In this conversation, Pastors Erik, Cody, and Gavin discuss the Psalms of Lament, specifically looking at Psalms 51, 77, and 142 as examples. Read those Psalms, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your thoughts on the three questions we discuss:
Which Psalm did you choose as a representative of this genre and why does it resonate with you personally?
Why does this type of Psalm matter to the life of the church?
The Psalms are songs, so, if you’re sitting down to read these Psalms what song would you put on in the background to set the mood?
For our next Bible Convo we will discuss the Thanksgiving Psalms using Psalms 65, 75, and 92 as examples!
We encourage you to do one of these things (below) for your greeting time this morning. We recognize how difficult it is to feel connected to a physical church community while being physically distant. Try one of these this morning: 1. Call/Video Chat a friend and “connect” with them in this way before moving any further into this service. 2. Text someone who maybe isn’t a part of your inner circle from church. Greet them and let them know you’re thinking of them today. 3. Set up a phone call/coffee/walk outside with someone from church for this week. Text or call… set it up right now… schedule it. Make a first step. Remember this motto when thinking of taking steps towards making connection with those at church: “If not you, then who? If not now, when?” 4. Think of 3 people from your church community and take a couple minutes to pray for them on your own or as a family.
Psalm 47 – Call to Worship
Read this Psalm. If you are with others, split up the reading with the bold/non-bold text.
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
Song
Jerry – HCCC
“I Will Praise” I will praise (I will praise) You oh Lord (You oh Lord) With all my heart (With all my heart)
I will tell (I will tell) Of your wonders (Of your wonders) I’ll be glad and exalt in thee I’ll be glad and exalt in thee
I will sing praise to your name most high I will sing praise to your name I will sing praise to your name most high I will sing praise to your name
I will praise (I will praise) You oh Lord (You oh Lord) With all my heart (With all my heart)
I will tell (I will tell) Of your wonders (Of your wonders) I’ll be glad and exalt in thee I’ll be glad and exalt in thee
I will sing praise to your name most high I will sing praise to your name I will sing praise to your name most high I will sing praise to your name
Scripture Reading – Psalm 51:1-10
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Sermon – Psalm 51
Gavin – HCCC
Confession & Assurance
Call to Confession: When we let envy, greed, resentment, lust, and selfishness eat away in us, we can be destroyed. I call you now with me to admit our wrongs before God, knowing that such confession is essential to the health of our souls.
Prayer of Confession (pray this within or one person read while others around pray within): Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Words of Assurance: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May you know that you are forgiven. May you be at peace. May you experience divine joy! AMEN.
Song of Response
Cody – FCC
“Saved My Soul” You my God have saved my soul I am yours forevermore I won’t be moved of this I’m sure You are my God and you saved my soul
I was lost when you came for me Held in chains by the enemy But you broke them in victory I am free I am free
You’re my joy and you are my hope I am saved by your grace alone I will sing of your love for me I am free I am free
You my God have saved my soul I am yours forevermore I won’t be moved of this I’m sure You are my God and you saved my soul
Now I stand with the King of kings He has paid for my every sin And from now through eternity I am free I am free
You my God have saved my soul I am yours forevermore I won’t be moved of this I’m sure You are my God and you saved my soul
What once was dead is now alive You gave to me the breath of life You brought me up out of the grave I’m bursting out with songs of praise (REPEAT)
I’m bursting out with songs of praise I’m bursting out with songs of praise
You my God have saved my soul I am yours forevermore I won’t be moved of this I’m sure You are my God and you saved my soul (REPEAT)
Offering
When we have heard the word of God, we respond with song and prayer, and also with witness and money, for all things we are and have are small yet tangible offerings of ourselves to the Lord.
PRAY: Lord, we desire that this offering express careful and willing sharing on our part, with fruitful blessing on your part, as together we seek to build your kingdom among the nations and God’s will among the peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Psalm 65 – Reorientation
We invite you to grab a bible and open up to Psalm 65 – a thanksgiving Psalm that gratefully celebrates forgiveness and God’s abundance. Enjoy opening the actual physical book for this reading. Read all 13 verses, either quietly or aloud. Underline, memorize, or write down on a piece of paper any phrase(s) that strike you today. Keep those phrases close to you this week. Live in Psalm 65 until we meet again next week.
