giv 2020 | Jesus, Our Comforter | December 13

Sermon by Michael Bailey for December 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

December 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.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture and prayer aloud:

Let’s hear these selections from Revelation and respond in song:

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll

In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

Song

Pray

Have someone pray.

Lord, let us worship You because of how worthy You are. Let us see how perfect and holy and wonderful You are. Enlighten our hearts to the truth of Your beauty and majesty, and let Your Word bring that truth to our lives. Amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

Lord, help us know that the sufferings of today, are not worth comparing to how worthy You are.
We join with creation in yearning for Your presence and Your Spirit and for all sin and brokenness to be over. We thank You for the hope You bring.
Help us walk in that hope this week.
Amen

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Jesus, Our Shepherd King

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We’re joined by Midtown Lexington pastor Brandon Clements as we discuss Columbia, the Advent season, and what Jesus is teaching us through this year's Advent guides.

We love hearing from you too. Email us your questions, feedback, and what Jesus has been teaching you through this Advent season.

If you have a copy of the guide, our suggested donation price is $6. You can donate here.

Recommended: Hollow Creek Christmas Tree Farm

giv 2020 | Jesus, Our Shepherd King | December 6

Sermon by Brandon Clements for December 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

December 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.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this scripture and prayer aloud:

Luke 2:6-7
“While Mary was there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Lord, help us prepare our hearts to receive You in this moment. Let Your Spirit work in us, to be changed by Your presence and goodness.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray this confession aloud.

Lord Jesus Christ, at your birth the angels gave glory to God in the highest heaven, and offered peace on earth to all humankind. We struggle to follow the heavenly host. All too often we focus on giving glory to ourselves, trying to impress our friends, coworkers, and family. We often make no effort to further peace in our polarized world; we forget that you have called us to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Forgive us for these and all our sins, and strengthen us to join the angels’ song.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

Lord, lift our eyes to You. Help us see Your work in and around our lives. Lord, we confess that we are sheep in need of a Great Shepherd. You meet us in our humble state, and not only become our Shepherd, but our King. Help us to see You and worshipYou rightly this week.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Following Jesus Together | Advent in the Pandemic

Subscribe to Following Jesus Together (iTunes ISpotify I Google Play)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

We welcome OUR VERY FIRST GUEST on the show, author of this year’s Advent Guide, Courtney Gibson. In this episode, she shares how we might use this season of Advent and the pandemic to help us be more like Jesus. Plus, we put Courtney in the hot seat for our lightning round.

We love hearing from you too. Email us your questions, feedback, and what Jesus has been teaching you through this Advent season.

If you have a copy of the guide, our suggested donation price is $6. You can donate here.

As always, special thanks to our audio engineer Stephen Simmons. Intro music courtesy of Jared Wise.

Resources:

How to Make an Advent Wreath (for under $5)

Hope (week 1) playlist

Peace (week 2) playlist

Joy (week 3) playlist

Love (week 4) playlist

And of course, check out The CHRISTmas Experience playlist

giv 2020 | Jesus, God With Us | November 29

Sermon by Jake Blair for November 29, 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

November 29, 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.

Call to Worship

Have someone read this aloud:

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. This is what we celebrate during Advent:

The Savior has come for His Church and He will come again.

Advent comes from the Latin word that means “coming” or “arrival.” Throughout church history it has become the four-week season of celebration and waiting leading up to Christmas Sunday. We set our hearts and minds back on the humble coming of the Messiah as a baby in a manger and we set our hearts and minds forward as we eagerly long for Him to come back for His Church as He has promised.

Let’s pray.

King of glory, you are God. You are powerful. You rule the entire world. We praise you because you are so great. But you became a baby. You were tiny and weak. You were just like us. We praise you because you came, and we look forward to when you will come again. In your name we pray. Amen.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Read this aloud:

Let’s pray.

Lord, we celebrate your coming and look forward and hope for when you’re coming again. In the meantime, fill us with Your hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Q+R - The Way of Jesus

We finally did it everybody - the Q+R episode! We’re joined by Lizzie Keegan and pastor Michael Bailey to reply back to your questions from the series. PLUS, we share some of our favorite things about Columbia (links below).

Questions? Send us an email.

Check out some of our favorite things about Columbia right now:

Enzo’s Delicatessen - enzoscolumbia.com (follow them on IG - instagram.com/enzoscolumbia/)

Griffin Chophouse - griffinchophouse.com (and give them a follow on IG - instagram.com/griffinchophouse)

The Other Store - facebook.com/otherstore

The Way of Jesus | A Call to Decide | November 22

Sermon by Michael Bailey for November 22, 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

November 22, 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 aloud:

The call to worship for today is from Psalm 103:

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.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray for your time together.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Read this confession aloud all together:

Lord, we admit
It is easier to build our lives on weak foundations
So often, we seek the easier path
Rather than the righteous one.

Lord, we need Your forgiveness
We need You to give us faith to trust in You

Help us build our lives on You
Christ, our solid rock
Our firm foundation
Help us know You and seek Your Kingdom, Jesus

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | Dogs, Pigs, Specks, and Planks

This week we’re joined by Adam Gibson as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon PLUS Adam shares his favorite thing about Columbia right now.

Questions? Send us an email.

Also check out our series resources

The Way of Jesus | Dogs, Pigs, Specks, and Planks | November 15

Sermon by Adam Gibson for November 15, 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

November 15, 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

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
    Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Songs

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.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud to close:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | The Age of Anxiety (Part 2)

This week we’re joined by Jon Ludovina as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon.

Questions? Send us an email.

