August 30, 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:
- 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: A Long Legacy of Rejection: True Christianity Has Never Been “Cool”
Text: Luke 20:9-18
Preacher: Nick Weber
Manuscript: If you appreciate following along with written material, you can find today's manuscript here.
Reflection Questions
- When you hear the word "rejection" what comes to mind? How have you experienced rejection in general (in relationships with parents, spouse, church, friends, etc.)? In what ways has rejection marked you, would you say?
- Imagine you were the third servant in this parable. You've heard what happened to the first two but now the owner of the vineyard wants to send you. What would you do? Would you run? Would you go?
- In the sermon, Nick said: "If we desire to be a servant of God we should very well anticipate that we too will at times be mocked, despised, opposed, and rejected." How do you feel about this statement? Have you ever experienced these sorts of things because of your association with Jesus? Why or why not? Read Luke 6:22-23. Why does Jesus say we are blessed when such things happen to us? Do you really believe this? How would you live if you did?
- In the introduction to this sermon, Nick shared a story of a missed evangelistic opportunity. He didn't bring up Jesus for fear of sounding weird or making things awkward. Do you have any stories like these? Let's commiserate together. What happened? Why didn't you speak up? What were you afraid of? What would faithfulness have looked like here?
- Now, share a story from the other side. Tell of a time when you were brave for Jesus and shared. What happened? Why the difference between one time and the other?
- We certainly believe Christianity is culturally relevant and that the church should labor to contextualize its truths for the present day. But, while Christianity is culturally relevant, it will never be culturally "cool." What are some of the dangers that arise when churches try to make the faith seem cool to the culture around them? Have you seen this play out in churches you've been a part of in the past? How do you think we best maintain the balance between isolation (church pulls away from culture) on the one hand and accommodation (church gives in to culture) on the other?
- Have you ever been a "chameleon Christian"? Have you ever made significant compromises in your discipleship to Jesus to gain the approval of man or avoid rejection? What happened? Are you making this "trade" even now?
- In the sermon, Nick said that "our witness problems are fundamentally worship problems." What did he mean by this? Have you experienced this to be true? How might truly believing the gospel and embracing the acceptance that is ours with God through Christ enable and energize our bold witness to others even in the face of rejection?
Call to Response
1. Sing:
- No Longer Slaves (Jonathan David and Melissa Helser)
- So Will I (Hillsong 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!