Below are worship resources to sustain and strengthen our faith during this time when our care for all of God's people calls us to practice social distance and to connect in new ways. Click on the pictures below to access the video content. Scriptures and prayers are located below the links.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 positivity rates, Grace Community Christian Church will only share in worship online. The building will not be open for in person worship. We will only offer virtual worship for the next few weeks, and look forward to gathering again in person when it is safe to do so. May our faith continue to sustain and center our lives during this time of change and uncertainty.
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"Unprecedented Thanks"
(Inspiring video)
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"Joyful, Joyful"
(Opening song - sing along)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
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"NASA SpaceX launch"
(Video)
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Children's song and lesson |
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"You Are God Alone" North American Pacific Asian Disciples- NAPAD
virtual singers
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"Disciples of Christ"
(Video about identity and community)
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"The Fullness of God"
Rev. Yvonne Gilmore
(Communion with bread and cup
followed by the sermon)
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"The world of the generous gets larger and larger"
--- Proverbs 11:24 (The Message)
Thank you in advance for sharing your gifts, tithes, and offerings with Grace Community Christian Church. You may give online below, mail in a check, or drop off your offering to the church. Today's special offering, over and above tithes and offerings, is for Disciples related colleges, universities, seminaries, and Divinity Houses.
Offering reflection
“The least of these.” Matthew 25 has made this phrase famous, symbolizing those in our world who are the most vulnerable – the sick, the imprisoned, the hungry. And yet, being “the least” is a worldly distinction because no one is the least in God’s eyes. All are valuable, all are worthy.
When we come to share our tithes and offerings, we do not do some from a position of superiority, as if we are “the most” exercising our benevolence on those below us. We come to this time humbled and grateful, recognizing we all fall short of God’s grace, and yet we are offered it in abundance just the same. The needs of Matthew 25 – clothing, shelter, companionship – are still needs today. And God has blessed us with the resources to make a difference. Let us give our tithes and offerings.
Offering prayer
Exalted One, we joyfully celebrate our unlimited trust in your faithful promises. We pray that all people will someday sound a vast chorus of hallelujahs as they truly accept your steadfast love. May these gifts that we gladly lay upon your altar enable ministries that support this chorus of praise. We pray with praise and thanksgiving in our hearts. Amen.
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Click here to give online give using Paypal or your credit card
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Opening Prayer
God of all things good, you have blessed us beyond measure and called us your children. While we are not worthy, we are grateful. Speak to us during this time of worship. Warm our hearts and embolden our spirits to be the people you have called us to be. We are here to give ourselves to you again. Amen.
Gratitude for God's Mercy
Blessed be you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for blessing us with every spiritual blessing, for adopting us and making us heirs of heaven’s abundance.
Timeless God, you remember us at all times. We pause now in the midst of our lives to acknowledge you as the One who gave us this day and every day. May we use it to worship you and serve others, filling our lives and this world with your love.
You know those parts of us that still believe we are left orphaned and unwanted. You know those parts of us that remain restless and anxious. You know the thoughts that give us sleepless nights. You know the desires that make our days frantic. Show us again your mercy. Show us again your Son.
May the mercy displayed in his death and resurrection make its way into every resistant part of us and our world, so that you more people may come to know you.
Give us patience and persistence in our ministries and mission. Help us place our total trust in your abiding love and presence. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Scripture (NIV)
Ephesians 1:15-23
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15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
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Grace Community Christian Church
2770 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60504
www.graceccc.org
630.898.7990
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