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Worship Planner for A Season to GROW
Week 1: New Beginnings

Created by Amy Mark, interim assistant pastor, Berkeley Covenant Church in Berkeley, CA. Thanks Amy...
 

Suggested Hymns and Songs

See the Worship Resource Directory for links and ordering information.

1. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). By Chris Tomlin
2. Breathe On Me, Breath of God. #283 Covenant Hymnal
   
3. Cantad al Señor (O Sing to the Lord). #45 Covenant Hymnal
   
4. New Every Morning. By Matt Nightingale
5. The Decision. #388, African-American Heritage Hymnal
6. Come Ye Sinners. Traditional hymn arranged by Todd Agnew
7. Just As I Am. #332 Covenant Hymnal
   
8. Rejoice. By Chris Tomlin
9. Sanctuary. #462, African-American Heritage Hymnal
10. Tú Has Venido A La Orilla (You Have Come). #333 Covenant Hymnal
    

Kid Friendly Songs

1. I am the Resurrection
2. I have Decided (to follow Jesus)
3. I’ve Got a River of Life
4. This is the Day
5. This Little Light of Mine

Suggested Prayers and Readings

• Prayer of Confession and Commitment. Original resource by Randall Wilkens. Download from the Season to Grow Forum.

1. Psalm 1. #779
2. Psalm 19. #843, #843, #844, #845
3. A Gathering Reading. #867
4. An Affirmation of Faith. #872
5. Baptism Responses. #930, #931 (by our baptism we are born into something new)

1. Call to Worship: “We come to worship today as a people blessed by grace…”  p. 57
2. Invocation: “Father God, you love the day of small beginnings…” p. 85
3. Confession on Sin: “We are sorry, God; hear our repentance…” p. 104
4. Charge: Hebrews 13:20-21. p. 117

Sermon Illustrations

• There is a “seasonal” component to this series as well as the theme of new beginnings. So consider doing something with Ecclesiastes, chapter 3: there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
• Isaiah 40 (they shall run and not grow weary, their strength shall be renewed like the eagle) offers an interesting perspective, especially considering the nature of the eagle’s renewal.  An eagle’s beak is constantly growing.  While it is strong, it allows the eagle to eat regularly.  Apparently the eagle has some difficulty with portion control, because it eats until it is so large that flight becomes cumbersome.  After a particular amount of time, it grows too heavy for the eagle, and falls off, leaving a tender and fragile cartilage, which makes it impossible for the eagle to eat for several days.  The eagle loses weight, and flight becomes easier again.  It is an interesting perspective on starting over!  It calls attention to the reality of seasons of dryness, or silence, after which we begin a new phase of Christian life.
• Psalm 118:24 is one of our favorite verses (This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad); a perusal of the whole Psalm reminds us: that while every day is indeed one that is made by the Lord, the psalmist is actually referring to a specific day… the day that the gates of righteousness were flung open and we, who are not righteous on our own, were made righteous and therefore able to enter through those gates.  This makes for a GREAT Easter sermon!
• Of course, we can’t leave out the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-20).  He dares to go concrete in his question (rather than abstract, which we tend to do with this passage), and Jesus dares to answer!
• A compelling line from the book, Anne of Green Gables: “Tomorrow is a brand new day without any mistakes in it yet!”  God offers a “brand new day” at the drop of a prayer!