October 8, 2023 10AM

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

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Matthew 11:2-6

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit…
1 Peter 3:14-18

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:27-29

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

- Jim Elliot

“Eighty-six years I have served Jesus, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?”
– Polycarp (being given the chance to recant before his martyrdom)

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.

Psalm 107:1-2

SONG

Let the Peoples Praise You

Lion and the Lamb

Lion and the Lamb

[Verse 1]
He’s coming on the clouds
kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break
as broken hearts declare His praise
for who can stop the Lord Almighty?

[Chorus]
Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah
He’s roaring with power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the Lamb
the Lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow
before the Lion and the Lamb
Oh every knee will bow before Him

[Verse 2]
So open up the gates
make way before the King of kings
The God who comes to save
is here to set the captives free
for who can stop the Lord Almighty?

[Chorus]

[Bridge] (x4)
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?

[Chorus]

SONG

Revelation Song

[Verse 1]
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is Thee
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

[Chorus]
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

[Verse 2]
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

[Chorus]

[Coda]
You are holy, holy
Are You Lord God, Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb

MISSIONS Moment – Missions Month
Rebecca Wu, Missions Team Member

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Meet King’s Cross Church! Today! October 8, 2023. Hosted at Pastor Russ’s home not far from the school. For newer people to get to know our church and some leaders. Lunch will be included! Register HERE.

Fall Groups – Please look over our growing list of Fall Community Groups. Pick one out, and let’s grow in Christ together.

Prayer Focus (A.C.T.S.) – This group starts on Tuesday (10/10), and it’s led by Sarah and Johnny Park. Join them for a time of prayer, praise, and devotion, through the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). Please register for which days to attend, as the space only allows for 10 people per meeting. Click HERE for details and to let us know you’re coming.

Men’s Social MeetUP – Thursday, October 12 (7:30-9pm) at HopSaint, 5160 W 190th St., Torrance, CA 90503. The 2nd Thursday of the Month the Men’s CG meets socially at a local establishment to just hang out and get to know each other. Men can join these social nights without feeling obligated to join the sermon studies on the other nights (1st & 3rd Thursdays). We would be happy just to meet and get to know you! The location will change each month, so please pay attention to the location for the particular date and please “sign up” HERE so we have a better idea of the table size we will need. 

Friday Night Bible Book Study in Hermosa in Hosea (10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 12/1): Led by Chris Lau. At each session, we come prepared to share an observation, a question, the meaning of the passage, and an application. We hope you can join us! For more details and to register click HERE.

WOMEN | Thursday Night Bible Book Study: Women’s Accountability. Women committed to attending Chris Lau’s Friday Bible Book Studies are invited to gather together on the alternating weeks for accountability and prayer. Discussion is based on reflections from the prior week’s study. Meets every other Thursday evening at 7 pm. Hosting locations rotate among group members. For more details and to register click HERE.

Women’s Fellowship Breakfast (10/21, 9AM) – Ladies, join us for breakfast in a few weeks at Urth Caffe South Bay in Hawthorne (4940 W 147th St). This is an opportunity to gather together casually and get to know one another over coffee/breakfast. Please register HERE.

Kids and Dads Playtime (10/21, 9AM) Chris Lau and Nick Young will be hosting a gathering for dads and kids at Holly Glen Park. For those that wish to attend the Women’s Fellowship Breakfast and need someone to watch their little ones, register HERE so we can coordinate.

Two-Week Missions Seminar: “You and the Global Church” – Tragically, it is common in America today for followers of Jesus to neglect praying for, actively supporting, or giving much thought to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). What is the gift we are missing? What could it look like instead for us and families here in the South Bay? Join us for a two-part conversation about God’s heart for all people groups, His calling for some to leave the comforts of home, and His invitation to all believers – including you – to partner in this work. We’ll meet on Sundays, 10/22 & 10/29 at 8:30am. Register HERE.

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
“Head on a Platter”

Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ¹⁷ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” ²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

SONG

Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION