Previous At-Home Worship

The At-Home Worship materials listed below were offered during the COVID-19 pandemic shut of our church. Below you will find these At-Home Services. If local to Milford, PA, please join us at our Live Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. or you may watch the service on either the home page of this website or on Facebook Live or Facebook Watch. The replays of each service is available under the Live Worship Service Replays section of this website. Feel free to view and Worship our Heavenly Father using our previous At-Home Worship materials as The Holy Spirit leads you.

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, November 29, 2020

This is the First Sunday of Advent!

(The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are the Four Sundays of Advent.)
 
The First Sunday of Advent is both the first and last Sunday of the Christian year: As we look forward to Jesus’ second coming (as God promised) in the light of His first coming (as God promised). Advent means “coming”. In this Sunday’s Worship Service we’ll be lighting the first candle on our Advent wreaths, renewing our baptismal vows, and celebrating the Lord’s Supper.
 
It’s not too late to go online for directions about how to make your own Advent wreath to use at home. And you can still go get the white or wheat bread or rolls and grape juice for celebrating the Lord’s Supper. It is Recommitment Sunday here at Evangelical Presbyterian Church and, hopefully, this Service of baptismal vows and the Lord’s Supper will end and begin the “new year” in a way that stirs us to renewed and revitalized faithfulness and Additionally, I continue to look forward to the day when those local , who are unable to attend right now due to underlying health conditions, will be able to worship all-together in our Sanctuary in Milford but even more so when we’re all-together worshiping in Heaven! Come, Lord Jesus

In Jesus,

 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, November 22, 2020

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Psalm 100:4

November 22nd is Thanksgiving Sunday. As we shop, make plans, travel, cook & bake in preparation for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, the Word of God calls us, “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17) It can be challenging in all our busy-ness to be giving thanks to God through it all. But if you’ve been made new in Jesus Christ then it’s not just you who are facing the challenge of it all; it is also the Spirit of God in you!

May we never forget that in Christ we are so much more than merely ourselves. In Christ, when we come to the end of ourselves, the resources of God Almighty are there and waiting for us to live into and ask for them. (We also call these “resources” our inheritance in Christ and also the gifts of the Holy Spirit.)

Ask God to help you thank Him across these days. Ask Him to help you recognize the goodness of others around you and to give thanks to and for them, as well. Being grateful is good for our souls and nurtures our love-relationship with God and others.

May those around you these Thanksgiving days see Christ in you: Your hope of glory and, whether they realize it or not, their hope of glory, too.
Click on Let’s Worship the Lord to access the this week’s at-home Worship materials. Please share with family, friends and those that you may have on your heart.
I regularly and often thank God for you all!

In Jesus,

 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, November 15, 2020

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

As always, feel free to share our web-address or these links with any friends or neighbors who might be blessed by Bible-based and Spirit-filled Worship.

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials; and again feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours in Jesus,
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, November 8, 2020

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

As always, feel free to share our web-address or these links with any friends or neighbors who might be blessed by Bible-based and Spirit-filled Worship.

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials; and again feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours in Jesus,
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, November 1, 2020

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

As always, feel free to share our web-address or these links with any friends or neighbors who might be blessed by Bible-based and Spirit-filled Worship.

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials; and again feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours in Jesus,
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, October 25, 2020

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

As the days of these COVID-precautions and election-wrangling grow long and we (perhaps) face the temptation to grow weary, remember the apostle Paul’s charge and promise to us in Galatians 6:9, saying, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” If you need help, support, or encouragement in any way, feel free to reach out to me, one of the Elders, or your Deacon. Let us pray for you; let us circle you with the Body of Christ; let us renew and refresh you in the loving-arms of Christ!

As always, you are free to Worship with us in the Sanctuary Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45am, if local or when in the area.

Do you know you can link to our Worship Service recordings and Home Worship materials any time and any day by visiting our website here at epcmilford.org?

Here you will find options to:

  • Watch a recording of our Sunday “Sanctuary Worship” Service (this is usually available each Sunday afternoon by 3pm);
  • Open an online folder that’s filled with a Home Worship script to help you lead your own at-home Worship Service along with song- and sermon-videos to support your Service, if you’d like to use them;
  • Re-watch past Sunday “Sanctuary Worship” Services; and,
  • So much more!

As always, feel free to share our web-address or these links with any friends or neighbors who might be blessed by Bible-based and Spirit-filled Worship.

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials; and again feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours in Jesus,
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, October 18, 2020

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path.”

(Psalm 119:105)

The Worship materials are a little different this weekend than for previous Worship Sundays. This Sunday Gideon Don Butler and his wife Rose will be with us, Don sharing the ministry of the Gideons international along with story after story of the impact the Word of God continues to have bringing hopeless, empty, dead-in-their-sins men, women, boys, and girls to new life in Jesus Christ! As always, we are wearing masks when standing or singing, keeping socially-distanced, and using hand-sanitizer as often as we pass a dispenser.
 
God willing, Sunday School is going to begin Sunday, November 8th in various classrooms from 9:15 to 10:15am. We’ll be living-out the same precautions as listed above during the Sunday School hour, as well, having smaller classes in smaller rooms and bigger classes spread out around our biggest rooms.
 
As we’re all experiencing, our music, television, and Internet media are filled with propaganda and fear-mongering intended to twist our thinking and fill us with anxiety and a craving for security, wherever that security may come from. But as Christians, we belong to Christ. He has promised us eternal security: Security that begins now in this life – in this moment – and that never ends. And we have believed Him!

