Preparing for Sunday, 7/29/12

Hey guys,
hope you're planning to be there with us tomorrow morning. We have some good stuff going on in our gathering. We have the opportunity and joy to participate in communion together, to remember Christ's death and sacrifice for our sins, and to value Jesus Christ above all the other things that compete for our attention and affection. I quoted Rick Holland several months ago because some of his quotes about communion are very helpful. I thought I'd include a quote this week, by J.C. Ryle, quoted by Rick Holland in his book Uneclipsing The Son. Ryle says,

"A sense of our own unworthiness is the best worthiness we can bring to the Lord's Table (communion). A deep feeling of our own entire indebtedness to Christ for all we have and hope for is the best feeling we can bring with us."

Jordan will preach tomorrow on 1 Corinthians 4:6-13. Follow the link to read the text beforehand, take some notes, think through what Paul's getting at in the passage, and maybe even read the 3 chapters leading up to this passage to get ready!

Here's our song list for the morning:

1. Blessed Be Your Name
This song's theology is solid, and its poetry is quite good. This tune proclaims the great joy in knowing God's sovereign goodness. That we can bless the name of the Lord (desire only God), whether He "gives or takes away" from us in this life. Great, great truth in this song.

2. Before The Throne Of God Above
This hymn unpacks the person of our Savior, and what He's accomplished for His people in His death and resurrection. It says that before the throne of God, where sin is judged and a sinner cannot stand, we have a great High Priest who lives and pleads for us! If you've been saved because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Christ Himself pleads for you and stands always in your place in the courts of God.

3. All I Have Is Christ
This one is a final response to the truths we've been singing about - that God has drawn us to Himself, paid for our sins once and for all, and welcomed us into eternal, joyous life, all through His Son. The last verse of this song says, as a response to the Gospel, "O Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose/And let my song forever be 'My only boast is You!"

See you in the morning, 9:00!

Also, hope you'll join us for our Sunday RENEW night (the last one for the year!) at 5:00 PM for food, 6:00 for singing and teaching. More information in service tomorrow morning if you need it.