Gathering Around the Word
Prelude: Carol Smith Announcements: CALL TO WORSHIP: The Lord is good and kind. Even when we turn and run. He welcomes us home. He is a good Father. Slow to anger, refining us in His reproof of our sin, and quick to forgive. Who is like the Lord our God? No one is like Him. All of His ways are good and just even when ours are not. We give our hearts, not just our words and deeds to the Lord today. God is jealous and takes pity on His people. Worship today our Lord, our King, our Father. . INVOCATION
*HYMN: “Why Should I Feel Discouraged? # 661
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Father, we know that it is easy to say that we trust and follow You when it requires very little of us. If all that faithfulness required was going to church or dropping some money in a collection plate, we could get behind that. But when we learn that You require all of us, all of our heart, our affection, our trust, our time, our works, we draw the line. We choose to give other things that should be given to You and still claim to love You. Forgive us for having misaligned priorities and devotion. Forgive us for withholding parts of ourselves that ought to be given to You. Call us back to You and to greater faithfulness. Amen *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri # 581 Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of illumination Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1: 4-10 Kirkland Cipoletti Sermon text: Joel 2: 12-21 : *HYMN “Will You Come and Follow Me” # 726 *Apostles Creed (next to Prayer List) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayer of the people The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit” # 408 Benediction Postlude Carol Smith
BIRTHDAYS:
Amy Hickman, David Gill, Bryan Welling ANNIVERSARIES: None this week SYMPATHIES: To the Family of Eileen Hatfield Cousin of the Durila’s Remember our food collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. Just a reminder that church services will be back to 11:15 starting March 3rd. This prayer listing is for those who have unspoken prayers on Sundays. You will not be forgotten to be prayed for!!
Continuing Prayer List
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Ricci Amos, Fred Wilkinson, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Judy Donaldson, Donna West, Helen Provenzano, Doug Ward, Marlene McFeely, Marley Smith, Suzy Smith, Carol Pierce, Chuck Harton, Frank Baker, Johnny Yurko, Mike Durila, Betty Fisher, Tim Knabenshue, Beckett, Grandson of Scott Shetter, Kayla Horner, Step Granddaughter of Cheryl Bell, Stella Crothers, Lori Patterson, Ron Poznick, Jim King, Mary Stoey, Unspoken prayers,
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Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet together in person, we share joys and concerns together. If you have any prayer requests to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started.
We confess that we don't have all the answers. You alone have the answers and know our futures. In our lives, Lord, show us a peace that passes all understanding when we face uncertainty. Help us to remember that you love us, provide for us, and guide us by Your perfect will. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Habakkuk 2:1-5.
Faced with unjust behavior of Judah's enemies, the prophet Habakkuk questioned the Lord. Habakkuk wondered whether the Lord heard his questions or if the Lord had left the conversation altogether. We know nothing regarding the exact details of the life of Habakkuk. With the events mentioned in this book Habakkuk likely served sometime during the last decade of the seventh century BC; that would be during the reign of evil King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC).
