Opening Hymns:
Blest Be the Ties That Bind 557
Breathe on me Breath of God 420
Scripture Reading:
Ezekiel 37:1-10
Message:
God does many wonders. He created the world and all its inhabitants and He watches over us even when we disobey Him. In this scripture we see a miraculous work of God through the prophet Ezekiel. A whole valley of dried bones is transformed into a live flesh and blood army of people. This scripture may be a symbol of God bringing life to His people and bringing the two divided kingdoms back together. It may be an account that Ezekiel witnessed. Each possibility is miraculous. Whether it is physical life and healing, or spiritual healing from the Lord it is a beautiful precious miracle. Thankfully it is not hard to imagine that the creator of the world giving us new life… physically and/or spiritually.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for creating life, and healing our lives when we get hurt spiritually or physically. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Blessed Assurance 369 (red hymal)
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
6.4.11
5.4.11
April 4, 2011
Opening Hymns:
Trading My Sorrows 224 (B/B)
I’m Forever Grateful 123 (B/B)
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 130
Message:
“His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). This psalm is another psalm that is very comforting to me. It is a reminder of God’s forgiveness, and his presence in our lives. David had many difficult times during his life. He made mistakes, and recognized them… and asked for God’s forgiveness. God forgave him when he had gone astray. I believe that part of this psalm is a praise from David because he had been forgiven. He was able to behold God’s anger, and went through punishments for actions that he had taken. However, he was also able to experience God’s grace. God’s forgiveness and grace far outweigh his anger.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for being a loving God. Thank You for Your forgiveness when we go astray. Thank you for the consequences of our actions when we sin so we remember how we are to live. Thank You for always being there for us, and let us never forget to turn to You during times of need. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
The Name of the Lord 212 (B/B)
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
Trading My Sorrows 224 (B/B)
I’m Forever Grateful 123 (B/B)
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 130
Message:
“His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). This psalm is another psalm that is very comforting to me. It is a reminder of God’s forgiveness, and his presence in our lives. David had many difficult times during his life. He made mistakes, and recognized them… and asked for God’s forgiveness. God forgave him when he had gone astray. I believe that part of this psalm is a praise from David because he had been forgiven. He was able to behold God’s anger, and went through punishments for actions that he had taken. However, he was also able to experience God’s grace. God’s forgiveness and grace far outweigh his anger.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for being a loving God. Thank You for Your forgiveness when we go astray. Thank you for the consequences of our actions when we sin so we remember how we are to live. Thank You for always being there for us, and let us never forget to turn to You during times of need. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
The Name of the Lord 212 (B/B)
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 2, 2011
Opening Hymns:
Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down (Red) 105
He Is Exalted (Red) 111
Scripture Reading:
John 9:1-41
Message: Spiritual Sight
In this scripture reading Jesus gives sight to a blind man. Not only is the man’s physical vision healed so that he can see, he also gains spiritual sight. The man gains an understanding that Jesus is the Christ. Sadly, the religious leaders had decided that anyone who claimed that would get kicked out of the synagogue. This became the man’s fate. But Jesus was with him even after he was thrown out. Jesus reaffirmed what the man seemed to know already… that Jesus was the messiah.
How can we be healed of spiritual blindness? There are times in my life that my focus is only on my goals and desires. To be perfectly honest, those are the most stressful times in my life. When we focus solely on ourselves we can become blind to other points of view. We may say or do things that are hurtful to others. We can ignore problems that we could otherwise help fix. But when we focus on God’s vision for our lives we can have peace. This does not mean ignoring our needs… but instead recognizing and fulfilling our needs as well as the needs of others. It is a balance of self supporting activities combined with serving and caring for others with God as our focus.
Time of Prayer
Lord, please heal my vision when I close my eyes to Your plan. Help guide my footsteps so that I don’t get off track. Bless my works, and help me to spread Your word so others’ spiritual vision can be healed. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
His Name Is Wonderful (Red) 108
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
Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down (Red) 105
He Is Exalted (Red) 111
Scripture Reading:
John 9:1-41
Message: Spiritual Sight
In this scripture reading Jesus gives sight to a blind man. Not only is the man’s physical vision healed so that he can see, he also gains spiritual sight. The man gains an understanding that Jesus is the Christ. Sadly, the religious leaders had decided that anyone who claimed that would get kicked out of the synagogue. This became the man’s fate. But Jesus was with him even after he was thrown out. Jesus reaffirmed what the man seemed to know already… that Jesus was the messiah.