So, do not be foolish but be wise with the wisdom that comes from Christ. And that means, whether you have reason day-in and day-out to wear a mask, keep socially-distanced, and be practicing other precautions, or whether you have reason day-in and day-out not to do these things – either way – do not give in to the stress and the strain accidentally or intentionally being promoted by government figures, medical spokespeople, or media expounders. No, exercise your faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. He is our King. He is our healer. He is our provider, our hope, and our sanctuary (safe place) and salvation! He has good plans He’s prepared us for from the beginning of the world!

Whether you wear a mask and keep distanced or not: No worry! No fear! Only Jesus! Whether you vote red or blue or a mixture of the two: Both medicine and government are in His hands! Vote committed to No King but Jesus! He’s trustworthy; believe Him: All God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ! May our neighbors and friends and coworkers and family members see our peace and the confidence we have in His salvation. May God be magnified and glorified in us and in all the earth! Yes, may Jesus Christ be praised!

As always, you are free to Worship with us in the Sanctuary Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45am, or to Worship at home using these Home Worship materials, or to wait until Sunday afternoon and worship with us watching the video of our Sunday morning Sanctuary Service.

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials. Feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours in Jesus,
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, October 11, 2020

We’re going to be having Worship on the front lawn, God willing!

It may be a little chilly, so bundle up. But it is supposed to be fairly comfortable by 11 o’clock or so, so make sure you have layers you can take off, too. We’re also going to be having our first Light In the Darkness planning meeting (following Worship upstairs in end-of-the-hall C24). The Borough has confirmed its decision to allow Trick or Treating (unless the governor or CDC makes declarations against it between now and then). So, thinking our neighbors would be blessed by the “block party” atmosphere, and embracing the opportunity to sing God’s songs to everyone across the night and share testimonies of Jesus’ love and faithfulness, too, we’re going to begin our planning.

At this late a date we know we won’t be giving out hot dogs, as we’ve done before, so we’re already planning for the entire event to be a bit more low-key than previous years. But with music, drinks and snacks, and games for kids, we will need everyone’s help to “shine brightly” that night for the sake of Christ! 🙂 Of course, if you can’t make the meeting but want to help brainstorm, plan, and be a part, contact the Church Office or Elder Jim Casteline and they’ll make sure you don’t miss out.

Also, we’re still looking for a teacher for our Pre-K to 2nd Grade Sunday School class. Here is an opportunity to use your gifts and to share your heart for Jesus with these little ones. We are hoping to start Sunday School the beginning of November, so please let us know you’ll teach this class!

Lastly, one of our area Gideons will be speaking during Worship next Sunday, October 18th. Come and hear their breathtaking stories of the power of God’s Word to change people’s lives. The Gideons International is an organization of Christian businessmen who hand out free copies of God’s Word at schools, on street corners, and most-famously in hotels and motels. They are active in almost 200 countries! Come and hear what God is doing through the power of His Word and, if you’ve been blessed to do so, come prepared to financially support their ministry and partner with them in prayer.

Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus!

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials. Feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours,
 

 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, October 4, 2020

“Do this in remembrance of Me”

More Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper the first Sunday in October (called World Communion Sunday) than on any other single day of the year! Are there any other Christians nearby whom you could reach out to join you in Worship and celebrating the Supper today? I hope these materials continue to be a blessing to you and any others you might be sending or forwarding them to.
I am looking forward to the day when we’ll be reunited for Worship in the Sanctuary together, but even more so, that day when we’ll be together in the new Heaven and the new earth worshiping God face-to-face together forever!
As always, please reach out to the church and/or to me for any reason if you have a need we might help and support you through.

Click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials. Feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.

I am yours,
 

 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, September 27, 2020

“And they were all gathered-together in one place…” (Acts 2:1)

There has always been a challenge to our Christian unity as, across history, followers of Jesus have met together in different cities and varied groupings around those cities. At no time is that unity challenged more than today as, added to that, we have Christians worshiping in church buildings and others in their homes and still others on-the-run using mobile devices. Of course, there’s nothing like being together. Although the risen Christ assures His presence to all Christians everywhere, He promises special grace when two or more gather-together in His name. Yes, we were made for fellowship: Not just to worship wherever we want to worship, but to worship together!
So, I hope that as we are coming before God’s throne of grace using these Worship materials, I hope we are all looking forward to and planning for that time when we can meet-together with the other Christians around us whom the Holy Spirit has given us to be the Body of Christ with together. I address that to those who are a part of Evangelical Pres: To look forward to and plan for that time when you can meet-together with the whole body in the church Sanctuary in Milford, Pa. But I’m also writing to those who may live far away from Milford: That you might find a church-body near your home and join-together with the Christians there to worship, fellowship, and serve the Lord together. Even those of you who may not have any kind of established church or Christian meeting nearby: To seek to identify other Christians near you, and to gather-together with them to worship, fellowship, and serve the Lord together.
Of course, there’s a lot more to living for and growing in Christ that just Worship, so you’ll see in these materials a Bulletin showing Bible Studies, Prayer Fellowships, and other ministry opportunities for serving the Lord together. Exercise your faith! Step out and serve! Love your neighbor as you love yourself. And look forward to and plan for that time when we will all meet-together – all Christians from every time and place – at what the Bible calls the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb”, when all of us who follow Him are united to Jesus physically, spiritually, personally, and eternally! What living this life with and for Him is all leading to!
But as we wait, click on the Let’s Worship banner below to access this Sunday’s Worship Materials. Feel free to share them or to invite others over that they might share with you.
I send this in Jesus’
 

