Announcements and Order of Worship – November 10 2017

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Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

In Exodus 34, something most amazing happened to Moses and to the nation of Israel.  You will remember that at Mount Sinai the Covenant people had fallen into idolatry with the construction of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6), and that in angry response to this incomprehensible act of spiritual treason, Moses shattered the original stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandants had been inscribed by the very finger of God (32:19). Then, after a time of fervent intercession for the wayward people and the re-issuing of the Decalogue (34:1-4), Moses encountered the Lord Himself in a glorious cloud-theophany (34:5-7):

The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

What is truly remarkable about this appearance of the Lord, and His self-description, is His claim to be “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness.”  The true meaning of these blessed terms, however, cannot be discovered in a dictionary or lexicon.  In order to know what compassion, grace, patience, and kindness are (when used in reference to God) we must consider what He has done and is doing.

In the context of Exodus 34, these characteristics of the Lord are witnessed in the fact that He did not destroy those who had been unfaithful to Him! He did not give them what their sins deserved.  He preserved them. He withheld His hand of judgment. He gave them yet another chance. He did not abandon them. And, most critically, He remained true to His Covenant promises despite His people’s faithlessness!

Another dramatic example of this is found in the Old Testament account of Gideon. In Judges 6 we are introduced to his amazing story. And like the events of Exodus 34, it is also one of sin, rebellion, treason, and idolatry. But we are also given another demonstration of the character of our God, and most importantly, His grace, compassion, kindness, and covenant-mercies.

So far in our sermons on Gideon, we have seen what the people have done in the sight of the Lord. They have embraced the idolatrous ways of the Canaanites (6:1-10). God’s own people have become like the lost world around them in their behavior and attitudes.  As a consequence, they are suffering under the hand of God’s Fatherly discipline (6:1-6).  But, the Lord does not abandon them! Again, the sinful people do not get what their sins deserve! Rather, the Lord once more sends them His Word through the prophet (6:8-10), and then raises up another leader and savior (6:11-12)!

Ultimately, the call and ministry of Gideon foreshadows the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is in the act of sending Christ Jesus that God’s compassion, grace, patience, and kindness are most powerfully revealed. And this makes it all the more important that we understand and apply the Gideon story correctly.

Sunday’s message will be from Judges 6:11-24, with special focus upon verses 11-12. Take some time this weekend to read the entire sixth chapter, and then let’s pray that when we come together in worship, the Word of the Lord will instruct and richly bless us, and that we will see and more fully understand the One who has saved us in His Beloved Son.

I love you all so much!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

November 12, 2 PM  – Flower Guild planning meeting for Advent and Christmas
November 12, 4 PM
– Alleluia Choir Practice
November 14, 6 PM  – Senior Fellows Dinner at BRAVO
November 14, 6 PM
– Women’s Evening Study
November 15, 8:30 AM  – Senior Fellows Bags O’ Blessings at The CARE Center
November 15, 9:30 AM
– Women’s Morning Study
November 15, 6 PM
– Diaconate Meeting
November 18, 12 PM  – Providence Presbytery Youth Party at Monte Sano State Park
November 28, 9 AM 
– Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
November 29, 8:30 AM 
– Senior Fellows Bags O’ Blessings at The CARE Center
December 3, 4:30 PM
– Youth Group
December 6 – Women’s Christmas Party
December 7, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Bible Study
December 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Lunch
December 17, 6 PM – Alleluia Choir Christmas Program

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

By Thy Mercy
All Things New
Jesus, What A Friend For Sinners – Hymn 498, vs 1-2,5
The Precious Blood

Announcements:

Women’s Bible Studies: There are two Fall Women’s Bible Studies going on, Tuesday evenings at 6PM and Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM. For more information about these or any other women’s ministries please contact Denise Scrip.

Alleluia Choir: The Alleluia Choir (Grades 2-6) meets every Sunday 4:00-4:50 pm upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome!

Senior Fellows: On November 14 the Senior Fellows will celebrate their wives and will kick off the holiday season with a dinner at 6:00 PM at BRAVO in Bridge Street. They will also support packing Bags of Blessings at The CARE Center on the morning of November 15

Flower Guild: The Flower Guild will be holding a planning meeting for the greening of the church for Advent and Christmas today from 2 to 4 PM in the fellowship hall. Plans and ideas will be discussed and techniques demonstrated. Everyone interested in offering ideas, suggestions, and or help for the season is invited. Your participation is welcomed! Come and share in the joy of anticipating the celebration of our Savior’s birth. See Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski for further information.

Iron Bowl Prayer Breakfast: FCA is hosting their annual Iron Bowl Prayer Breakfast on November 17 at 6:45 AM at First Baptist Huntsville. They appreciate your prayers for their staff as they do 6 of these Iron Bowl Prayer Breakfasts in 8 days in 5 counties.  The plan is to share the Gospel across the NE AL area with over 1500 people.  Students, Coaches and Families are all welcome and encouraged to wear the colors of your favorite Team and to attend. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the FCA office. The cost is $10/person. Tables are also able to be purchased and all monies raised will be given to support the Mission of NE AL FCA. God Bless and if you have any questions please call Ken Burnett or the NE AL FCA office at 256-536-7333.

Monte Sano Youth Party: There will be a party for all youth groups in our presbytery (grades 6-12) at Monte Sano State Park on November 18 from Noon until 4 PM. Admission is free if you tell the guard shack you are with the party. Please contact Eric Fulcher at Westminster Pres eric.fulcher@gmail.com for more information.

Women’s Christmas Dinner: Save the date for the Women’s Christmas Dinner at the Monte Sano Lodge on December 6 at 6 PM.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, and Joyce Bosley
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December, the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).