Preparing for Sunday, 3/4/12

Hey folks,
I really did intend at first to get a "Preparing for Sunday" post up for last Sunday. But as I thought through things, the post I already had up really seemed like enough. It's the post right before this one if you missed it. And those ways to pray still apply.

A NOTE ON LAST WEEK: What an encouraging Sunday. John's sermon from 2 Timothy was great, the commissioning of Jordan went very well and was a great church "family time." And the congregation sang heartily. It was a great celebration of God's faithfulness- I really believe we made much of God and of our Savior last week, which was the most important, and beneficial thing for us to do together.  Again, check out the last post for ways to continue to pray for our church and our pastors/elders as we move into a new chapter as Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley.

This week Jordan will be preaching from various Scripture texts, from the Old and New Testaments. The sermon will be more of a survey, looking at God's grand purposes that He reveals in all of Scripture. It's going to be some pretty weighty theology, but it's theology that will change your life. You need to make sure you're there for the start of this short preaching series, on the character and purposes of God.

Here are our songs for this week:

1. Forever
We'll sing this as a "call to worship," praising God for His faithfulness to His people. He upholds us with His own hand, and we "carry on" in this fallen world because God graciously cares for us and will not let a single one of His sheep be lost.

2. Indescribable
This song speaks of God's glory in Creation. There is some great poetry in this one that can help us express, and connect with what God tells us about Himself in Scripture - I especially love the line, "Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?"

3. Glorious and Mighty
This is really a "modern hymn" in its construction and systematic development of an idea. Also, it's basically Psalm 96 put to music. The 3rd verse sings about the hope of Christ's coming Kingdom: "Majesty, we'll sing with Creation/When You come again in the clouds/Every knee will bow down and worship the one True God!"

4. Because of Your Love
Here's our specific meditation on the Gospel in our songs this week. The song talks about the "Creator of the universe, broken for the sins of the earth." The Son of God became incarnate, to bear the sins of His people on the cross.

Hope to see you there tomorrow morning, and that this is a help to you as you prepare for worship. Adios!