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, September 20, 2020

What a glorious Worship Service
out on the lawn we enjoyed last Sunday!
A special thanks to all those who set up and broke down sound equipment, chairs and benches, passed around the Worship Bulletins and song sheets, prayed in the hopes of the Service touching neighbors and passers-by, and for those who made welcome the handful of folks who came off the sidewalk to Worship with us. It was great to see and worship together with some of you who’ve needed to Worship from home on account of significant vulnerability, and the freedom and safety that being outdoors allowed. What a great God and Father we have, and how great it is to worship Him together wherever we worship Him! As you and your household prepare yourselves for Worship today, know that with the “Week of Sorrowful Repentance & Turning Back to God” ahead of us these next eight days that, part of our time together will be asking the Holy Spirit to grant us greater sensitivity to sin in our own lives and around us, and asking the Holy One to help us truly repent. And with those around us in mind, to grant repentance to our community, nation, and the world – all the nations, as well. We’re worshiping Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary at 10:30am; many of you, I know, are worshiping at Home, as well; and, a video-recording of our Sanctuary Service will be available early-evening tonight, also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join us however you’re able and feel free to share these materials with friends, family, or any others. And, please, sign-up to pray for at least one hour of one of this week’s Prayer Vigils. (You’ll hear more about these Prayer Vigils during Worship.) If you are not local to Milford and/or are unable to be part of our church Prayer Vigils we ask that you take at least one hour of intentional prayer this coming week. Not sure what to pray for, see the notes after Join the Prayer Vigil banner on the home page.
Grace and peace to you, men and women of God!  
Let’s W
I send this in Jesus’

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, September 13, 2020

This is the day the Lord has made,

Let us rejoice and praise Him!

The Let’s Worship the Lord link below will take you to this Sunday’s Worship folder. As always, feel free to share this Link and these Worship materials with anyone who might benefit.
Grace and peace to you, my brothers and sisters in Jesus.
I send this in Jesus’

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, September 6, 2020

Sunday Worship: In the Sanctuary at 10:30 am; at home with the Worship Script, Worship files,& your family and friends; or in the afternoon online with the recorded Service.

Yet, life in Christ is more than just Worship for an hour or two a week, isn’t it? So much is coming against God’s people, and we are so aware of it these days, aren’t we? I hope you are spending time, daily, reading and meditating on Scripture, praising God & praying for yourself, your family, your church, and the world. But I also hope you are making time to be in the Bible with others, too. There are several Bible Studies going on around EPC: Monday Night from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Sanctuary (for guys and gals); Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30 am online (for just ladies); Saturday morning from 8:30-10:00 am in the upstairs end-of-the-hall classroom (for just men); and, a new afternoon Study every-other-Thursday from Noon to 1:30 pm starting up again September 24th at Joyce Bronson’s home in Milford (for just ladies). (Contact the Church Office for Joyce’s address and to let her know you will be coming.) Sunday School will also be beginning soon. (No set date yet.) And we will share more about that as it gets nearer.
So, yes, we need to Worship! But we also need the smaller group Bible Study setting to be able to ask our questions, join in more personal prayer, and in order to build relationships and friendships with those in the smaller group around us. If the days or times we already have Bible Studies don’t work for you, consider starting your own!
The Let’s Worship the Lord link will take you to this Sunday’s Worship folder. As always, feel free to share this Link and these Worship materials with anyone who might benefit.
Grace and peace to you, my brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Access today’s Worship at-home materials by clicking on “Let’s worship the Lord” below.
I send this in Jesus’

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, August 30, 2020

Do you read the Bible and pray daily?
We were made to walk with God. How is it going living your life daily with the Almighty? If you don’t have a daily “quiet time” focusing solely on God, I want to encourage you to do so. Here’s a way to begin:
  • Set aside a time, every day, when you are going to spend special time with God.
  • Start that time with some Bible reading, perhaps beginning with one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
  • Before you read, ask God to help you understand what you’re about to read and to reveal Himself to you there. And then begin.
  • Read one section-heading of a chapter. (Though sometimes section-headings are entire chapters.)
  • Once you’ve finished, think about what you’ve read: Did you understand it? Could you write it down in your own words? (Sometimes writing what we’ve read in a journal in our own words helps us do this.)
  • If there are things you didn’t understand, make notes of it so you can ask me or another trusted believer later.
  • Do you have any questions about what you read? Questions about why God did something, or why something was significant that didn’t make sense to you? Write those questions down to ask, as well.
  • NOTE: This may all seem burdensome to you, but what you are actually doing is interacting with God: The questions you have that you’re planning to ask me or another are questions you have for God. Questions about things that don’t make sense but that you want to understand better are questions you have for God.
  • What, in your reading, stands out to you? What does the passage say about God? What does the passage say about you? What from it might you carry with you into the rest of your day? (Again, remember, God is speaking to you and at this point He’s said something so important that you’re going to be focusing on it as you continue in your day!)
  • Now that you’ve heard from God’s Word, take some time to pray.
  • Tell God what you’re thankful for, why you love Him, why you think He’s great, etc… Speak to Him out loud. It doesn’t need to be fancy words. Just talk to Him. (If you’re self-conscious that others might be listening, find someplace to have this special time with God where others can’t hear you.)
  • Then think of ways you may have hurt God by sinning: Whatever might come to your mind that you know you’ve thought, said, or done that you know weren’t what God would like. Apologize to Him for all of it. It might be a short list; it might be long. Remember that God has already forgiven you in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. You can know that once you’ve told Him you’re sorry, you are forgiven. The cross assures you of that.
  • Then ask God for what you need and for what you believe others need. Remember to ask on behalf of government leaders, missionaries, your neighbors, coworkers, & friends, and for the Church around the world, especially (if you would), for our church: Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Milford. Think of what you know God wants for you and for others, and simply ask Him for those things.
  • You don’t have to pray for every little thing. God wants to talk with you all day long. So, you can feel free to save some things to share with Him later. 🙂

