Preparing Your Heart for Worship - November 6, 2016
What are you doing TODAY to prepare your heart for our time together as believers this coming Sunday. What a joy and privilege it is to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ here at Fellowship every Sunday.
One thing to think about - the more we’re fostering relationships with each other and intentionally intertwining our lives together outside of Sunday morning, the better our time together will be each Sunday morning.
Other than making focused effort to get to know and encourage others in our church throughout the week, one of the things you can do that will lead to a more Christ-exalting worship gathering this Sunday is to familiarize yourself with not only the passage we’ll be focusing on, but also the songs we’ll be singing together.
Most of the songs we’re singing this Sunday you’ll be familiar with, but those that you might not know as well, listen to them a few times so that you can better engage in worshiping God as we sing together.
I know that one of the most encouraging things that happens for me personally each Sunday is hearing the gathered congregation singing together to our God. When I hear everyone singing, it increases my joy as I worship God alongside my brothers and sisters. It puts a smile on my face and in my heart!
Take a few minutes to read through the Scriptures and listen to the songs.
One of the things I do on Wednesdays, when we’ve finalized the list of songs we’ll be singing, is to put together a playlist in my computer of the songs. I let that be the background music for the rest of the week - it really creates in my heart a joyful looking forward to our time together. If you’re able, I’d encourage you to do the same.
Call to Worship - Psalm 136
Forever
This reminder and call to Sing Praise flows beautifully out of Psalm 136.
Give thanks to the Lord - His love endures forever!!
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
This song was written around 500 years ago by Martin Luther. The original song has TWELVE verses!!! Don’t worry - we won’t be singing all 12 verses. The version in the video is a little different - but really cool.
And before you ask: a “bulwark” (mentioned in the second line of the song) is a reference to something that acts as a defense. God is our defense against literally anything and everything that would come against us. As a result we actually have nothing to fear in life or death as His children. What a joy and comfort just that one line is. The rest of the song just gets better...
Prayer - Chris Terry will be leading our Prayer of Adoration
Choir Anthem - Jesus is the Living Stone
Our foundation is in Christ. It is HIs sacrifice on the cross that we build our lives upon.
Meditating on God’s Word
Scripture Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14
Fighter Verse - Proverbs 19:11
Keep working on memorizing Romans 5:1-11.
What a rich passage to have always at the ready for meditation!
We won’t be quoting it together in our gatherings for a while, but it’s still a passage that will encourage you greatly to have memorized.
The Giving of Tithes and Offerings
What a privilege it is to give back to the Lord, who has so abundantly blessed us in countless ways.
The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness
Just that line alone is something we could meditate on for quite a while. How amazing is it that we are not under law, but under grace. The law doesn’t save - Jesus saves. It’s our trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ that gives us hope in this life and the next.
Jesus, Firm Foundation
While the song has an entirely new “feel,” these amazing lyrics, from the old hymn “Firm Foundation” will never get old. The song opens with a reminder of the excellence of God’s Word and just gets better and better from there....
Jesus Paid it All
Continuing the idea of placing our hope in Jesus, we’ll sing about what Jesus did. We need to be reminded often that Jesus not only did what I could not and would not do, but when He went to the cross, He did it ALL. There’s nothing left to do. That is seriously good news!!
Sermon: Under Grace - Romans 6:12-14
Read Romans 6:1-14 several times this week. As we conclude this fantastic section, we’ll be reminded again of what Paul wants us to understand: the multi-faceted beauty of God’s grace for us. I don’t think we can ever exhaust all the things that could be said about His love for us!
Grace Greater than Our Sin
I really could sing this song every single Sunday for the next couple of years and never grow tired of singing it.
Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service with a time of silent contemplation again this week. After singing together in response to His Word, we’ll sit back down for a few moments of silent contemplation to let all that we have heard and sung about “settle in” before we’re dismissed. I would encourage you to linger a few minutes and talk to others about what God taught you this morning before heading out.
Prayer of Consecration
We’ll be dismissed us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!
As you spend time in prayer this week, please remember to keep all of those who are planning, preparing for, and leading in this week’s Worship Gathering. We all truly covet your prayers.
Know also that I’m praying for you as you prepare your heart for our time as the assembled congregation this Sunday. I can’t hardly wait.....
Rob
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