How can we be healed of spiritual blindness? There are times in my life that my focus is only on my goals and desires. To be perfectly honest, those are the most stressful times in my life. When we focus solely on ourselves we can become blind to other points of view. We may say or do things that are hurtful to others. We can ignore problems that we could otherwise help fix. But when we focus on God’s vision for our lives we can have peace. This does not mean ignoring our needs… but instead recognizing and fulfilling our needs as well as the needs of others. It is a balance of self supporting activities combined with serving and caring for others with God as our focus.
Time of Prayer
Lord, please heal my vision when I close my eyes to Your plan. Help guide my footsteps so that I don’t get off track. Bless my works, and help me to spread Your word so others’ spiritual vision can be healed. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
His Name Is Wonderful (Red) 108
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 1, 2011
Opening Hymns:
May Your Kingdom Come (Red) 34
I Will Delight (Red) 93
Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-14
Message: Shine Light on Darkness
This scripture reminds me of the many times that Jesus says “You are forgiven, go and do not sin again.” We were in darkness and we are now in the light (Ephesians 5:8). We have been forgiven, so where do we go from here? We must work on improving ourselves, and changing ourselves to be more like Christ. We must try to do away with the sin in our lives that might still remain. In this scripture it is described as ‘exposing the darkness to the light’ (Ephesians 5:13). What does that mean? I think it can mean a number of things.
First of all it could mean that if we see sin in our lives we can expose it to the light by making it known to others and not allowing it to be hidden. In that way we will be more likely to change, and will have the help and support of others. One way to do this is to have at least one person who you can trust and who you can comfortably talk to and have them keep you accountable. When people exercise in pairs they are more likely to keep it up… I think it is the same with living a Christian life. If we know that someone else will be there with us we are more likely to follow through.
It can also mean that we should confront others when we see them do something sinful. A note from my study bible states “Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right” (Life Application Study Bible NIV Copyright 1991). This translation of it is harder for me to understand as Jesus did state “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Mathew 7:3-5).
We must focus on fixing ourselves first before we focus on others. However, we cannot turn a blind eye when others sin. If we noticed someone was stealing money, exposing that sin would be our responsibility. Allowing that sin to be hidden would be hurtful to the person who lost the money, as wrong has been done to them, and to the person steeling as they will not have that opportunity to recognize the sin and change their ways. Today, let us try to live as children of the light. Let us shine out the darkness. Let us go into this world forgiven… and let us try not to sin again.
Time of Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we do sin. Help us to be children of light. Let us not sin against You, others, or ourselves… but rather let us be fruitful for You and do Your works. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Shine Jesus, Shine (Red) 2
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
May Your Kingdom Come (Red) 34
I Will Delight (Red) 93
Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-14
Message: Shine Light on Darkness
This scripture reminds me of the many times that Jesus says “You are forgiven, go and do not sin again.” We were in darkness and we are now in the light (Ephesians 5:8). We have been forgiven, so where do we go from here? We must work on improving ourselves, and changing ourselves to be more like Christ. We must try to do away with the sin in our lives that might still remain. In this scripture it is described as ‘exposing the darkness to the light’ (Ephesians 5:13). What does that mean? I think it can mean a number of things.
First of all it could mean that if we see sin in our lives we can expose it to the light by making it known to others and not allowing it to be hidden. In that way we will be more likely to change, and will have the help and support of others. One way to do this is to have at least one person who you can trust and who you can comfortably talk to and have them keep you accountable. When people exercise in pairs they are more likely to keep it up… I think it is the same with living a Christian life. If we know that someone else will be there with us we are more likely to follow through.
It can also mean that we should confront others when we see them do something sinful. A note from my study bible states “Paul instructs us to expose these deeds, because our silence may be interpreted as approval. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right” (Life Application Study Bible NIV Copyright 1991). This translation of it is harder for me to understand as Jesus did state “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Mathew 7:3-5).
