Call to Worship
There is an old call and response phrase that goes like this:
When I say, “God is good.” You say, “All the time.” Then I say “All the time.” And you respond with, “God is good.” Let’s try it:
LEADER:
God is good.
CONGREGATION:
All the time.
LEADER:
And all the time.
CONGREGATION:
God is good.
Do you believe that? Do you believe that God is good regardless of circumstances? Sure, it’s easy to believe that he’s good when things are going our way. But what about when things are difficult? Can we still say, “God is good ALL the time”? Listen to these words recorded by the disciple whom Jesus loved:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16–17
Wow! Now that is a God who is good!
God So Loved
Words and Music by Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, and Martin Cash
© 2019 We The Kingdom Music, Andrew Bergthold Designee, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon
Come all you weary, come all you thirsty
Come to the well that never runs dry
Drink of the water, come and thirst no more
Come all you sinners, come find His mercy
Come to the table, He will satisfy
Taste of His goodness, find what you’re looking for
For God so loved the world that He gave us
His one and only Son to save us
Whoever believes in Him will live forever
Bring all your failures, bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting there with open arms
The power of hell, forever defeated
Now it is well, I’m walking in freedom
For God so loved, God so loved the world
Praise God, praise God, from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love
Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love, His amazing love
Bring all your failures, bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting, God so loved the world
You Are Good
Words and Music by Israel Houghton
© 2001 Integrity's Praise Music
Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever
Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever
People from every nation and tongue, from generation to generation
We worship You, hallelujah, hallelujah
We worship You for who you are
We worship You, hallelujah, hallelujah
We worship You for who you are, You are good
Yes You are, yes You are, yes You are
So good, so good
Yes You are, yes You are, yes You are
You are good all the time
All the time, You are good
You are good all the time
All the time, You are good
Psalm 118:1–4; 19–29
LEADER:
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who worship the Lord say,
CONGREGATION:
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
LEADER:
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
CONGREGATION:
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
LEADER:
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
CONGREGATION:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
LEADER:
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
CONGREGATION:
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
LEADER:
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!
CONGREGATION:
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.
LEADER:
The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
CONGREGATION:
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
LEADER:
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
CONGREGATION:
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Blessed Assurance
Words and Music by Fanny Crosby, Phoebe Knapp, Jonathan Smith, Logan Cain, Taylor Cain Matz, Madison Cain Johnson
© 2023 All Essential Music, Taylor Cain Music, Madison Cain Music, Logan Cain Music, Be Essential Songs, Cashagamble Jet Music
Oh, blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, the purchase of God
Born of His spirit and washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
‘Cause I’m praising my Savior all the day long
Perfect submission, all is at rest
‘Cause I in my Savior,
Oh I am happy and blessed
I’m watching and waiting and I’m looking above
Filled with His goodness and I’m washed in His blood
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
‘Cause I’m praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, I’ll testify that God is good
All the time, He saw me and heard my cry, now I am His
And He is mine
He is mine
Offering Prayer
Offertory:
God, You’re So Good
Words and Music by Brett Younker, Kristian Stanfill, Brooke Ligertwood, and Scott Ligertwood
© 2018 sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.Com Songs, SHOUT! Music Publishing
Amazing love that welcomes me, the kindness of mercy
That bought with blood wholeheartedly, my soul undeserving
God, You’re so good, God, You’re so good
God, You’re so good, You’re so good to me
Behold the cross, age to age, and hour by hour
The dead are raised, the sinner saved, the work of Your power
I am blessed, I am called, I am healed, I am whole
I am saved in Jesus’ name
Highly favored, anointed, filled with Your power
For the glory of Jesus’ name
And should this life bring suffering, Lord, I will remember
What Calvary has bought for me, both now and forever
Prayer of Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Sermon
The Lord’s Supper
[instrumental music played or congregational singing]
The Mystery of Faith
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
The Goodness of God
Words and Music by Ed Cash, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, and Jenn Johnson
© 2018 Fellow Ships Music, So Essential Tunes, Alletrop Music, SHOUT! Music Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing
I love You Lord, oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up, until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
'Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice, You have led me through the fire
And in darkest nights You are close like no other
I've known You as a father, I've known You as a friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Benediction
Psalm 119:68 says, about God: “You are good and You do what is good . . .” God is the original definition of good. He is good in and of Himself. For us, goodness is an added quality. But it comes naturally for Him. God is not just the greatest of beings; He is the Best. But how do you see the true character of a person? By his actions. This week, display the goodness of God through your actions.