Preparation for the Church gathered, A Modern Family week two

Coming Up…

This week is week two of our series on the family. I hope you were challenged last week as we talked about marriage. This week we turn to the ever-important topic of Fathers. I hope you have an earthly father that is a faithful image of our heavenly Father, but if not, take heart for we do have a Father in Heaven who delights in our joy, and desires to do for us good, for His glory. So come this week to learn what it is like for an earthly father to emulate our Father God.

 To Prepare…

It is my hope and prayer that our services each week are just an outgrowth of your own personal worship of Christ each week. In fact, that is one of the many purposes of this blog, to give you an avenue to be worshiping throughout the week so that your mind and heart is ready on Wednesday night to engage with the triune God as a community of believers. So this week be in prayer for a few things; 1) That our heavenly Father would reveal to you sin in your life that needs to be confessed, and that His word would be continually on your lips. 2) That your heart and mind would be open to the teaching that will happen this week, and you are receptive to whatever He wants you to hear. 3) and finally, our head pastor, Bro. Don, has begun the radiation treatments for his prostate cancer, so be praying that God would allow His will to be done, and that Bro. Don would have a speedy recovery, if that is indeed God’s plan.

 This week in song…

The Solid Rock, by Edward Mote, arranged by The Dispatch.

We have been singing these words for a while, but this week we will sing them a little differently. This is absolutely one of my favorite hymns, and I hope it holds a special place in your heart as well.  Let this song remind us this week of the Rock that our faith is rested on, that stands throughout the ages, and is unchanging. Jesus Christ.

How Deep the Fathers Love For Us, by Stewart Townend, arranged by The Dispatch.

You can probably tell who the newest band on my Ipod is. This is a new song for us, but I hope it provides a new fresh way to worship this week. Stewart Townend is one of the most prolific writers of our day and his work really shines here. “Why should I gain from His reward, I cannot give an answer” has shaken me up quite a lot this week, I just cant get over it.

In Christ Alone, by Keith Getty and Stewart Townend, arranged by Kristian Stanfill.

In Christ alone is one of the most sung modern songs in the world. Stewart Townend strikes again it seems. I feel as though this song needs no introduction, as we have been singing it for quite a while, but I hope this week you will focus on the words again, as if it were the first time hearing it. Engage yourself with what you are saying, and focus on singing being an act of worship to someone, not just singing in a room with some other people.

In Conclusion…

It is my prayer this week that the God of all graces visits you and shows His love to you as a father. Who will protect you, and keep you, and will not ever fade away.