Preparing To Rejoice In Him // May 13, 2018

PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR WORSHIP ON MAY 13, 2018

REFLECTION

“Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” – John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

“There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for the long apprenticeship in what earlier generations called holiness. Religion in our time has been captured by the tourist mindset…The Christian life cannot mature under such conditions and in such ways.” – Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates

WORSHIP IN SONG :: I Shall Not Want

From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God

From the need to be understood
And from a need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God

And I shall not want, no, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want

From the fear of serving others
Oh, and from the fear of death or trial
And from the fear of humility
Deliver me O God
Yes, deliver me O God

And I shall not want, no, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
No, I shall not want, no, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
I shall not want
I shall not want

GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP :: 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

[8] Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

[9] Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

[10] Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION :: Oh, Jesus (revised from Valley of Vision)

Liturgist: Lord Jesus, we are blind, so please be our light. We are ignorant, please be our wisdom. We are self-willed, please be our mind. Open our ears to hear the Spirit’s voice so we will joyfully run to your beckoning hand. Melt our conscience until no hardness remains.

All: Be our Good Shepherd – lead us into the green pastures of Your Word, and cause us to lie down beside the river of its comforts. Fill us with Your peace so that no worldly noise can ruffle the calm surface of our souls.

Liturgist: Jesus, if only we could love You as You have loved us. If only we could walk in a way that is worthy of You.

All: Help us to always see Your beauty with clear eyes of faith. Help us feel the power of Your Spirit in our hearts. Because unless You move mightily in us, no inward fire will ever be kindled. Amen.