July 19, 2020Call to Worship
Many of us have
chosen to live here in the northwoods because we appreciate the peace of being
away from the frenzied activities of the world. The world is not satisfied with
this situation however, and tries to find ways to disturb our peace.
What we are doing
right now by meeting in our church is not meant to be just another item in our
already busy schedules for the week, but something unique and important that
rises above our weekly activities.
Jesus
told his disciples to come apart and rest, so that they could be renewed in
spirit. It is this that we are doing this morning. In our worship, we are
finding renewal in Jesus.
Dear
Father in heaven, thank you for calling us apart to find rest in you. You have
told us, “In the world, you will find tribulation, but take heart, I have
overcome the world.” No matter what our present state is, whether we are nearly
overcome with present difficulties, or whether we are experiencing a relatively
peaceful time in our lives, we come to you today knowing that we will find a
true and lasting peace in you. Amen.
Let
not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s
house are many dwellings. If this were not so I would have told you. I am going
to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.
Prayer
of Confession
Sovereign God, we confess that we sometimes allow ourselves to
become so preoccupied by various matters in our lives that we have little or no
time to be still and recognize your place as our Lord and our God. Please
forgive us for letting our relationship with you slip away because of other
troubling matters of our lives. Help us to learn and be silent before you as
you speak to us in your Holy Spirit. Amen
The
events of the world will always make their presence in our lives and disturb our
peace, but God tells us that we need to set aside times when we can simply be
silent before him. This is so we can know him. It is only by knowing God and
determining what he is doing in our lives that our lives can truly be lives of
peace. He will always be there to uphold you and sustain you even in the most
difficult of times. And he is there to give you moments of rest.
The
Lord’s Prayer
Scripture
Reading:
OT –
Habakkuk 2:2-4
Then
the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on
tablets, so that a herald may run with it. For the vision awaits an appointed
time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it,
since it will surely come and will not delay. Look at the proud one—his soul is
not upright. But the righteous will live by faith. Indeed, his wealth will
betray him.
NT –
Philippians 3:7-9
But
whatever things were gain to me I count as being lost for the sake of Christ. More
than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them
rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my
own righteousness that might come from the law, but that which is through faith
in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
Responsorial
Reading (from Proverbs 16, Psalm 62)
To
humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer
of the tongue.
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed
by the Lord.
Commit
to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly
he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Message Of
Camels and Needles
Our
Lord, first of all we want to praise you for your desire to hear our prayers.
We come to seek an audience before the Great King of kings and the Sovereign
Lord of lords, and yet we need not tremble before such power, because we come
to you based not upon our own goodness, but upon your grace.
Thank you Lord for the grace that you give to hear our prayers.
As
we go through the days and the years of this life, troubles sometimes seem to
come at every hand. Before many of these troubles, we are powerless. But you
are a God of unlimited power, so we ask you to intervene to help us and deliver
us.
We bring the prayer requests of our fellow Christians, who in
some places of the world are in deep persecution. We also bring those requests
that we have already heard, as well as others that have not been spoken this
morning. Some brothers and sisters here today have problems that are perhaps
too personal to share. Others just do not easily speak out prayer requests. We
pray also for these. Give to them your aid.
We
ask that you be with the people and orphans of the Log Church of Kenya. Please
sustain them by your miraculous hand. When they have no food in their
store-room or in their stomachs, feed them with you manna from heaven. Lead
them into a closer walk with you, and help them to share the news of your love
to all in the area.
We continue to pray also for our own needy nation. Our own needs
in this nation are more spiritual than they are physical, but our lack of
spiritual nutrition has consequences even more severe than if they were merely
physical. Awaken us from our spiritual starvation and lead us back to you.
Thank
you for your gracious answer to all of our prayers.
Thank you Father, for listening to the voices of all of your
servants. Amen
Benediction
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