Worship Notes for Sunday, April 29, 2012
This week in Luke 6, Jesus instructs us in the proper origin and use of the Sabbath. Ultimately we are reminded that our only source of real rest is in Christ himself. We begin with the Call to Worship from Psalm 92 in which we are reminded of the greatness of the works of the Lord and the creation that He has made. We continue in singing this praise with For the Beauty of the Earth—“Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.”The New Testament Reading from Colossians 2 is a strong reminder of the difference and dangers between human traditions and God-ordained obedience. As Paul says, “These are shadows of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Our Prayer of confession comes from Isaiah 1 and acknowledges our sin in forsaking the Lord, but especially in putting “our trust in our service and obedience” rather than in God alone. We rest in this trust as we sing, Jesus, I am Resting, Resting.
This theme is conveyed in our Communion Hymns as well. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds speaks of Jesus as “manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.” Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts reminds us of Christ as our only source of satisfaction even as our “restless spirits yearn for thee.”
The final hymn is Come, Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted—afflicted by the sorrow of sin and longing for the sweet obedience that the cross supplies. All who taste of the cross shall rise to immortal rest in Christ, the true Sabbath.
