Worship Next Sunday
December 4, 2011
Preaching: Pastor Magee
Sermon text: Psalm 46:1-3
Sermon title: “In God We Trust” Part 1 of 3
Music:
Opening – 195 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come
Preparation – 193 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Response – 221 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Closing – 598 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism
New Testament Passage: Luke 1:26-38
Preparation Guide
Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)
Monday: Psalm 46
Tuesday: 1 Kings 7:1-22
Wednesday: 1 Kings 7:23-51
Thursday: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Friday: Exodus 20:15
Saturday: Psalm 46
Suggested Bible Study and Prayers
(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)
1 Kings 7
Great God, where do You dwell? Where is Your house? No one can contain You, yet You inhabit the praise of Your people. We long for heaven, for You are there, yet You are everywhere. We cannot see You, and we easily forget You. Forgive us. Fill us with wisdom and understanding. Grant to us spiritual skill for the beauty of Your Kingdom. Thank You for the gifts that You have given to Your people. There is much beauty, order, and goodness throughout the earth. What must heaven be like, since it is surely superior to what we know and understand? Yet, there is some great purpose to the current creation, and we marvel at the magnificence and order of what we are permitted to observe. We long for You. We seek the complete removal of all sin. We wait for a permanent end to all disappointment and misery. Grant us joy as we see the beauty of the earth, the skies, and the seas. Give to us a great appreciation for the achievements that You have brought through the work and wisdom of men. Above all of Your creatures, blessed be Your Name, O Lord.
Luke 1
Glorious God, we thank You for the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are a God of order, and You have set out for us the story of Your Son in a way that is clear and wonderful. At just the right time You sent angels and prophets, raised up nations and brought about events, that we might be prepared for the coming of our Redeemer. You sent John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth. The word of his coming was given through the angel Gabriel. John’s father saw a vision, and he was unable to speak until the coming of this forerunner. Even more than the miracle of John’s birth, this same angel informed Mary of an event more magnificent than the coming of John. She conceived a Son who would be Your own Son. This Jesus would reign forever and ever, and would be born to a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the blessing of the gift of Your Son. Nothing is impossible with You, O Lord. We are Your servants. Let it be to us according to Your holy Word. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak wonderful words of truth throughout our days on earth. We believe Your Word, which shall be fulfilled in due season. Look upon our humble estate and do great things for us according to Your strength and Your promise. You bring the high low, and the low You make high by Your grace. You have fulfilled the promise to Abraham in the gift of Jesus Christ. As John was given that the people might be prepared for a yet more glorious gift, the coming of Your Son means grace upon grace for us and a gift beyond all other gifts. We hear the Word that You have spoken and we wonder about all the marvelous things You have for us. We will be saved from our enemies through Your covenant mercies granted to Your children. May we serve Your Son in holiness and righteousness all our days. Forgive our sins moment by moment, and grant us light, that we might walk in the way of peace.
Psalm 46
Strong Deliverer, You are the Help of Your people every day and through every time of trouble. There is a great river of Your Spirit coming to us out of Your heavenly sanctuary. You have made us glad. You have defended us in times of trouble. You will glorify Your Name in us, for You are the mighty fortress of Your church, and we are Your people.