Following the split of Israel into two kingdoms in about 931 BC things went pretty much downhill for both. The kingdoms of Israel (10 tribes to the north) and Judah (2 tribes to the south). The Assyrians conquered and exiled the northern tribes in 722 BC. About a century later the Babylonian Empire became the regional superpower after defeating the Assyrians and Egyptians at the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. King Josiah of Judah unwisely interfered, contributing to the Babylonian victory; Josiah's action also cost him his life. (2 Chronicles 35: 20-27) Just as Habakkuk 1:6 promised, Babylonian force invaded Judah and overthrew its king. For a few years, Judah's kings served as vassals to the Babylonians. However, this arrangement didn't last. During the final year of the reign of King Zedekiah (587 BC) Jerusalem and the kingdom fell to the Babylonians after about a decade of conflict. This places Habakkuk as a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. Both prophets received a warning that the people of Jerusalem would face dire consequences because of sinful behavior. An outline of the book of Habakkuk reveals a conversation between the prophet and the Lord. Two sections of the book consist of the prophet's questions to the Lord. Following each round of inquiry, the Lord responded. In Habakkuk's first section of questioning, he expressed discontent that the Lord had seemingly not heard the prophet's call for correction of sin. In his complaint, the prophet's conclusion for this uncorrected state of affairs was that “the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails”. The Lord answered that he was going to use the Babylonians to punish Judah. This response left Habakkuk even more confused. In his lengthy rejoinder, the prophet asked why the Lord would use a less-righteous nation. Today's text picks up at the very end of Habakkuk's second complaint. In the first verse the prophet shifts from questioning the Lord to waiting for the Lord's response. When people call out to the Lord, the timing of his response is always perfect, but it is not always as fast as we desire. Habakkuk himself has been impatient in this regard. Habakkuk had no idea how long it would take. In this determined concentration, the prophet envisioned himself as a lookout who would stand at his watch as he performed the duty of a person responsible for sounding an early warning of something that was approaching. The Old Testament prophets were spiritual lookouts for the people they served. The prophets were to proclaim the arrival of the Lord's reign (Isaiah 52:8-10) and warn the people of the consequences of their disobedience (example Jeremiah 6:17). In most cases, the people failed to heed the warning of these prophetic watchmen. But if their failure to heed was due to the prophet's failure to warn, then the prophet would be accountable. The Lord replied to Habakkuk's complaints and told him to write it on tablets which would be almost permanent. When prophets wrote messages from the Lord they frequently did so on rolls (scrolls) of papyrus which would be fragile and could be burned. The same could not be said of stone. Habakkuk got his response but had to wait for its fulfillment. God's promise would eventually be fulfilled, but not on a timetable that Habakkuk desired. We frequently become impatient when we have to wait. Rather than wait for God to act, we may take steps to expedite God's promise. Rather than see God as patient we interpret God's silence as his refusal to act or hear. Habakkuk needed to trust that the Lord would respond to wickedness in the Lord's own time and manner. The Lord's message distinguishes two types of people. The first type is the person who is puffed up with self-assured pride and arrogance. Such a perspective was indicative of Judah's enemies during this time. The military strength of the Babylonians was undeniable, leading them to count their power as a god. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar saw the expanse of the kingdom as the result of his power. Even as the Lord raised the Babylonians to conquer Judah, he acknowledged their pride. Such people will face dramatic consequences. (see Leviticus 26:19: Luke 18:14) The second type - the righteous – lives with an entirely different outlook, one of faithfulness. Their lives are grounded in righteousness. Such a person follows God's standards regarding their relationships with God and others. This person lives with integrity and without blame for wrongdoing. Psalm 15, attributed to King David, depicts the mindset and behavior of a righteous person. This type of person speaks well of others, keeps a trustworthy word and treats others fairly. God expresses great pleasure when his people live justly and righteously. This is because his nature is righteousness: and his rule over creation is one of justice. The Hebrew word translated faithfulness is also translated as “truth” in Jeremiah 5. To be a person of faith goes hand in hand with being a person of truth. Unfaithful people depart from the truth. In the book of Habakkuk, God calls his people to have faith in the truth of his plans, even when those plans seem unbelievable. Although the Babylonians would prosper for a time by placing faith in themselves, the people of Judah were to depend on the Lord. The apostle Paul connected the concepts of truth and faithfulness in applying them to his ministry as an apostle (1 Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:1) we must proclaim truth and live with faithfulness as we follow God and trust him. Elsewhere, Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4b in explaining the nature of the gospel with regard to righteousness, which is a characteristic of God that is to be ours as well. (Romans 1:16-17) To be righteous is to do what is right in God's eyes but it can't be based on mere good behavior. Instead, a right standing before God is imputed on the basis of faith. Paul quotes Habakkuk in Galatians 3:11-14. In a section of Hebrews that teaches the importance of the perseverance of faith, quotes from a portion of Habakkuk 2:3: ”For, in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith:” We live by faith because we can trust that God will also be faithful to his promise. Babylon's military successes made them want more military conquest. The Bible addresses the dangers of pride and arrogance more than 200 times. Arrogant, prideful people always incur God's disfavor. Such prideful behavior will not go unpunished. God will reverse selfish ambition. In response to the arrogance and destructive behavior of Judah's enemies, the Lord predicts punishment in terms of five sets of “woe”. Although Judah was to suffer for its arrogant disobedience, its prideful and arrogant enemies would also experience a downfall equally devastating, if not more so.