Closing Song
Whether you sing along or not, as this song is playing we invite you to lift your hands as an act of ascribing greatness and recognizing the holiness of God in your midst.
Cody – FCC
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty God in three persons blessed Trinity
Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore thee Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee Who wert and art and evermore shall be
Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide thee Thou the eye of sinful flesh thy glory may not see Only thou art holy there is none beside thee Perfect in power, in love, and purity
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty God in three persons blessed Trinity God in three persons blessed Trinity
Benediction
Read the following quietly or if you are in a group have one person read the charge out loud:
Go now, remembering what we have done here. Go, remembering that you are a forgiven people, eternally loved, thoughtfully instructed, gratefully obedient, responding and responsible wherever you are. You can never be the same again. AMEN.
In this conversation, Pastors Erik, Julia, and Gavin the Wisdom Psalms, looking specifcally at Psalms 1, 37, and 73 as examples. Read those Psalms, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your thoughts on the three questions we discuss:
Which Psalm did you choose as a representative of this genre and why does it resonate with you personally?
Why does this type of Psalm matter to the life of the church?
The Psalms are songs, so, if you’re sitting down to read these Psalms what song would you put on in the background to set the mood?
For our next Bible Convo we will discuss the Lament Psalms using Psalms 51, 77, and 142 as examples!
Once again we “gather” together to worship the living God. The ever present God is with you wherever you are in this moment. He is with those who gather inside a church building. He is with those who gather around a device scrolling through a website. We are the Church, united in Christ. Take a moment to reach out to someone you haven’t touched base with in awhile. Send an e-mail, text, maybe even try a letter! Offer the peace of Christ and know that he is with each of us.
Call to Worship – Psalm 1
Divide the following reading of Psalm 1 among yourselves. If you are participating alone, maybe Facetime or Zoom a friend to walk through this service together.
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers;but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do they prosper.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Prayer
God our Creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the Sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. (Covenant Book of Worship)
Song of Worship – Great is Thy Faithfulness
Gavin and Nathan – HCCC
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy compasions They fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning, new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning, new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Kid’s Lesson
Cody – FCC
Psalm Writing Exercise
As Cody explained, the Psalms are honest expressions of our human emotions. It has been said that the Bible speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us.
This exercise of psalm writing may feel strange to some of you, but give it a go and see how writing your own psalm to God becomes an expression of your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Grab some paper and a pencil and give the following a shot.
Psalm 13 is a prayer asking for God’s help through a long season of struggle. Read Psalm 13. Now write out your own Psalm using these prompts:
O Lord, how long will you ______________________? How long must I _______________________________? How long will my enemy/burden _______________? I need you to_____________. Don’t let my enemies/burden____________________. But I trust in your (God’s)_______________________. I will rejoice because you (God)_________________. I will sing to the LORD because he is ___________.
You are encouraged to pray the psalm you have written to God. Save it. Pray it every morning or evening this week. Share it with a friend. Share it with a pastor.
Sermon – Psalm 29
Erik – FCC
Prayer of response based on Psalm 29
Speak O Lord. Speak your peace over the chaos of our lives. Order our lives. Order us. Speak O Lord. Speak your powerful justice over the injustices that abound. Speak O Lord. Speak your healing over brokenness and suffering. Speak O Lord. Speak your joy into our hearts that we may praise you as you ought to be praised. In the name of the LORD – who is peace, justice, healing, and joy – amen.
Song of Response – “Our God”
Jerry – HCCC
Water You turned into wine Opened the eyes of the blind There’s no one like you None like you Into the darkness You shine Out of the ashes we rise There’s no one like you None like you
Our God is greater, our God is stronger God You are higher than any other Our God is Healer, awesome in power Our God, Our God
Into the darkness you shining Out of the ashes we Rise No one like you None like you
Our God is greater, our God is stronger God You are higher than any other Our God is Healer, awesome in power Our God, Our God
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand against? And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand against? Who can stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger God You are higher than any other Our God is Healer, awesome in power Our God, Our God
Offering and Thanksgiving
One way our lives are oriented toward God is through generosity. In times of abundance we give in gratitude. In lean times we give believing that the One to whom we give is faithful to care for us. We invite you to make your thanks and trust tangible with a gift to a ministry like ours or another Kingdom work as the Spirit directs you.
