Welcome 

 

 Opening Song –  Word of God

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 –  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,  11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

MOVEMENT ONE: Reverence – vv. 3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

• Blessing the God of mercy, comfort and purpose

 

• SONG – 10,000 Reasons (chorus 2X)

 

• Mercy  – “Lord, I bless you that when I struggled with____________ you gave me mercy (sympathy/pity)”

 

• Comfort/encouragement – “Lord bless you that you encouraged me when .. .”

 

• Purpose – “Lord I bless you that you have a purpose even when . . .”

SONG:  “Blessed be Your Name”

MOVEMENT TWO: Response – vv. 5-7

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

• Surrendering to His purposes in us and through us to benefit those we serve
  • “Lord, I surrender to your purposes as I struggle with___________________” (personal time)

 

SONG:  I Surrender All

 

• “Thank you that because of my struggles I will be a better pastor to (name) by (benefit)” (in group)

 

SONG: “‘Tis So Sweet”(vs.1, Chorus 2X)

 

Movement Three: Requests – vv. 8-10

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

• Trusting God who raises the dead for deliverance
• “Lord, today I am trusting you to deliver me from . . .” (in groups)

SONG:  “Our God”

MOVEMENT Four: Readiness

11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

• Praying for one another with the goal of greater thanksgiving (in      groups/antiphonal)
• One at  a time: I pray that you will help my brother with . . .
  
• All echo after each prayer: “May thanks be given to You . . .”
• SONG:  10,000 Reasons.  Vs. 2 , chorus,