We must focus on fixing ourselves first before we focus on others. However, we cannot turn a blind eye when others sin. If we noticed someone was stealing money, exposing that sin would be our responsibility. Allowing that sin to be hidden would be hurtful to the person who lost the money, as wrong has been done to them, and to the person steeling as they will not have that opportunity to recognize the sin and change their ways. Today, let us try to live as children of the light. Let us shine out the darkness. Let us go into this world forgiven… and let us try not to sin again.
Time of Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we do sin. Help us to be children of light. Let us not sin against You, others, or ourselves… but rather let us be fruitful for You and do Your works. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Shine Jesus, Shine (Red) 2
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
March 31, 2011
Opening Hymns:
Behold, What Manner of Love (red) 45
Come and Sing Praises (red) 58
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 23
Message: A New Kind of Smoking Break
This is one of the first scriptures I memorized. I don’t remember what grade I was in (3rd or 6th maybe)… but I remember that we had a list of things to do during Sunday school. If we did everything on the list we got a prize. It consisted of the ten commandments, Psalm 23… and other things to memorize. This is one of my favorite Psalms and I am grateful that memorization was encouraged at such a young age. I know that I would think back to this Psalm whenever I would get afraid. Whether I was afraid of the dark or middle school I would remember this Psalm. To this day I remember it during the tough times at work, or when life seems overwhelming. This scripture was a comfort to me.
At work we had a meeting about having a positive attitude. At the meeting, I had brought up a day in which I couldn’t find a positive twist. It was a 15 hour day with no lunch break. Finally, in the end I admitted to taking a “smoke break” even though I don’t smoke. I just went outside and sat listening to calming music in my car. The speaker had said that people that smoke sometimes have a better mental health because they step out of their work environment and take a break. I think I want to start a new kind of “smoke break.” Whenever life gets overwhelming and stressful, each of us can step aside a grab a bible. It only has to take a few minutes and the scripture can give us a new focus. When we feel that we have lost control it is comforting to read about the One who is in control. If we think that we are alone in the things that we do, we can take comfort in remembering that God is with us every step of the way.
Time of Prayer
Lord, thank You for the scripture and the comfort it can bring. Please remind us to take “smoke breaks” when life seems like it is too much, so that we can read about You and remember the message that You teach. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
In the Lord Alone (red) 44
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
Behold, What Manner of Love (red) 45
Come and Sing Praises (red) 58
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 23
Message: A New Kind of Smoking Break
This is one of the first scriptures I memorized. I don’t remember what grade I was in (3rd or 6th maybe)… but I remember that we had a list of things to do during Sunday school. If we did everything on the list we got a prize. It consisted of the ten commandments, Psalm 23… and other things to memorize. This is one of my favorite Psalms and I am grateful that memorization was encouraged at such a young age. I know that I would think back to this Psalm whenever I would get afraid. Whether I was afraid of the dark or middle school I would remember this Psalm. To this day I remember it during the tough times at work, or when life seems overwhelming. This scripture was a comfort to me.
At work we had a meeting about having a positive attitude. At the meeting, I had brought up a day in which I couldn’t find a positive twist. It was a 15 hour day with no lunch break. Finally, in the end I admitted to taking a “smoke break” even though I don’t smoke. I just went outside and sat listening to calming music in my car. The speaker had said that people that smoke sometimes have a better mental health because they step out of their work environment and take a break. I think I want to start a new kind of “smoke break.” Whenever life gets overwhelming and stressful, each of us can step aside a grab a bible. It only has to take a few minutes and the scripture can give us a new focus. When we feel that we have lost control it is comforting to read about the One who is in control. If we think that we are alone in the things that we do, we can take comfort in remembering that God is with us every step of the way.
Time of Prayer
Lord, thank You for the scripture and the comfort it can bring. Please remind us to take “smoke breaks” when life seems like it is too much, so that we can read about You and remember the message that You teach. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
In the Lord Alone (red) 44
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
March 29, 2011
Opening Hymns:
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Red) 17
Because He Lives (Red) 20
Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:4-13
Message: Gossip
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Do you ever get the feeling that you are looking at things in the wrong way? Sometimes our views of people are based off of the wrong kinds of things. We see people through gossip, or through the few actions that we have seen. We may just see the action and not the cause or the reason for the action… and we judge. Too often we can mess up on our judgment and cast out people who may appear to us as strange or irritating… when in God’s eyes they are kind, and beautiful.
