Pastor Scottie
April 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Lenten 5 Midweek Service April 1, 2020
Lent 5 Worship Bulletin
Greetings this last of our Wednesday Lenten Meetings for Lent 2020. Please feel free to click on the Gathering song before you listen to the message. And finally, after the message, I pray you will enjoy the closing hymn. Peace be with you all.
Midweek Lenten Series: By Faith
A Cloud of Witnesses
Greetings everyone in the name of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our midweek Lenten journey this year touched on the witness of several heroes of the faith. From Noah to Abraham to Moses to generations of Israelites, we have heard of their witness as they kept the faith of things hoped for and assured of what they did not see. They are among the great cloud of witnesses for which we know.
And now we look to Jesus who makes our faith complete. The way of the cross truly lifts Jesus in our hearts and minds as the “…pioneer and perfecter of our faith”. And as we consider the song, “Let us ever Walk with Jesus“ we are reminded of our call to also be witnesses to the faith.
We truly are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Hebrews speaks of “faith“ more than any other book of the Bible in the New Testament. In Hebrews 11, “Faith,“ appears some 26 times. Our faith calls us to be active in obedience as we continue “...running the race” that is set before us.
The death of Jesus on the cross is a reminder that, as Jim Reeves sung in the1962 classic song goes, “This world is not [our] home. [We are] just passing through.” And many other artists have since sung this great classic song, “This World is not my home,” a great reminder for us all that Jesus paid it all giving us hope for tomorrow. “Surrounded by so great a great cloud of witnesses…”, let us lay aside anything that takes our focus away from Jesus. I pray that you will be encouraged in your faith. I also pray that we will be seen among that great cloud of witnesses as we await the day of our Lord’s return. Peace be with you all.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Scottie
Gathering Song: "Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus" sung by the Lutheran Quartet
LYRICS
Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father’s bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
Let us suffer here with Jesus,
To His image, e’er conform;
Heaven’s glory soon will please us,
Sunshine follow on the storm.
Though we sow in tears of sorrow,
We shall reap with heavenly joy;
And the fears that now annoy
Shall be laughter on the morrow.
Christ, I suffer here with Thee;
There, oh, share Thy joy with me!Let us also die with Jesus.
His death from the second death,
From our soul’s destruction, frees us,
Quickens us with life’s glad breath.
Let us mortify, while living,
Flesh and blood and die to sin;
And the grave that shuts us in
Shall but prove the gate to heaven.
Jesus, here I die to Thee
There to live eternally.Let us gladly live with Jesus;
Since He’s risen from the dead,
Death and grave must soon release us.
Jesus, Thou art now our Head,
We are truly Thine own members;
Where Thou livest, there live we.
Take and own us constantly,
Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren.
Jesus, here I live to Thee,
Also there eternally.
Lyrics from Prayer-Warriors.com website
Closing Hymn: "My Faith Looks Up To Thee"
| My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine! Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine! |
May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire! As Thou hast died for me, Oh, may my love to Thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire! |
While life’s dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be Thou my guide; Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away, Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside. |
When ends life’s transient dream, When death’s cold, sullen stream Shall o’er me roll; Blest Savior, then in love, Fear and distrust remove; Oh, bear me safe above, A ransomed soul! |
Ray Palmer, 1830
copyright status is Public Domain
And for your added Lenten worship time, please enjoy the old classic by Jim Reeves, “This World is not my home.” Enjoy the video, pictures, and lyrics on the screen.
Sources:
- The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/m/y/f/myfluptt.htm)
- The Gospel Trumpet Company, Hymnal of the Church of God, 1953 (396)
