Mission accomplished

Sunday, April 19, 2020 - 10:15 AM

Covid Worship Week Five—Sunday, April 19

Preparatory content

View the bulletin View the slides

View the worship service video playlist on YouTube

Prepare to hear His word

Watch the Grace Community Family Video (by Amy and Ron Sheranko)

Sing together How Great Is Our God with How Great Thou Art 

Read His word

Read through 1 Th 5:23-28

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 New International Version (NIV)
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Sermon

Watch the video of PB’s message

Align time

Connect with your group for discussion of our text together. 

Questions to probe our text and live it: 

1. Welcome! Anyone with us today who was not with us last week? Any job changes or health news since our last meeting?
2. You probably have heard that Ohio is re-opening for business May 1. Not everything will come back at once. It sounds like large group meetings—concerts, athletic events, will be among the last things back. We are still awaiting direction from the State about the restart of public worship services. When we know something, you’ll know something. Watch the GCC Facebook page, group emails, and www.hhgcc.org
3. Re-read 1 Thess 5:23-28
4. What was one job or project that took a long time and you’re really glad that’s over!?
5. Share some Bible stories that illustrate the faithfulness of God. How about some personal stories of God keeping promises for you? What has this verse come to mean to you? The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
6. Our passage is very COVID unfriendly when it comes to “Greet everyone with a holy kiss.” What would be meaningful ways of welcoming in people without physical risks of virus transmission? What makes it difficult for people to feel like they belong, especially at a church, even our church?
7. Our three summary points for 1 Thess 5:23-28 are:
   1. Rest, Work and Worship
      1. God completes his rescue mission; we can rest.
      2. We live out God’s rescue mission; we must work.
      3. Jesus empowers God’s rescue mission; we will worship.
   2. Rest, work, worship—which do you personally need more of right now?
   3. How is each of these three tied to God’s actions for us in Christ?
8. Grace, joy, gratitude—as a group connect these three for any believer in Jesus.
9. Please share your prayer requests for the group.
10. Pray together and include, “God guide me to responsive people.” Feel free to add specific names of any who are responding. “Amen!”
11. Any updates to pass along? Any opportunities to help others? Any changes in employment or your personal finances?
12. Do you have questions about how our offerings work with the new online site? Your gifts are still needed to meet current obligations and to respond to needs that will arise in the church and in the community.
    1. On-line giving is ready at www.hhgcc.org. Use ACH transfer to maximize your gift.
    2. Mail in to/drop by the church office mailbox.

Close

Sing together From the Inside Out 

Pray together PB's closing prayer