Conclusion – Questioning God
Is it OK to question God's (apparent) actions or inactions? The dependable answer is, “It depends”. We see God tolerating, even welcoming questions in numerous places. (Examples: Judges 20:18; James 1:5; 4:2) One thing God does not tolerate, however, are inquiries that question his justice (see Job 40:8; Ezekiel 18:25-29; Jeremiah 2:29) The prophet Habakkuk came close to doing that. Consider the following thumbnail sketch of the book: Question 1: Why do you, O God, tolerate the sins of your people? Response 1: Don't worry about it – I'm sending the Babylonians to punish them. Question 2 : How is it fair to use the less-righteous to punish the more-righteous? Response 2: Don't worry about it-the Babylonians will get theirs too. God's ending of the discussion: Be quiet! When our suffering does not seem “fair” there are a lot of questions we might naturally ask. God was under no obligation to answer Habakkuk's questions and he is not obligated to answer ours. Habakkuk needed faith to trust the Lord's plans, regardless of whether or not those plans made human sense. God reminded Habakkuk that a life of faithfulness was most important. And the faith we are talking about isn't “blind faith”- a faith where one merely believes. Instead, the faith we are talking about is a faith based on evidence. God has a long track record of faithfulness to his promises. Upon that track record is where our faith is based. Such faith trusts God's control in all circumstances. As a result, we can be secure in him, regardless of whether or not we understand his plans.
Prayer
God, as we face life's hardship and want to question you, help us have the confidence of faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the Legacy Standard Bible.
Next week, we will begin our spring quarter, with the topic Examining our Faith. We will be switching back to Sunday School before the worship service.
The lesson next week will be on Jude 17-25.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude: Announcements: CALL TO WORSHIP: Create in us a clean heart, O God; Put a new and right spirit within us. Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your steadfast love; According to Your abundant mercy blot out our transgressions. Create in us a clean heart, O God; put a new and right spirit6 within us. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God; Put a new and right spirit within us. Come, worship today the God and King that alone is able to pardon our sin and give us new life. INVOCATION
*HYMN: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” # 39
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Father, we know our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us. Against You, You alone, have we sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight. Create in us a clean heart, O God; put a new and right spirit within us. Turn our hearts from loving the things of the world and a love of running from You and call us back, in repentance to love You with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Amen *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri # 581 Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of illumination Scripture Reading: Genesis 9: 8–17 Debbie Mary Sermon text: Philippians 3: 1-14 : *HYMN “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” # 275 *Apostles Creed (next to Prayer List) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayer of the people The Lord’s Prayer INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE “Let Us “Break Bread Together # 525 Communion “Alleluia” (1 verse) INVOCATION “A Hymn of Joy we ‘Sing” (see insert) Benediction Postlude
BIRTHDAYS: Butch Ward, James O’Hara, Gavin Hathaway
ANNIVERSARIES: None this week SYMPATHIES: To Family of Chase Johnson Co-worker of Susie Cummings Today will be the first Lenten service at Upper Buffalo at 4 pm. Remember our food collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. Missionary meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20th at 9:30 a.m. We are hosting the Lenten service on February 25th at 4p.m. There will be refreshments in the social hall after the service. Just a reminder that church services will be back to 11:15 starting March 3rd. This prayer listing is for those who have unspoken prayers on Sundays. You will not be forgotten to be prayed for!!
Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
Lord, we confess that you are with us and that you have the power to help us in every situation. Yet we often get so caught up in the busyness of our daily lives that we fail to pray or we approach you only with shallow and selfish prayers.
Give our relationship with you the depth and consistency of Daniel, who could not stop praying any more than he could stop breathing. Help us to rely on you for every moment of our lives, in good times and in struggles. For we ask it in Christ’s name. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Daniel 6:10-11, 14, 16, 19-23, 26-27. You can also read it with all of the skipped verses here.
Lesson context
Several years have passed since the events of last week’s lesson, when God protected the lives of three faithful Jewish exiles from a fiery furnace. In the meantime, the Persian Empire has arisen and replaced the Babylonians. As our lesson begins, a Persian king named Darius has appointed 120 “satraps,” who were subordinate provincial officials under the authority of three administrators, including Daniel. The king preferred Daniel and planned to give him authority over the entire kingdom, but this led to envy among Daniel’s peers. Therefore, they schemed against him. When they couldn’t find any fault in Daniel’s work on behalf of the king, they developed a trap from which even Darius would not be able to release Daniel. Since Daniel was trustworthy and was not corrupt or negligent, the schemers realized their plan had to pit Daniel’s loyalty to the king against his loyalty to God. Knowing that Daniel prayed to God faithfully each day, they encouraged the king to announce a decree that anyone who prayed to any deity or man except the king for 30 days would be thrown into a den of lions. Darius did so.
Violation and consequence (Verses 10-11, 14, 16)
Despite the decree, Daniel continued to pray as always, and his peers soon reported him to the king. The Law of Moses commanded people to remember God’s commands daily. At the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the Lord commanded the people to pray toward Jerusalem and the temple during times of distress. However, there was no command to kneel and pray three times a day. This was a part of Daniel’s personal spiritual routine, and he would do it regardless of the consequences. As a group, the men went to find Daniel praying and asking God for help. When the king learned about it, he was distressed and made every effort to save him. However, the officials reminded him of his decree and how Daniel had violated it. Darius realized he had been manipulated because of envy and selfishness. The king had been naive and had failed to see that he was being used as a pawn in the plot. Instead of being angered by Daniel’s disobedience, he was displeased with himself. A similar thing happens in the book of Esther, when a Persian king issues a decree that he cannot revoke. Because there is no non-biblical reference to such laws, the exact stipulations are unknown. However, it seems that it was impossible even for the king himself to reverse his decree. As required, the king gave the order for the consequences to be carried out. According to the lesson, an excavated Assyrian relief dating to the seventh century BC depicts Assyrian royals hunting lions for sport. Such lions were kept in dens before being released into an arena for “hunting.” The Assyrians practiced a form of polytheism, believing in many gods, but Darius recognized that Daniel prayed to one God. Although some think believe the king was speaking with skepticism or even sarcasm, It seems most likely that the king sincerely wanted Daniel’s God to rescue him and believed God could do it. His faith contrasts with that of Nebuchadnezzar in the previous lesson. In that story, the king doubted that any god could rescue the three men from the furnace. Only after seeing it for himself did he admit that “no other god can save in this way.”
