Sunday, September 15, 10:00 am worship
We all know the sound of these words whispered in the darkest parts of our minds, "I don't belong, I am not good enough, I have failed so badly this time I will never be able to recover." What do you do to cope? Can you remember the moment, the first time, when you came face to face with that person you had failed or had wronged so badly? Your heart racing. Your stomach churning. Your mouth dry. Your words escaping you. What would they say? What would they do? You have nowhere to hide and you are in their hands.
This Sunday we begin our fall preaching series, Portraits from the Prophets, where we will look at each book of the minor prophets in the Hebrew scriptures. These often neglected books of the bible contain stirring and important pictures of God that will deepen our love for him, and our understanding of such a wonderful Father and King.
We begin with Hosea. A prophet called by God to marry a woman who would find other men more attractive and cheat on him. A woman who would have children by other men and pass them off as Hosea's. A woman who would leave him. God meant this to be a picture of his relationship with his people. What would God say? What would God do when he caught up with his adulterous spouse? What is he going to do with us who have rejected him in favor of others so many times?
God has given us the book of Hosea because we need to know and experience the redeeming love of God that outstrips our capacity to comprehend. God loves you more than you can imagine.
I can't wait to worship together.
Pastor David P.S. We have updated our worship bulletin. The new Order of Worship is designed to aid you in your worship, and especially help people unfamiliar with our liturgy feel comfortable and learn the reasons behind why we do what we do. Click here (link to: url for 9/15/13 order of worship) to see the updated design.
The main theme of the book of Hosea revolves around adultery. The sermon will not be sexually explicit, but will include references to sex, adultery, and prostitution. If you would like help in how to explain and talk about these themes to your children don't hesitate to contact me.