Over the next several weeks we’ll be studying Habakkuk in preparation for celebrating Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday). Why Habakkuk? We’ll I have a few thoughts over at Twentystone, and I’ll be posting more comments and links to resources I’m using to help understand and apply this little-known prophet with the funny name.

For a literary context, (that is to understand how to read it), you should keep in mind that there are three sections: part one: 1:1-11, part two: 1:12-2:20, and part three: chapter 3; and there is a time span of several years between sections 1 and 2. For an historical context, you could read 2 Kings 23-24 and 2 Chronicles 36.

For additional help this week, check out the Heidelberg Catechism for this week: “he saves us from our sins” — that has really helped me today.

PREPARATION

Prelude Come Thou Fount

Welcome and Announcements

Heidelberg Catechism – Day 11

• Q29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “savior”?
• A. Because he saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
• Q30. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus?
• A. No. Although they boast of being his, by their deeds they deny the only savior and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation.

PRAISE

Call to Worship: Psalm 65 (Responsive Reading)

Ministry of Song

• Wonderful, Merciful Savior
• It is Well

Giving Our Tithes and Offerings

• Sweet Mercies

Welcoming One Another: Children are dismissed; K-5th Grade go to Children’s Worship

RENEWAL

Ministry of Prayer: Corporate, Pastoral Prayer, and Lord’s Prayer: Don Bechtold

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-2:1

Ministry of the Word: Randy Edwards

RESPONSE

• Just As I Am (retuned version)
  
• Jesus Paid It All

Benediction

It looks to be a beautiful weekend, and there’s a lot going on!

The Grace House Preschool Consignment Sale continues this evening from 4-6pm and tomorrow from 9 til 1pm. This looks to be one of the best years so far.

Middle Schoolers depart for their Spring Retreat: Fear Factor at 6pm from the church parking lot.

And on Sunday, we are priviledged to have with us good friend, Tim Brieaddy who will be sharing with us a new ministry in Waughtown and God’s word from Isaiah 58. Additionally, we will have special guest, Men of Grace, who will be leading us in worship. And if that wasn’t enough,  we’ll wrap up the morning showing hospitality to our guests and friends we’ve invited with Friendship Sunday, a covered dish potluck lunch.

Join us for Sunday, but don’t forget to set your clocks ahead Saturday Night. 10:30 am will feel a little earlier.

If you weren’t able to be with us the last time Men of Grace came, here’s a look-see.

Attached is Sunday’s Bulletin. If including this on the website is helpful, let us know. We’re still experimenting and will continue to update and make changes for a few more weeks.

Regarding the order of worship, we will call one another to worship with Isaiah 40:25-31 which reads,

‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

As you prepare your heart for our gathered worship, remember his promises which we will recall in the Heidelberg Catechism that he will turn to our good whatever adversity he sends us in this sad world. The catechism goes on to say, “He is able to do this because he is almighty God; he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.” That really helps me.