August 20, 2017
We’re in Psalm 77 this Sunday for our last week of this year’s Christ in the Psalms, our annual summer series. Here’s how you can prepare for worship:
1. Read through our text, Psalm 77.
The Psalms allow for the entire range of human emotions to be brought into the prayer-court of God. By studying these inspired prayers and songs, one of the things we learn how to do is bring both our joy and our sadness before God; our victories and our defeats. So what does one do with Psalm 77? “Has His steadfast love forever ceased? Are His promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His compassion?” (v. 8–9) Whether we’d reply to those questions with, “Well of course not, Asaph,” or “I was wondering the same thing, actually,” the lesson for the utterly distraught is clear: “I will ponder all Your work…Your way, Oh God, is holy…You are the God who works wonders…You with Your arm redeemed Your people…”
As you read the passage, consider asking yourself the following three questions:
- How does this Psalm help me pray?
- How does this Psalm help me feel?
- How does this Psalm help me see Jesus?
2. Read, pray and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 103:1–5
Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)
In Tenderness (Gordon, Garvey, Walton arr. Brian Eichelberger)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook
Merciful God,
you made us in Your image,
with a mind to know You,
a heart to love You,
and a will to serve You.
But our knowledge is imperfect,
our love inconstant,
our obedience incomplete.
Day by day, we fail to grow into Your likeness.
In Your tender love, forgive us
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 32:6–7 (Mark Wilkins)
Build My Life (Younker, Martin, Kable, Redman, Barrett)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Acts 4:11–12
GREETING, SERMON, COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
How Majestic (Brian Eichelberger)
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery (Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker)