The Twin Steeples Podcast

This weekend, for our Mission Festival, we will be singing a number of "Mission" hymns. Mission Festival is a reminder of the calling that the Christian, and the Christian Church, has to "preach the Gospel to all creation." As we consider "mission work" we often can think that it doesn't apply to us. "I'm not a missionary." "I'm not a pastor. I'm not good with words, or deeply knowledgeable about theology. That is for someone else."

This hymn by Daniel March reminds us that there are many ways that we can be involved in the work of sharing Jesus with others. Maybe that is as a Sunday School teacher of young children. Maybe that is simply telling a friend or neighbor about Jesus and His death for the payment of their sins. Maybe it is in supporting missionaries like Aaron and Hur supported Moses by "holding up the prophet's hands." You can do that with your prayers, and with you offerings of time, talents or treasure.

There are many ways we can serve. There are many ways we can be involved. Let none hear you idly saying: "There is nothing I can do!" Rather, joyfully respond to the Lord's call, saying: "Here am I! Send me, send me!"

Devotion

• Romans 9:6-13

 

Announcements

• Review
  • Adopt a Highway
  • Ladies’ Auxiliary
  • Sunday School and Bible Class 
  • Church Council
• Upcoming
  
  • 6-8th Doctrine Class
  • Church Choir
  • Men’s Breakfast
  • Ladies’ Bible Study
  • Mission Festival
  • 3rd Weekend Communion
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Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Nepal Flooding
• Teachers - Mr. Wheaton, Mrs. Mayhew
• Mission in Pakistan

 

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 494 “Awake, Thou Spirit, Who Didst Fire”

This weekend we consider a hymn from the "Lord's Day" section of the hymnal. The term "Lord's Day" was a term that was used by John in Revelation 1:10, and by the early Christian Church to refer to Sunday. Sunday was called the "Lord's Day" because it was Jesus' day, the Day He won the victory over death through His resurrection from the dead. It was for this reason that the early church began to gather for worship and celebration on Sunday, in addition to Saturday (the OT Sabbath). But as hymn writer William How brings out in this hymn, there were many other events that happened on Sunday ("This day") that point to God's work for mankind.

The first verse points to God's creation of light on the first day of the week (Sunday). The second verse recalls Christ's resurrection from the dead (on Sunday). The third verse reflects on the Spirit's outpouring on Pentecost (also on Sunday). Each event include a prayer that God would shine His light (verse 1), give us new life (verse 2), and pour out His grace (verse 3), on us still today as we gather on "this day" (also Sunday) for worship. 

Finally, How ties in the work of the Triune God who is at work in creation (verse 1), redemption (verse 2), and sanctification (verse 3), with a doxology (word of praise) in stanza 5.

This hymn serves as a beautiful reminder that we don't "have" to worship Him on Sunday. We worship on Sunday as a Spirit worked response to His work for us in creation, redemption and sanctification!

May He continue that good work of creating in each of us thankful hearts that respond in joyful worship!

Devotion

• Romans 9:1-5

 

Announcements

• Review
  • Labor Day
• Upcoming
  
  • 6-8th Doctrine Class
  • Youth Group
  • Church Choir
  • Men’s Breakfast
  • Ladies’ Bible Study
  • Weekend Worship
  • Board of Deacons
  • Church Council

 

Prayer List 

• Jim Lien
• Lynette Roehl
• Becky
• Family of Pastor Del Maas
• Nepal Flooding
• Betty Wolle
• ISO Leaders
• Mission in Liberia

 

 

Hymn of the Day

• TLH 512 “O Christ, Our True and Only Light”

In our hymn for this weekend we study a hymn by the "Prince of Hymnwriters," Charles Wesley. Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns and is probably second only to Isaac Watts in both the number of hymns written, as well as the mass use of those hymn in churches since that time. 

We are studying his hymn: "Jesus, My Truth, My Way" (TLH 433) from the Trust section of our hymnal. His hymn is a beautiful depiction of Jesus as seen and declared in Scripture. He is our Truth, Way, Light, Wisdom, Guide, Counselor, Power, Help, Refuge, Fortress, Tower, Sure Abode, Horn, Rock, Buckler (Shield), Savior, and God! 

The hymn also reminds us that we are weak and powerless to save ourselves. This is why we need Jesus and His work of salvation. Wesley writes: "Myself I cannot save, Myself I cannot keep, But strength in Thee I surely have whose eyelids never sleep." (Verse 5)

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2)

We rejoice that we have a Savior in Jesus who is our security in this life and the life to come. Thanks be to God for the peace we have with Him as our Refuge and Strength!