Worship Notes for Sunday, February 19, 2012
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the preparatory and penitential season of Lent. It is very fitting to enter into the 40 days of Lent with the study of Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the wilderness and the temptations that he endured. Our opening hymn is Praise to the Lord but we’ve included one of the more obscure verses—“Who, when darkness of sin is abounding…sheds us his light, chases the horrors of night.” The New Testament Reading includes two selections from Hebrews 2 and 4 in which we are reminded that Christ himself was tempted and is therefore able to help those who are being tempted.The Prayer of Confession from James 1 focuses on our failure to remain steadfast under trails and in turn to question the very nature of God. We choose our own desires rather than the good that God has prepared for us. We continue by singing Before the Throne of God Above in which we are reminded of our Great High Priest who knows our weaknesses and whose death puts an end to when “Satan tempts us to despair.”
Our Communion Hymns include Lamb of God that reminds us of not only who Jesus is, but that he “walked upon this guilty sod” just like us. The second hymn is I Need Thee Every Hour for “temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.”
We conclude with Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners, for we are indeed “tempted tried, and sometimes failing” but “He, our strength, my victory wins.” Hallelujah, what a Savior!