Release and vindication (Verses 19-23, 26-27)
Although not a part of the printed lesson, the Bible says that the mouth of the den was sealed with a stone, secured by the king’s own signet, and that the king spent the night without eating, without entertainment and without sleep. It is clear that the king is fully invested in Daniel’s plight. Therefore, at first light he rushes to the lions’ den, knowing that the only way Daniel could survive was by God’s intervention. As he approaches the den, Darius calls out, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, who you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” The words are important. Darius is gaining a deeper understanding that Daniel’s God is a living God who is able to intervene in human situations, unlike the so-called gods of the Assyrians. Even though Daniel came to the perilous situation because of the king’s lack of insight, Daniel did not disrespect or hold a grudge against Darius. “May the king live forever!” he responded. This is the first and only time in the book that a Jewish person greets a king in this way. Daniel testifies that God sent an angel who shut the lions’ mouths and that God did this because God found Daniel innocent. This does not mean that Daniel was perfect but only that he tried to follow God’s laws and to serve the king faithfully. The king’s anxiety turns to joy and gladness over Daniel’s condition. Daniel did not have a wound on him, and it was because he trusted in God. This does not imply that faithfulness obligates God to save believers from death. Some believers have experienced martyrdom, but all who remain faithful are promised eternal rewards. In either case, public displays of faithfulness have a transforming influence on the community. This was true in Daniel’s case. Darius issues a decree that the entire kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel
Conclusion
Public confessions model something meaningful for today’s Christians. It’s easy to think of “confession: as an admission of sin, especially in a lurid, tell-all fashion. But that is not what the word means when describing the texts in Daniel. Here, the confession tells good news. The Lord chose to deliver Daniel, which resulted in the king’s surprising new edict. Daniel’s confession what happened with the lions and the king’s reaction reoriented both the characters in the story and those reading about them to a larger truth. God’s reign is both eternal and full of goodness. God’s loyalty to his people reflects God’s divine character and the large-scale divine plan to redeem humanity. Daniel knew that, and eventually, so did Darius. So do we. The church continues to confess its sins but also God’s redemption. Our life of celebration begins where Darius ended his learning experience. By repeatedly confessing God’s goodness, we bring those outside within hearing distance of the gospel itself. Daniel did so by his faithfulness in this story, and we do so too when we confess the gospel of our salvation.
Prayer
Living God, you care for your people and have promised to be with us no matter what we face. Give us the courage to face adversity and maintain faithfulness to you. Help us behave with mercy to those who have sought to harm us. Show us how to follow you in a manner that brings other people closer to you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Revised Standard Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Habakkuk 2:1-5.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude: Announcements: CALL TO WORSHIP: What confidence do we have on our own? None. All our works, all our deeds, as good as they may seem to us are as dirty rags before a perfect God. If the record of our deeds leaves us nothing but ashamed, what hope is there? Our hope is in Jesus. Our confidence is in Jesus. When He returns we will not be ashamed but will stand upon what He has accomplished. Come and worship our God today! Remember what He has done and remember all that is ours because of Him. INVOCATION
*HYMN: “Rejoice, the Lord is King” # 363
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Father, You call us to obedience and to turn from sin. We know that when we are born again we are meant to have reborn desires and actions. We know that to love You ought to mean that we love Your ways and Your commands. To love the people made in Your image. However, we fall short of this every day. Your Spirit works to change our hearts, but we try so hard to harden them again. Have mercy on us and forgive us. We know that we have sinned, and we know that we will again. Yet we trust that You are still working in us, sanctifying us, and making us holy like You are holy. Help us to not hold onto the guilt that sin produces but to cling to the grace we find in Jesus. AMEN *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri # 581 Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of illumination Scripture Reading: Isaiah 64: 4-12 Debbie Mary Sermon text: 1 John 2: 28-29 : *HYMN “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” # 65 *Apostles Creed (next to Prayer List) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN “Shall We Gather at the River” # 375 Benediction Postlude
BIRTHDAYS:
February None this week ANNIVERSARIES: February 12 John & Lois Miller 13 Frank & Nellie Baker 14 Dana & Billie Wilson SYMPATHIES: For the Family of Vince Knotts, Neighbor of Janet Rhodes. For the Family of Dennis Guthrie Friend of Barb O’Hara Remember our food collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. Session meeting this Monday night at 7p.m. Missionary meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20th at 9:30 a.m. Women on Wednesday will be meeting on February 14th at 9:30 a.m. Sunday the 18th will be Communion Sunday. We are hosting the Lenten service on February 25th at 4p.m. There will be refreshments in the social hall after the service. Just a reminder that church services will be back to 11:15 starting March 3rd.
