Welcome to worship at Armstrong Chapel! We’re so glad you’re here.
Today Pastor Rev. David Brown shares a message, “Life in the Spirit,” based on Romans 8:9–11.
What does it mean to have the Spirit of God living within us? In this Christian sermon, we explore how the Holy Spirit gives us new life through Jesus Christ and transforms the way we live, believe, and follow God each day.
CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Psalm 139 & Discipleship Ministries UMC
- LEADER: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
- PEOPLE: Lead me in the way everlasting.
- LEADER: The voice of God is calling us to come with all that we are and all that we carry to worship.
- PEOPLE: Come! Let us worship!
- Leader: God calls us to gather, to receive grace in our gathering, and to reorient us again to the ways of God.
- PEOPLE: Come! Let us worship!
HYMN; We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
- We are climbing Jacob’s ladder;
- we are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
- we are climbing Jacob’s ladder;
- soldiers of the cross.
- Every round goes higher, higher;
- every round goes higher, higher,
- every round goes higher, higher;
- soldiers of the cross.
- Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
- Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
- Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
- Soldiers of the cross.
- If you love him, why not serve him?
- If you love him, why not serve him?
- If you love him, why not serve him?
- Soldiers of the cross.
- We are climbing higher, higher;
- we are climbing higher, higher,
- we are climbing higher, higher;
- soldiers of the cross.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed #880
SCRIPTURE; Psalm 139: 1, 7-12
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. 7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and night wraps itself around me,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
TIME WITH CHILDREN
HYMN Nearer, My God, to Thee
- Nearer, my God to thee, nearer to thee!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
SCRIPTURE; Romans 8:9-11 (NRSVUE)
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to God. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, God who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through the Spirit that dwells in you.
HYMN; O Spirit of the Living God
- O Spirit of the living God,
- thou light and fire divine,
- descend upon thy church once more,
- and make it truly thine.
- Fill it with love and joy and power,
- with righteousness and peace;
- till Christ shall dwell in human hearts,
- and sin and sorrow cease.
- Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow
- until our minds are free
- from mists of error, clouds of doubt,
- which blind our eyes to thee.
- Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips
- with flaming love and zeal,
- to preach to all thy great good news,
- God's glorious commonweal.
- Teach us to utter living words
- of truth which all may hear,
- the language all may understand
- when love speaks loud and clear;
- till every age and race and clime
- shall blend their creeds in one,
- and earth shall form one family
- by whom thy will is done.
- So shall we know the power of Christ
- who came this world to save;
- so shall we rise with him to life
- which soars beyond the grave;
- and earth shall win true holiness,
- which makes thy children whole;
- till, perfected by thee, we reach
- creation's glorious goal
BENEDICTION
Thank you for sharing in this time, we are grateful you chose to spend this morning with us.
As you step into a new week, remember that God goes before you. Whatever joys you celebrate or challenges you face, you never walk alone. May His grace give you strength, His peace calm your heart, and His love guide your every step.
If today's message encouraged you, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to connect with us through our website or stop by in person. There's always a place for you here at Armstrong Chapel.
Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you, and give you His peace.
Have a wonderful week, and God bless.
