Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, February 3, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Prayer

Scripture Reading (NIV):  Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

Matthew 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sermon: “The Long View Beatitudes”—by Barbara Shafer

Today’s passage shows us that God knows our individual situations, is aware of our sufferings, but then He reveals His greater blessing in the long view of the Kingdom.   The Beatitudes encourage us to take the long view in light of near term suffering and sadness.  If in physical therapy we can adopt the idea of “No pain, no gain,” then why would our spiritual therapy and recovery be different?  Invest in Jesus now by persevering in faith.  Then you will have a spiritual nest egg already prepared– reward in the Kingdom of heaven!  Seeds sown today will be what will be our harvest in eternity.  Jesus calls us to consider the Kingdom and to take the long view and bear fruit that will last forever.

Song of Response:  Through it All

Benediction

There is, perhaps, no more appropriate time than today to reclaim the foundations of the Christian faith. 

American culture is rapidly degenerating–it has become “post-Christian” in just about every regard.  An increasing population knows very little about the Gospel or whether it is, in fact, Good News at all.

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Jesus seems irrelevant to the day at hand for far too many, but nothing could be farther from the truth!

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Why is a clear understanding of the Gospel important?

This is what Paul explores in The Letter to the Romans. 

What applied to Rome then, applies to us today–perhaps moreso.

We’ve lost our way in the forest of feelings and have thrown away the compass of holiness in an effort to be accepted by others.  We’ve become acculturated—even in the church–contorting and conforming ourselves to a secular mindset.  The church is presently failing to be the holy institution God designed it to be.

In light of these things, Lent 2013 is a welcome time to revisit and remember what the Bible says.  What is the Gospel?  Why is it “Good News?”

The message of The Letter to the Romans is the Gospel and that it why it is Paul’s masterpiece—relevant for today—timeless in its importance.  Join me this Lent for devotionals on The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece.  The 40 day devotional series begins Ash Wednesday and continues (Monday through Saturday) until Easter.

For those of you who signed up on Facebook SeminaryGal or used the space provided on the Home Page side bar, thank you!  I look forward to journeying together during Lent.

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Lent 2013’s series The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece sought to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage .  All 2013 devotionals can be accessed through the archives beginning February 13, 2013. 

This year’s series can be viewed here.  http://seminarygal.com/announcing-2017-lent-devotionals-light-theres-nothing-like-it/

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, January 27, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Prayer

Scripture Reading (NIV):  Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali– 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Sermon: “Come and Follow”—by Barbara Shafer

Today’s passage shows 4 characteristics of the call to discipleship:

1. God takes the initiative
2. God issues the invitation
3. God outlines the responsibilities
4. We respond

Song of Response

Choral Benediction