April 11 - Day One

Our first gathering at the new space. It's small. We set it up with chairs on both sides of the room facing the table in the center. Musicians off to one side, pastor off to the other. It's awesome to be able to see each other, and hear people sing, and feel like a community.

The subject matter for the first gathering is coming to grips with our own poverty, with Isaiah 61 as the text. I'm cutting back to four songs for these gatherings, since we've added a breakout time following the sermon and we're trying to do less of a "big-church" music program. It's going to be just keys, violin and djembe for the time being. Partly because there's no space for more, and partly because it feels good to have a small, intimate group of musicians.

Obviously, I did not write this confession...

You Came (Eugene Kim)

Confession

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

Assurance of Pardon

Christ is our peace;
those who are divided
he has made one.
He has broken down the barriers of separation
by his death and has built us up
into one body, with God.
To all who repent and believe
he has promised reconciliation.
So live as people reconciled. Amen.

From The Depths (Sojourn Music)

Communion: God Of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)

Closing: Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)