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February 2 Worship

1/27/2014

This coming Sunday is the "Presentation of Our Lord." It commemorates Jesus being presented in the temple forty days after his birth. It was required by Jewish law for purification of the mother and for presenting the firstborn male for service to the Lord.

Simeon and Anna experience a decisive moment for themselves as they walk into the temple during this "presentation" time and see the Christ-child. We are told Simeon had been looking for the consolation of Israel. He now finds it! We now have his words that have become incorporated into the church's liturgy.

"Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all people.
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:29-33

Simeon found peace. I wonder how many folks have a sense of peace as they near the end of life. How many of us have a focus on our heavenly home even at the current time?

You might want to meditate on these words in preparation for Sunday worship and may God's blessing be upon your time of preparation and worship!

Discipleship Question for Reflection

Does the Christ-child bring a measure of peace to your life at the present time?

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January 26 Worship

1/20/2014

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I continue in this season of Epiphany by focusing on the appointed psalm. This Sunday my message centers on Psalm 27 with the words:

"One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after;
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

Have you ever connected beauty with God, even though you haven't seen God face-to-face? Apparently for David, beauty was a reality with God. Although it wasn't seeing God physically, it probably was in the knowledge of what God is like and also by his experience with God. David would find this in the temple.

Notice, too, it was the ONE thing that he asked of the Lord! What do you diligently seek in your relationship with God?

What is your experience with worship? Is it to behold the beauty of the Lord? Have you ever discovered God's beauty through worship? Whether in church or out of church, I believe we discover God's beauty through our own experiences with God's grace and also in learning about the qualities/characteristics of God.

In preparation for worship you might want to read Psalm 27 in it's entirety. Also, you can feel free to give input in the comments for this Sunday's message by responding to the question below. May God's blessing be upon your study and reflection of this psalm!

Discipleship Question for Reflection

What qualities/characteristics of God do you think show us God's beauty?

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January 19 Worship

1/12/2014

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The text for this Sunday is from Psalm 40, where the psalmist exalts in having placed trust in God. This individual was in a dire situation, perhaps at the point of death, and is delivered by God. Here is the text:

"I waited patiently for the Lord;
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
   out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
   making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
   and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-4)

This trust involved waiting in a patient manner. Yet, it paid off. God heard this person's plea for help and was delivered. In fact, the waiting resulted in being put in a very secure position and now had a new song to sing! It was all because of trust and waiting patiently.

You might want to read Psalm 40 in its entirety in order to grasp the dynamics at work in trusting the Lord. May God's blessing be upon your study of this psalm in preparation for Sunday's worship.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Have you ever faced a difficult situation when you needed to place your trust in God? What was your waiting like?

What might enable you to trust completely the God whom you have come to know when you are in a dire situation?

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January 12 Worship

1/5/2014

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This Sunday is the Baptism of our Lord. The appointed psalm is Psalm 29. As I read through the psalm, what hit me was how the writer invites all creation to acknowledge the glory of God. Here are the words…

"Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength." (Psalm 29:1 ) Then at the end of the psalm everyone in the temple is shouting "glory." Yes, even angels apparently are called upon to praise God!

It's easy for us in our culture to be praising heroes who are the rock stars in sports or in the entertainment industry. How much do we think about giving praise to God for who God is and for what God has done? In this season of Epiphany we will be focusing on God's glory. It even comes through in person of Jesus by his miracles. For instance, the miracle of turning water into wine showed his glory. It is a reflection of God's glory coming to us.

In this season, will you think about how you can uphold God's glory in your life - praising and acknowledging the greatness and wonder of God?

In order to prepare for Sunday's worship, I invite you to read through Psalm 29. May God's blessings be upon your study and worship this Sunday.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How might you give glory to God in your life?

Ponder the words the Gospel writer John, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father." (John 1:14)

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February 2 Worship

January 26 Worship

January 19 Worship

January 12 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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