DOCSLIB.ORG

Divine Grace Ev. Lutheran

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Divine Grace Ev. Lutheran DIVINE GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL PRESCHOOL Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 3000 S. Lapeer Road Orion, MI 48359-1317 (248) 391-1131 www.divinegrace.net LENT 3 WORSHIP SERVICE MARCH 4 & 7, 2021 ORDER OF SERVICE HYMN (CW 259) When All Your Mercies, O My God When all your mercies, O my God, My waking soul surveys, Transported with the view, I’m lost In wonder, love, and praise. Ten thousand thousand precious gifts My daily thanks employ, Nor is the least a cheerful heart That tastes these gifts with joy. Through ev’ry passing phase of life Your goodness I’ll pursue And after death, in distant worlds, The glorious theme renew. Through all eternity to you A joyful song I’ll raise, But, oh, eternity’s too short To utter all your praise. Text: Joseph Addison, 1672-1719, abr., alt. GREETING M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION M: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. - 1 - M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. M: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise! - 2 - THE PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Almighty God, look with favor on your humble servants and stretch out the right hand of your power to defend us against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. SCRIPTURE LESSON ....................................................................................................... John 2:13-22 13 The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers sitting at tables. 15 He made a whip of cords and drove everyone out of the temple courts, along with the sheep and oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those selling doves he said, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a place of business!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews responded, “What sign are you going to show us to prove you can do these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 20 The Jews said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! And you are going to raise it in t three days?” 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When Jesus was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and what Jesus had said. - 3 - HYMN (CW 387) Drawn to the Cross Drawn to the cross, which you have blessed With healing gifts for souls distressed, To find in you my life, my rest, Christ crucified, I come. How well you know my griefs and fears, Your grace abused, my misspent years; So now to you with contrite tears, Christ crucified, I come. Wash me and take away each stain; Let nothing of my sin remain. For cleansing through your cross and pain, Christ crucified, I come. To pledge my labor willingly, Which shall so sweet a service be That angels well might envy me, Christ crucified, I come. Text: Genevieve M. Irons, 1855-1928, alt. SERMON TEXT ............................................................................................................ Romans 8:1-10 1 So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 Indeed, what the law was unable to do, because it was weakened by the flesh, God did, when he sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. God condemned sin in his flesh, 4 so that the righteous decree of the law would be fully satisfied in us who are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. 5 To be sure, those who are in harmony with the sinful flesh think about things the way the sinful flesh does, and those in harmony with the spirit think about things the way the spirit does. 6 Now, the way the sinful flesh thinks results in death, but the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the sinful flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the sinful flesh but in the spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit lives in you. And if someone does not have the Spirit of Christ, that person does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Set Free! - 4 - NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: Gracious God and Father, we praise you for the countless blessings which we receive from your hand: the beauties of creation and the bounties of the earth, the joy of life and the pleasure of friendship, the good of work and the gift of rest, the privilege to share happiness and sorrow with one another. Above all we praise and thank you for your saving Word and for your Son’s body and blood, which you give us to eat and to drink in the sacrament. Through these means of grace, you send the Holy Spirit into our hearts and unite us to Jesus and to the whole Christian Church on earth. - 5 - C: Strengthen us through this heavenly food; increase our trust in Christ and our love for one another. M: Great God and Lord, without your continuing help we easily waver in our faith, lose courage, and grow careless in our watchfulness. The times and days are perilous. Give us strength to face the evils of each day with fresh confidence. Open our lips to speak of your grace, and move us to use the gifts that you give us to share your Word of salvation with all people. Protect and prosper the family, the school, the government, and all good institutions that you have established for the benefit of society. Remember in mercy those who are sick and suffering, and bring your healing to troubled homes and lives. C: Move us to pray for those in need and to help them with deeds of kindness. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. M: Hear us Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. Silent prayer. M: Now, eternal God and Father, keep us in the saving faith and so enable us to overcome all things through our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we now join to pray… LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Cross of Christ 17 As Each Tiny Detail in the Works of Nature Reveal Omething of the Artist Hand That Fa Hioned the World
    Cf"he Cross of Christ By BRO. FflRRER CASSIDY, 0. P. HE cross is prominent now. A few days ago a cross of dry ashes was printed on our foreheads; all during D Lent the cross will be preached from the pulpit, and will be followed in the fourteen Stations. On Passion Sunday it will become still more vivid in our imagination be­ cause a veil will hide it from our sight. On Good Friday Holy Church, distressed with grief, actually turn her sorrowing soul more earnestly toward the cross than to the Mass; her grief does not darken her reason-she understands that this day must be dedicated to the cross, for it was on thi day that she sprang forth from the open side of Him vVho hung on the cross. True, her voice is shaking when she narrates the seeming victory of perfidious Israel over her Spouse when they nailed Him to the eros , but the bitter story ends with a gloriou , victorious cry that the triumph finally goes to the cross: "Above all he trees of cedar, thou only art most high, thou, on which hung the Life of the world, on which Christ triumphed, and death vanquished death forever!" After that every one of her holy edifices is turned into an unadorned monstrance to display this cross of Christ. The visible world delightful to the eye; the stars of heaven, the mountains of earth, the trees, flowers, the sea, the sky, are a picture-book in which to read God's glory, for all these things are imitations of divine beauty.
