August 23, 2020 - Sunday Service Worship Guide
TOday's Announcements
Good morning Mercy Hill and happy Sunday to you! If you're new with us, we just wanted to extend a special welcome to you. Feel free to fill out a Connection Card to get more info or prayer. We're glad to have you with us!
If you're tuning in for the Watch Party, you'll notice that the platform has tabs where you can find today's Worship Guide, read an online Bible, and even chat. While we're meeting virtually like this, we'd encourage everyone to please consider taking a moment to put a comment in the chat box there. Let us know who you are and maybe where you're tuning in from. Say hi. We miss you! And as we get into the message, feel free to share other Scriptures that come to mind, prayer requests that you have, questions that you'd like answered, etc. It would be great to interact even in this limited format.
Here are a few critical announcements to keep in mind:
- Mercy Hill Men's Hike - Rescheduled!: Due to the fires, the air quality yesterday morning was considered significantly unhealthy, so we called off the men's hike and have tentatively rescheduled if for 9:00am next Saturday, August 29th. We'll provide any updates as needed in next week's church newsletter. If all goes well, please plan to join us for a morning hike on the trails around Almaden Lake Regional Park (6099 Winfield Blvd. San Jose). Park in the free parking lot on Winfield Blvd., bring a chair as we'll have brief sharing time, then we'll pack the chairs back in the cars and head off for a refreshing hike on the beautiful trails off the lake. We'll be done by 10:30 am. Please plan to wear a mask and bring water with you on this hike - we hope to see you next week! For more info see here.
- Prayer Room: In light of the current shelter-in-place order whereby we find it hard to meet with one another in person, we wanted to create a regular and reliable online space for us to connect and pray. We are still having these weekly prayer meetings and encourage you to join us if you have a moment during your lunch break on Wednesday! To join the prayer room this upcoming Wednesday, click the link here for the Zoom meeting information.
- Sunday Service Afterparty: Remember to join us immediately following the Watch Party via Zoom for the Afterparty (which today will include a time for connection and prayer). You can find a link to join in here.
- Mercy Hill Kids Online Worship: Beginning at 11:30am today! Go here to read more and to find a link to sign in!
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- Home Groups: Many of our Home Groups are moving to a hybrid (in-person + virtual) format. Whatever your comfort level with meeting, you're welcome to come check one out. Find one to join here. You are not alone!
- COVID-19 SOS Form: If you or anyone you know needs help during this challenging time, we'd love to do what we can!
Today's Sermon
Title: Praying through Depression
Text: Psalm 42
Preacher: Bryan Stupar (Lead Pastor of Calvary SLO Church)
Reflection Questions
- Describe your personal experience with depression. Have you ever felt like the psalmist here? Tell the story.
- Have people ever made you feel spiritually small for dealing with depression? Have you ever made others feel that way for their struggle with it? How does this Psalm push back on the notion that spiritually mature people don’t deal with depression? What other examples from Scripture and church history might back this up? Is this truth encouraging or discouraging for you. Explain.
- Look closely at the verses in this Psalm again. What do we learn here about the various causes of depression? What sorts of things cause you to struggle with it?
- How has the disruption of recent days (whether by COVID-19, social unrest, wildfires, etc.) tempted you towards despair and depression? How have you personally tried to fight against it?
- In his sermon, Bryan made note of the fact that we all have to do something with grief in one way or another or it will eat us up inside. What are some of the unhealthy ways our culture and even we ourselves try to deal with grief? What strategies for more effectively dealing with depression do we learn from this Psalm here? Which of these strategies seems most insightful and helpful to you?
- In this Psalm we see how the psalmist talks to his heart rather than listens to it. He is here seeking to reinvigorate his hope with the declaration of God's truth. How has listening to your heart gotten you in trouble in the past? What is your heart saying now that you need to speak the truth of God's word and gospel into?
Call to Response
1. Sing:
- God Moves in a Mysterious Way (Jeremy Riddle)
- Do It Again (Elevation Worship)
2. Pray:
If you need prayer in any way, please either: (1) request it during the Watch Party via the "Request Prayer" button; (2) fill out a Connection Card; or (3) post your request to our Mercy Hill Community Facebook Group. We’d love to be lifting you up and caring for you in this time!
3. Give:
If you’d like to give an offering this morning, please check out our Give page to find the best option for you!
Mercy Hill Kids
While difficult, this pandemic does create a wonderful chance for parents to step towards their God-given call as chief disciplers of their kids. We know this may feel overwhelming and that is why we want to help! Parents of Mercy Hill children should have already received an email from the Director of Mercy Hill Kids, Christina Lugo, regarding ways you can utilize the Gospel Project curriculum at home. This information has also been included on our blog here. Beyond this, each Sunday, we are also looking to host an online worship gathering for our kids. You can check here for more details. We'd love to have you join us!
If you have any questions or need help in any way, don't hesitate to reach out to Christina at
Have a Wonderful Week!