June 2, 2019
Please note that the location and the time of our worship service has changed. We now worship at Zion Lutheran Church, 1405 E. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook CA 92028 at 11 AM.
Before We Worship
We should think about our death more often. I do not mean to say we should be morose, or to live in a perpetual state of depression. Rather, it seems to me we cannot really live well unless we think often about death. Imagine making decisions and setting priorities in view of both life’s brevity and its termination. Our inevitable death (but not just death, but also what follows it—standing before God to give an account of our lives) will surely give us clarity. The things that we clamor after, bend us out of shape, what fill our thoughts day and night, will we still be haunted by them when it is our time to die? Will they be something that we can look back with thanks and a sense of pride as we give an account of our lives to God? Or will they be something which, at best, we regret that we have wasted so much time over, or, at worst, something that will fill us with a deep sense of shame?
Surely it is with these things in mind that the Lord says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!…Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for what which does not satisfy?” Indeed, this is the plight of the people who have no clarity about life. They waste their life, time, energy, and resource on things that will leave them hungry, thirsty, and empty. We need to hear the Lord who says, “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live”. Will you come to him? Will you hear him? What are you chasing after at the expense of coming to him? What are you doing at the expense of hearing his call to “Come”?
Think about death. But not simply as something that brings all things to an end. Think of death rather as something that, if we live in faithful obedience, will be the beginning of something greater and better than anything we can imagine or hope. And live for that reality. When the main thing is actually the main thing in life, then you will find that the secondary and temporary things actually can be enjoyed with thanks, and they will not ruin us. But when the main thing becomes an afterthought, and the secondary things become the main thing, these false gods will only bring sorrow.
Indeed, what would you say to people who say they are hungry, but refuse the delectable food that is offered, and instead shatter their teeth trying to eat gravel? You would say that they are crazy. Or what would you say to someone who says they are thirsty, and yet refuses to drink refreshing water, but thirsts after sewage? Once again, crazy, right? Make sure that you are not doing the same. There is nourishing food and drink for you. They are only ours from the Lord. Come to him. Eat and drink. And live.
Call to Worship
‡ Isaiah 55:1–13 (p. 615)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #708 “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Q. 37
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Hebrews 12:18–29 (p. 1009)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #654 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 23:26–56 (p. 884)
Jesus Crucified, Died, and Buried
Rev. Ken Han
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper
We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.
The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.
The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.
During the distribution of the bread we will sing TH #647 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–6 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #252 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The May 26, 2019 sermon, Luke 22:63–23:25. “Jesus Suffered” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
Upcoming Events and Notices
Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For June we will read “Honest Evangelism: How to Talk About Jesus Even When It’s Tough” by Rico Tice and Carl Laferton.
Please note that the catechism lessons will resume in the fall.
June 9 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our monthly fellowship potluck lunch after the worship service.
June 23 (Lord’s Day): Please join us as we discuss the book “Honest Evangelism: How to Talk About Jesus Even When It’s Tough.”
Nursery Volunteers
June 2: Yoori Han
June 9: Kelly Rogers