The Way of Jesus | On Lust & Objectification | September 20

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Sermon by Michael Bailey for September 20, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

September 20, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

1 Peter 1:3-5 says,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Let us sing together, remembering and believing the good news of what God has done for us.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray aloud, asking for focus, and wisdom as we hear the Word being taught.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this to close:

God, You are faithful to provide us with everything that we need, and in Your presence is the fullness of joy and life.  Teach us to trust you with all that we have.  Spirit be near to us as we seek to follow you.  Amen

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | From Murderers to Reconcilers

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Welcome to the Midtown Midweek, a resource to equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.

Questions? Send us an email.

Recommended Resources

Sign up for the Fall round of Recovery here

Digging Deeper chart

Practice Journaling

Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith

Good and Angry by David Powlison

What is Jesus Was Serious? by Skye Jethani

The Way of Jesus | From Murderers to Reconcilers | September 13

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for September 13, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

September 13, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have one person read the confession below, and a different person read the scripture of assurance that follows:

Confession

Most merciful God, we confess
That we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, 
By what we have done, and by what we have left undone. 

We have not loved you with our whole heart; 
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. 

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, 
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; 
That we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, 
To the glory of your Name. Amen.

Assurance

Psalm 103:8, 10-12
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray aloud, asking for focus, and wisdom as we hear the Word being taught.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud:

I will now read this scripture and prayer over us as we conclude:

Excerpts from Galatians 5 
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Lord help us walk in Your Spirit, forgiving one another, and seeking reconciliation. Lord give us the strength to repent, and root out any anger or frustration, that ultimately keeps us from You. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Jesus and the Bible

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Welcome to the Midtown Midweek, a resource to equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.

Questions? Send us an email.

Recommended Resources

“Why Sinai Still Matters” (podcast episode from Food Trucks in Babylon)

To begin learning about how to the Bible works, check out The Bible Project

We also did a sermon in the Spring on the Law, that you can check out here

Some verses on biblical rewards - Mt. 5:12, 2 Cor. 5:10, 1 Cor. 3:8-15, Luke 19:11-27, Luke 12:33-34, Mt. 6:19-21

“Christian Responsibility and Mosaic Law” (article by The Village Church)

The Way of Jesus | Jesus and the Bible | September 6

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for September 6, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

September 6, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 34:1-3
I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

Let’s sing the words of scripture together, and pray that the Truth shapes our hearts through it.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray aloud, asking for focus, and wisdom as we hear the Word being taught.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud:

I will now read this prayer over us as we conclude:
May the grace of Christ, which daily renews us, and the love of God, which enables us to love all, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which unites us in one body, make us eager to obey the will of God until we meet again, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Salt and Light

The Way of Jesus | Salt and Light | August 30

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for August 30, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 30, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Let us sing this morning remembering God’s grace and goodness.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray aloud, asking for focus, and wisdom as we hear the Word being taught.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

The Way of Jesus | The Beatitudes | August 23

Sermon taught by Michael Bailey on the importance of prayer in the church.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 23, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 66:1-2, 4, NRSV

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; 
sing the glory of his name; 
give to him glorious praise. 
All the earth worships you;
they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray for your time listening to the sermon together

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Read this aloud:

I will now read this prayer over us as we conclude:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Kidtown and Student Guides

The Way of Jesus | The Kingdom of Jesus | August 16

This study of this gospel account aims to equip Christians and churches to trust and follow Jesus.

Sermon by Michael Bailey for August 16, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 16, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 96 : 1 - 6

Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray this aloud

Psalm 1:1-4

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

Father, Your word is truth, and Your truth is for our good. Open our ears to hear your voice. We need you. Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Read this aloud:

I will now read this prayer over us as we conclude:

May the grace of Christ, which daily renews us, and the love of God, which enables us to love all, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which unites us in one body, make us eager to obey the will of God until we meet again, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in Pain and Chaos | August 9

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for August 9, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 9, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord.

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together, or read this prayer aloud:

Jesus, help us focus our hearts and minds on You during our time together.  Help us to remember that You are with us by Your Spirit.  Help us to sing, remembering the truth about who You are and who You’ve called us to be.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Song

Song

Pray: Have someone pray this aloud

Jesus, Your words are truth.  Help us to hear the truth and respond in love and obedience.  Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Following Jesus in a Cancel Culture

Jake Blair and Tim Olson continue looking into the relationship of the gospel and the law in the church.

Welcome to the Midtown Midweek, a resource to equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.

