December 28 is the day some parts of the church remember the account recorded in Matthew’s Gospel where Herod orders the death of children in order to end the life of Jesus.
The Coventry Carol is based on that awful event.
Here it is sung by Pentatonix.
Song: Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
Welcome:
Call to Worship
Song: Build Your Kingdom Here
Prayer Of Confession
Song: My Faith Looks Up To See
Affirming our Faith: New City Catechism 512
Song: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Bible Reading: Luke 22: 1-38 – Jesus and His disciples observe the Passover, their Last Supper, at which Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, even as Judas plots to betray Him .
Bible Memorisation: The Lord’s Prayer
Song: Hushed Was The Evening Hymn
Bible Reading: 1 John 2:28 – 3:3
Sermon: What Kind Of Love?
Announcements:
Pastoral Prayer:
Closing Blessing
Song: All Glory Be To Christ
Continuing along the twelve days of Christmas here’s In Praise Of Christmas by Loreena McKennitt.
The Gospels contrast the disciples of Jesus who were not consistently clear about what they wanted with those at the margins (like blind Bartimaeus) who were completely focussed on their need.
Jesus keeps asking a question (actually or implied) of those he encounters to help them understand that their present desire was masking their need or was leading them away from understanding their need of God.
From Winn Collier.
…accountability is a Christian buzzword. Designed to aid spiritual formation, the (good) intention is to walk and struggle and live honestly with a spiritual friend who know s our foibles and our mess and loves us toward Jesus anyway. However accountability often devolves into a spiritual lashing, when we attempt to manage our behaviour by the sheer terror of having to ‘fess up. Numerous lists of questions have been designed to serve the accountability process, but they usually tread shallow water, only uncovering external scandalous behaviours: Have I looked at porn this week? Have I used my money wisely? Have I given emotional intimacy with someone other than my husband? However, I have never – not once – seen Jesus’ question make the list: what do I want?
Winn Collier, Holy Curiosity, Baker Books, 2008, pgs 147-148.
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