Resources mentioned

“What is Breath Prayer?" from FollowingJesusTogether.com

Email Jon Ludovina

Also check out our series resources

The Way of Jesus | The Age of Anxiety - Part 2 | November 8

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for November 8, 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

November 8, 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.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

‭‭Matthew 6 : 26-33

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Songs

Pray

Father God, you know our weaknesses. You know how often we fail to trust your provision and goodness. Forgive us, and help us trust that you are for our good. Let Your spirit comfort us, and remind us of Your love and care for us. Give us faith, Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud:

Jude 1 : 24-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | The Age of Anxiety (Part 1)

With the Presidential election just one day away, we’re joined by Jon Ludovina as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon and how we can navigate this election faithfully.

Questions? Send us an email.

Resources mentioned

“Resources on Politics” by Midtown Fellowship

“A Chicken for Every Pot” Political Ad, October 30, 1928

Also check out our series resources

The Way of Jesus | The Age of Anxiety - Part 1 | November 1

Sermon by Jon Ludovina for November 1, 2020.

• Resources on Politics Blog

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

November 1, 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.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1:1-2‬

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.

Songs

Pray

Have someone pray for your time.

Sermon

Listen and Reflect

Take time to listen to “We Are Not Overcome” and reflect on the truth found in the lyrics.

Song

Lyrics:

Flesh will fail and bones will break
Thieves will steal, the earth will shake
Night will fall, the light will fade
The Lord will give and take away

Put no trust in the earth
In the sod you stand upon
Flowers fade into dust
The Lord will make a place for us

Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome

Have no fear for your life
Turn your cheek, turn your cheek
Bear the yoke of love and death
The Lord will give all life and breath

Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome

Benediction

Have someone pray this aloud to close:

Father God,

Be with us this week,
As we seek Your kingdom here.

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 | The Practice of Prayer

This week we’re joined by Brandon Clements as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon. Plus, Brandon shares ANOTHER ONE of his favorite things about Columbia right now.

Questions? Send us an email.

Resources mentioned

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

“Solitude over Isolation“ from Following Jesus Together - The Podcast

The Way of Jesus | The Practice of Prayer | October 25

Sermon by Brandon Clements for October 25, 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

October 25, 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.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud:

Exodus 34:6b-7a

The Lord, the Lord, is God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…

Song

Pray

Have someone pray for your time.

Sermon

Songs

Benediction

Have someone read this aloud to close:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | The Right Kind of Notice

This week we’re joined by Michael Bailey as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon. Plus, Michael shares his favorite thing about Columbia right now.

Questions? Send us an email.

Quotes/Resources mentioned

Dallas Willard

“The kind of people who have been so transformed by their daily walk with God that good deeds naturally flow from their character are precisely the kind of people whose left hand would not notice what their right hand is doing. As, for example, when driving one’s own car or speaking one’s native language. What they do they do naturally, often automatically, simply because of what they are pervasively and internally. These are people who do not have to invest a lot of reflection in doing good for others. Their deeds are “in secret” no matter who is watching, for they are absorbed in love of God and of those around them. They hardly notice their own deed, and rarely remember it.”

Recapturing the Wonder by Mike Cosper

Also check out our series resources

The Way of Jesus | The Right Kind of Notice | October 18

Sermon by Michael Bailey for October 18, 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

October 18, 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.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud to begin:

Romans 8:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.

Let’s sing and confess our need for God’s grace, and proclaim His provision and mercy for us.

Songs

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.”

Take 30 seconds to pray for a way you can encourage someone. How have you seen Jesus working in someone’s life recently? 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.

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this to close:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | On Enemy Love

This week we’re joined by Jake Blair as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon. Plus, Jake shares his favorite thing about Columbia right now.

Questions? Send us an email.

Quotes/Resources mentioned

Justin Martyr

We who formerly treasured money and possessions more than anything else now hand over everything we have to a treasury for all and share it with everyone who needs it. We who formerly hated and murdered one another and did not even share our hearth with those of a different tribe because of their customs, now, after Christ’s appearance, live together and share the same table. Now we pray for our enemies and try to win those who hate us unjustly so that they too may live in accordance with Christ’s wonderful teachings, that they too may enter into the expectation, that they too may receive the same good things that we will receive from God, the ruler of the universe.

Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing by Jonathan Pennington

"Tough Texts with Todd: Psalm 137 and Dashing Babies" - Food Trucks in Babylon podcast

“Try Jesus” - Tobe Nwigwe

Also, check out our series resources

The Way of Jesus | On Enemy Love | October 11

Sermon by Jake Blair for October 11, 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

October 11, 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.

Call to Worship - Scripture

Have someone read this scripture aloud to begin:

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

Practice: Confess Together

Corporate confession is a way for us to lay down our individualism and join with other believers confessing the same thing, as one body in Christ.

Read this confession, from John 1, aloud with everyone present:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the lightWe have fellowship with one anotherAnd the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just To forgive us our sins And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amen

Sermon

Song

Benediction

Have someone read this to close:

Acts 2:24–28 

God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:

      “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me.
      Because he is at my right hand,
      I will not be shaken.
   Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
      my body also will rest in hope,
   because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
      you will not let your holy one see decay.
   You have made known to me the paths of life;
      you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
Amen

Kidtown and Student Guides

Midweek Podcast | On Retaliation and Becoming People of Peace

This week we’re joined by Pastor Allen Tipping as he unpacks more of this week’s sermon. Plus, Allen shares his favorite thing about Columbia right now.

Questions? Send us an email.

 Also, check out our series resources