BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH Ash Wednesday Meditations March 1, 2017 8:30 a.m. Theme: The Virtue of Humility ORDER OF WORSHIP Worship Leader Discussion Moderator: Deacon Victor Anderson Deacon Lorence Brown Praise & Worship [led by Praise Team] Statement of Purpose Leader: Sisters and Brothers, we have come together at the beginning of this Sacred Season of Lent, with penitent, grateful and hopeful hearts. We have come together with one common intent and purpose, to present ourselves individually and collectively, with our shared need to examine, consider and recommit our lives to our True and Living God Father, Son and Holy Spirit; not just for today, or for the season, but for all the days, months and years of our life to come. ALL: Lord, today, in your mercy, grace and power, we are set to speak truthfully of your goodness as we have never done before and as of now, never to cease doing so, with the help of your Spirit. We are set to listen to you keenly and discerningly as we have never done before and as of ow, never to cease doing so, with the help of your Spirit. We are set to have you shape and form our lives in and according to your timing and your will as we have never done before, and as of now, never to cease doing so, with the help of your Spirit. Hymn - Meekness and Majesty Meekness and majesty manhood and Deity In perfect harmony the man who is God Lord of eternity dwells in humanity Kneels in humility and washes our feet CHORUS: O what a mystery, Meekness and majesty Bow down and worship For this is your God, this is your God Prayer 2. Father's pure radiance, perfect in innocence Yet learns obedience to death on a cross Suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice And as they crucify, - prays 'Father forgive' 3. Wisdom unsearchable God the invisible Love indestructible In frailty appears Lord of infinity, - stooping so tenderly Lifts our humanity to the heights of His throne [ Graham Kendrick] Welcome and Directions 1
Song - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet When I feel afraid, and think I ve lost my way, and a light unto my path. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Scripture Reading Psalm 118: 1-9 still You re there right beside me. Nothing will I fear as long as You are near Please be near me to the end. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet Song Bless Thy Word unto our hearts and glorify Thy Name Bless Thy Word unto our hearts and glorify Thy Name. Glorify Thy Name, Lord, glorify Thy Name. Bless Thy Word unto our hearts and glorify Thy Name. Reflection Humility and Gratitude Deacon Denise Forrest Brief Period of silence Prayer together - Lord, help me to overcome periods of dryness and emptiness that so often numb my mind and still my tongue from thanking you. Song Thanks, [thanks] thanks, [thanks] I give you thanks For all you ve done I am so blessed, my soul is at rest Lord, I give you thanks [rept.] Scripture Reading Luke 16.27-31 Reflection Humility and Listening Deacon Glendon Brown Brief Period of Silence Prayer together: Lord, I can t hear your word of guidance. I do not even know that I truly want to, though I desperately need to. Lord, help me know that my need may overcome my want. Hymn Speak, Lord in the stillness 1. Speak, Lord, in the stillness, 3. For the words you give me While I wait on Thee; They are life indeed Hushed my heart to listen, Living bread from heaven In expectancy. now my spirit feed. 2. Speak, O gracious Master, 4. Speak, your servant listens - In this quiet hour; I await your word; Let me see Thy face, Lord, let me know your presence, Feel your touch of power let your voice be heard! 5. Fill me with the knowledge of your glorious will; all your own good pleasure in my life fulfil. [Emily Crawford Tune 65 65] 2
Think on these.. 1. There may have been a place for the term humility in times past, but in today s world it is only of interest to those who care to study history, and is now generally of no relevance. Discuss. 2. Humility refuses to be distracted by thoughts and worry, concerning how we shall appear in the eyes of others it liberates, us simply to be faithful to God in Christ, no matter what. 3. Humility is more about not thinking of yourself too much than not thinking too much of yourself. 4. Humility admits and accepts personal limits and shortcomings without desiring to making them other than what they are or blaming others, even God, for them. It finds a rightful place for penitence and trust, which pride militates against. Hymn - Can we by searching find out God 1. Can we by searching find out God 3. Our boastfulness is turned to shame or formulate his ways? our profit counts as loss, Can numbers measure what he is when earthly values stand beside or words contain his praise? the manger and the cross. 2. Although his being is too bright 4. We there may recognize his light, for human eyes to scan, may kindle in its rays, his meaning lights our shadowed world find there the source of penitence, through Christ, the Son of Man. the starting-point for praise. 5. There God breaks in upon our search, makes birth and death his own; he speaks to us in human terms to make his glory known. [Elizabeth Cosnett: Tune 86 86 CM] Reflection Humility and Patience Rev Norman Mills Brief Period of silence Prayer together: Lord, I find that I am willing to wait upon whom and what I consider to be worth waiting on. Nevertheless all too often I have no real time for you. To linger in your presence I consider boring and a waste of time. Lord, please forgive me. Teach me to know that my times are in your hand. Song - Be still my soul 1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side 2. Be still, my soul; your God will undertake Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; To guide the future as in ages past. Leave to your God to order and provide; Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake; In every change God faithful will remain. All now mysterious shall be bright at last Be still, my soul; your best, your heavenly Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still friend blow, Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. The Christ who ruled them while He dwelt below. 3
3. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. [K von Schlegel: Tune: Finlandia] Think on these 1. We must be prepared to: a) Surrender to the certainty that the Creator knows the ways of life better than the creature does. How much is this part of our Christian practice? b) To discover that often life s simplest aspects are more trustworthy to discern what God is doing than its many complications. How open are you to this? c) To learn to discern the difference between the kind of power that seeks to control us and may need to be revisited, and the kind of power that transforms us and invites our loving obedience, the discipline of discipleship calls us to this. How faithful have you been? Song - Alleluia, Alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns! Alleluia, alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty reigns! Alleluia, holy, holy are you Lord God Almighty, Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb You are holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty, Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb. Amen. Epilogue Rev Dr Burchel Taylor Prayer Lord, remembering the depth of your love to us, we repent of our half-hearted discipleship. We have been called to deny ourselves: forgive us for putting self-interest before the interest of your kingdom; forgive us that Christ s lordship in our hearts has been challenged by our ambition, our appetites, our desires and our needs; forgive us for not being self-forgetful in our care for other people. Lord, we have been called to carry a cross: forgive us for complaining when it has weighed heavily upon us; forgive us that, having received so much, we have sacrifices so little; forgive us for the limits we have set to Christian love; forgive us that we have settled for mediocrity, resisting the fire and passion of Christ s love upon the cross. Lord, accept our repentance and help us to put our lives right with the help of your Spirit. In the make of Jesus Christ, sour Saviour and Lord. Amen. 4
Hymn Your way, not mine, O Lord 1. Your way, not mine, O Lord 3. I dare not choose my life whatever it may be; I would not if I might. lead me by your own hand, O choose for me, my God; choose out the path for me. your choice is sure and right. 2. Smooth let it be or rough, 4. Then fill my cup, O Lord, it will be still the best; according to your will, by winding paths or straight with sorrow or with joy; it leads me to your rest. you choose my good or ill. Passing the Peace 5. Not mine but yours the choice in things both great and small! for you shall be my guide, my wisdom and my all. [H Bonar: Tune -66 66] (singing Peace and Love ) 5