Preparing for Sunday, 4/15/12

You don't want to miss tomorrow. Jordan is starting a new preaching series in 1 Corinthians, which will take us about a year as we study through the whole book as a church. Tomorrow he will give background and context for Paul's writing of the letter, and introduce some of the major themes we'll come across in the study. Jordan may also focus on verses 1-3 as part of the intro. Go here for all of chapter 1 of 1 Corinthians, as you prepare and read ahead to get a sense of where the preaching is headed.

In our singing, tomorrow we'll focus on the calling of God, as He has called us out of our sin, and made us spiritually alive together with Christ. God is a loving Father who has redeemed us, paid for our sin, and brought us into His family, the Church. Here are the songs:

1. Open the Eyes of My Heart
This is a favorite of our church, that I believe is a great opening "call to worship" type of song. This really gives words to what our expectation and prayer should be as we gather for corporate worship - that God would open our eyes to his glory and goodness, and that He would be lifted up in our gathering as worthy of all worship. We ultimately gather as a church to proclaim and remind one another that God is of highest value.

2. How Deep the Father's Love For Us
A great modern hymn, this song focuses on God the Father, making a way for us to be saved and adopted as His children. The 2nd verse holds some weighty truth - that our sins held Christ to the cross; that we would be the scoffers if we were present at Christ's death. The line says "It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished/His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished."

3. Here I Am To Worship
This is a favorite, that describes how Christ, the glorious Son of God, "stepped down into darkness" to bear our sins to the cross. This will continue to focus on how God has made a way to bring us to Himself.

4. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
This is our final response to the grace of God, and His sovereign grace that has saved us. This song's last verse expresses hope that even though the things in this world may pass away, our calling in God is sure and fixed, and we have a future with Him forever that Christ secured with His own blood.