Take it Easy
Gathering
Service
I. Opening
Welcome and Introduction: Welcome to our service on April 28, 2024! We reflect on recent storms in the areas and are grateful for God's protection over us during this time.
Opening Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you have kept us safe during the recent tornado outbreaks in the Great Plains, but not everyone has been as fortunate. Help us to reach them and to serve them, to find ways to help them heal and be restored--in this world, and in the next.
Help us to find meaning in your scriptures today. Guide us to focus on what we should, to serve where we can, and consider our own need for rest as your blessing.
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
II. Worship and Praise
Video Links: Eagles - Take It Easy (Live on MTV 1994) (Official Video) [HD] - YouTube
Reflection: As you enjoy this classic performance by The Eagles, consider these thoughts from the song.
- Expectations of others: Have you ever found pressure in your life from the unspoken expectsations of others?
- Stress: is any situation ever made better by over-stress? Do you heighten the stress of your life, or do you seek to take it easy? Can you turn stress of your life over to God?
- When: When was the last time you truly rested?
III. Communion
Communion is a sacred time to remember Jesus' sacrifice, offering us forgiveness and eternal life through faith. This act is for those who have welcomed Jesus as their Savior and leader. If you're still on your journey of faith, please feel free to observe and reflect during this time. Know that you're valued and respected, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey.
For those who have chosen to follow Jesus, let's share in communion together. We'll start with the bread, symbolizing Jesus' body given for us, and then share the cup, representing His blood shed for a new covenant of grace and forgiveness.
- "Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take, eat; this is My body.'" (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22) -- Please partake of the bread.
- “He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-24) -- Please partake of the cup.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who established this new covenant of love and forgiveness with His sacrifice. May this communion deepen our connection to You and to each other as Your family. Guide us to live out the grace we've received in our words and actions every day. Amen.
IV: Message -- Take it Easy
In our fast-paced world, where the hustle and bustle often leave us drained and frazzled, the message in the Eagles' song "Take It Easy" resonates deeply. It's a call to slow down, to lighten our burdens, and to enjoy the journey. This message aligns beautifully with Scripture’s own invitations to rest—a rest that rejuvenates not just our bodies but our souls.
This lesson--intentionally--is short. It's short because we should embrace rest, a divine rest that is commanded by God and designed in our life for His purpose! Here is some of what we find in Scripture about rest:
- Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Here, Christ isn’t just suggesting we take a break; He’s offering Himself as the sanctuary where true rest can be found. His call to take His yoke is an invitation to learn from Him—gentle and humble—where our souls find true peace.
- Exodus 33:14 - "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." This promise was given to Moses, a man leading a nation through the desert. Yet, the promise remains for us—God’s presence is a constant source of peace and rest, no matter the wilderness we're navigating.
- Psalm 23:1-3 - "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul." David’s psalm is a poetic reflection on God’s shepherding character. Rest, here, is depicted as being led to a place of renewal. It’s not just about stopping work; it’s about being restored.
- Mark 6:31 - "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Even Jesus encouraged His disciples to withdraw from the crowds. This directive underscores the necessity of stepping away from our responsibilities and finding a quiet space to rejuvenate.
- Genesis 2:2-3 - "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." While most all scholars believe that God does not need rest, it's widely taught that this is an example for us-- a lesson. God gave us the example of the importance of rest.
The chorus of "Take It Easy" is a reminder not to let the sound of our own wheels drive us crazy. In a similar way, Scripture encourages us not to let the burdens of life wear us down. Instead, we are to lay our burdens on Christ, find restoration in God's creation, and remember that our ultimate rest is found not in ceasing activity but in centering our lives around God’s peace and presence.
As we go about our days, let's remember to take it easy—not as the world suggests, by merely escaping our responsibilities, but by finding our rest in God. Let's respond to Christ’s invitation to lay down our burdens and find rest for our souls. Let’s ensure that we are not consumed by busyness to the extent that we forget to live in the restorative rest that God offers us.
V: Offering
As we continue in our worship, we have the opportunity to participate in the act of giving. The Bible reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV), "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Join me in prayer as we prepare our hearts for this act of giving. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. As we bring our offerings before You today, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. May these gifts be used for the furthering of Your Kingdom and the spreading of Your love. Bless each giver abundantly, and may our cheerful giving be a reflection of Your generosity toward us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we collect the offering, we do want to remind everyone that this part of the service is an opportunity to give but is in no way considered a requirement. We have the special opportunity here at Prepper Church to give all of the offering to a good cause that we choose.
Thank you for your generous hearts and faithful giving. Your contributions play a vital role in supporting the causes that we support. May God bless you abundantly as you continue to be cheerful givers. Amen.
VI: Closing
Closing Prayer: Lord, let us remember that in our desire to serve that we are also designed by you to have times of rest. And let us actually rest as you would have us rest.
Closng Remarks: Now--go goof off and take a break! Go rest! Take it easy.
Local Group Discussion and Fellowship
No discussion today, just go rest and relax and enjoy the day that the Lord has made! Maybe take a nap...
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