Opening Hymns:
Come Into The Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)
Thy Word (Red Praise Book 234)
Come Into The Holy of Holies (Red Praise Book 71)
Thy Word (Red Praise Book 234)
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 51, Isaiah 58: 1-12
Message:
Psalm 51, Isaiah 58: 1-12
Message:
What does it mean to fast? In
the scriptures we hear of people not eating, or tearing their cloths and
putting on sackcloth. We see this in the book of Jonah chapter 3 when Jonah
tells the people of Ninevah that the city would be “overturned”… the entire
city (that took 3 days to walk through) listened “They declared a fast, and all
of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth” (3:5). We see Jesus
fasting for 40 days in Matthew 4. People fast when they are morning, hoping, repenting,
and fearful.
Today the scripture gives us a
deeper insight into what fasting is. It is not the act of wearing sackcloth or “bowing
one’s head like a read” (Isaiah 58:5). Fasting is more than that. It starts in
our heart with our desire to repent and with our desire to be closer to God. In
Isaiah’s scripture God seems to be rather upset because His people think that
doing the motions without feeling the feelings will be enough. He sees them
hurting each other and taking advantage of the poor in the midst of their fast.
He then goes on to describe what fasting is. Surprisingly, He does not list off
putting on sackcloth and lying in the ashes as a fast that is pleasing to the
Lord. Instead He prefers, ‘loosening the chains of injustice, setting the
oppressed free, sharing food with the hungry, giving shelter to the poor,
clothing to the naked, and staying true to your own flesh and blood’ (Isaiah
58:6-7).
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning
of the Lenten season. A season where people often choose to “fast” from one
thing or another. As we journey through these 40 days we remember Jesus’ fast
and his sacrifice to us. Throughout this season, and for the rest of the year
how can we fast in a way that is pleasing to the Lord? What can we do to
promote justice? How can we help those in need?
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, guide our steps so that we may fast in a way that is pleasing to You. Let our fasting and our praying begin in our hearts and with a deep longing to be closer to You. Thank you for showing us how to fast and for teaching us to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Knowing You (More songs for Praise and Worship 30)
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
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, guide our steps so that we may fast in a way that is pleasing to You. Let our fasting and our praying begin in our hearts and with a deep longing to be closer to You. Thank you for showing us how to fast and for teaching us to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Knowing You (More songs for Praise and Worship 30)
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
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