Continuing Prayer List
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman,Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Ricci Amos, Fred Wilkinson, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Judy Donaldson, Donna West, Helen Provenzano, Doug Ward, Marlene McFeely, Marley Smith, Suzy Smith, Carol Pierce, Chuck Harton, Frank Baker, Holly Liggitt (6 yrs. old), granddaughter of Debbie Durila, Johnny Yurko, Mike Durila, Betty Fisher, Seth Cummings, Beckett, Grandson of Scott Shetter, Kayla Horner, Step Granddaughter of Cheryl Bell
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take time to share any joys or concerns we may have. If you have any prayer requests to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Dear Father in heaven, please give me the same kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated! When adversity, persecution, ridicule, and ostracism come, I want my faith to stand up to the test. Thank you, dear Father, for giving me the Bible, which is my book of heroes who stood their ground and kept their faith, especially under fire. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Daniel 3:19-28.
Lesson Context
The book of Daniel takes place during the exile in Babylon. People were deported from Judah from 605 BC to 586 BC when Judah fell. Among the deported were talented young men selected for their fitness for service to the Babylonian king. The book describes the wisdom of Daniel and his friends as they lived and served in Babylon. The men's position required a demonstration of some loyalty to the Babylonian king. An example of this was their change in name (Daniel 1:6-7). The book of Daniel is preserved in two different languages. Part of the book is in Hebrew, while the other is in Aramaic, for the Gentile empires. Today's story comes from the portion in Aramaic. Before our text begins, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, erected a large image of gold. It was probably located several miles south of the city of Babylon. Royal subjects, advisors, and kingdom officials arrived for the image's dedication ceremony and to worship it. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego refused to worship the image. As punishment, they were thrown into a blazing furnace to be executed.
Royal Anger (verses 19-23)
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious! He ordered his trusted advisors to be thrown into the furnace. Because he was so angry, he ordered the furnace to be as hot as it could get. The best, strongest soldiers carried Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego to the furnace. The men probably had flammable, Persian-style clothing on. They were bound and thrown down in. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers carrying the Jewish men were burned up in the flames.
Divine Presence (verses 24-28)
Throughout the book of Daniel, the leaders in Babylon reacted with fear and amazement when God demonstrated miraculous power. Nebuchadnezzar's response continues the trend. He intended to execute three Jewish men. Instead, he was amazed to see four men walking around in the furnace, completely unharmed. We are not really sure who or what the fourth man was. This man may have been a pre-incarnate version of Christ, or an angelic presence. Nebuchadnezzar interpreted the vision as "like a son of the gods," probably based on the pagan pantheon of gods he was accustomed to. This divine presence was sent by God to protect his people. The king realized that they were protected by the most high God. He acknowledged the superiority of the God of Israel. However, he still accepted other pagan gods. Everyone in the king's service was amazed when Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego walked out of the furnace. The last verse of our lesson is a summary. Nebuchadnezzar saw God's miraculous work of deliverance. As a result, the king proclaimed that God be praised. The king changed his word and acknowledged that God's power to save was unparalleled. Eventually, the king will totally and completely worship the one true God (Daniel 4:34-37).
Conclusion
Two options face believers when we experience the testing of our faith. One possibility is that we succumb to the testing. The other option is to maintain faithfulness to God, despite the testing. Even when faced with death, the men in today's passage chose the latter option. Their faith in God provided the courage they needed to withstand the testing and resist committing evil. Although we may never experience the same testing, all believers will likely experience some amount of testing of our faith. God is faithful to his people, even when they are tested. When we face these experiences, we can have trust and respond with faithfulness to him.
Prayer
Most high God, you are the one true God. You are faithful to your people, and you continue to show your faithfulness to us. Through your Spirit, fortify our faith and trust so we can continue to resist the temptation to worship other "gods" -- large and small. Show us how we might support other believers in their trials of faith. Give us encouragement and strength no matter where you have called us. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the Message.
