HBC service recap: 17 April 2011

(Here’s a recap of the service and the songs we chose this past weekend at Howick Baptist Church. You can find links to the set lists of this church and many other churches each week at theworshipcommunity.com. You can also read through previous HBC service recaps here.)

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Order of Service (17 April 2011, Palm Sunday)

(worship leader: William Chong)

Welcome: Psalm 24 – Our systematic reading through the Psalms on Sunday mornings providentially gave us an apt passage for Palm Sunday:

“Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.”

1. Come People of the Risen King – Getty/Townend. This was still pretty new for most people, particularly the verses. Great to hear the sound of a full church singing “Rejoice!” in light of all the risen King has done in our lives!

2. Let Your Kingdom Come – Bob Kauflin. Towards the end of the song we had the children from our pre-school group, Stepping Stones, paraded down the aisle with big leaves and branches (in remembrance of Palm Sunday). It seemed like in the absence of a proper introduction (I had planned to say something beforehand but forgot), most people got confused when the kids came in and simply stopped singing from that point on. Will have to rethink how to do this next year… For those there on Sunday, what did you think? Did the brass fanfare/kids streaming in/people singing trifecta work, or was it a confusing mess?

Children’s Message – After the singing, the Stepping Stones children sat down at the steps. Peter came and gave them a special message, complete with age-appropriate props!

Announcements, Pastoral Prayer – A bit of confusion as we weren’t sure what was happening next after the children’s message. Eventually Joe got up and the rest of the announcements went OK. An exciting thing was that this year’s STAND Conference registrations were officially opened!

Reading – Psalm 23

3. The King of Love My Shepherd Is – words by Henry Baker. The singers sang a 4-part hymn based on Psalm 23. Was nice to give SATB singing a go!

4. Before the Throne of God Above – Charitie Lee Bancroft. As you can tell, all the songs were chosen around the theme of the Kingship of Jesus. This one is great as both an explanation of the gospel and also pointing out the strength to continue in the Christian race also comes from the cross of Jesus Christ.

“When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.”

Message: Matthew 21:1-17 – Behold the King! (Peter Somervell)

5. The Servant King – Graham Kendrick. An oldie but a goodie – it sums up the life and ministry and purpose of Jesus as the servant King, and the chorus presents an invitation for all to follow Him. We tweaked the arrangement to be very still in verse 3 to bring the words there into stark focus:

Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

This is our God the Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King

Next week I’m leading the songs for the Easter weekend services (Good Friday and Easter Sunday). It would be great to see you there, particularly on Good Friday at 9:30 am! In the meantime, please pray for all involved in preparing for these services, and for others across the country, that the greatest story would be proclaimed across NZ!

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– William