Benediction
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Our heart is glad in him, because we trust his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
Doxology
Gavin and Nathan – HCCC
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen
In this conversation, Pastors Erik, Shannon, and Gavin begin a conversation on the Psalms, focusing in on these faith poems by genre. This week we look at the Psalms categorized as Hymns of Praise and are looking at Psalms 29, 100, and 103 as examples. Read those Psalms, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your thoughts on the three questions we discuss:
Which Psalm did you choose as a representative of this genre and why does it resonate with you personally?
Why does this type of Psalm matter to the life of the church?
The Psalms are songs, so, if you’re sitting down to read these Psalms what song would you put on in the background to set the mood?
For our next Bible Convo we will discuss the Wisdom Psalms using Psalms 1, 37, and 73 as examples!
It has been a busy bustling week in many of our lives. Often times those we love and those we are called to live with and toward get left out as the busy builds… Take a couple minutes to reach out to someone on your mind or heart. Call, text, set up a walk or a coffee. Remember that we live life before God together!
Call to Worship – based on Psalm 103
Pick someone to be the reader. Everyone else gets one line that they repeat. Would the goodness of this one line sink into your hearts!
Leader: The response to the psalm is: The Lord is compassion and love
All: The Lord is compassion and love
My soul give thanks to the Lord, All my being bless His holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord And never forget all His blessings
The Lord is compassion and love
The Lord is compassion and love, Slow to anger and rich in mercy. As a father has compassion on his sons, The Lord has pity on those who fear Him.
The Lord is compassion and love
The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold Him in fear; His justice reaches out to children’s children when they keep His covenant in truth
Cody – FCC
Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons)
Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul worship his holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship your holy name
The sun comes up its a new day dawning It’s time to sing your song again Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul worship his holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship your holy name
Your rich in love and you’re slow to anger You name is great and your heart is kind For all your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul worship his holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore
Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul worship his holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship your holy name
Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul worship his holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I’ll worship your holy name
Message – Numbers 14
Gavin – HCCC
Scripture Image Reflection and Guided Prayer
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where he will be crucified. Jesus is beginning to experience more and more rejection. In Luke 13 Jesus says, “How often have I wanted to gather you together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”
Take a few moments to pray. Pray through these movements:
Where do I wander from God’s guidance and care? Name it. Confess it.
Where or how is God trying to gather me like a hen gathers chicks?
Why am I resistant to God’s care?
Simply listen for God’s invitation as God’s desire remains to gather us and care for us. If it helps, play this instrumental based on Psalm 121. There is a line that we could do well to live into, “As I come and I go, I am safe for I know, that Your care is sufficient for me!”
“He’s Ever Over Me” Nathan – HCCC
Give thanks to this God, who is like a mother hen in desire to care for us.
God, you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. And for this we are so thankful. Amen.
Offering and Thanksgiving
Sometimes our gratitude gets lost in the midst of busyness. Take a minute to Give thanks to God for all the good, the provision, the kindness and care that came your way this week. We invite to make your thanks tangible with a gift to a ministry like ours or another Kingdom work as the Spirit directs you.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Offering Song
Cody – FCC
Goodness of God
I love you Lord Oh your mercy never fails me All my days I’ve been held in your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head I will sing of the goodness of God
All my life you have been faithful All my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
I love your voice You have led me through the fire In darkest nights I’ve been held like no other I’ve known you as a Father I’ve known you as a friend I have lived in the goodness of God
All my life you have been faithful All my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Your goodness is running after It’s running after me Your goodness is running after It’s running after me With my life laid down I surrender now I give you everything Your goodness is running after It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after It’s running after me Your goodness is running after It’s running after me With my life laid down I surrender now I give you everything Your goodness is running after It’s running after me
All my life you have been faithful All my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
All my life you have been faithful All my life you have been so, so good With every breath that I am able I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
A Final Thought on Numbers 14
Erik – FCC
Song of Response
Cody – FCC
Way Maker
You are here moving in our midst I worship you, I worship you You are here working in this place I worship you, I worship you
You are way maker Miracle worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness My God that is who you are
You are way maker Miracle worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness My God that is who you are
You are here touching every heart I worship you, I worship you You are here healing every heart I worship you, I worship you
You are here turning lives around I worship you, I worship you You are here mending every heart I worship you, I worship you
You are way maker Miracle worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness My God that is who you are
You are way maker Miracle worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness My God that is who you are
That is who you are That is who you are That is who you are That is who you are (REPEAT)
Even when I don’t see it you’re working Even when I don’t feel it you’re working You never stop, you never stop working You never stop, you never stop working (REPEAT)
You are way maker Miracle worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness My God that is who you are
Benediction
The Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious with you.
