermon – “Wrestling with God”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255 

Nicene Creed (stand)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well.

Closing Song: How Great Is Our God

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty,
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.
He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice. 

Chorus:
How great is our God. Sing with me.
How great is our God. All will see,
How great, how great is our God. 

Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands,
Beginning and the end, beginning at the end.
The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit, Son,
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. 

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Name above all names, Worthy of all praise,
My heart will sing, “How great is our God.”

Repeat 

(Chorus)                                                                     © 2004 Alletrop Music

Worship Service for March 9, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Pray for the Food – People get food

Invocation (stand)

Confession and Forgiveness: (stand)

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you and against our neighbor in our thoughts, words, and actions.  We are truly sorry for our sins and sincerely repent of them. We ask for Your mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ’s bitter suffering and death, please forgive us and renew us that we may walk in Your Spirit to the glory of Your holy name. Amen

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen 

Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving – What a Friend

Everybody has trials and temptations.
Everybody knows heartbreak, isolation.

Pre-Chorus:
But we can lay our burdens down. Lay our burdens down.

Chorus:
What a friend we have in Jesus. East to west my sins are gone.
I see grace on every horizon.
And forever and ever His heart is my home.

Everybody has fears, everybody got worries.
Everybody knows sorrow, devastation.

(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)

Bridge:
No more betrayal, for He is faithful.
He fills me up and my cup runneth over.
No more betrayal, for He is faithful.
How He has proven it over and over.
(Repeat)

(Chorus 2x)

And forever and ever His heart is my home.                 © All Essential Music

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 3:1-21

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

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

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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

Sermon Song – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God                                      

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate.

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing.

Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.

You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same;

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us.

We will not fear, for God has willed,
His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure.

One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still!

His kingdom is forever.                                              © Public Domain

Sermon/Discussion – “Dealing with Temptation”

Gospel Reading – Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Prayers

Apostles’ Creed (stand)

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, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (stand)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well.

Closing Song: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (stand)

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen