Order of Worship / Easter Preparation

4/9/20

Maundy Thursday / Kids Book Reading Part 2
 

Today is called Maundy Thursday (Maundy = New Command). On this evening, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and instituted the Lord’s Supper. Let us use this day and tomorrow to prepare our hearts for celebrating the Lord’s Supper tomorrow evening and to review the events that took place from Maundy Thursday through Good Friday. I would encourage everyone to read of those days in the Gospels during this time of preparation.

Matthew 26:17-27:66; Mark 14:12-15:47; Luke 22:7-23:56; John 18 – 19

I look forward to seeing you all gather in your vehicles on Good Friday at 6:30 p.m.!


This video is part 2 of the book Jesus Lives for our children.

 

This is part 2 of the book Jesus Lives for our children.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Thursday, April 9, 2020


4/8/20

Kids Book Reading
 

This morning’s video is for our children. I will be reading a storybook from our library called Jesus Lives.

 

This mornings video is for our children. I will be reading a story book from our library called Jesus Lives.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Wednesday, April 8, 2020


4/7/20

#19 Moment of Silence
 

When we enter worship on Sunday morning our minds are filled with distractions of this world. Throughout our time of worship He calls us, and welcomes us to Himself, and we join in a conversation with Him. He is answering that prayer as we participate in worship. And by the end we should be ready to be silent and know for certain who is our God and who our eyes are fixed on and who alone is worthy of our worship the rest of the week.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

#19 Moment of Silence– When we enter worship on Sunday morning our minds are filled with distractions of this world.Throughout our time of worship He calls us and welcomes us to Himself and we join in a conversation with Him. He is answering that prayer as we participate in worship. And by the end we should be ready to be silent and know for certain who is our God and who is our eyes fixed on and who alone is worthy of our worship the rest of the week.Psalm 46:1010“Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.”

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Tuesday, April 7, 2020


4/6/20

#18 Doxology – Giving Glory to God (doxa=glory)
 
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. AMEN!
 

#18 Doxology – Giving Glory to God (doxa=glory)Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. AMEN

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Monday, April 6, 2020


4/3/20

#17 Benediction
 
The word “benediction” is taken from two Latin words and those two words are NOT “almost” and “done”. They are “good” and “speech,” or good words. The Benediction is God speaking good words to you before you go. God wants to bless you. The first thing God did with Adam and Eve was to bless them. The last verse in the Bible is: “The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. AMEN.” God’s intention from creation to eternity is to bless us with Himself; His presence, His love, His grace, His peace, His comfort, and everything about who God is. God wants to give of Himself to you. And everything about God is good. The last thing Jesus did as He ascended into heaven was, “He lifted up His hands and blessed them.” (Luke 24:50) God wants to give you His blessing as you go out to live for Him. And those good words of blessing at the end of our service are just the beginning for us to watch for His actual real blessings every day.
 

#17 Benediction – The word Benediction is taken from two Latin words and those two words are NOT Almost and Done. They are “good” and “speech” or good words. The Benediction is God speaking good words to you before you go. God wants to bless you. The first thing God did with Adam and Eve was to bless them. The last verse in the Bible is ***“The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. AMEN”*** God’s intention from creation to eternity is to bless us with Himself; His presence; His love; His grace; His peace; His comfort and everything about who God is. God wants to give of Himself to you. And everything about God is good. The last thing Jesus did as He ascended into heaven was “***He lifted up His hands and blessed them***.” (Luke 24:50) God wants to give you His blessing as you go out to live for Him. And those good words of blessing at the end of our service are just the beginning for us to watch for His actual real blessings every day.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Friday, April 3, 2020


4/2/20

#16 Hymn of Response
 
We pray, we hear from God’s Word, we pray again, and then we sing to Him a song of response to His Word. And the songs we sing are from the Word of God.
 
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
 
The Word of Christ dwells in you richly as you sing. Singing helps plant the Word of God in our hearts. So we sing to make a connection with what we hear with our heart.
 

#16 Hymn of ResponseWe pray; we hear from God’s Word; we pray again and then we sing to Him a song of response to His Word. And the songs we sing are from the Word of God.***Colossians 3:16******16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.***The Word of Christ dwells in you richly as you sing. Singing helps plant the Word of God in our hearts. So we sing to make a connection with what we hear with our heart.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Thursday, April 2, 2020


4/1/20

#15 Prayer of Application
 

2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

As we receive His word, we need Him to breathe life into us and His power and wisdom and insight to preach His sermon in our living every day. So we must ask in prayer for Him to equip us with this word we have just heard. As we pray, we are confessing that we cannot do this on our own and we are asking that He would do His work in us and through us.

#15 Prayer of Application***2 Timothy 3:16–17******16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.***As we receive His word; we need Him to breathe life into us and His power and wisdom and insight to preach His sermon in our living every day. So we must ask in prayer for Him to equip us with this word we have just heard. As we pray we are confessing that we cannot do this on our own and we are asking that He would do His work in us and through us.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Wednesday, April 1, 2020


3/31/20

#14 Sermon
 

1 Thessalonians 1:6–10
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”


Paul preached the Word of God to a suffering people and with the Holy Spirit living in them, they lived out those sermons for the world to see. A good sermon has little to do with the preacher, but more to do with the hearer. A good sermon is one that is heard with spiritual ears and changes us and moves us to action. A good sermon is a sermon that is welcomed and then lived out all week long. You are that good sermon. It begins on the first day of the week, but is preached all week long by you.


We are suffering and we have heard many sermons. But alongside of us are many who have not heard these sermons yet, so go and preach them through your living among a suffering people and then let’s watch what God by His Spirit does from there.

#14 Sermon***1 Thessalonians 1:6–10******6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.***Paul preached the Word of God to a suffering people and with the Holy Spirit living in them they lived out those sermons for the world to see. A good sermon has little to do with the preacher but more to do with the hearer. A good sermon is one that is heard with spiritual ears and changes us and moves us to action. A good sermon is a sermon that is welcomed and then lived out all week long. You are that good sermon. It begins on the first day of the week but is preached all week long by you.We are suffering and we have heard many sermons. But along side of us are many who have not heard these sermons yet; so go and preach them through your living among a suffering people and then let’s watch what God by His Spirit does from there.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Tuesday, March 31, 2020


3/30/20

#13 Scripture
 

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

When we gather at the beginning of the week, our worship is guided by His Word, the Bible. Every part is filled with scripture, from the call to worship to the benediction. The scripture reading for the sermon is the central passage for the whole service. You may not always notice, but great care is given to make sure that every part of our worship leads to and is connected somehow to this main scripture passage so that God speaks to us often and He directs us to the focal point, His Word, that will be proclaimed. This is also our pattern for the rest of our daily lives all week long. Let Him speak to you often through His Word and listen intently for His focus for your life (your path) right now.

#13 ScripturePsalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.When we gather at the beginning of the week our worship is guided by His Word; the Bible. Every part is filled with scripture from the call to worship to the benediction. The scripture reading for the sermon is the central passage for the whole service. You may not always notice but great care is given to make sure that every part of our worship leads to and is connected somehow to this main scripture passage so that God speaks to us often and He directs us to the focal point His Word that will be proclaimed. This is also our pattern for the rest of our daily lives all week long. Let Him speak to you often through His Word and listen intently for His focus for your life (your path) right now.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Monday, March 30, 2020


3/27/20

#12 Children’s Song
 

Many people get very anxious when talking about the kinds of music being sung in their churches. And the discussion mostly centers on what they like and don’t like. At Rusk, we attempt to focus not on what music would fit a particular kind of individual or particular age group. But instead, we focus on what kind of music is able to be sung well together by all ages and all people. How each person uses the different kinds of music for the purpose of worship has much to do with their hearts. When thinking through that goal of including all ages and peoples when we sing, we decided a few years ago to include music that children can especially participate in when we worship. Adults, find time to sing with children. Children, sing some songs over the phone to grandma and grandpa that are helpful to them too.

Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

#12 – Children’s SongMany people get very anxious when talking about the kinds of music being sung in their churches. And the discussion mostly centers on what they like and don’t like. At Rusk we attempt to focus not on what music would fit a particular kind of individual or particular age group. But instead we focus on what kind of music is able to be sung well together by all ages and all people. How each person uses the different kinds of music for the purpose of worship has much to do with their hearts. When thinking through that goal of including all ages and peoples when we sing; we decided a few years ago to include music that children can especially participate in when we worship. Adults find time to sing with children. Children sing some songs over the phone to grandma and grandpa that are helpful to them too. Colossians 3:16*16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.*

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Friday, March 27, 2020


3/26/20

#11 Children’s Message
 

One thing I really missed last Sunday was watching all of our children coming up front for the children’s message. We all love that part of the service. That part of our service is not just to entertain the kids so they can sit through the rest of the service. That part of our service says something very important from the Bible: children are an important part of our church and belong with us when we worship. Jesus had something to say about that.

In a couple of weeks we will celebrate Palm Sunday, to remember the day when there was a huge parade as Jesus rode into Jerusalem before His death on the cross. Children were waving palm branches and at the end of the parade He went into the temple, a place designed for worship. And in the temple, children were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The leaders and teachers in the temple got angry and wanted the children to stop their loud worship in the temple. Listen to what Jesus said:

Matthew 21:16b Have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”

#11 Children’s Message – One thing I really missed last Sunday was watching all of our children coming up front for the children’s message. We all love that part of the service. That part of our service is not just to entertain the kids so they can sit through the rest of the service. That part of our service says something very important from the Bible; Children are an important part of our church and belong with us when we worship. Jesus had something to say about that.In a couple of weeks we will celebrate Palm Sunday; to remember the day when there was a huge parade as Jesus rode into Jerusalem before His death on the cross. Children were waving palm branches and at the end of the parade He went into the temple; a place designed for worship. And in the temple children were shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. The leaders and teachers in the temple got angry and wanted the children to stop their loud worship in the temple. Listen to what Jesus said.Matthew 21:16b “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Thursday, March 26, 2020


3/25/20

#10 Offering
 
When some of you were just laid off from your jobs and money is going to be tight, this may seem like a poor time to talk about the offering. But as God would so ordain His order in all things, it is no mere coincidence that today we talk about the offering as a part of our worship. Our giving of what God has given to us is an act of worship. When God at Mt. Sinai was instructing His own, set-apart people on how to worship Him in the new land He said, “Bring the best and the first fruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.” (Exodus 23:19) The principle is still the same; bring your first and your best to the house of God, the place where we worship. This worship comes in the form of declaring our trust and dependence upon Him. So when our budget is threatened, how do we worship with our offerings? Jesus gave a clear example in Mark 12:42 when He watched a poor widow put in her last two coins worth less than a penny. She was in a crisis; her husband had died and she was in financial trouble, but out of love for her God and trust in Him she gave her first, her best, her all. Jesus went on to explain that the rich gave a portion from their wealth and the widow from her poverty gave it all. Now get this example: Jesus who was very rich gave up everything; He gave it all for you.
 

#10 Offering – When some of you were just laid off from your jobs and money is going to be tight this may seem like a poor time to talk about the offering. But as God would so ordain His order in all things it is no mere coincident that today we talk about the offering as a part of our worship. Our giving of what God has given to us is an act of worship. When God at Mt Sinai was instructing His own set apart people how to worship Him in the new land He said (Exodus 23:19) “Bring the best and the firstfruits of you soil to the house of the LORD your God.” The principle is still the same; bring your first and your best to the house of God; the place where we worship. This worship comes in the form of declaring our trust and dependence upon Him. So when our budget is threatened how do we worship with our offerings? Jesus gave a clear example in Mark 12:42 when He watched a poor widow put in her last two coins worth less than a penny. She was in a crisis; her husband had died and she was in financial trouble; but out of love for her God and trust in Him she gave her first; her best; her all. Jesus went on to explain that the rich gave a portion from their wealth and the widow from her poverty gave it all. Now get this example: Jesus who was very rich gave up everything; He gave it all for you.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Wednesday, March 25, 2020


3/24/20

#9 Congregational Prayer
 
When we meet together we pray together, but when we are apart we still pray together. When Jesus preached His great sermon on the Mount He taught us to pray saying: our Father, NOT my Father; give us our daily bread NOT give me my daily bread. When we pray, we pray together. So we might think that this prayer is for when we are together, but if you look at the verses before it in Matthew chapter 6 you will see that His example is when we are alone in our prayer closet. Even there when we are by ourselves separated from each other as we are right now today, we can still pray together as one body. We are so united in Christ and by His Holy Spirit living in us that when you pray and I pray, WE can still pray together. Join with His church everywhere and every day in prayer knowing you do not pray alone.

Let us pray that prayer that Jesus taught us right now:

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory, forever. AMEN!

#9 Congregational Prayer – When we meet together we pray together; but when we are apart we still pray together. When Jesus preached His great sermon on the Mount He taught us to pray saying: Our Father; NOT My Father, Give us our daily bread; NOT Give me my daily bread. When we pray we pray together. So we might think that this prayer if for when we are together; but if you look at the verses before it in Matthew chapter 6 you will see that His example is when we are alone in our prayer closet. Even there when we are by ourselves separated from each other as we are right now today; we can still pray together as one body. We are so united in Christ and by His Holy Spirit living in us that when you pray and I pray; WE can still pray together. Join with His church everywhere and every day in prayer knowing you do not pray alone.Let us pray that prayer that Jesus taught us right now:Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory, for ever. AMEN

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Tuesday, March 24, 2020


3/23/20

#8 Song of Response to Assurance of Forgiveness
 
By faith, we can have conviction and that deep-rooted assurance that Lord’s Day 7 speaks of. We are sure that our sins are forgiven and we are right with God and we have received salvation.
 
That is something to sing about isn’t it? So after we read a verse from the Bible about our assurance of salvation, we respond with a song of rejoicing for our salvation.
 
Sometimes, however, we sing a different kind of song: a song of repentance. When we forget to repent of our need for Christ, our confidence in our salvation can waiver. So we sing to help our hearts confess our need for Jesus and that too then causes our hearts to sing with rejoicing for our salvation.
 
Today, repent of your sinful condition and confess your need for salvation through Jesus Christ. It may not seem like it today with all that is going on, but your greatest need is salvation through Jesus Christ and Christian, you have received it. So rejoice and let your soul sing.
 
Psalm 96:2 Sing to the LORD; praise His name, proclaim His salvation day after day.
 
Day after day means not just Sunday, but everyday; that includes today!
 

#8 Song of Response to Assurance of ForgivenessBy faith we can have conviction and that deep rooted assurance that Lord’s Day 7 speaks of. We are sure that our sins are forgivenand we are right with God and we have received salvation.That is something to sing about isn’t it? So after we read a verse from the Bible about our assurance of salvation we respond with a song of rejoicing for our salvation.Sometimes however; we sing a different kind of song; a song of repentance. When we forget to repent of our need for Christ our confidence in our salvation can waiver. So we sing to help our hearts confess our need for Jesus and that too then causes our hearts to sing with rejoicing for our salvation.Today, repent of your sinful condition and confess your need for salvation through Jesus Christ. It may not seem like it today with all that is going on; but your greatest need is salvation and through Jesus Christ and Christian, you have received it. So rejoice and let your soul sing.Psalm 96:2 Sing to the LORD; praise His name, proclaim His salvation day after day.Day after day means; not just Sunday; but everyday; that includes today!

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Monday, March 23, 2020


3/21/20

#7 Assurance

After we read the Law, we read some scripture of assurance. The Bible is God’s voice speaking directly to our hearts telling us that this cure has been applied to us and we are cured. By faith we receive this great assurance. There are a lot of things today we are not sure of, we are not sure what this virus will do or if there will be a cure. But Christian, you can be very sure that a cure for your sinful condition has been applied to you with the blood of Jesus Christ.

#7 Assurance – After we read the Law we read some scripture of assurance. The Bible is Gods voice speaking directly to our hearts telling us that this cure has been applied to us and we are cured. Be faith we receive this great assurance. There are a lot of things today we are not sure of; we are not sure what this virus will do or if there will be a cure. But Christian; you can be very sure that a cure for your sinful condition has been applied to you with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Saturday, March 21, 2020


3/20/20

This is our first video message from Pastor Mark. Today’s message has been recorded on video thanks to Rachel Headley. Our 6th topic on worship is included: The Law of God.

This is our first video message from Pastor Mark. Today's message has been recorded on video thanks to Rachel Headley. Our 6th topic on worship is included – The law of God.

Posted by Mark Neymeiyer on Friday, March 20, 2020