Announcements

Here you can find announcements about any upcoming events or changes to our schedule.

Bulletin - November 28, 2021

Hymn of the Day

(tune: “Higher Ground” p. 308)

 

I wandered long in my own way,

New depths I reached from day to day,

But by the Shepherd I was found,

And planted safely on high ground.

 

He’s lifted up to God’s right hand,

And by God’s grace, with Him I stand,

No higher plane can ere be found,

I’m satisfied with this high ground.

 

My Savior came my soul to save,

For me, His precious life He gave;

So, I’m no more by Satan bound,

For Christ has set me on high ground.

 

They crucified the Savior, Then,

When three days passed, He rose again,

In Joseph’s tomb He was not found,

He’d risen up to higher ground.

 

The day will come when He’ll return,

The world with God’s own wrath will burn.

But I’ll be safe, for I’ll be found,

In Jesus Christ – the Highest Ground!

Today’s Hymns

Only Trust Him #252 ~ Jesus, Lover of My soul #352,

The Sands of Time Are Sinking - #509

 

Special Dates: Wanda Koedam – 2 ~ John Vlastuin – 7

 

-----0-----

 

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. ~2 Corinthians 4.6

 

-----0-----

 

I read this story from Spurgeon and it made me think of you all:

 

“I spoke, yesterday, with a brother minister, who had been a pastor in America, and I asked him why he was so anxious to go back again where the climate had so greatly tried him. He answered, "I love the people to whom I preach." "What sort of people are they?" I enquired. "Well," he replied, "they are a people who come together anxious to get good. They do not try to find fault with me; but they seek to get all the good they can out of the gospel I preach." "Well," I said, "it is worth while crossing the ocean to go to a congregation of that sort of people."

 

I did not cross an ocean to get here, but, I admit, the weather can be disagreeable. Yet there is not a place on earth I would rather be nor a congregation I would rather pastor than this one here. Your love of the gospel and your faithful care of the man who preaches it to you is a constant inspiration to me, and I thank God for you!    -Joe

 

-----0-----

 

One of my favorite hymns is “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus.” The simplicity of its question-and-answer format drives home the only hope of this sinner’s heart.

 

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing...” So great is my wickedness, my natural mind cannot come up with anything that could wash me clean and make me whole again. Many spend years trying to come to what they believe is an appropriate level of understanding how great their sin is. I will not pretend that I fully understand my wickedness, but it takes only a moment’s reflection for me to realize that my sin far surpasses anything I can manage. I cannot wash my past sins away nor can I stop doing them. My sin is greater and stronger than my will. From the viewpoint of my natural understanding, there is simply nothing that can help this sinner.

 

But, thank God! this hymn does not stop with the word “Nothing.” It goes on to tell of the one thing that can wash away my sin, ever so great and persistent that it is: the blood of Jesus, my Great High Priest and Savior! I do not need to know how great my sins are for I see in the blood of Christ sufficient power and authority to remove them no matter how great they are.

 

The reason that many cannot see their salvation in the blood of Christ is that they have never understood “Nothing.” So long as we have “Something,” we will never be able to see or appreciate the meaning of, “…but the blood of Jesus.”   -Joe

 

-----0-----

 

Peter went out and wept bitterly. ~Luke 22:62

 

Peter had sat in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He had walked on the water to go to Him.  He had lived in the full assurance that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. “We believe and are sure,” he said, “That thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” the words of blood redemption had gone to Peter’s heart from the very lips of Jesus Christ Himself (John.6:88).  Peter had seen the power of the Lord when he spoke to the raging waves of the sea and stilled them – the Lord Jesus saved Peter’s life that day, and Peter knew it too.

 

Now this same Peter has denied the Lord he loved and believed – even cursed and swore he never knew him. Look at him now as he goes off in the darkness sobbing as he goes.  Imagine the guilt and fear that weighed upon his afflicted conscience? Imagine the suggestions from Satan, the prince of darkness, saying to him, “There is no hope for you now.”  Only those who have experienced such a thing know how Satan can work with a guilty conscience to drive it to despair.

 

I am sure Peter thought, as many have since, “There is no way out of this dilemma I find myself in.”  A poor soul like this can despair of ever being recovered. He sank in deep mire where there was no standing. I will tell you this, if Jesus Christ does not make intercession for such a person and strengthen his faith, and send some light into his darkness, Satan will sift him. Those who dream they are a match for Satan’s accusations are ignorant of his devices.

 

Does our Lord Jesus know all this? Of course, he knows. His intercession had already secured Peter, not from falling but from falling away.  Not from bitter weeping but from final despair. Peter had a sad and fearful fall, but he had a fearless and faithful Advocate with the Father.  Peter fell, but just about the time the enemy began to rejoice over him, he rose up again – forgiven and restored.

 

Dear fallen saint, don’t despair.  Maybe you see no way in your present darkness to be restored, but Jesus Christ sees for you. He is the way. Look out of your wet eyes to him. Your heart is aching, but the Lord Jesus feels it. Trust Him. Wait upon Him. Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning.   –Bruce Crabtree

 

-----0-----

 

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. ~2 Corinthians 4.6