May 3, 2020 - Sunday Service Worship Guide
TOday's Announcements
Good morning Mercy Hill! Happy Sunday to you! If you're new to Mercy Hill, 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:
- Sunday Service Afterparty: Remember to join us immediately following the Watch Party via Zoom for the Afterparty (which today will include a time for prayer, songs of worship, and even communion - please prepare your elements [unleavened bread/cracker + juice] ahead of time if you have them). 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!
- Mercy Hill Youth Hangout: Today all youth (6th thru 12th grade) are invited to join Nick, Rosie, and Christine on Zoom for a time of discussion and prayer. We know there's been a lot to process lately, and we'd love to connect together! Go here to learn more and find a link to join in.
- All Church Prayer: Join us tonight for a time of prayer beginning at 6:00pm! Find more info and link to join here.
- - - - - - - - Home Groups: All groups have now moved to a virtual format. 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!
- Neighborhood Care Cards: With the shelter-in-place order extending for yet another month, please consider making use of these cards as a way of reaching out to and serving your neighbors. You can get more info regarding these in the last section of this post.
Today's Sermon
Title: Do Not Be Afraid . . . Send Out Your Roots by the Stream!
Text: Jeremiah 17:5-8
Preacher: Nick Weber
Manuscript: If you appreciate following along with written material, you can find today's manuscript here.
Reflection Questions
- How have you been experiencing the "desert", the "heat", the "drought" lately? It might have to do with COVID-19. It might have to do with a struggling relationship. It might have to do with your money or health. It might have to do with your job or vocation. Where has life been hard?
- How have you been responding to this hardship? What "fruit" has been hanging from the branches of your life? Have you been getting frustrated, angry, jealous, depressed, etc.? Have you been throwing pity parties, taking vengeance, overworking, escaping into food or TV or something else? Explain. In what ways have your responses been aligned with the "works of the flesh" (Gal 5:19)? In what ways have your responses been aligned with the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22)?
- In the midst of this desert, where have you been looking for water? Where have you been sending the roots of your heart? What have you been trusting in? Where have you been attempting to find your refuge and help?
- What would it look like send out your roots into the stream of God's living water? How might Jesus meet you in this desert with His grace and Spirit? How would such a thing transform the way you feel and act in response going forward?
- If you have time this week, read through the story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-30). What stands out to you? In what ways are you like this woman? In what ways has Jesus met you like He met this woman? Have you drank of the water that He has to give? If not, what's holding you back?!
Call to Response
Sing:
- Come Thou Fount (All Sons & Daughters)
- Living Waters (Shane & Shane)
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!
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!