Fellow Saints in Christ,

As you already know, due to the potential for hazardous travel many, if not most members of the congregation will not be able to gather for our Lord’s Day public worship. However, the session and I are adamant that we do not want the Lord’s Day to go unnoticed or without guidance and direction for the Church’s regular worship of our Lord. Though we are not gathered together this morning, I hope you will take time to listen to the live streamed preaching this morning, as well as take time to gather with your family (whether that’s just your spouse, or your children as well) and spend time together in scripture, prayer, and song.

Husbands and fathers, it is our Christ given duty and obligation to lead our household in discipleship and spiritual growth. I strongly encourage you to lead the family in a time of devotion and worship today. If you have an established family worship routine or habit, then please continue in whatever your household is already doing. If the concept of family worship is new to you then I encourage you to use the following scriptures and prayer.

First, as you begin family worship, consider God’s word as it calls us to worship the Lord and to recognize our need of Him.

With your family, read

Psalm 95

Pray that the Lord would bless your time together in worship as you consider his truth and look to his word.

Sing the doxology together. (you are family… no one cares how well you sing…)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Next you can recite the Apostle’s creed together and even speak or reflect on the realities of what we believe as the people of Christ’s church.

 I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.

(*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places)

Confess your sin together using the corporate confession provided below.

  Almighty and most merciful Father, we are thankful that your mercy is higher than the heavens, wider than our wanderings, deeper than all our sin.
Forgive our careless attitudes toward your purposes, our refusal to relieve the suffering of others, our envy of those who have more than we have, our obsession with creating a life of constant pleasure, our indifference to the treasures of heaven, our neglect of your wise and gracious law. Help us to change our way of life so that we may desire what is good, love what you love, and do what you command, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon Acts 13:38-39

Spend time in God’s word.

Since I desire the whole congregation to be gathered for our next chapter in Joshua, I will be preaching on Numbers 14 this Lord’s Day. The events of this chapter took place 40 years prior to Joshua’s command over Israel. Ultimately, Numbers 14 shows us the consequences of rebellion against God after the people follow the wicked fears and faithlessness of the 10 wicked spies who saw the promised land yet brought back a “bad report”. As we hear from this chapter of God’s word, look for the realities of A Petulant People, Just Judgement, God’s Grace, and The Foolishness of a “Faithful” Façade.

Close your time together in prayer. It is a great practice to try praying the Lord’s prayer together, of course your prayer does not have to be limited just to those words.

I have included a few links to great hymn videos below.

Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3gUa916Cgk

My Song is Love Unknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCTb1id2GnI&list=PLpY1Z3mhtX40qxMQo2WsWndcjaW58iPc

Beloved and Blessed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAjMURgZ7-8&list=PLpY1Z3mhtX40x-RKZ65gOrCRH_OoSgEnY

Whate’er My God Ordains is Right

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8MU9UVd8Yc&list=PLpY1Z3mhtX40Amh58DASPPetcMv3CgIjk&index=7

Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atc3AHLNp-0&list=PLpY1Z3mhtX40Amh58DASPPetcMv3CgIjk&index=20

O The Blood of Jesus Medley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDkAFf0huSo&list=RDaDkAFf0huSo&start_radio=1

The Love of God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojTQzJ3CBW0&list=RDojTQzJ3CBW0&start_radio=1

Rock of Ages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTAN80ZB1TU

 Trust and Obey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSCxfnN2B8&list=RDIrSCxfnN2B8&start_radio=1

I will miss seeing you all in the Lord’s house this coming Lord’s Day morning, but I pray your time in the word, prayer, and perhaps even song will be a time of praise, edification, and devotion. I am looking forward to gathering with you all again next Sunday! 

 In the Love and Grace of Christ our Lord,

Pastor Boone