Gathering Preview | October 25
Call to Worship
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:6-11)
Song | Oh! Great is Our God
Prayer of Confession
Lord God, eternal and almighty Father: We acknowledge before your holy majesty that we are poor sinners, conceived and born in guilt and in corruption, prone to do evil, unable of our own power to do good. Because of our sin, we endlessly violate your holy commandments. But, O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and turn away from all our offenses. We condemn ourselves and our evil ways, with true sorrow asking that your grace will relieve our distress. Have compassion on us, most gracious God, Father of mercies, for the sake of your son Jesus Christ our Lord. And in removing our guilt, also grant us daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, and produce in us the fruits of holiness and of righteousness pleasing in your sight: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (John Calvin)
Song | Lord I Need You
Prayer of Assurance
Hear the good news! Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ you are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Through his power and forgiveness, we are now called to live a life of love. Our Lord Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (from Rom. 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:17; Matt. 22:37-40)
Song | All Creatures of Our God and King
Scripture Reading | John 18:28-40
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.” Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.” “It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die. Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him. You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Sermon Notes
“He isn't far from any of us.” (Acts 17:27)
(See) Jesus.
The Pharisees did not see Jesus because of their focus on (rules).
John 18:28; Philippians 3:19
“Religion cannot achieve redemption; ceremonies cannot save.” (Bruce Milne)
Pilate did not see Jesus because of his focus on (people).
John 18:38
(All) of us are cursed with (spiritual blindness).
Luke 4:18
To break the curse, we needed (a Savior) who would (bear) the cure for us.
Galatians 3:13
Do you see Jesus?
Communion
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11.23-26)
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
(For the bread) “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.”
(For the juice) “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Song | Jesus Paid It All
Announcements and Giving
Thank you to everyone who was part of our neighborhood projects yesterday.
Our desire is to relaunch NCCKids in November but we still have a large lack of volunteers. If you would be willing to volunteer, please sign up on Planning Center or contact Amy. We will make a call on NCC kids for November by this Wednesday.
New Circle’s Youth Ministry will be launching on Sunday, November 8 at 6:00 pm with a Virtual Youth Gathering. We want to invite all students in grades 6-12 to be a part. If you have questions or want to be involved talk with Matthew. The link to the meetings will be in the Weekly and on our website.
Several people have asked about giving financially during the pandemic. While we are not passing the plate it is available in the entryway for you to drop a gift in. The easiest and safest way is to give through our app or website. All of the money given goes directly to the ministry of New Circle!
Introduce and welcome Josh McKissic (Building and Grounds) and Whitney Rodriguez (Administrator). Spend time praying for them and their new roles on the Staff Team.
Song | O Come to the Altar
Benediction
We cannot wrap our minds around God’s wisdom and knowledge! Its depths can never be measured! We cannot understand His judgments or explain the mysterious ways that He works! For, all that exists originates in Him, comes through Him, and is moving toward Him; so give Him the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11.33, 36)
Peace be with you. And also with you!
