Worship Notes for Sunday, January 27, 2013
This week completes the four week series in which we have moved from the Gospel to the rightful response of worship including the making of disciples here and to the ends of the earth. In this season of Epiphany, we are continually reminded by our Introit of the illumining light of the Gospel in the face of Christ. The Call to Worship from Psalm 67 speaks of our desire that the way of the Lord and His saving power would be known among all nations and that “all the ends of the earth” would fear Him.We continue by singing Jesus Shall Reign from Psalm 72 and of His kingdom that stretches from shore to shore. Our final week with the Psalm for January—Psalm 73: O God, How Good Thou Art brings into focus the strength He supplies for the fulfilling of the call of the Gospel. In the Prayer of Confession from Romans 12, we acknowledge our tendency to allow our love to be directed to self-interests and to disregard those around us.
We sing and prayer for God’s mercy in Psalm 67: O God to Us Show Mercy that His holy way would be known on earth and His grace to every people. The first Hymn of Communion, My God, My Portion, confronts us with the overwhelming character of God as infinitely superior to all and everything we might ever hope for. We continue by singing Psalm 9: O Lord, Most High that we might ever proclaim His wondrous works and His deeds among the nations.
We conclude by singing Mighty Lord, Extend Your Kingdom and the prayer that the “shades of night” would be scattered before the light of the Gospel.
