September 21, 2025
You can find the order of worship and songs here.
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Where is God? We learn that God is both far and near, at once beyond our reach and also within our embrace. In Genesis 11 men state their prideful aspirations. They wanted to build "a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves." But what they built to storm the gates of heaven was so far from reaching where God was. "And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built." They climbed as far as they could. But God was utterly beyond their reach. Psalm 113:5–6 reminds us of that. "Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" Indeed, God is very far from prideful people. All our striving to reach him on our terms is in vain.
But Psalm 113 also tells us that God is very near. "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people." This is precisely the glory of our God and the reason we worship him. God resists the proud. But he gives grace to the humble. God is very far from the arrogant. But he embraces the lowly, the broken, and the despised.
Psalm 113 ends by recalling God's great mercy to the despised and barren woman Hannah. "He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children." The palmist was so struck by what God did for Hannah. More importantly, the psalmist understood the significance of God's mercy to Hannah. God cares for the forgotten and the despised. God shuns the company of the boastful, and their self-congratulatory mantra are hateful to him. But God's heart is wide open to the lowly, and there is always a seat at God's table for the humble to break bread with God. "Praise the LORD!" indeed!
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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.
In September we are reading "You Will Be My Witnesses" by Brian DeVries.
This week: We are reflecting upon Shorter Catechism Q. 38.
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
September 21 (Lord's Day): Please join us for Sunday School lesson from "Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" Ch. 59 "Effectual Calling."
September 24 (Wednesday 7 PM): The Survey of the Pentateuch will resume with highlights from the book of Leviticus over Zoom. Meeting ID: 884 9003 6844.
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).