    [Show full text]
  • Anselm on Grace and Free Will
    Anselm on Grace and Free Will Katherin A. Rogers University of Delaware Anselm is the first philosopher to attempt a systematic analysis of libertarian freedom. Regarding grace, he embrace’s the position that grace is necessary for salvation and unmerited, while preserving a role for human freedom that is not in the least Pelagian. This paper sketches the problems with Augustine’s compatibilism and with Pelagianism, and shows how Anselm reconciles human choice with classical theism, which entails that God is the source of everything that has ontological status. The paper concludes with an argument that, although Anselm holds that God does not offer grace to everyone, he could and should have done so. I take Anselm to be the first philosopher to attempt a genuinely systematic analysis of a libertarian brand of free will.1 The problem that confronts him regarding grace is this: there are very good theological reasons to toe the Augustinian line that grace is absolutely necessary to save fallen man and cannot possibly be merited in any way at all. But if it is grace which saves, and if it is not given in response to some free choice on the part of the created agent, then the importance of human freedom seems to be exhausted with the story of the original fall. The task before Anselm is to defend post-lapsarian human freedom without falling into the error of Pelagius. A sketch of the problems with Augustinian compatibilism, and then a quick survey of Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism with their attendant difficulties, will show why it is so vital that Anselm reject both sides of the earlier debate and carve out a third way which ascribes all saving power to divine grace, but which retains a small, but decisive, causal role for created freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • In Defense of the Development of Augustine's Doctrine of Grace By
    In Defense of the Development of Augustine’s Doctrine of Grace by Laban Omondi Agisa Submitted to the faculty of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sacred Theology January 2020 Sewanee, Tennessee Approved ____________________________ _______________ Adviser Date ____________________________ _______________ Second Adviser Date 2 DECLARATION I declare that this is my original work and has not been presented in any other institution for consideration of any certification. This work has been complemented by sources duly acknowledged and cited using Chicago Manual Style. Signature Date 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My study of theology was initiated in 2009 by the then Provost of St. Stephens Cathedral, Nairobi, the late Ven. Canon John Ndung’u who was a great encouragement to me. This was further made possible through my bishop the Rt. Rev. Joel Waweru and the Rev. Geoffrey Okapisi who were sources of inspiration. My studies at Carlile College (Church Army Africa) and St. Paul’s University laid a strong theological foundation and I appreciate among others the influence of the Rev. Dr. John Kiboi who introduced me to Philosophy, Systematic Theology, Ethics, and African Christian Theology that eventually became the foundation for my studies at the University of the South. I also appreciate the encouragement of my lecturers Mrs. Tabitha Waweru and Dr. Scholarstica Githinji during my Study of Education at Kenya Technical Trainers College and at Daystar University respectively. My interest in this topic came as a result of many sittings with two professors at the University of the South, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Thurgoona 20 Hartigan St, Thurgoona 2640 When I Graduated from Catholic School in 1979, I Thought I Had Graduated from The
    unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit.” – J.F.X. O’Conor, S.J Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Thurgoona 20 Hartigan St, Thurgoona 2640 When I graduated from Catholic school in 1979, I thought I had graduated from the Catholic Church. I was free from the Catholic school and on to public school. Show me your faith apart from your works and I by my works will show you my faith. James 2:18 Gradually, I stopped going to Mass, then only on holidays, and then not at all. Parish Priest: Fr John Fowles During the summer before I entered college, I began to have a thirst in my soul for Pastoral Associate: Br Denis Devcich | Acolyte: Denis Golden prayer. Sure I knew the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Gloria but I didn’t know Phone: 02 6043 2222 | [email protected] how to talk with God. I voraciously read the bible and my mother’s St. Joseph Mis- Fax: 02 6043 2224 | PO Box 110, Lavington 2641 | www.thurgoonacatholicparish.com Parish Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 9:30am to 12:30pm sal, which had the Latin on one side and the English on the other. But something was lacking. I felt that thirst for God, for prayer and for that spiritual connectedness. ~ Parish Program ~ I was being pursued by the Hound of Heaven. Mass Times Sacraments and Devotions In retrospect, I realize my voracious reading of Scripture prior entering into the Saturday: - (Vigil) 6pm Adoration - Fri 8:30am to 10:30am unhallowed halls of Academia prepared me to do battle with a very anti-Catholic Sunday: - 9:30am & 5:30pm Precious Blood - 10am Monday - 8am Mass Rosaries - Thurs 6:30pm and Sun 9am professor who relentlessly attacked the Church.
    [Show full text]
  • The Certainty and Freeness of Divine Grace No
    Sermon #599 Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit 1 THE CERTAINTY AND FREENESS OF DIVINE GRACE NO. 599 A SERMON DELIVERED ON SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 13, 1864, BY THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON, AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON. “All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. LET it be evermore remembered that the words of Jesus Christ are full of truth and grace, and that in each of these two sentences, whether we perceive the fact or not, there is the surest truth and the freest grace. There will be some, who from the peculiarity of their minds, will prize most the first sentence. They will say, as they read these words, “All that the Father gives me shall come to me,” “Why! here is high doctrine, here is the security of the covenant, the purpose of God effectually carried out, herein is the truth which we love and the grace in which we glory.” Other brethren, overlooking the first sentence, lest it should raise questions too hard to be answered, will rather grasp at the second sentence, “He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.” “Why!” say they, “here is universality of description, here is a freeness of invitation, here is a gracious overflow of liberality, this is good free Gospel indeed,” and they will therefore fall to proclaiming the second sentence to the neglect of the first. But, brethren, let us not sin by setting one Scripture over against another, or attempting to divide the living child of revelation.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Riches of Divine Grace”
    26. His Inheritance Eph. 1:18 “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” “The Riches of Divine Grace” 27. The Inheritance of the Saints I Peter 1:4 “an inheritance… reserved in heaven for you” “God… has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in 28. Light in the Lord the heavenly places in Christ… according to the riches Ephesians 5:8 “but now you are light in the Lord’ of His grace.” ---Ephesians 1:3-7 29. Vitally United to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit “As the thirty-three stupendous works of God which together John 17:21 “that they also may be in Us” comprise the salvation of a soul are now presented, the essential facts, already tabulated, respecting these vast realities should be borne in mind. 30. Blessed with the Earnest of First-Fruits of the Spirit They are wrought of God; they are wrought instantaneously; they are Romans 5:5 “through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” wrought simultaneously; they are grounded in the merit of Christ; and being grounded on the merit of Christ, are eternal. It follows that each 31. Glorified person of the human family at a given moment is either perfectly saved, Romans 8:30 “these He also glorified” being the recipient of every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, or perfectly lost, being without one of these spiritual blessings… These thirty-three 32. Complete in Him riches of grace are:” Colossians 2:9-10 “and in Him you have been made complete” 1. In the Eternal Plan of God 33.
