In consideration of others and as guests of West High School . . .
- Please silence your phone and watch.
- Name tags are a great start to a meaningful connection. Thanks for wearing one.
- If you’d like to give an offering, there are two baskets in the back or you can use the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
On this mountain
the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food,
a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow,
of aged wine well refined.
And he will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people
he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 25:6-8
And he said to all,
“If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
will save it.
Luke 9:23-24
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:27-28
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 96. What is the Lord’s Supper?
A. The Lord’s Supper is a Sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is shown forth; and the worthy receivers are (not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith) made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
“The flesh feeds on the body and blood of Christ so that the soul may be fattened on God.”
– Tertullian
“This meal is for sinners only.”
– David Watson
“I hate solitude, but I’m afraid of intimacy. The substance of my life is a private conversation with myself which to turn into a dialogue would be equivalent to self-destruction. The company which I need is the company which a pub or a cafe will provide. I have never wanted a communion of souls. It’s already hard enough to tell the truth to oneself.”
― Iris Murdoch
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Isaiah 55:1-2
SONG
His Mercy is More
[Chorus]
Praise the Lord
His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness
New every morn’
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
[Verse 1]
What love could remember
No wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all-knowing
He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea
Without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
[Verse 2]
What patience would wait
As we constantly roam
What Father so tender
Is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest
The vilest the poor
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
What riches of kindness
He lavished on us
His blood was the payment
His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt
We could never afford
Our sins they are many
His mercy is more
[Chorus]
SONG
King of Kings
[Verse 1]
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope, without light
‘Til from heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
[Chorus]
Praise the Father, praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of Kings
[Verse 2]
To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake you died
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored
And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
By His blood and in His name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
[Chorus]
SCRIPTURE READING
41 So the Jews grumbled about him,
because he said,
“I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
42 They said,
“Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph,
whose father and mother we know?
How does he now say,
‘I have come down from heaven’?”
43 Jesus answered them,
“Do not grumble among yourselves…
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness,
and they died.
50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven,
so that one may eat of it and not die.
51 I am the living bread
that came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.
And the bread that I will give
for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves,
saying, “How can this man
give us his flesh to eat?”
53 So Jesus said to them,
“Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood,
you have no life in you.
54 Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood has eternal life,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
55 For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
56 Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood abides in me,
and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me,
and I live because of the Father,
so whoever feeds on me,
he also will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven,
not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue,
as he taught at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said
“This is a hard saying;
who can listen to it?” …
66 After this many of his disciples turned back
and no longer walked with him.
67 So Jesus said to the twelve,
“Do you want to go away as well?”
68 Simon Peter answered him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
69 and we have believed,
and have come to know,
that you are the Holy One of God.”
John 6:41-43, 48-60, 66-69
SONG
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
[Chorus]
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it some day for a crown
[Verse 2]
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine a wondrous beauty I see
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, it’s shame and reproach gladly bear
‘Til He calls me one day to my home far away where his glory forever I’ll share
[Chorus]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meet King’s Cross (Today, 5/5) – We have a special lunch planned today after church, for those who are relatively new to our church. Ask Russ or Joe for directions, and so we can prepare accordingly. This will be a casual, conversational time for us to get to know one another, and to allow you to ask questions about King’s Cross: who we are, what we believe, and where we’re headed. This will take place at Pastor Russ’s house, down the street from the high school. Come join us for a meal and discussion.
Men’s & Women’s Events – This Thursday, May 9th, the men will meet as usual for a casual social – location to be determined. Save the date and refer back to this link for details and registrations. We’d love to know how many seats to save. As for our women, there are plans in the works for a brunch on Saturday, June 8th at 10AM – location to be determined. For both men and women, these gatherings have shown to help us build and deepen our relationships and strengthen the fellowship of our church as a whole. Join us!
MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
________________________________
After APRIL 2024
YTD 2024 Projected Giving: $210,355
YTD 2024 Actual Giving: $203,488
________________________________
OFFERTORY
If you would like to give electronically, you may do so using the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app. There are also white baskets in the back of our worship space, where you can give via check, made out to King’s Cross Church, or cash.
SERMON
“The Gospel as a Feast”
Mark 14:12-26
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
COMMUNION
SONG
Your Love is Strong
[Verse 1]
Heavenly Father, You always amaze me
Let Your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need to live through today
And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
[Verse 2]
I look out the window, the birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day
[Pre-Chorus 2]
So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
[Chorus]
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong
[Verse 3]
The Kingdom of the heavens is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The Kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself to buy the one you’ve found?
[Pre-Chorus 3]
Two things You told me
That You are strong and You love me
Yes, You love me
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us, today, our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices and
Deliver us from these prisons
BENEDICTION
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8