The Lord lift up his countenance towards you, and give you peace.
In this conversation, Pastors Erik, Julia, and Gavin have a final discussion on the Old Testament book of Numbers (we did it!). Read chapters 28-36, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these three questions:
What word, phrase, or theme most resonated with you personally as you read this section of Scripture?
What does this portion of Scripture invite us to as a community of disciples?
If you’re sitting down with these chapters, what drink or snack would pair best with the reading?
For our next Bible Convo we will begin a new series exploring the Psalms! Next week: the Hymn of Praise Psalms (read Psalms 29, 100, and 103 as the examples we will be looking at).
This is the September Long Weekend. It symbolically marks the passing between one season (Summer) and another (Fall). We invite you to make a little visual altar for worship today.
Take something symbolic of Summer (flowers, garden produce, camping gear, swimsuit or life jacket – whatever!) and something symbolic of Fall (leaves, school supplies, a jacket, a frozen roast or can of soup – whatever).
If you have space on a table (or the floor) put the two sets of items on separate sides with and a candle (or some kind of light) in-between. We invite this to be the setup for your time in worship. This will remind us of God’s presence.
God is present with us in the in-between!
*** If you have kids present, the Kids’ lesson is at the bottom after the Doxology. You can do it at the start, during the message or at the end. You choose! ***
The sun is setting on our Summer but God remains with us into Fall!
Gathering Song – “As the Deer” Instrumental
Take a few deep breaths. Take a moment to be still. Can you sense God with you? Ask God to draw near and show you something this next hour. Be open and ready to experience God!
As you listen to this classic song, consider – What is your soul longing for this September?
Call to Worship (responsive reading)
Come, all you whose souls thirst for the living God. We come in search of help and hope. Come, you who are acquainted with grief and difficulty. We come bearing our doubts, our wounds, and our fears. Come, you who are in need of good news. We come in search of joy, truth, and light. Come and find refuge in God your rock. Let us again praise the One who is our help and our hope.
Worship through Song
Let Us Adore Let us adore the ever living God And render praise unto him Let us adore the ever living God And render praise unto him
Who spread out the heavens And established the earth Whose glory is manifest throughout all the earth
He is our God He is our God There is no one else He is our God He is our God There is no one else
Let us adore the ever living God And render praise unto him Let us adore the ever living God And render praise unto him
Who spread out the heavens And established the earth Whose glory is manifest throughout all the earth
He is our God He is our God There is no one else He is our God He is our God There is no one else
Fairest Lord Jesus Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature O thou of God and man the son Thee will I cherish, thee will I honour Thou my soul’s glory, joy, and crown
Fair are the meadow, fairer still the woodlands Robed in the blooming garb of spring Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer Who makes the woeful heart to sing
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight And all the twinkling starry host Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast
Beautiful Saviour, Lord of the nations Son of God and son of man Glory and honour, praise, adoration Now and forevermore be thine Glory and honour, praise, adoration Now and forevermore be thine
Prayer
Where have you seen the beauty of the Lord this Summer? Take a minute to give thanks.
Where are you fearful and afraid heading into the Fall? Take a minute to bring our anxieties to Jesus, asking for his presence and strength.