    [Show full text]
  • An Aspect of the Mariology of St. THOMAS AQUINAS
    Rev. CORNELIO FABRO, CSS: An Aspect of the Mariology of St. THOMAS AQUINAS ‘As the mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.’ St. Thomas Aquinas Rev. Joseph Henchey, CSS Laetare Sunday, 2017 [For the Private use of the Stigmatines] BVM – FABRO TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 TABLE of CONTENTS Presentation 3 1. Significance of the Problem 4 2. The Fullness of the Fontal Originating Source of Grace in Christ as the Man-God and Savior 6 3. The Fontal Fullness derived from the Grace of Christ in the Mother of God 8 4. The Transcendental Super-abundance of Grace in Mary 14 5. The Participation of the Grace in Christ and Mary 19 a. Grace of Union 20 b. Habitual Grace 21 SUMMARY 24 APPENDIX OF MARIAN TEXTS SUPPORTING Fr. FABRO 26 Ineffabilis Deus [Pius IX, Dec. 8, 1854] 26 St. Thomas Aquinas: 26 A. Summa III 27 q. 27 [6 articles] Sanctification 27 q. 28 [4 Articles] Virginity 40 q. 30 [4 articles] Annunciation 50 q. 31 [8 articles] Bodily Matter 58 B. Compendium Theologiae 77 c. 215 – Nature of Christ’s Grace 77 c. 220 – Article of Creed explained 78 c. 221 - Born of a Virgin 79 c. 222 – Mother of Christ 79 c. 223 – Holy Spirit as Father? 80 c. 224 - Sanctification of Mother 81 c. 225 –Perpetual Virginity 82 C. Contra Gentiles IV 84 c. 45 – Befitting birth from Virginity 84 D. In 1 John 86 C. 1, lectio X, ## 201 86 ## 543-544 86 † ††† † BVM – FABRO ST.
    [Show full text]
  • The Problematic of the Augustinian Doctrine of Grace for Contemporary Theology D
    Journal for Christian Theological Research Volume 5 Article 2 2000 Nature Dis-Graced and Grace De-Natured: The Problematic of the Augustinian Doctrine of Grace for Contemporary Theology D. Lyle Dabney Marquette University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/jctr Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Dabney, D. Lyle (2000) "Nature Dis-Graced and Grace De-Natured: The rP oblematic of the Augustinian Doctrine of Grace for Contemporary Theology," Journal for Christian Theological Research: Vol. 5 , Article 2. Available at: http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/jctr/vol5/iss2000/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal for Christian Theological Research by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 12/18/2017 Nature Dis-Graced and Grace De-Natured: The Problematic of the Augustinian Doctrie of Grace for Contemporary Theology D. Lyle Dabney, "Nature Dis­Graced and Grace De­Natured: The Problematic of the Augustinian Doctrine of Grace for Contemporary Theology," Journal for Christian Theological Research [http://apu.edu/~CTRF/articles/2000_articles/dabney.html] 5:3 (2000). Nature Dis­Graced and Grace De­Natured: The Problematic of the Augustinian Doctrine of Grace for Contemporary Theology D. Lyle Dabney Marquette University , Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1. "Contemporary theology" Kilian McDonnell writes, "has turned from a theology of the Word to a theology of the world".(1) That statement, it seems to me, neatly sums up the current situation in theology.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Sting of Death Is Sin” (1 Cor 15:56). in the Letter to the Romans
    Rev. Glen Mullan Sting of Death Is Sin August 15, 2021 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1 Cor 15:54-57) “The sting of death is sin” (1 Cor 15:56).1 In the letter to the Romans, St. Paul states it the other way: “The wages of sin is death” (Rm 6:23). There is an intimate connection between sin and death, between man’s disobedience to God, and the dissolution of his soul from his body. When God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, He clothed his mortal nature with a special grace. There was no death. God intended that after a time in which man cultivated the garden in this world, through the work of his hands and the raising of a family,2 man would then be translated to heavenly glory in God’s Kingdom. But the devil said God was a liar, and tempted man to eat the forbidden fruit of disobedience, and accept his life on his terms, not God’s. It is likely the devil threatened the man with death unless he ate the forbidden fruit.3 In the end, man chose to live on his own terms, to be his own god, and as a result he experienced what it is to be mortal man and no more, “nature without grace.” Man lost that divine grace which radiated in his soul and perfected the mortal flesh of his body. Immediately man felt “naked” and exposed (Gn 3:7), vulnerable, having lost this divine clothing. Now, man experiences fatigue, injury, bruising, illness, disharmony within his members, disarray, and deterioration.
