October 27, 2024
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Psalm 127 is divided into 2 parts. Verses 1–3 celebrates God’s past deliverance of Zion. It was such a striking redemption that laughter and singing rang throughout the city. They shouted “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
Then come verses 4–6. The memory of God’s past deliverance then stirs up hope for the present season of need. “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb.” The Negeb is the dry and parched region in the southernmost parts of Judah. The psalmist longs for the rain that causes grass and flowers to bloom overnight in the desert. For the moment the work is hard and feels hopeless. “Those who sow in tears…he who goes out weeping…” But God has been faithful in the past. He is faithful, still. And we can be sure that a new and better season is coming. “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping…shall come home with shouts of joy…”
We should also see in this psalm God’s comfort for his church. Zion of old was the assembly of people who worshiped God. That is, the Old Testament Zion anticipated the gathering of God’s people in Jesus Christ. And this psalm anticipates Jesus’ promise “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18). We are certainly living at a time when God’s church is under attack. The work is hard and feels fruitless. But Jesus is true and faithful. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the kingdom of our Lord. So we are confident. One day we will sing, “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
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Growth Resources
This year: Please see the full list of 2024 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
This month: We are reading "Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity" by Carl Trueman.
Upcoming Events and Notices
October 27 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Reformed Worship Sunday school and Reformation Day celebration after the worship service at the Ligtenberg home.
October 30 (Wednesday 7 PM): Please joins us via Zoom for “Exploring the Pentateuch.” Also November 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, and 11.
November 3 (Lord’s Day): Please note that the Daylight Saving Time ends. We fall back one hour.
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).