Worship Notes for Sunday, March 11, 2012
The power and authority of Christ forms the core of this morning’s service as we see the people of Capernaum amazed by his ministry. This theme is highlighted in the Call to Worship from Psalm 72—“May he have dominion from sea to sea…May all kings fall down before him” for he delivers the needy, the poor, and the weak. We continue by singing All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name as our opening hymnThe New Testament Reading is from Ephesians 1 and the “immeasurable greatness of his power…that he worked in Christ” and seated him “above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” Following the reading from Ephesians 1 is the Prayer of Confession from Ephesians 2 that focuses on our deadness in sin as we follow our passions and our fleshly nature. But God, rich in mercy, makes us alive in Christ and has raised us to sit with him in the heavenly places. Our next hymn, Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, reminds us that not only does God reign forever, he delivers from oppression, maintains righteousness, feeds the hungry and frees the mourning prisoner.
The Communion Hymns continue this theme with Sing to Jesus for “His is the throne…He is the King of Heaven” and My God, My Portion, and My Love for all things praise and “bless the sacred Name of Him that sits upon the throne.”
Our final hymn is Glory Be to God the Father by Horatius Bonar that continually offers praise and glory to the King of Angels, the Church and of nations, even as the angels sing “Honor, riches, power, dominion.” We conclude with the words in our sung response, “Crown Him the Lord of Heaven Enthroned in worlds above…for He is King of all.” Amen and amen.
