Dear friends,
This Sunday, the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us again in worship.
We are continuing through the Gospel of Luke.
In last week’s sermon, we remember how the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, but instead of rekindling their passion and love for God their Redeemer, and increasing their adoration, desire and worship for God, the temple worship and ministry became corrupt, forsaken and forgotten. Although many had an outward appearance of holiness and devotion, their inner hearts were far from God.
“Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 7:11
All of this is leading us to our current lesson in Luke 21: 5-19, where Jesus prophesies that this glorious temple, one of the most beautiful buildings in the ancient world, would come crumbling down – utterly destroyed. This prophecy was ultimately fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans. A Jewish historian by the name of Flavius Josephus records this in detail.
God promises us that even amongst all of the tribulations we face today; he is in control and we can rest securely in Jesus, the Ark of our Salvation.
Order of Service
Prelude
Call to Worship
Hymn 407: “Praise my soul the King of Heaven”
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Declaration of Grace and the Lord’s Prayer
Responsive reading: Isaiah 12: 2-6
Gloria Patri
Isaiah 65: 17-25
2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13
Hymn 411 “Stand up and bless the Lord”
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21: 5-19
Sermon: “Painting with a large or small brush!”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 769: “Lord of light”
Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 786: “O Day of God, draw nigh”
Benediction
Postlude