Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! —2 Corinthians 9:15 This morning, along with the rest of the Western church, we remember the events of the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. Known as Whitsunday in the English-speaking world, this celebration focuses on the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church. Red is used on the bulletin…
Today, we observe Ascension Sunday, perhaps the most neglected of the “five evangelical feasts” which are celebrated in most Christian traditions (along with Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, and Pentecost). This day marks the commemoration of the events of Acts 1:6-11 when Jesus completed His earthly ministry by ascending into Heaven and sitting down at the right hand of the Father.…
Isn’t it wonderful how often God gives the gift of His love wrapped in people? There’s a great example of this in the sermon text, where Paul describes his zeal to care for the Corinthians, and how they in turn should care for Titus. Likewise, the hymns in this morning’s service reflect on God’s care for us and call us…
Even if you have been coming to Parish for a while, you may not often read the small text under the header of each section in the bulletin that gives some explanation for the various elements of worship. At the top of page 10, you’ll find these words: “Our praying, serving, and giving are essential aspects of worship. It is…
This morning’s service draws our attention to the relationship of joy, comfort, and affliction in the Christian life. We are invited into worship with a passage from 1 Thessalonians, which implores us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” The opening two hymns both call us to “join in glad adoration” and “Rejoice in [our] King”—but…
G.K. Chesterton was once asked what was wrong with the world, and he responded, “Dear Sirs, I am.” Chesterton is in good company. In the gospel invitation this morning from 1 Timothy, Paul competes with Chesterton saying, “Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Each of us could submit an application for the…
The elements in this morning’s service point us to the extravagance of God’s grace in our lives—both the abundance and the totality of the undeserved blessings He gives. Jesus Shall Reign and All People That On Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 speak of Christ’s kingdom reaching from “shore to shore,” compelling the praise of “all people.” The Call to Worship from…
The very first promise of redemption comes immediately after the Fall of Adam and Even in the Garden. There, God declares that the “seed of the woman” would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Genesis 3:15). In the earliest churches, this great promise was artistically represented by mosaics of dragons on floors—upon which everyone in the congregation could step and…
The palm tree and palm leaves appear again and again throughout the Bible as symbols of integrity, honor, righteousness, holiness, godly authority, and royal glory. The palm was used in the carved decorations of the temple, usually associated with the Cherubim, but also with the regal lion and the flower in full bloom. In addition though, throughout the entire ancient…
Psalms of imprecation, a subset of the larger category of lament, are psalms in which the speaker speaks a curse on the enemies of God. Pastor Sean McGowan in his book Psalms That Curse: A Brief Primer points out that these psalms often make the modern church uncomfortable—and none more than Psalm 137, which we’ve been singing these last five…