May 28, 2023
May 28 — 11 AM Worship
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved Bible passages. And for good reasons! This psalm has comforted many people going through difficult trials. It assures us of the faithful Shepherd's loving care not only for the present, but also for the future.
Indeed, this psalm is very much about the future. The last verse reads, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." That word "forever" isn't there for a dramatic effect. Rather, it is our dearest hope and the sweetest comfort for all of life's hard trials.
Think of it like this. The Lord, in his goodness and wisdom, does not lead us through life upon a smooth path. Our lives are filled with what seem to us as strange turns, rough valleys, dark nights, and barren desert. But ours is not a journey that leads to a dead end. Our every step is leading us to a place where God makes all things new, and the all the hard trials of life will be swallowed up in eternal joy.
But how can we know this? We certainly would have no rational reason to think life will somehow magically get better. But we can, and should, know our future with certainty. Our eternity is not based on some wishful thinking on our part. Rather, it is as David says: "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of life…". Whose goodness? Whose mercy? The LORD's! That is why we live our life with hope, a hope that is more than a wish, but, as it were, carved in a stone. This hope is immovable and unchangeable.
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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: For May we are reading "Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution" by Carl R. Truman.
This Week: We encourage you to make use of:
- Kevin DeYoung's "The Good News We Almost Forgot" pages 110–113, Lord's Day 22, for personal or family devotions.
- "Select Letters of John Newton," Letter 17 (pages 111–116), "Controversy."
Hymn of the Week: "Love Constraining to Obedience" by William Cowper. This is a lovely hymn put to a new tune. Cowper writes, "To see the Law by Christ fulfilled, To hear His pardoning voice, Changes a slave into a child and duty into choice." Cowper continues, "Then all my servile works were done, a righteousness to raise. Now, freely chosen in the Son, I freely choose His ways." This hymn expresses exactly right the believer's attitude towards obedience wrought by the gospel. YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify.
Last week's sermon is available on our church webpage: gracefallbrook.church/sermons.
Upcoming Events and Notices
May 21 (Lord's Day): Please join us for May fellowship potluck lunch at the home of Rick and Linda Marcus. 3741 Pala Mesa Dr. Fallbrook CA 92028.
May 24 (Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM): Please join us for a Zoom Study on Hugh Martin's "The Shadow of Calvary" chapter 10, "Given You in that Same Hour." Reading the book is not required. Also meeting: May 31, and June 7, 14, 21. Zoom Meeting ID: 826 5163 2741. Passcode: 156751.
May 28 (Lord's Day): Please join us for the "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" for Sunday School lesson: Ch.8 "Interpreting the Bible." Also June 4.
July 31–August 3: The Southwest Reformed Youth Camp will take place at Palomar Christian Conference Center in Palomar Mountain. This Reformed Christian Youth Camp is for junior high and high school students.This year's focus will be on Christ - the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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).