| “Of course we do not get a different or better Christ in the sacraments than we do in the Word. But we may get the same Christ better, with a firmer grasp of his grace through seeing, touching, feeling, and tasting as well as hearing” —Robert Bruce |
November 8, 2024 Psalm 1 declares that those who delight the law of the LORD and meditate upon it day and night are “blessed.” That Hebrew word “meditate” has this subtle animalistic quality — growl or coo, along with the odd semantic paradigm of “mutter.” The idea is that “meditating” in this biblical sense is not one of emptying the mind, but rather filling the mind with God’s revelation. To engage in this blessing then is to engage in the lifelong search for filling one’s heart and mind with the reality of who God is and what God has done for us in Christ. Our main diet of this reality comes in the form of corporate worship, but we are called as God’s people to worship God in all that we do, not just getting together on the Lord’s Day to sit under the Word preached and sacraments administered but as our Confession says “everywhere, in spirit and truth, as, in private families daily, and in secret, each one by himself;” Our worship then, is not just contained to the Lord’s Day, but our whole lives. Day after day. Night after night. Filling our minds with who God is and what he has done for us in Christ. Let us celebrate that we can and ought to worship our God day after day, night after night!  Prayer Schedule For the week of November 10, please consider praying in and through the framework of “celebrating through (private) worship.” Here’s what that might look like: Meditate on Psalm 1 Pray for the Word of God to dwell richly in your heart and mind Colossians 3:16 Pray that God would be rightly and reverently worshiped in your heart and home Matt. 4:9–10, Josh. 24:14, Mark 12:33 Meditate on the Trinitarian nature of God John 5:23, 2 Cor. 13:14 Pray against false worship and idolatry in your own life Exodus 20:4 Pray that you would grow in confession of sin to God, that the Spirit would bring light into your own darkness John 3:19-21 Pray for growth in repentance, faith, and godliness 1 Timothy 4:7 Pray with thanksgiving for who God is and what God has done Jeremiah 30:19 Pray for growth in spiritual disciplines 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Pray for growth and maturity in Christ Colossians 1:29 Pray that you would take the yoke of Christ upon yourself, learn from him, deny yourself, take up the Cross of Christ and follow him Matthew 11:29 Luke 9:23 Pray for boldness, love, and self control 2 Timothy 1:7 Pray for a spirit of freedom, not slavery, through spiritual disciplines Galatians 5:1 Articles to consider On the Crushing Guilt of Failing at Quiet Time Christian Life Beyond the Quiet Time Praising God for how he is already working in and through you as a body! In Christ, John D For those who like a bigger picture here are the remaining 7 weeks at a glance: November 17, 2024 — celebrating in and through public community November 24, 2024 — celebrating in and through personal/ small scale community December 1, 2024 — celebrating in and through public mission December 8, 2024 — celebrating in and through personal mission December 15, 2024 — celebrating and cultivating generosity December 22, 2024 — celebrating and cultivating sacrifice December 29, 2024 — giving up what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose |
Announcements
| —Thanksgiving Luncheon After Worship 11/24/24 As announced last Sunday, we are intending on having a Thanksgiving luncheon immediately after worship on Sunday, November 24. Mercy will provide the meat, but there will be a sign up sheet for various sides that y’all can bring. —Songs for Sunday Here’s what we’re singing this Sunday if you’d like to familiarize yourself with tunes + lyrics! A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah All Glory Be To Christ Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Behold Our God |
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