At work, and living in a small town, it seems like gossips spreads far. A patient comes in and everyone knows him or her. “Oh, THEY are back again.” A nurse might say. It is very clear to me how humans can view some of the “regulars” that come in. However, I wonder what God’s view of them is. Are there some inner things that we miss when we follow along with gossip? I think that there are. I believe that true healing can be given when we set our judgments aside at our work place, at home, and during all our other activities. If we can do that, maybe we can instead focus on what God’s view is. We can learn to love the inner beauty. We can help create an environment that supports inner healing and forgiveness.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let us not listen to gossip today, instead turn our ears to listen to You and Your wisdom. For you are able to look at things that we cannot see. Thank you for Your guidance. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Change My Heart Oh God
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
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Red) 17
Because He Lives (Red) 20
Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:4-13
Message: Gossip
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Do you ever get the feeling that you are looking at things in the wrong way? Sometimes our views of people are based off of the wrong kinds of things. We see people through gossip, or through the few actions that we have seen. We may just see the action and not the cause or the reason for the action… and we judge. Too often we can mess up on our judgment and cast out people who may appear to us as strange or irritating… when in God’s eyes they are kind, and beautiful.
At work, and living in a small town, it seems like gossips spreads far. A patient comes in and everyone knows him or her. “Oh, THEY are back again.” A nurse might say. It is very clear to me how humans can view some of the “regulars” that come in. However, I wonder what God’s view of them is. Are there some inner things that we miss when we follow along with gossip? I think that there are. I believe that true healing can be given when we set our judgments aside at our work place, at home, and during all our other activities. If we can do that, maybe we can instead focus on what God’s view is. We can learn to love the inner beauty. We can help create an environment that supports inner healing and forgiveness.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let us not listen to gossip today, instead turn our ears to listen to You and Your wisdom. For you are able to look at things that we cannot see. Thank you for Your guidance. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Change My Heart Oh God
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
2.4.11
March 28, 2011
Opening Hymns:
Sweet Hour of Prayer 496
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty 64
Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:1-3
Message:
I am rather glad that I am not a Queen, and I’m very happy that I’m not famous. I would not want to have the pressure that Samuel has to face during this scripture. God does not want Saul to be king. Thus Samuel is to follow God which would directly result in Saul’s anger and the possibility of being killed. Regardless of how wonderful being king would seem, I don’t think I would like it much if there was always that constant risk of being killed off.
However, regardless of what the risk was, Samuel followed what God had commanded. He went out to anoint the one of God’s choosing to be king. Regardless of who he was, and regardless of what Saul would think about it. Even though we might not be kings or Queens with possible threats on our life we also have trying times. It is during those times that we must trust in our God. He protected Samuel and David from Saul’s wrath, and He can protect us from whatever comes our way.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, Let us always trust you no matter what life throws at us. Protect us and comfort us through our own storms. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
117. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
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
Sweet Hour of Prayer 496
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty 64
Scripture Reading:
1 Samuel 16:1-3
Message:
I am rather glad that I am not a Queen, and I’m very happy that I’m not famous. I would not want to have the pressure that Samuel has to face during this scripture. God does not want Saul to be king. Thus Samuel is to follow God which would directly result in Saul’s anger and the possibility of being killed. Regardless of how wonderful being king would seem, I don’t think I would like it much if there was always that constant risk of being killed off.
However, regardless of what the risk was, Samuel followed what God had commanded. He went out to anoint the one of God’s choosing to be king. Regardless of who he was, and regardless of what Saul would think about it. Even though we might not be kings or Queens with possible threats on our life we also have trying times. It is during those times that we must trust in our God. He protected Samuel and David from Saul’s wrath, and He can protect us from whatever comes our way.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, Let us always trust you no matter what life throws at us. Protect us and comfort us through our own storms. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
117. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
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
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