Sunday Meditation, November 29

The Love of Jesus

Scripture for Meditation: John 11:32-36

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

Prayer of Blessing

Responsive Reading: I Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Prayer of Corporate Confession

Silence for Personal Confession

Assurance of Pardon: John 11:25, 26a

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Response: Thanks be to God.

Ministry of the Word

Transition to Singing

Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.

Hymn of Resurrection: There Is a Hope


Hymn of Emmanuel: Sing We the Song of Emmanuel 

Sing we the song of Emmanuel;
This the Christ who was long foretold.
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem,
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold.
God Most High in a manger laid;
Lift your voices and now proclaim:
Great and glorious, Love has come to us;
Join now with the hosts of heaven.

Come we to welcome Emmanuel;
King who came with no crown or throne.
Helpless He lay, the Invincible,
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son.
O what wisdom to save us all,
Shepherds, sages, before Him fall.
Grace and majesty, what humility;
Come on bended knee, adore Him.

Go spread the news of Emmanuel;
Joy and peace for the weary heart.
Lift up your heads, for your King has come;
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark.
Glory shining for all to see,
Hope alive, let the gospel ring.
God has made a way, He will have the praise;
Tell the world His name is Jesus.

Gloria, Gloria!
Gloria, Gloria!

Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, and Keith Getty
© 2015 Getty Music Publishing (BMI)/Messenger Humns (BMI)/Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP)/Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP)/Townend Songs (PRS) (adm. by MusicServices.org in the US and Canada and by www.songsolutions.org elsewhere in the Word.)

Hymn of Worship: Who Is He in Yonder Stall

 Who is He in yonder stall
At Whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to Whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?

Benjamin R. Hanby, 1833-1867

*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.