Injustice

How Long O LORD? | Wrestling Toward Maturity | June 30

SUNDAY
SERMON

YEAR OF BIBLICAL LITERACY overview

Sermon by Jon Ludovina on June 30, 2024.

The last chapter of Habakkuk culminates in a song that ties in all the themes we’ve looked at previously. In many ways, this song is a picture of Christian maturity, showcasing confidence in God even in the face of evil, pain, and suffering.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

How Long O LORD? | The Cup That Is Coming | June 23

SUNDAY
SERMON

YEAR OF BIBLICAL LITERACY overview

Sermon by Ant Frederick on June 23, 2024.

In Habakkuk, we see God doing something seemingly unthinkable - He will use Babylon, a nation more wicked than Judah, to bring justice.  But what about Babylon’s sin? Will God just let that injustice happen, or will He step in?
Last week, we started looking at God’s response; this week, we dive into that more.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

How Long O LORD? | How Can This Be? | June 16

SUNDAY
SERMON

YEAR OF BIBLICAL LITERACY overview

Sermon by Ant Frederick on June 16, 2024.

As we study the Bible, many Christians notice God doing things that we don't think He should do.  Last week, Habakkuk wrestled with how God was allowing evil and injustice to occur in the world around him. 

This week, we'll see him wrestle with how God responds to that evil and injustice, and we'll answer the question, "What do I do, when God's actions don't seem to align with His attributes?"

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

How Long, O LORD? | June 9

SUNDAY
SERMON

YEAR OF BIBLICAL LITERACY overview

Sermon by Jon Ludovina on June 9, 2024.

The prophets are a diverse group of writings. They come from different periods, face different issues, and are written in different genres.

The book of Habakkuk, in particular, speaks to us on our journey to Christian maturity. It mirrors the moments we all encounter—when our understanding of God’s character seems at odds with our current circumstances, when we question God’s plans, and when injustice, both individually and collectively, seems to prevail.

When that happens, what do we do? How do we respond? How can we trust God is still in control of it all? We’ll spend the next four weeks in Habakkuk exploring these questions.

This series is part of our Year of Biblical Literacy initiative.

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in Pain and Chaos | August 9

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for August 9, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 9, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together, or read this prayer aloud:

Jesus, help us focus our hearts and minds on You during our time together.  Help us to remember that You are with us by Your Spirit.  Help us to sing, remembering the truth about who You are and who You’ve called us to be.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Song

Song

Pray: Have someone pray this aloud

Jesus, Your words are truth.  Help us to hear the truth and respond in love and obedience.  Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in a Cancel Culture | August 2

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Adam Gibson for August 2, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 2nd, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord. 

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together, or read this prayer aloud:

Dear Lord, focus our attention and our hearts. Let our time be a blessing to You and to us. Help us grow in unity and understanding together.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

The call to worship for today is from Psalm 103

Psalm 103:8, 13-14, 17-18

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

Song

Song

Pray

Read this aloud:

Philippians 4:6 says do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Lord, thank you that we can bring all our anxiety and frustrations to you. Remind us that we are made family and friends with you. Open our ears and our hearts today as we hear your word. Calm our restless hearts with your Spirit. Help us focus and rest in these next moments, amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Everyone read this prayer aloud:

Father God, 
Be with us this week, 
As we seek Your kingdom here in Columbia

Jesus Christ, 
Be glorified in our lives, 
As we remember, we are secure in You

Let your Holy Spirit, 
Remind us of Your truth often, 
and move us to love our neighbors, as Christ has loved us

Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in the Midst of Injustice | July 26

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Michael Bailey for July 26, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

July 26, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord. 

We invite you to stand as you sing, to help position yourself to be engaged and focused as you participate in the gathering of God’s people.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture aloud to begin:

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Let’s sing of the greatness of our God with thankfulness in our hearts for what He’s done.

Song

Practice: REFLECT AND REJOICE

Take a minute to sit in silence and reflect on the past week. What can you praise God for in the midst of this season? 

After a few moments, if you are participating with others, ask specific people to share what came to mind. 

After sharing, have someone pray, or read this aloud: 

Father, thank you for how you continue to provide and show up in the mess of this life. Help us always remember your provision and the depth of your love for us. Father you are all we need, you are everything.

Song

Pray: Have someone pray this aloud

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may hear your Word with joy. Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

Help us, Lord, that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and that what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides