Following Jesus Together - June 15
Dear Friends,
I came across this great prayer by John Baille in A Diary of Private Prayer. I’ll add in some Scripture references to look up where these ideas come from.
“Almighty God, whose infinite wisdom has ordained that I live my life within this time and to go through these circumstances, let me go now into the world with a brave (Joshua 1:9) and trustful heart (Psalm 37)! Let me face what You have sent with the strength You supply (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you call me to go through the dark valley, do not let me persuade myself that I know a better way around it. Be my fellow traveler as I go. (Psalm 23)”
Whatever you are going through this week, may you walk through it with a brave and trustful heart, knowing you don’t walk through the valley of the shadow of death alone. Jesus, the Good Shepherd is with you, pursuing you with His goodness and mercy!
In a follow up to last week’s sermon on being in the world but not of the world, this blog post from the Gospel Coalition was spot on: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cultural-revolution-sit-tight/
“The pulpit is ever this earth’s foremost part,” we read in Moby-Dick, “all the rest comes in its rear; the pulpit leads the world.” Melville gets it: Christians call the world to react, not the other way around.
Guest Musician – Pastor Nathan Detweiler – Nathan is the pastor of New Life Fellowship Church in Saratoga and is currently on sabbatical. He is volunteering to help lead music the next two Sundays (June 20th and 27th). We are planning to learn a couple new songs in the process:
This week Nathan is going to teach us: “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2hXjflmuw
Peter has told us that our future in heaven is guarded by faith. And that our future inheritance is undefiled, unfading and imperishable. Using the metaphor of being like Israel standing on the river Jordan, looking forward to life in the Promised Land, we await with eager longing eternal life in the Promised Land, where as the hymns tells us:
No chilling winds nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness, sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.
Sunday Worship – 10:00am – 1 Peter 2:18-25 – “Christ’s Example” – Peter counsels us to let the cross of Christ shape the way we relate to others in authority over us. Stay committed to the good and endure for Christ’s sake.
Congregational Meeting Immediately After the Service – As previously announced, the Session is calling a congregational meeting for the purpose of changing the pastor’s call so the Thompsons can afford to buy a home. We currently have an offer accepted in Middle Grove on Antioch Road. I’ve attached the updated call which includes an extra $15,000 for the housing allowance. This $15,000 is the value of living in the manse, now being given in cash.
As always, please reach out with any questions you may have! We need a quorum of 15 resident members.
Thank you! Grace and peace,
Nate Thompson
www.hopechurch.us