When you’re finished, thank God for the special time together and go about the rest of the day walking with the Lord: Thinking about Him, talking with Him, asking for His help & guidance, and doing what He says & following where He leads.

We were literally made to live our lives interdependent with God: Our asking and trusting Him to do His part while being faithful in doing ours. As we do that more and more consistently day-by-day we’ll recognize His presence and constant communion with us more and more.
Grace and peace to you, my brothers and sisters and friends in Jesus!
Access today’s Worship at-home materials by clicking on “Let’s worship the Lord” below.
I am yours in Jesus’

At– Home Worship Service Sunday, August 23, 2020

Salvation is from the LORD!
Here we are in the 23rd week of worshiping together amidst these COVID-precautions. Some of us are gathering on Sundays here in our Sanctuary in Milford for Worship at 10:30 am. Others are worshiping at home using these worship materials or watching the video-taped Sanctuary Worship Service that gets posted to our website every Sunday afternoon.
But however and wherever you are worshiping this Sunday, I invite you to join us in celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as a part of it. Let’s treat this holy meal with all the reverence and sanctity it deserves. So, in preparation, please get some white or wheat bread or rolls to use. Please don’t use other types of specialty bread or rolls since the simplicity of the meal is also a part of its power. Likewise, please get some grape juice for you and the others you’ll be worshiping with to share. (Again, please don’t use other types of juice or drink. It’s grape juice, and the way it can remind us of blood and – when it’s become wine – remind us of toasting and celebrating, that Jesus and the apostles have called us to use.) You’ll see the rest of the directions for celebrating Communion in the Home Worship Script linked-to below.
I do want to invite you to join us at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday in the Sanctuary for Worship, if you live in the Milford area. We are practicing social-distancing, wearing masks when standing or singing (you can remove your mask when seated, if not singing), and hand sanitizing regularly. Although I’ve heard some are staying away because our pews and other surfaces aren’t being wiped down and sanitized frequently enough, I want you to know that our surfaces are being wiped down regularly. But the latest information from the CDC is that surface to surface contact is recognized as no longer being a significant concern for the spreading of the virus. It is the active projection of – and inhalation of – germs from person-to-person that’s causing the spread, which is why masks and social-distancing continue to be the primary cautionary measures.
So, come and join us. And remember, you can go to our website – epcmilford.org – mid-afternoons each Sunday to find a link to the recorded version of our Sunday morning Sanctuary Service, if you’d rather join us that way.
P.S. We hope to be worshiping live on Facebook from the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday beginning Sunday, September 13th. Won’t you keep joining us in-person or online?
Access today’s Worship at-home materials by clicking on “Let’s worship the Lord” below.
I am yours in Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, August 16, 2020

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!
This quote from Psalm 96:9 used to be painted on the wall of our Sanctuary around the curve that now encloses the cross. We, Christians, were re-made to be different. We’ve been born again in order to stand out from those who make up the world around us. We aren’t to blend in. We aren’t to fit in. We worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Yes, our holiness, our different-ness, is beautiful to God!

The “Let’s Worship the Lord” box below will take you to an online folder containing a Home-Worship Script, some sing-along videos, and a sermon to be used in hosting a Worship Service in your home with your spouse, your roommates, family members, neighbors, and friends. As these COVID-precautions continue, those around us – more than ever – need the Lord, and need us inviting them to help them draw near to Him.

If inviting neighbors, coworkers, friends, and others to join you doesn’t work best, you can direct them to our website: epcmilford.org. There, on our Welcome Page, they’ll find access to not only this Sunday’s Worship-materials folder, but also to folders from all the Sundays since these COVID-concerns and quarantining began.

The Worship-materials for Home Worship tend to be available every Saturday by late-afternoon. We are video-taping our Sunday morning in-person Worship Services in the Sanctuary, and they are available in the Worship-materials folder and on our website by late-Sunday afternoon.
Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, August 9, 2020

This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!  
A blessed Lord’s Day to you all, my brothers and sisters and friends in Jesus Christ.
Sundays – the Lord’s Day – is that day each week we celebrate our Lord Jesus from the dead showing His defeat of Death, and so proving that He indeed the sinless Son of God and has indeed died for sin, since Death can only keep those who’ve ever sinned. Our sins have been forgiven! God has powerfully shown His Father’s love for us and made a way back to Himself for us in Jesus Christ!
That’s why we praise Him! That’s why we give our lives to Him. It’s why we worship! And whether together at home or together in the Sanctuary – wherever we are – we are one in the Holy Spirit and in Christ’s love.
On account of the Lord Jesus rising from the dead, not only can we believe we’ve been forgiven all our sins, we can also believe His promise of God’s love and God’s having adopted us as sons and daughters, that He indeed sent the Holy Spirit to fill us with power to live His life each day, we can entrust our community, our nation, our loved ones to His care, and we can live assured that a new Heaven and earth are coming where tears and suffering and sorrow and Death will have no place, where we will live with Him face-to-face forever!
And in these challenging days when the forces against us seem to be growing stronger and stronger we need – all the more – to gather together to Worship Him! To remind each other and ourselves of the truth of these things: That Jesus is Lord, Lord even over this world that threatens us daily. And the Lord Jesus has promised us that we will overcome as He has overcome. And we do it as He did, not by our own abilities or trying harder. We will overcome by His Holy Spirit.
Today’s worship materials can be accessed by clicking the Let’s Worship the Lord box below.
Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, August 2, 2020

