April 6, 2024
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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In Psalm 126 the psalmist remembers the Lord’s great deliverance of Zion. It was a stunning upset, far greater than hoped for, that it felt like a dream. “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy…” But this is not mere sentimental nostalgia for the days gone by.
Half way through the psalm we see a dramatic change in tone. “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!” Negeb is an arid region with infrequent rainfall. Certainly the times have changed. The dream-like deliverance is a distant memory. The present reality is a far cry from the days of laughter and singing. But the psalmist remembers the Lord’s past grace, and looks forward to the future with hope. “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Nostalgia makes yearn for the days gone by. We don’t quite believe that the future will be as good as the past. But this psalmist looks back to look forward. Remembering God’s past faithfulness gives him hope for the future. How can he be sure? How can we be sure? Well, it all depends on where we place our hope, doesn’t it? “I’m sure it’s all going to pan out in the end” is a woefully inadequate foundation for hope. But God’s grace and faithfulness are the immovable foundation upon which we can build a lasting hope. So we persevere and look forward. Life’s many hard trials may leave us weeping. But go and work your field. Sow and wait. It will soon be the time for harvest, and the Lord will fill replace your weeping with joy, and labor with celebration.
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Growth Resources
This year: Please see the full list of 2025 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.
This month: April 2025: We are reading “Disciplines of a Godly Man” by Kent Hughes, or “Disciplines of a Godly Woman” by Barbara Hughes.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Q. & A. 13.
Everyday: Noted pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson posts a short reflection every day, each around 5 minutes long. "Things Unseen" cover various aspects of the Christian life, worship, and theological topics in a very accessible and edifying way. We encourage you to incorporate this into your daily life. Please see this page for more information. There you will find links to various podcast platforms as well as YouTube page.
Upcoming Events and Notices
April 6 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our annual congregational meeting for the purpose of adopting the budget for fiscal year 2025–26. All communicant members are requested to attend.
April 9 (Wednesday 7 PM): Join us as we study Exodus via Zoom. Meeting ID: 885 5287 2349 / Passcode: 711992. Also April 23 and 30.
April 13 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for fellowship lunch after worship.
April 18 (Friday 7 PM): Please join us for Good Friday meditations at the home of Brian and Pam Suchoski.
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).