Worship Notes for Sunday, October 13, 2103

In this part of Luke 13, Jesus brings freedom from bondage that leads to finding rest in Him. This morning’s service will move from the loosening of these bonds to true Sabbath rest in Christ. We begin with the Call to Worship from Psalm 107 where we speak of the steadfast love of the Lord who has redeemed us, satisfied our longing souls, brought us out of darkness and burst our bonds apart. We respond by singing Psalm 146: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah and to the God who delivers us from oppression, gives food to the hungry and sets the prisoners free. He watchful care and provision continue to be extolled in How Firm a Foundation and His hand that upholds us.The Old Testament Reading from Isaiah 61 speaks of the coming of the year of the Lord and of good news, of the binding up of the brokenhearted and the liberty that comes to the captives. The Prayer of Confession from Psalm 40 brings us the reminder of God’s saving help that has rescued us and brought us deliverance but of our sinful insistence to seek after our own way and not enter His rest.

Singing the words of Zephaniah 3 prayerfully reminds us that the Lord, who is mighty to save, rejoices over us and quiets us with His love. During Communion, we again sing of this rest, consolation and comfort in our Psalm for October—Psalm 42: As Pants the Deer.  We continue in this train of thought with My Faith Has Found a Resting Place and the rest, healing and freedom from guilt that comes through the blood of Christ.

We conclude with the invitation of Christ to “Come unto me and rest” in the final hymn, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. Matthew 11:28-30—“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

http://www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Cornerstone-Bulletin-10.13.13.pdf