Four Sundays, four preachers, the same Almighty God,
Wonderful Savior, and Spirit-led Worship!
   Sunday Number Four!
Today, while I am away on my family va-cation and stay-cation, retired Pastor Rodger Smeall will share a Holy Spirit inspired message today. Rodger and his beautiful wife Gayle have been married for 51 years. They have two daughters—Tara and Melissa—and six grandchildren. Rodger’s initial call to ministry was in 1984, serving existing ministries and planting churches in Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. His last outreach was an independent inner city plant called Legacy Ministries in Easton, PA. They are thankful for the privilege of serving Jesus over the years and grateful to be involved here at EPC-Milford. May God bless their time together with us.
Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

 

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, July 26, 2020

Four Sundays, four preachers, the same Almighty God,
Wonderful Savior, and Spirit-led Worship!
   Sunday Number Three!
Today, while I am away on my family va-cation and stay-cation, current EPC Milford Elder Jim Casteline shares a Holy Spirit inspired message in today’s Worship Service. Jim is married to his beautiful wife,  Melissa, and they have five wonderful children: Hope, Gloria, Noelle, James and Jewel. Jim and Melissa live in Marcel Lake Estates in Dingmans Ferry, they home school their children and Jim works for the electric company JCP&L in New Jersey as a project manager. Jim is also a member (he plays guitar and sings) of the Praise & Worship Music Team  here at EPC Milford. 
Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, July 19, 2020

Four Sundays, four preachers, the same Almighty God,
Wonderful Savior, and Spirit-led Worship!
   Sunday Number Two!
Today, while I am away on my family va-cation and stay-cation, retired pastor and current EPC Milford Elder Roger Casey shares a Holy Spirit inspired message in today’s Worship Service. Roger graduated from St. Martin’s College of Art in London, and worked as a commercial artist before entering Theological Seminary with his wife, Carol. He has pastored churches on both sides of the Atlantic, and has spent considerable time doing missionary work in Southern India. Roger’s last pastorate in Manhattan was for 18 years. He retired from full time ministry in July 2012. Roger serves as a guest preacher and teacher at Ocean Grove Camp Meeting in New Jersey, and periodically ministers by invitation here at EPC Milford.
 
Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, July 12, 2020

Four Sundays, four preachers, the same Almighty God,
Wonderful Savior, and Spirit-led Worship!
My family and I are going to be away on a combination va-cation and stay-cation beginning after Worship this week. While away, three gifted preachers and men of God are going to be preaching in my absence.
  • This Sunday (July 12th) is me;
  • Next Sunday (July 19th) will be retired-pastor and Elder Roger Casey:
  • The following Sunday (July 26th) will be Elder Jim Casteline; and,
  • Sunday, August 2nd, will be retired-pastor Rodger Smeall.
You are in for a treat in the variety Father has for us in hearing the Word of God with such conviction and Holy Spirit-gifting from these men.
I love you in the Lord, my brothers and sisters and friends. As always, if you need pastoral care or support in any way, please feel free to contact your Deacon, any of the Elders, or the Church Office to get the help, prayer, and support you may need. In addition, please feel free to share this with others who you believe will use them to Worship the Lord and/or grow in their faith in Him.
Please pray for me and my family while we’re away. Know that I am praying for you.
Click on the Let’s Worship the Lord for At-Home Worship materials.
In Jesus’

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, July 05, 2020

We’re celebrating the Lord’s Supper together this Sunday!
We don’t believe the  bread and cup become the flesh and blood of Jesus as some Christians so. We don’t believe the flesh and blood of Jesus somehow co-exist alongside or “under” the bread or cup, as other Christians do. Nor do we believe the bread and cup are merely symbols-reminders of-Jesus’ flesh and blood sacrificed so long ago, as still other Christians believe. We believe the Holy Spirit renews in us all the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when we eat and drink by faith in Him. And if that’s what you believe, too, and if you’ve been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and are living with Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin & the Lord of your life today, then you are heartily invited to join ids in celebrating this holy Sacrament today, Sunday, July 5th.
 
