The Shelter of the Most High
Greetings, River Oaks! As you know, the leadership of ROC, following guidance from local officials, has made the decision to suspend weekly services due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is not a decision made lightly, but it is a decision made in love for the most vulnerable among us. We do ultimately trust the Lord to see us through this pandemic, but trusting the Lord does not exclude taking practical measures to preserve life.
Thus, for now, we will be holding worship remotely. The elements of worship are provided below. We encourage small gatherings or families to pray, sing, and hear God’s word through these means. Though this is not a good or long-term substitute for the enfleshed gathering of the saints, we are thankful to have these resources.
1. Welcome and Call to Worship
2. Song: Rejoice, Our Lord is King
Click > Lyrics: Rejoice, Our Lord is King
| 1 | Rejoice, the Lord is King, Your Lord and King adore; Mortals, give thanks and sing And triumph evermore: |
| Ref | Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, rejoice. |
| 2 | His kingdom cannot fail; He rules o’er earth and heav’n; The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus giv’n: |
| 3 | Jesus, the Savior reigns, The God of truth and love: When He had purged our stains He took His seat above: |
| 4 | He sits at God’s right hand Till all His foes submit, And bow to His command, And fall beneath His feet: |
3. Confession of Faith
Click > Confession: Heidelberg Catechism, Q.1
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
4. Song: Be Still My Soul
Click > Lyrics: Be Still My Soul
1 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heav’nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2 Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
3 Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shall you better know his love, his heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul: your Jesus can repay
from his own fullness all he takes away.
4 Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
5. Prayer and Proclamation of God’s Word
Click > Scripture reading: Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
6. Song: I Am the Lord (Do Not Fear)
Click > Lyrics: I Am the Lord (Do Not Fear)
1 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
And the waves, will not overcome you
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name, you are Mine
2 For I am the Lord your God (girls repeat)
I am the Lord your God
(I am) the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (2x)
(Guys) I am the Lord
(Girls) Do not fear
3 When you pass through the fire, you’ll not be hurt
And the flames will not consume you
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name, you are Mine
(Guys)You are the Lord
(Girls)I’ll not fear
You are the Lord
7. Benediction
Note: You may be wondering, “Why are we doing the songs via YouTube rather than recording Tanner and his crew?” Great question. We decided to do it this way for a few reasons. First, we do not currently have the technological capabilities to mix audio and high quality video for a whole team of musicians on such short notice. Second, doing it this way avoids the need to gather the team and potentially spread coronavirus. Third, some of the songs are currently under copyright and, thus, we are not permitted to record and distribute a live performance without express permission to do so. We hope you understand!
