April 16, 2011

Opening Hymns:

Hosanna Loud Hosanna 278 (red hymnal)

Scripture Reading:

Mathew 21:1-11

Message:

Palm Sunday has always been a joyful jubilant Sunday of rejoicing. The choir sings a loud anthem of praise. I remember being in a kids choir at my church and singing songs of praise to God “Hosanna!” There were always palm branches, and messages of hope. It was always the most uplifting service during the season of Lent. However, while it is a time of celebration, it is also a time of contemplation. Though Jesus is being recognized as a prophet, He is also nearing the end of His time on earth. The same people who are worshiping Him, will ask for Him to be killed. One who He called to be his disciple will betray Him, and His other disciples will abandon Him. 

But, we understand that this is not the last celebration of Jesus. Through His live, death, and resurrection many have seen and believed in His name. So on this Sunday we can all come together praising the Lord for all He has done; praising Him for forgiving our sins, giving us peace, and blessing our lives. We need not hold back our rejoicing for we know the story in its entirety. Even though Jesus will die, we remember His resurrection, and the gifts that came from His sacrifice. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice for our savior lives.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

  

Time of Prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ, and the blessings that He gave to this world. Thank you for the many reasons You give us to rejoice. Let us rejoice in You on this day, and every day. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

Wonderful Merciful Savior

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord

Thanks be to God

April 15, 2011

Opening Hymns:

Depth of Mercy 355 (red hymnal)

Am I a Soldier of the Cross? 511 (red hymnal)

Scripture Reading:

Philippians 2:5-11

Message: Humble Thyself

Sometimes I feel like Christians get the humbleness thing wrong. Christ was God’s own Son, and He never treated anyone like they were far below Him. Instead He cared and touched the untouchable sick. He forgave sinners, and welcomed them into His family. He corrected the religious leaders so they could have a better understanding of how God wants them to live. He is our perfect example of how to follow God.

In modern churches I have seen many condemning behaviors. Recently some churches have been very verbally condemning people who are gay. Some churches have the attitude that if you are divorced and re-married you will be condemned. The list can go on and on. The feeling that comes to those who commit these sins is… that of being cast out and rejected. But how are we to act if we want to be humble as Christ was humble? Are we free of sin, or was it God’s grace that let us into His family? If we are to humble ourselves it starts with not putting ourselves above others who sin differently than us. Instead let us seek to be more like Christ. Let us learn to forgive others, as Christ has forgiven us. Remember it is God’s judgment that counts in the end. We cannot even condemn demons to Hell. How can we place condemnation on a different child of God?

Time of Prayer

Lord, teach us how to be humble. Let us welcome all into Your home as Christ did. Teach us how to love people, and forgive sins. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

Beneath the Cross of Jesus 297 (red hymnal)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord

Thanks be to God

April 14 2011

Opening Hymns:

This is My Father’s World 144 (red hymnal)

Take up Thy Cross 415 (red hymnal)

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 50:4-9

Message:

Would that I could be as strong as Isaiah. This scripture is describing someone who has put all their trust, strength, hope, and purpose in the Lord. No one has ever beaten me, nor pulled on my beard (I don’t think anyone would if I actually had a beard either). I don’t recall ever being spit at. However, there are times when I allow the ill behavior of others to influence my life. I get annoyed and stressed out when I feel emotionally hurt or betrayed. There are times that I even think of how to repay them ill, rather than taking the opportunity to be a reflection of how Christ would act.

In this scripture we see a beautiful version of strength in the Lord painted for us. The scripture describes one who is unshaken by everything done around him. He changes his focus to God’s justice and God’s plan. He knows those who torment him have a limited amount of time. He also understands and trusts God’s justice. “It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up” (Isaiah 50:9). Each of us needs to remember never to return violence with violence, or anger with anger. If we allow that to happen violence and anger can become like a virus spreading from each individual to another. Instead let us show others a glimpse of kindness and forgiveness, so that we may start handing out the cure to the negativity that can too often plague this planet.

