Worship Notes for Sunday, March 18, 2012
This morning we have a summary from Luke on the previous events in Luke 4 as Christ reiterates that his purpose is to “preach the good news of the kingdom of God.” We will focus on the Gospel of the Kingdom in our songs and Scripture beginning with the Call to Worship from Psalm 145—we will speak “of the glory of your kingdom” for His kingdom is “an everlasting kingdom.” We respond by singing Rejoice the Lord is King for “His kingdom cannot fail, he rules over earth and heaven.”For the latter half of Lent, we will use Psalm 40 for our Psalm of the Month—I Waited Patient for the Lord. The New Testament Reading is from John 3 and tells the story of Nicodemus and Jesus’ response that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The Prayer of Confession from 2 Peter 1 relates the patterns of seeking after godliness as an indication of confirming our entrance into the eternal kingdom. However, too often our pattern is one of self-interest and preservation.
We are reminded of the reign of Christ from Psalm 72 as we sing Jesus Shall Reign. Communion hymns include Unto Christ Who Loved Us from Revelation 1 and Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed. In preparation for Easter Sunday worship, we conclude our service with Christ the Lord is Risen Again—a wonderful 12th century Easter carol.