While worshiping at home please have some plain white bread or wheat bread or rolls available for use during the Service., and please have some 100% grape juice available. (We ask that you guard your hearts against the temptation to simply use whatever bread or juice you have around the house to celebrate the holiness of the Sacrament by even going out and purchasing special white or wheat bread or rolls and 100% grape juice if you must)
 
We may not be able to be together physically on Sunday, but by the ministry of the Holy Spirit we are assure of being made one together across time and space through our faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
We’ve been worshiping in-person in our Sanctuary at 300 Broad St. in Milford since the last Sunday in May, Pentecost Sunday. But we’re continuing to make “Home Worship” materials available to encourage all those those who need to be home longer to come before the Lord very personally during this time. We’ve also begun recording of our Sunday morning in-person Worship Service (though that’s not available until early Sunday afternoons) It’s not intended to replace the Home Worship Script and other materials but we hope it gives each of you a nice sense of being there!
As always I hope you are feeling free to reach out to your Deacon, any of the Elders or myself with any needs or ministry ideas you may have during these very different days. If you are “new” to EPC Milford contact the church office with your prayer and ministry needs. You can find contact information for me and/or the church to share with and friends in the “Home Worship”materials folder or under the Contact EPC button on this website. reach out for any reason, or for no reason at all. : )
The “Home Worship” materials can be access by clicking the button below. Let’s Worship the Lord! 
God bless you, saints. Know that I am yours in Jesus
 

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, June 28, 2020

 
Worship at church or at home or both!
Come to Worship in the Sanctuary Sunday morning, then use the Home Worship Script and materials for a mid-week Service. Or, Worship at home Sunday morning with the Worship Script and materials, then watch the live Service online later in the day. Or watch the live Service mid-week to be refreshed by the message, prayers, and time of praise! But whatever you do, Worship! And plug into the Monday Night Bible Study or the Saturday Morning Men’s Study or the Saturday Morning Women’s Zoom Study! or connect at one the new Prayer Fellowship meetings popping up all over: At the Evans’ in Gold Key, the Neel’s in Shohola and/or the Frazer’s up Cummins Hill in Milford. Call or email the Church Office (570-296-4711; firstpc@ptd.net) for more information and directions.
We were made to be together. It’s precious to the Lord and He gives us His blessings to it when we live together in harmony. Praise the Lord!
Below the Let’s Worship the Lord link will take you to an online “folder” of resources to help you and your family worship the Lord.  As always, feel free to share the link and these resources with as many others as would use them for worship.
In Jesus’

 
 

At- Home Worship Service Sunday, June 21, 2020

 
“I have seen the Lord!”
Mary Magdalen’s famous words from that very first Easter still echo among those of us who want to be where Jesus is and follow where He Leads. But the Lord doesn’t change and He hasn’t moved. As always, He is near to those who call on Him!
Below the Let’s Worship the Lord link will take you to an online “folder” of resources to help you and your family worship the Lord this Sunday. and day-by-day as you open, play and re-play the files. They are intended for Sunday mornings but you can watch listen, and sing-along Monday, Tuesday, and day-after-day as you feel the His Spirit stirring you to draw near, celebrate His presence, pour out Your love and gratitude to our Father in Heaven. As always, feel free to share the link and these resources with as many others as would use them for worship.
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Jesus’

 
 

At- Home Worship Service, Sunday, June 14, 2020

My brothers and sisters and friends,
Below you will find the link for our Worship at home materials for today. When you are able and comfortable in doing so please consider attending our Live Sunday morning Worship at 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary.
Also, the replay of our Live Sunday Service is posted on the website on Sunday evenings.
Looking forward to the day when we will be together again to Worship. Looking forward to seeing you or meeting you.
Let’s Worship the Lord!

1

 
 

At- Home Worship Service, Sunday, June 7, 2020

I Love Sundays!

My brothers and sisters and friends,
With the state of affairs across our community and nation, we need to gather-together to reaffirm our allegiance to the Lord as humanity’s one and only hope, even as we need to seek a fresh-filling of the Holy Spirit for the work of reconciliation and ministry Father has called us to across our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
May today’s Worship be a time of rest and refreshing in the presence of the One Who made us, the One Who’s redeemed us, and the One Who is Sanctifying us; the all-mighty Who calls us “friends”.
Looking forward to the Day, men and women of God. Looking forward to the Day. 

 

Worship Service, Sunday, May 31, 2020

“This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away – all who have been called by the Lord our God (Acts 2:39) 

What extraordinary times we are in. There’s much pressure to act foolishly, but Father has called us to to be a people who act with wisdom and call on Him for it when we need it.   it. There’s so much pressure to be afraid, but Father has called us to let Him fill our hearts with His love – His love which casts out all fear. It’s a time where some of us still need to worship apart while some of us are ready to begin worshiping together. In some ways we’re continuing to do what we’ve been doing across these past eleven Sundays, and yet it’s Pentecost Sunday! And the Holy Spirit makes everything new!
For those of you who are worshiping at home, please consider sharing-together – each getting 2-3 minutes to share – what you’ve seen the Lord doing around you or in your own life these past weeks we’ve been apart.
At the end of the Sermon – for Home Worship and the message I’ll be sharing in the Sanctuary – please don’t skip over the prayers for self and others encouraged at the end. It’s all part of the bigger whole of what God wants to be doing among us in Worship this week as He keeps sending us to be His mouth, hands, and feet out into the world. 
I love you in the Lord, precious saints, and am so looking forward to that day we can all be worshiping and serving the Lord together once again. Let’s Worship the Lord!
In Jesus’

 

Worship Service, Sunday, May 24, 2020

“It is good to praise the Lord and

make music to His Name” (Psalm 91:1) 

Even though we may soon be coming to an end of these at-home Worship Services, and even though I am very much looking forward to worshiping with you face-to-face (at least those of you who are a part of our congregation here is Milford, PA) I am going to miss connecting with those of you across the “EPC-diaspora” who are such a part of what the Lord is doing among us here on the corner of Broad and W Ann Streets even though you are spread out from us across the United States and even around the World!
I hope this note finds you all – near and far – safe and secure in Christ Jesus, and rejoicing in His lordship over darkness and Death. The Lord Jesus has rescued  us from our old lives that were tied to the roller-coaster of this world”s ups and downs and firmly anchored us to the new life of His love and grace forever established in Heaven.
Please feel free to share these worship materials with friends and family members, wherever they may be, even over social media. Whatever it takes to help and support our fellow believers in their Worship these days! (Including those who may not yet be believers but whom the Father is drawing to Himself!)
Grace and peace to you all, my brothers and sisters in Jesus! May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Jesus’

