Worship Notes for Sunday, May 6, 2012
Jesus demonstrates the diversity of the Body of Christ in the selection of the twelve disciples, and he also paints a picture of what it looks like to train and equip the saints to lead, to mutually encourage, and to sharpen one another in the faith. That will be the focus of our singing, prayers and Scripture readings this morning. The Call to Worship from Psalm 25 prays that God will teach us His paths and make us to know His ways for He leads the humble in love and faithfulness. We respond in praise by singing O Worship the King—our Shield and Defender whose bountiful care we can trust.We continue in worship with the setting of Psalm 5: Hear My Words that challenges us in the nature and purpose of prayer. The New Testament Reading from Ephesians 4 remind us of the various roles God has given the members of His church and their purpose in “building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” for “when each part is working properly, it makes the body grow.”
The Prayer of Confession from Philippians 2 sets forth the example of the humility of Christ that should our same mind, but we more often turn to our own ambitions an selfish desires instead of building up the Body in love. Our next Hymn is The Spirit Binds Us to Our Lord that reflects on the effect of the unity of the Spirit producing communion, kindred hearts and minds, and gifts and graces that offer to those around us.
The Second Communion Hymn, Never Cease to Praise, includes the words “that the many parts of the body of Christ be affirmed in right relation” so that we “may learn to love and spur each other on.” Our final hymn is a text on the Church by Charles Wesley, All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord—“He bids us build each other up; And, gathered into one, to our highs calling’s glorious hope, we hand in hand go on.” May that be true for us here at Cornerstone for His glory and the building up the saints.
