Worship Set July 20, 2014 (Byron Methodist)

Psalm 98:4-9, All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises; All Creatures of Our God and King; Holy Holy Holy; No One Higher; Healer; Never Once; How Deep The Father’s Love

Psalm 98:4-9
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Would you stand as we sing to our savior.

ALL THE EARTH WILL SING YOUR PRAISES

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

HOLY HOLY HOLY

I have had the incredible blessing of being raised by two amazing parents, who taught me about the love of Jesus from the moment I was born, and on in through my teenage years and beyond. They taught me to cultivate that relationship, and to cultivate the gifts that God has given me. I eventually heard God’s call on my life to go into full time worship ministry. I recently felt God’s call to leave the church I was at and step out in faith to find a new place to serve Him. And although I’m between jobs and between churches, it’s that personal relationship with God that helps steady me when I start to worry about money, or about what the future holds.

My parents taught me how to have an intimate relationship with the God of the universe. And although I established a personal relationship with God many years ago I’m still totally amazed every day at the fact the creator of all things, the shaper of the stars, the author of all life, would care at all about me. It is beyond comprehension that he would love me so much that he would come down in the form of a man and die in my place! And yet…I believe that when he knit us together in the womb, he placed inside each of us a tiny spark of understanding, or at least an instinctive ability to believe the truth of this mystery. Because, although it’s beyond comprehension, it kind of, almost, a little bit makes sense.

That the God who breathed life into us, would love us deeply. That our Heavenly Father in a manner similar, and yet far superior, to the way that a devoted father loves their child.

And when I reflect on the incredible beauty of the relationship I’m able to have with God the Father, I can’t help but want to worship Him and sing His praises. To bask in the glory of the one who defines love. To stand in awe of the love that died in my place and set me free. To honor the great and glorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords who is above all, and before all.

Would you worship with me as we reflect on all these things.

NO ONE HIGHER

HEALER

Thank you, God. Thank you, for reminding us that nothing is impossible for You.

Thank you, God, for caring for us, and caring about our needs and even our desires.

Thank You for never leaving or forsaking us, for walking with us through our trials. And for holding us when we need holding.

And thank you for being powerful enough to heal all our wounds, emotional, physical, mental. You are the Great Physician. You are more than enough for me. More than all I need. We praise You for who you are.

SERMON: Mustard & Birds (Rev. Joan Pell) (Matthew 13:31-32). The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed … it becomes a tree. Mustard is a surprising choice for an image of the Kingdom – why not the majestic cedar often referred to in the Old Testament, why choose an invasive weed? We want our lives to blessed and look like tall cedars, full of joy and goodness. We want to be in control, have power over our own lives. But what if what you most want to be rid of might nourish you and heal you?

BLESSINGS