    [Show full text]
  • Offering Divine Grace: an Exegesis of Isaiah 61:1 9
    Scripture and Interpretation vol. 2, no. 1 (2007): 35-59 OFFERING DIVINE GRACE: AN EXEGESIS OF ISAIAH 61:1 9 Cristian G. Rata* Even though many centuries separate us from the prophet Isaiah,1 Holladay reminds us that he still speaks to us today when the book “is properly proclaimed by people of faith.”2 Indeed, one would expect this to be a favorite book for preachers who use the Old Testament in their sermons. However, the evidence indicates that few sermons are preached in our churches from this book. The main reason seems to be the difficulty of the content and the confusing arrangement of the book.3 In what follows, I would like to provide to the interested expositor some notes that will help with the preaching of Isaiah 61:1 9. I will start by discussing the literary context of the passage. This will be followed by the translation of the text and comments on each verse, and I will conclude with some final observations which will include a suggested sermon outline. * Cristian G. Rata is Lecturer in Old Testament at Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology, Seoul. 1 Note that except for the Torah, it seems that “no other book had a greater impact on the faith of early Judaism and Christianity” than the book of Isaiah. He occupies the first place in the Latter Prophets, and there is also early documentary evidence for Isaiah’s popularity in the Jewish community of the Septuagint (Alexandria, Egypt). Ecclesiasticus (48:22) tells us that Isaiah “was great and faithful in his vision.” The fact that some twenty one Isaiah manuscripts were found in the Qumran caves is also strong evidence for the importance of this prophet in pre Christian times.
    [Show full text]
  • January 20, 2019
    January 20, 2019 Pastor and Monroe Vicar Rev. Dr. Michael A. Woroniewicz, M.Div., M.A., D. Min. Deacon Emeritus Rev. Mr. George Cousino Mission Statement: We, with the Guidance of the Holy Trinity, The Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Communion of Saints, endeavor to spread and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to assist one another through the precepts of the Catholic Faith in attaining eternal salvation. DIVINE GRACE CATHOLIC PARISH 2996 W. LABO ROAD CARLETON, MI 48117 PHONE 734-654-2500 FAX 734-654-6594 EMAIL [email protected]. [email protected] WEBSITE www.divinegrace.weconnect.com DIVINE GRACE PARISH MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:00 pm at St. Patrick Sunday 8:00 am at St. Joseph Sunday 11:00 am at St. Patrick Monday 9:00am at St. Patrick Tuesday 7:00 pm at St. Patrick Wednesday 9:00 am at St. Joseph Thursday No Mass Friday 11:00 am at St. Patrick (School Mass) CONFESSIONS Saturday at 3:00—3:30pm at St. Patrick Or by Appointment at St. Patrick or St. Joseph Page 2 Divine Grace Catholic Parish, Carleton From Fr. Mike Christian Unity: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism Christian Unity Week is observed each year from January 18 through January 25, which is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. During this week, we can pray together for fuller unity among Christians, and recognize that we already share a common Faith and a common Baptism. One of the most edifying and joyous areas of my ministry as a priest, although it occupies a very small slice of my time, is my ecumenical involvement.
    [Show full text]
  • Having, As We Trust, Been Brought by Divine Grace to Receive Jesus Christ
    Redemption Hill Church Membership Covenant Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord, Savior, and supreme Treasure of our lives, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another. GOSPEL Because the gospel is the good news that God is redeeming people for himself and restoring his good creation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: • We will submit to the teaching of Scripture as expressed in the Statement of Faith. • We will seek growth in our knowledge of the gospel through a devotional pursuit of God. • We will live out the implications of the gospel by pursing holiness in all areas of life, repenting quickly of sin, and submitting to the accountability and discipline of the church. • We will seek the glory of God in all things. COMMUNITY Because the gospel creates a new community of people who live life together as the church: • We will meet regularly and fulfill the one another commands of Scripture by counting others more significant than ourselves. • We will seek the unity of the church by avoiding gossip, always being ready to seek reconciliation, and submitting to the leadership of our pastors. • We will endeavor to raise the children under our care in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. • We will pray for the ministries, members, and leadership of Redemption Hill. MISSION Because the gospel also calls us to be a part of God’s mission of redemption: • We will live like missionaries by making disciples who make disciples through consistently displaying and declaring the gospel.
    [Show full text]