Questions? Send us an email at teaching@midtowncolumbia.com

Resources mentioned

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Emotionally Healthy Relationships by Peter Scazzero

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in a Cancel Culture | August 2

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Adam Gibson for August 2, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

August 2nd, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord. 

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together, or read this prayer aloud:

Dear Lord, focus our attention and our hearts. Let our time be a blessing to You and to us. Help us grow in unity and understanding together.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

The call to worship for today is from Psalm 103

Psalm 103:8, 13-14, 17-18

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

Song

Song

Pray

Read this aloud:

Philippians 4:6 says do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Lord, thank you that we can bring all our anxiety and frustrations to you. Remind us that we are made family and friends with you. Open our ears and our hearts today as we hear your word. Calm our restless hearts with your Spirit. Help us focus and rest in these next moments, amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Everyone read this prayer aloud:

Father God, 
Be with us this week, 
As we seek Your kingdom here in Columbia

Jesus Christ, 
Be glorified in our lives, 
As we remember, we are secure in You

Let your Holy Spirit, 
Remind us of Your truth often, 
and move us to love our neighbors, as Christ has loved us

Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Following Jesus in the Midst of Injustice

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Welcome to the Midtown Midweek, a resource to equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.

Questions? Send us an email.

Resources

Bible Verses on Oppression

"When Racial Justice Meets Spiritual Practices" from Following Jesus Together (Spotify | iTunes | Google Play)

Generous Justice by Tim Keller

Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Christianity by Neil Shenvi

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in the Midst of Injustice | July 26

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Michael Bailey for July 26, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

July 26, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord. 

We invite you to stand as you sing, to help position yourself to be engaged and focused as you participate in the gathering of God’s people.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture aloud to begin:

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
   I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Let’s sing of the greatness of our God with thankfulness in our hearts for what He’s done.

Song

Practice: REFLECT AND REJOICE

Take a minute to sit in silence and reflect on the past week. What can you praise God for in the midst of this season? 

After a few moments, if you are participating with others, ask specific people to share what came to mind. 

After sharing, have someone pray, or read this aloud: 

Father, thank you for how you continue to provide and show up in the mess of this life. Help us always remember your provision and the depth of your love for us. Father you are all we need, you are everything.

Song

Pray: Have someone pray this aloud

Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may hear your Word with joy. Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

Help us, Lord, that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and that what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Following Jesus in a Polarizing Political Climate

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Welcome to the Midtown Midweek, a resource to equip you to be with Jesus and become more like Him as we continue the conversation from Sunday’s teaching.

Questions? Send us an email.

Resources

Following Jesus Together the Podcast (iTunes | Spotify | Google Play)

Christ and Culture by Richard Niebuhr

Christ and Culture Revisited by D.A. Carson

Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel by Russell Moore

Greetings From 2020 | Following Jesus in a Polarizing Political Climate | July 19

Volatile issues consume our newsfeeds, but we need to approach these issues biblically. As a church family, we want to fix our eyes on Jesus, and become a people of peace, hope, and love as we follow Jesus.

Sermon by Jake Blair for July 19, 2020.

Here is this week's sermon along with a digital worship guide that includes songs to sing, prayers, and scripture to read. Also, for those with children, please use our Kidtown and student guides as a resource to teach and lead your children each week.

Worship Guide

July 19, 2020

Use this guide as a script, and, if possible, ask for a volunteer, roommate, or virtual participant to read the parts aloud. There are links to the songs to play and sing along with or, sing them a cappella. We want this to be a helpful guide for you and your community to participate together in worshipping the Lord. 

We invite you to stand as you sing, to help position yourself to be engaged and focused as you participate in the gathering of God’s people.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture aloud to begin:

Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Let us sing this morning remembering God’s grace and goodness.

Song

Practice: ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Read this aloud:

Hebrews 3 says: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

After this next song we’re going to take a couple of minutes to encourage those with you. How have you seen Jesus working in someone’s life recently? During this next song think of at least one way you can encourage someone in your life.

Song

Now, take some time to text them, and tell them why you’re thankful for them. If you have others in the room with you (physically or virtually), pray for specific ways you can encourage them.

Pray: Father God, you have spoken to us through your Son. Let your written Word now be spoken and heard by each of us. Give us ears to hear and hearts to understand. Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Father God, help us to remember that You are alive today and active wherever we find ourselves. Remind us of the good news and reality of the Gospel. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

1800 Blanding Street

Columbia, SC