Corporate worship is a great thing.  Of course, we can worship God on our own and with our families - and we should.  But there is something special about the people of God coming together for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25).  Thus, we hope that corporate worship is the highlight of your week.  In an effort to help you get more out of worship, we're posting a short preview of the upcoming worship service each week.  Hopefully you'll find this helpful and encouraging.

Early on in our worship service we'll confess our sins.  We'll do this individually and silently before God, then in a corporate prayer together, and lastly in song as we sing Kyrie Eleison (which means "Lord have mercy").  Just like in any relationship, confessing sins then clears the way for joyful fellowship.  And so it is with God.  We move forward in worship with joy after we confess our sins before him.

We'll also be celebrating the Lord's Supper together this week.  You'll notice the whole flow of the service ramping up to our celebration of Communion.  To prepare, read 1 Cor 11:17-34.

The teaching this week will be based on Mark 15:16-39, "The Death of Jesus."  This will be our second to last week in our series on the Gospel of Mark.  To prepare, read the text and note what you learn about human nature (and yourself) from the mocking and execution of Jesus.  And note, as well, what you learn about the person and work of Jesus.

We'll also be singing a new sing this week by Matthew Smith called "Lord Jesus Comfort Me."  It's a powerful song about Christ's suffering and atonement for our sins.  See the video and the lyrics below.

You have canceled my transgression,

Jesus, by Your precious blood

May I find therein salvation,

happiness, and peace with God

And since You for sinner’s suffering

On the cross was made an offering

From all sin deliver me,

That I wholly Yours may be

All the pain You have endured

All Your wounds, Your crown of thorn

Hands and feet with nails through bored

The reproach which You have borne

Your back, ploughed with deep furrows

Cross and grave and all Your sorrows

Your blood-sweat and agony

Oh Lord Jesus, comfort me

Your back, ploughed with deep furrows

Cross and grave and all Your sorrows

Your blood-sweat and agony

Oh Lord Jesus, comfort me