Worship Notes for Sunday, September 30, 2012

Our passage from Luke 7 this morning continues the exploration of who Christ is—especially in light of the fulfillment of old covenant expectations and promises. We pick up that theme in our Call to Worship from Psalm 24 that establishes the Kingdom authority of the Lord, the character of its subjects, and the generational aspect of those who seek the Lord. We respond in praise of God’s forbearance and love by singing There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy that reminds us of His kindness, grace, welcoming of sinners, and the redemption through His blood. It is a good reminder of the Jesus as “the Way” that brings us before the Father where we “Come and gather at His feet” in worship. We continue by singing Give Thanks to God the Lord and of His “wondrous acts” for His covenant will ever stand and He’ll never forget His oath for His word continues to a thousand generations.The Old Testament Reading is from Malachi 3 and is the full context for the quote from Jesus in our Luke passage. We are reminded of the “messenger of the covenant” and the day of His coming and the ensuing Kingdom characterized by a thorough cleansing and the exalting of the oppressed and marginalized. Convicted by the fact that we are not those who come before him with “clean hands and a pure heart (Ps 24),” we confess our sins using words from Romans 2. We guide the blind and teach others but then hypocritically do the very things that we teach against and so bring dishonor to the Lord. But God, who is faithful and just, has called us in righteousness, will take us by the hand, and keep us so that we may serve as a covenant for the people and as a light for the nations (Is 42:6-7).

We look to the Day of the Lord as we sing Comfort, Comfort Ye My People and the peace that awaits those in darkness and sorrow. Our Communion Hymns are Psalm 72: O God to Thine Anointed King, a rehearsal of the peace and Kingdom that Christ brings, and My Faith Has Found a Resting Place. We conclude the service with All for Jesus—our prayerful response to the call of the Gospel to fix our eyes on Jesus only.Cornerstone Bulletin 09.30.12