 

Worship Service, Sunday, May 17, 2020

Grace and peace to you from God our Father 

and the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is our ninth Sunday worshiping apart, but just as we may be growing more used to such things we’re already planning for and looking ahead to that coming Sunday when we’ll be back in the Sanctuary worshiping together! If the ongoing separation is gnawing at you, or if you need help in any way, please reach out to me or an Elder or your Deacon. We may not be singing and sitting next to one another, but we’re still only a text, phone call, or email away. You may feel isolated, but you’re not alone.
As always, feel free to share this website and Worship link with others around you, wherever they may be. And, as always, a very special “thank you” to Steve Davis for making our videos look so professional and for helping bring the Sanctuary and each of our Worship leaders right into our homes.
It may still be a couple weeks, yet, but I am so looking forward to seeing and being with you soon.
In Jesus’

 
 
 
 

Worship Service, Sunday, May 10, 2020

“Salvation belongs to the Lord;

Your blessings be on Your People” (Psalm 3:8)

A glorious Lord’s Day to you, my brothers and sisters and friends! I hope you this time of Worship refreshing and renewing to your souls as we draw near to the Lord at our various locations to sing His praises, seek His help, and enjoy the sweet communion of His holy friendship.
As has become our practice: the “Let’s Worship the Lord” link to the folder with our Worship materials for today is below.
Please share these materials with any friends and neighbors who might be blessed to join us around His throne of grace. Also, feel free to e-mail the church office if you or any one you know  would like to  receive the materials directly by e-mail in the future.
Know that I am yours in Jesus’
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A Special Worship Service, Sunday, May 3, 2020

We’re Celebrating the Lord’s Supper Today!

My cover letter in the Worship Script gives some directions for preparation. Then the Announcements video gives additional directions. And finally, the Worship Script takes you step-by-step through refreshing and renewing you and your household’s consecration by the New Covenant in Jesus’ body and blood.
 
All the way through the Service you’ll notice opportunities and directions for focusing on “us”: The Body of Christ; Jesus’ whole Bride; the worldwide Church. That’s intentional. At the heart of Lord’s Supper abuses over the centuries has been the temptation for twisting the celebration to be for me and Jesus or for me and those in the Body that I like or want to be associated with. Some priests only shared communion with those wealthy-enough to make it worth-their-while, having “lesser clergy” serve the common people. In other generations, Germans were served separately from the Irish who ate and drank apart from the Italians who kept themselves separate from the Spanish and away from the Africans and at a distance from Middle Easterners and far from Far East Asians, etc…
 
But there’s one loaf and one cup: “One Body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is over all, in all, and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) So, as you worship and as you – by faith – prepare to eat Jesus’ body and drink Jesus’ blood, allow yourself to miss the others you’re used to seeing around the congregation when you normally eat and drink. Take time to pray for different ones as their faces and names come to your thoughts. Let this “eating and drinking apart” nurture your hunger and thirst for that coming day when we will eat and drink together again, and for that coming day when we will eat and drink with the Lord Jesus Himself and all the saints across time and place who have – with us – trusted and followed God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the holy, holy Holy Spirit, entrusting our lives and those we love (and all the world) to His grace, goodness, and loving plans and purposes.
 
God loves you, my brothers and sisters in Jesus. That’s why He sent His Son to die on the cross, because He refused to live life without us. It’s been His desire since the Beginning to live life with us, his sons and daughters by faith. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has fulfilled God’s desires by the cross and the empty tomb!
 
As has become our habit, below is the “Let’s Worship the Lord” button below to access the “One Drive” folder containing our Worship Materials for today. Won’t you print-out enough copies of the Worship Script so that everyone can have one? And then prepare yourselves as you’ve grown used to doing and according to my cover letter that you’ll find there.
 
I love you in the Lord, my brothers and sisters in Jesus. I am yours in Jesus’
 
Love,
Pastor Ben Willis
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

A Special Message From Pastor Ben to help us prepare

for a special Worship Service, Sunday, May 3, 2020

This Sunday will be the Seventh Sunday

of the COVID-19 Restrictions 

The number seven has a special meaning to God, representing His fullness, His completeness, His perfection. We see this in the seven days of the week (His perfect provision for work and rest), the seven types of ceremonially clean animals (His complete provision for sacrifices), the seven colors of the rainbow (the fullness of His mercy). We see this in the seven weeks from the Lord’s death and resurrection at Easter to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (His full, complete, perfect provision for our salvation, that is, the forgiveness of sins and Holy Spirit-empowerment). When you look for them, there are so many meaningful sevens all across the Bible! 🙂

So, here we are just days before the Seventh Sunday of the COVID-19 restrictions and the Seventh Sunday of our worshiping apart in the midst of them.

I sense a strong compulsion from the Holy Spirit to celebrate the Lord’s Supper this Seventh Sunday.

“How?” You might be asking. “We’ll be separated from each other, and the Lord’s Supper is a community meal Christians only partake of together!” Yes, that’s true. 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 speaks against Christians making the Lord’s Supper to be about “me and Jesus” or “me and mine and Jesus” or even just “our small group and Jesus”. So, for us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in our separate homes we will have to make sure we do so recognizing and honoring our entire congregation and the entire, worldwide body of Christ, won’t we? And with God’s help, we will.

Some of you might be thinking, “But, I’ve never led myself or my family in celebrating the Lord’s Supper before. How will we go about it?” Well, this note will help you start preparing and, come Sunday, our Worship Script will make very clear – step by step – how to go about celebrating this holy mystery with your household as a part of the greater Body of Christ.

First things first: Over these next days leading up to Sunday buy some plain white or wheat bread (or rolls) and buy some 100% Grape Juice. Remember, the Lord’s Supper is a holy mystery, so please don’t use crackers or specialty breads (like banana bread or pumpernickel, etc…) and please don’t use cranberry juice cocktail or some other grape juice-mixed drink: White or wheat bread or rolls, and 100% Grape Juice. You will find both readily available in grocery stores. (And neither are likely to be sold out. 🙂 (For the sake of our celebrating as an entire church, please use grape juice instead of wine, even if you have red wine available to you.)

For Worship on Sunday you will need one slice of white or wheat bread (or one white or wheat roll) and one cup or glass of 100% Grape Juice. (The plainer and simpler the plate and cup used to serve them the better.)

That takes care of “body and blood” preparations. 🙂 Click on the blue-link below so I might share with you about preparing ourselves.

I am so looking forward to eating and drinking our great salvation together this Sunday.

Know that I am yours in Jesus’

Love,

Pastor Ben Willis
 

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Worship From Home Service

 

A Blessed Sunday to You, Saints of God:

 
Here we are at the sixth Sunday of these COVID-19 Restrictions; it’s also the third Sunday of the season of Easter; and the two-thousand twentieth year of the reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over Heaven and Earth! That puts all life’s circumstance in perspective, doesn’t it?

I wonder if the Lord Jesus knew His return would be so delayed? After all, He told us that Father alone set those dates and times, right, calling us to set our attentions on being filled with the Holy Spirit so we can do all Father has saved and given us new life to do!

I know this has been a good week for some and a difficult week for others. But I hope – whatever your week – that the Holy Spirit has graced Jesus to be your constant companion day-by-day, and that your joys have been higher and your burdens lightened by His presence. I hope your hearts and minds have been filled with thanksgiving for the great salvation He has won for you on the cross, and that you’re living your life for Him as a way of saying “Thank You, God!” and as a way of enjoying the fullness of your new life in Christ!

I still don’t know when we will next Worship together in the Sanctuary at 300 Broad Street. What I do know is that, like Jesus’ return, the day is closer now than it was before! Perhaps the Elders will discern it best to wait until the Governor’s restrictions are ended, or perhaps we’ll meet sooner. However the Lord provides, know that I am yours in the Savior and in His death-defeating love!

Click on the “Let’s Worship the Lord” link below  to access our April 26th Home Worship Script and Worship materials. As always, feel free to share this link with as many others as might be blessed to join us in it.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Almighty Jesus Christ!
Love,
Pastor Ben Willis
 

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Worship From Home Service

 

Jesus is alive! I’ve seen the Lord!

As our separation continues I hope you know how much I miss being together with all of you. I guess we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone. And I’m sure growing to appreciate more and more all the Lord has given us together as this time of having to be apart goes on. As we wait, you’ll find a blue link at the bottom of this email. Click on the link and you’ll see a folder filled with

  • a Worship Script,
  • an Announcements video,
  • some music videos, and,
  • a Sermon video.

I hope that these Worship Scripts have been a blessing to you, your family, and any who may be joining you Sundays for these Home Worship Services. Of course, feel free to forward or email this link to others who may be blessed by worshiping at home with their families and neighbors. Also, feel free to send your tithe and any offerings to the church through the mail, or to use the online giving function on our website. (Remember, if your income has been affected by these virus restrictions, please allow that to influence your tithe. Our tithe is 10% or our income, so if your income has lessened, please faithfully lower your giving, as well. If you desire to keep your giving the same, the church will greatly benefit, but please be wise as you make such decisions.)

With the month of May just around the corner, I am hopeful that we will be together again in-person very soon. Let’s continue to diligently pray for that and for the world, our nation, this community, and our neighbors, community, national, and world leaders. Each and every one needs the Lord. And His grace and sacrifice is sufficient! Know that the Lord is with you. Walk with Him! In Jesus’

Love,
Pastor Ben Willis

HE IS RISEN!

April 12, 2020 Easter Sunday

Worship From Home Service

My dear Brothers & Sisters in Jesus:

Below you will find a blue-link to a folder containing materials to help you and your household celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on this Easter Sunday. In the folder you will find a Worship Script, an Announcements video, several music videos, and a Sermon video. The Worship Script will coach you and your household to actively worship Almighty God our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, and direct you when and where to play the various videos to support your worship time.
Love,
Pastor Ben Willis

April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday

Worship From Home Service

My dear Brothers & Sisters in Jesus:

Below you will find a blue-link to a folder containing materials to help you and your household celebrate a most-holy Palm Sunday. In the folder you will find a Worship Script, an Announcements video, several music videos, a Palm Frond video, and a Sermon video. The Worship Script will coach you and your household to actively worship Almighty God our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, and direct you when and where to play the various videos to support your worship time.
Love,
Pastor Ben Willis

March 29, 2020 Worship From Home Service