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for Your loving kindness to us. Let us show this kindness to others. Be with us during times when we feel betrayed or hurt by others. Teach us forgiveness, and keep us from returning ill behavior back to those who hurt us. Let others recognize and change their ways when they negatively affect others… Let each of us be an example of how to live. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing 57 (red hymnal)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord

Thanks be to God

April 12, 2011

Opening Hymns:

Spirit Song (red) 287

Come into the Holy of Holies (red) 71

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 31

Message:

This Psalm reminds me of the book of Job. Job was a devout follower of God. He had an upright character and loved and feared God. Then he lost nearly everything… all his children, his wealth, and his health. He is left with a wife that continually tells him to give up on God, and his friends that judge him and condemn him. Even though he had done well in the eyes of the Lord, he suffered greatly.

Both this psalm and Job remind us that there will be suffering in this world regardless of how we act. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We should not judge people and blame them for bad things that happened to them… like Job’s friends had done. Instead we should help each other and support one another during life’s challenges. We can pray for one another as the Psalmist prayed that God would save us from our sufferings.

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord, be with those who suffer on this day. For those who have been given a poor diagnosis, lost a loved one, lost a job, or are at the end of their life. Heal them, protect them and surround them in Your loving presence. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

As the Deer (red) 28

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord

Thanks be to God

April 11, 2011

Opening Hymns:

Day After Day (Red) 325

Meekness and Majest (red) 214

Scripture Reading:

Phillipians 2:5-11

Message:

In our relationships with each other we are to be like Christ. We are to become servants for one another. This scripture, like many other scriptures in the New Testament, describes Christ’s love for us and His sacrifice. Good Friday and Easter are drawing nearer and nearer. It is when we recall Christ’s death and resurrection. Jesus Christ came not only to save us by His sacrifice, but also to teach us how God wants us to live. He is our living example of how to treat one another and how to live our lives.   

Time of Prayer

Dear Lord we are thankful to You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for sending Your Son to give His life for us, and to teach us how to live. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn

Father I Adore You (red) 151

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord

Thanks be to God

April 10, 2011

Opening Hymns:
I will Delight (Red) 93
My Life is in You, Lord (red) 120

Scripture Reading:
Romans 8;6-11

Message:
How can we govern our minds with the spirit? How can we not live as our flesh desires us to… but instead how God desires us to live? It starts with understanding what the Spirit's call is. It starts with understanding scripture. We have to know how God wants us to live before we can start living in that way. We also need support to stop doing things that are sinful or “of the flesh.”

I’ve known many people who wanted to give up smoking or drinking, but they couldn’t do it on their own. They needed help. We may need help too if there is something that we continually do that does not fit with scripture. The good news is that God forgives us of our sins. He will be with us to support us in our efforts to stop doing things we shouldn’t do, and/or to start doing things we should have been doing. His un-condemning, unfailing love will be with us forever.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for forgiveness. Thank You for giving us the strength to conquer every obstacle and every temptation. Please let us know what Your will is, and help us walk in Your way. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
I Love Your Grace (Red) 307

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God

April 9, 2011

Opening Hymns:
Near to the Heart of God 472
Sweet Hour of Prayer 496

Scripture Reading:
John 11

Message: "Jesus Wept"
John 11:35, “Jesus wept” The shortest verse in the Bible, and yet it has a vast amount of meaning and beauty in it. It is only two words, but with these words we are able to see Jesus’ compassion and humanity. When I was going to college I lived in an apartment with three other women. One was amazing at calligraphy and decided to use her skills to artistically write our favorite scriptures pieces of parchment to have on the wall. This was one of the favorites. Since then I have learned to love this scripture more and more.

Why did Jesus weep? He knew that Lazarus would come back to life. I believe He was crying for Mary and the Jews with her who were morning the loss of their friend. He was sharing in their sadness. It is comforting to know that we have a God of compassion. A God that will cry with us when we morn. A Savior who is fully human. This simple scripture provides me with a better understanding of how fully God loves us. He loves us enough to cry for us and enough to die for us.

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all the compassion that You have shown each of us throughout our lives. When we are sad, frightened, lost, or hurt let us remember that You care about us and are watching over us. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed 294


May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God