ONLINE WORSHIP:
“Beginnings - Diversity”
October 11th, 2020
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Confession: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
With the living and eternal God as my goal and guide fear and anxiety preempt no place in my life.
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
All the evil of the world is not able to destroy Him, nor can it destroy anyone within his loving embrace. The very legions of hell lay siege to my soul, only to be thwarted by a power far greater. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. I have one primary and ultimate desire: to abide within the love and acceptance of God. Within His tender care I know I am safe.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Thus I shall stand tall regardless of threatening enemies and the tyranny of evil. I will counter the subtle voices of temptation with exclamations of praise to my God. My God does hear when I cry out to him. He does not ignore my needs, nor is He indifferent to my desires.
Though my father and mother forsake me, The Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. He will not let me go even if my own family should turn against me. He will sustain me and keep me on course through the dangers and pitdalls of this life.
It is possible to know and experience God’s love in this uncertain, tumultuous existence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Forgive us, Lord, for all our thoughts, words and deeds which are contrary to your will. Forgive us for our fears, anxieties, and doubts. Forgive us when we succumb to the temptations of the flesh, the devil and the world. Forgive us for failing to love you with our whole heart, soul, strength and mind. Forgive us for not loving our neighbors as ourselves. we seek your face and your mercy.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Absolution
Take courage, step out in faith, scorning consequences. Let God have His way with you.
Genesis 11:1-9 The Tower of Babel
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had build.
And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down there and confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name as called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
Acts 2:1-13 Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians - we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Children’s Sermon:
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest.
And make our hearts Your place of rest:
Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid,
And fill the hearts which You have made.