April 2, 2023
April 2 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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We are grieving the terrible tragedy of Covenant School shooting in Nashville, a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA). It is a heart-wrenching loss of 3 children and 3 staff members. In moments like these it is difficult to know how to pray. What words can possibly give vent to our anguish, sorrow, and yes, anger? When words are unable to carry the heavy burdens of our hearts, we fall before the Lord and groan. And we cling to hope.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:26–28 ESV)
May the God of all comfort succor the broken-hearted and the grieving.
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This upcoming Sunday begins the holy week, leading to Good Friday, and Easter. As we approach the week that remembers the passion of our Lord, we first turn to Exodus 17:1–7 to read the significance of our Lord's suffering and death. In Exodus 17 the Lord appeared before his rebellious and ungrateful people. Justice demanded that Israel in all her sin be struck down. But the Lord did something that pointed to the passion of our Lord. Ex 17:6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." It was the people who deserved to be struck. But the Lord received the blow himself and he was struck. The Lord stood upon that rock and received the blow, and the people lived. This is, in essence, the significance of our Lord's passion. Jesus took the punishment upon himself and he was struck. We live.
We next turn to Luke 19:28–40. Jesus entered into Jerusalem and the crowd cheered him. The watching crowd could have hardly guessed why their hearts were so filled with joy. We know the reason. And if we do know the reason, then it is only fitting that we out-praise and out-rejoice the Jerusalem crowd. May our hearts find true joy in the presence of the One who has conquered sin and death.
Growth Resources
This Year: Please see the full list of 2023 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/12-for-23
This Month: We are reading "The Shadow of Calvary" by Hugh Martin.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 86–89, Lord's Day 16, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 9 (pages 57–60), "Advice on the Work of the Ministry."
Hymn of the Week: "Upon a Life" by Horatio Bonar is a beautiful hymn that exalts the finished work of Christ. "Upon a life I have not lived, upon a death I did not die, Another's life, Another's death, I stake my whole eternity." YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
April 2 (Lord's Day): On February 6 Turkey and Syria suffered a devastating series of earthquakes, resulting in the loss of many lives and a widespread destruction. Our church will be sending a compassionate gift from our general fund. If you would like to add towards this gift, please designate your gift as "Earthquake relief" by April 2.
April 2 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch.5 "The Law of God." Also April 23.
April 7 (Good Friday, 7PM): Please join us at the Ligtenberg home for Good Friday meditations. 1411 Margarita Glen, Fallbrook CA 92028.
April 12 (Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM): Please join us for a Zoom Study on Hugh Martin's "The Shadow of Calvary." Reading the book is not required. Also meeting: April 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7. Zoom Meeting ID: 826 5163 2741.
April 16 (Lord's Day): Please join us for fellowship meal after worship.
April 30 (Lord's Day): Please note the worship service will begin at 12 PM.
Thank you for your continued support of Grace Fallbrook (PCA). Your loving support makes the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the saints possible. Please visit gracefallbrook.church/give and click on "Give Online Now." You will be directed to the PCA Foundation where you can give towards Grace Fallbrook (PCA).