God,
This was a strange summer, and yet your goodness was all around us. The heat of the days was a welcome gift after a long winter. The beauty of the trees that line our streets, the flowers and produce in our gardens, remind us of the life you gift.
Thank you for your sustaining generosity towards us even when we grumble. Thank you for your blessing even when we have grown quick to bock at your gifts. Be with us as we head into what is known and unknown this Fall. Teach us to trust your goodness and mercy. On our better days, we know they sustain our life. Thank you! Amen.
Giving and Giving Thanks
We have given thanks to God for his provision and we have invited God to continue to care for us into the next season. Take a minute now to offer tokens of our trust.We invite you to partner financially as well as consider how you can offer more of yourself (your time, your abilities, your heart) to God’s work this Fall.
Take turns reading (and listening) to the Scriptures as they call us to courage.If one grabs you, memorize it, and let it be encouragement this Fall!
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deut. 31:6)
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1)
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7)
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (1 John 4:17-18)
Song of Response – “Yet not I but through Christ in me”
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer There is no more for heaven now to give He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus For my life is wholly bound to His Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine Yet not I, but through Christ in me
The night is dark but I am not forsaken For by my side, the Saviour He will stay I labour on in weakness and rejoicing For in my need, His power is displayed To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me Through the deepest valley He will lead Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome Yet not I, but through Christ in me
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven The future sure, the price it has been paid For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon And He was raised to overthrow the grave To this I hold, my sin has been defeated Jesus now and ever is my plea Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free Yet not I, but through Christ in me
With every breath I long to follow Jesus For He has said that He will bring me home And day by day I know He will renew me Until I stand with joy before the throne To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus All the glory evermore to Him When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Benediction – Numbers 6:24-26
Erskine family (minus Garrett who was hunting!)
Doxology
Whether you’re meeting with others or alone, sing this final song of praise aloud!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen
Long weekend Doxology bonus
Kids’ Lesson
In Numbers 13 we read the story of Moses sending 12 spies into the Promised Land to see what it was like. Moses wanted to know if the people living there were strong or weak. He wanted to know if there were a lot of people or not. He also wanted to know if it was good land and if there were trees and good fruit. The spies went out for 40 days and when they came back they said it was a rich land with good food. But the people who live there are strong and there are many of them. Only two of the 12 spies said the Israelites could win the land with God’s help. The other 10 spies thought it was too difficult, even for God. God was pleased with the two spies who believed, Joshua and Caleb, but he was not pleased with the spies who were afraid. Joshua and Caleb were honoured for their faith by one day entering the Promised Land, the others never did. God asks us to trust him even with things that seem really hard or even impossible. What seems really hard or impossible to you today? Share with your family and pray together that God would act on your behalf.
Now, as a fun activity, go on your own mini-scavenger hunt around your house to find these things:
Something purple – the spies brought back grapes with them.
Ten matching items (like forks) and two that don’t match (like spoons) – the 10 spies did were too afraid to trust God, Caleb and Joshua had faith.
Something really strong – the spies found that the Canaanites were very strong
Two leaves from two different trees – the spies found fruit from two trees pomegranate and fig
Something sweet – the Bible says that the land was flowing with milk and honey
For a simpler activity with kids: play a few rounds of “I spy with my little eye”
In this conversation, Pastors Erik, Gavin, and Jeff discuss the Old Testament book of Numbers. Read chapters 15-27, listen to the audio of the conversation, and chip in on the comments section below with your own thoughts on the Scripture and to these three questions:
What word, phrase, or theme most resonated with you personally as you read this section of Scripture?
What does this portion of Scripture invite us to as a community of disciples?
If you’re sitting down with these chapters, what drink or snack would pair best with the reading?
For our next Bible Convo we will explore Numbers 28-36. Read those chapters and join us for the convo next week! Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Middle Eastern Tomato Cumber Salad – 1 seedless cucumber (peeled, diced) – 1/2 red onion (very thinly sliced) – 2 cups fresh diced tomatoes (sliced in half) – 2 tablespoons fresh basil (or mint for a sweet variant) leaves (chiffonaded) – 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional) – 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil – 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar – kosher salt and pepper (to taste) – zatar (hyssop) (to taste)
Winnipeg Covenant 