Next week's lesson will be on Daniel 6:10-11, 14, 16, 19-23, 26-27.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude: Announcements: CALL TO WORSHIP: God teaches us what is right, what is true. We have heard the truth and we believe the truth, that the only way to know the Father is through the Son by the Spirit’s teaching. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. We will abide in the truth just as God abides with us. Praise God for such a gift freely given to us. Praise Him for the promise of eternal life. Worship Him today for He alone is worthy to receive the worship of every heart. INVOCATION
*HYMN: “When Morning Gilds the Skies” # 667
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Father, You have taught us what is truth, that if we are to know God then we must abide in Your Son, the Lord Jesus. We know what He has done, how He died in our place, and we know that we receive all the benefits of Jesus’ work through faith. And yet, even after hearing this wonderful news, we elevate the things of this world to receive our worship and adoration when only You are deserving. Our hearts and minds go astray. We choose pride over submitting to Your will. Forgive us for abiding in the world instead of abiding in You. Have mercy and be gracious to us. Remind us today that our only hope of fellowship with God isn’t through our works or any of the things promoted by the world but by trusting in the Lord Jesus. In the name of Your Son we pray, AMEN *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri # 581 *Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of illumination Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 13: 1–11 Sermon text: 1 John 2:18 27 : *HYMN “Sing Praises to God Who Reigns Above” # 645 *Apostles Creed (next to Prayer List) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the people The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” # 353 Benediction *Postlude
BIRTHDAYS: Cheryl Bell, Debbie Mary, Allana McCoy
ANNIVERSARIES: None this week SYMPATHIES: To the Family of Helen Bury Mom of Debbie Mary’s friend Remember our food collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. Prayers are needed for Johnny Yurko. He has Down’s Syndrome and has been in hospital for a month, Found cancer on his liver. He goes to special class at Canon-Mac. Asking for prayer for Vince Knotts. Neighbor of Janet Rhodes that had a stroke on way to Pittsburgh. Thinking it is a bad one. Mike Durila needs are prayers also. They found Mike has a leaking valve and are hoping to correct it with medication.
Continuing Prayer List
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Ricci Amos, Fred Wilkinson, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Judy Donaldson, Donna West, Helen Provenzano, Doug Ward Marlene McFeely, Marley Smith, Suzy Smith, Carol Pierce, Chuck Harton, Frank Baker, Holly Liggitt (6 yrs. old) granddaughter of Debbie Durila, Johnny Yurko, Vince Knotts, Mike Durila, Helen Bury
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take time to share prayer requests we might have. If you have any to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
O Lord, thank you for sustaining me through the hard times in my life. Thank you for helping me soar, doing things for you that I never dreamed I could accomplish. Father, thank you for blessing me during the everyday comings and goings of life. I depend upon you for help and strength. For every good thing in my life I praise you and thank you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Isaiah 40:12-23, 25-31.
The New Testament tells us that God spoke through the prophets. Prophets were fearless men whose main duty was to deal with the religious and moral life of the people. The keynote of Isaiah is “salvation.” Isaiah means “salvation of Jehovah.” At the time of Isaiah, Israel was divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdom. Isaiah spoke to Judah. He also portrays the birth, family, anointing, character, simplicity of life, gentleness, death, resurrection and his glorious return and reign of the coming Messiah. Isaiah was a man of royal blood. He was an aristocrat who was brought up in the court and had high standing with the people of Jerusalem. Tradition tells us that his ministry as a prophet lasted 60 years and he was 120 years old when he died.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for the record left to us by the prophet Isaiah! May we realize fully that, with the New Testament, we now have immeasurably more insight into your nature than Isaiah did! Help us to take neither you nor your Word for granted. Renew our strength as only you are able to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Thought to Remember There is never any power shortage with God.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New King James Version.
Next week's lesson will be on Daniel 3:19-28.
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