What a momentous week for our country!
We have a new president-elect; the first African-American president-elect no less! We voted to amend California's constitution so that only marriage between a man and woman is recognized by the state. We also voted that under-age females should not have to notify a parent or guardian if they are going to have an abortion (although they DO have to have their consent to get a piercing or tattoo...go figure).
Whatever your political position or passions, we all bear the responsibility as Americans, and first and foremost, as Christians to respect and submit ourselves to the authority God has put in place over us for our good.
In politics there are plenty of opportunities to experience anger. The Prop 8 campaigns showed us a great deal of anger in the way many people protested and abused those who protested, and I know many were angered by the presidential outcome.
Jesus speaks directly to us in this regard in the sermon text this week from Matthew 5. Be sure to read the passage as you prepare for worship! Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin you may have in this area, and to open your heart and mind to the teaching we'll sit under this Sunday.
As for our worship singing, we'll start the service with a song from the Psalms: "Your Love Oh Lord" after which Pastor Todd will come and lead in prayer. We'll watch another video from the Union Rescue Mission, as we continue to prepare to go and minister there on December 19th.
Then we'll sing some more as we prepare to study the Word. "See What A Morning" is a wonderful reminder of the victory of Christ's death on the cross, and the glorious hope he established in his resurrection. "From The Inside Out" will act as a corporate prayer that God would consume us from within, as we give him control in our lives.
Pastor Todd will then come preach to us from the Sermon on the Mount.
We'll respond with "Change My Heart O God," that the truth of his word would really change and mold our hearts, and that it would not just go in one ear and out the other.
We'll close the service with "Jesus Paid It All" as we consider reconciling with our brother who may have a grudge against us, and remember that Jesus accomplished the ultimate reconciliation between sinful man and almighty God!
That's what's going on; happy preparation!
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