Family Worship Guide
A Note From Your Pastors
We are truly going to miss gathering with you this Sunday, and we know you feel the absence too. Having to cancel two of our first three gatherings wasn’t exactly how we hoped to kick things off, but we trust that this is all part of the Lord’s plan, and His plans are always good.
Though we can’t meet in person, nothing can stop us from worshipping the Lord, who is just as worthy of our praise, adoration, and enjoyment this weekend as ever. To help with that, we’ve prepared a short guide for worship at home, and this isn’t something you have to do alone. If feasible, we encourage you to invite another family from the church or even a neighbor to join you. If you have any questions or would like to talk more about what that could look like, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Please know that we’re praying for you, happy to help however we can (shovels included!), and we can’t wait for the day we gather together again. Lord willing, see you next Sunday!
With love,
Josh & Eric
A Sunday Morning Liturgy
When many Christians hear the word "liturgy," they immediately think of empty tradition, stuffy robes, or worry that the one speaking might be flirting with Catholicism. But the truth is, every church, whether they realize it or not, has a liturgy. For a liturgy is simply a chosen pattern for worship.
And because worship both expresses and shapes belief, the structure of our worship is never neutral, but it is profoundly formative. That’s why we approach our liturgy at Covenant with intentionality, seeking to ensure that the story we retell each week is not our own, but God’s: the story of the gospel.
Each week, our worship follows the great movements of that story: we begin with God, who calls us to worship and reminds us of His glory; we consider Man, confessing our sin and need for mercy; we celebrate Christ, rejoicing in His life, death, and resurrection for us; and we respond, offering ourselves in gratitude and humble service.
In this way, our worship becomes more than a sequence of songs and readings; it becomes a retelling of the gospel and a reorientation of our hearts around the God who saves.
God
Man
Christ
Response
Introduction
In Colossians 1:15–23, Paul returns to many of the same themes we have already seen in the first chapter of Ephesians and zooms in on the work of Christ that we’ll continue to explore in the coming weeks. The two passages are certainly distinct in emphasis, but they share the same overarching purpose: to magnify Christ. Where Ephesians lifts our eyes to God’s eternal plan of redemption in Christ, Colossians helps us see more clearly who this Redeemer is and what He has accomplished. Taken together, we’re reminded not only of what Jesus has done for us, but also why He is worthy of our trust, worship, and obedience.
Family Worship Guide
God
Call to Worship: Read Colossians 1:15-18
Song of Praise: Sing Behold Him
Man
Confession of sin: Pray this prayer aloud:
Lord Jesus, You are the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and in You all things hold together. Yet we confess that we often treat You as just one part of our lives, rather than the center of all things. Forgive us, O mighty and merciful King, for the countless ways we have elevated other priorities, failed to see Your supremacy, or refused to honor Your rightful rule in our hearts, our lives, our families, and our churches. And we ask that You would help us, by Your Spirit, to turn from these great sins and live lives that bear witness to Your great worth, beauty, power, and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Christ
Assurance of Pardon: Read Colossians 1:19-23
Discussion Questions:
What does (v.19) teach us about Jesus?
What does (v.21) teach us about sin and it’s impact on our relationship with God?
What does reconciliation (v.20, 22) mean, and how is it achieved?
What does (v.23) teach us about faith?
Response
Song of Praise: Sing There is One Gospel
Call to Action:
Pray: For the lost - neighbors, coworkers, family members, friends, and the nations.
Serve: This snow may also give you new opportunities to meet, serve, and care for your neighbors. Look for those opportunities and be prepared to share the hope you have in Jesus!
Give - We’re working together to make disciples of all nations. We hope you’ll join us in giving toward that end.
Behold Him
Lyrics
He who was before there was light
Walked across the pages of time
He who made every living thing behold Him
He who heard humanity's cry
Left His throne to wake as a child
He became like the least of us behold Him
Jesus son of God Messiah
The Lamb the roaring Lion
Oh be still and behold Him
He who dined with sinners and saints
Healed the blind the lost and the lame
Even now He is in our midst behold Him
He who chose a criminal's end
Paid with blood to settle our debt
Buried death as He rose to life behold Him
Jesus Son of God Messiah
The Lamb the roaring Lion
Oh be still and behold Him
Jesus Alpha and Omega
Our God the risen Savior
Oh be still and behold Him
Holy holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Worthy worthy worthy
To receive all praise
Holy holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Worthy worthy worthy
To receive all praise
Holy holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Worthy worthy worthy
To receive all praise
Holy holy holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Worthy worthy worthy
To receive all praise
Jesus Son of God Messiah
The Lamb the roaring Lion
Oh be still and behold Him
Jesus Alpha and Omega
Our God the risen Savior
Oh be still and behold Him
There is One Gospel
Lyrics
There is one Gospel on which I stand
For all eternity
It is my story, my Father's plan
The Son has rescued me
Oh what a Gospel, Oh what a peace
My highest joy and my deepest need
Now and forever He is my light
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
There is one Gospel to which I cling
All else I count as loss
For there, where justice and mercy meet
He saved me on the cross
No more I boast in what I can bring
No more I carry the weight of sin
For He has brought me from death to life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
There is one Gospel where hope is found
The empty tomb still speaks
For death could not keep my Saviour down
He lives and I am free
Now on my Saviour, I fix my eyes
My life is His and His hope is mine!
For He has promised I, too, will rise
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
And in this Gospel the church is one
We do not walk alone
We have His Spirit as we press on
To lead us safely home
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour, the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour, the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Praise to my Saviour, the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
For Our Kids & Kids at Heart
DON’T DROP THE GOSPEL GAME
Supplies: Small ball, sock, or toy (“the gospel”), obstacles like chairs or cushions.
How to Play: Kids carry “the gospel” through an obstacle course. If they drop it, they have to start again. You can add a timer to make it more fun.
Talk About It: Just like you had to hold “the gospel” carefully, we hold tightly to Jesus and the news of His redeeming work, no matter what distractions or difficulties come.
Scripture Connection: Colossians 1:23 - “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel”