WORSHIP NOTES Volume 18, Nr. 3 (March 2023) Israel One of the promises and blessings granted to the covenant people of God in the Mosaic Covenant was His special presence in their midst. Hence, once the Tabernacle is finished we read: So Moses finished the work.Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:33-34) Similarly, when Solomon completed construction of […]
Temple to Temple(s) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 15, No. 11 (November 2020) †A Scriptural Meditation †But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for
Incarnation: The Mystery and the Wonder Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 14, No. 11 (November 2019) As, we look ahead to another Christmas celebration, I really have no new thoughts on the wonder of the Incarnation, so I thought I would direct you back to some previous issues’ reflections on the subject: Worship Notes 1.12 (December 2006): God with Us Worship Notes 2.12 (December 2007): The Canticles of Christmas Worship Notes 3.12 (December 2008): Christmas in Unexpected Places Worship
The Old, Old Story Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 12, No. 7 Â (July 2017) (original cover artwork by Emily Ozier for our 2010 Festival of Lessons & Carols) THE ELEMENTS OF A LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE (continued) 2. THE THEME Obviously the theme is the birth of Christ! But often we have looked at the Christmas story from varying angles, with an overarching sub-theme giving direction and focus to the individual lessons and to the
Thinking Ahead: A Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols (part 2 of 2) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 11, No. 12 (December 2016) O Source of all good, what shall I render to Thee for the Gift of gifts,Thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,His self-emptying incomprehensible,His infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is Wonder of wonders: He came below to raise me above,was born like me that I might become like Him. Herein is love: when I cannot
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 11, No. 11 (November 2016) As we enter this season of Advent and Christmas, I decided I could do not better than to offer these meditations on the Incarnation from figures down through the centuries. I hope your spirits will be refreshed anew as you meditate on these words. A number of them are quite suitable for use as readings, responsive readings and prayers in Christ services;
The Wonder of the Incarnation Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 10, No. 12 (December 2015) This year our elders decided that, for the six Sundays from November 29-January 3, we should combine our Classic and Contemporary Services and all meet together for the Christmas season. (This in response to such positive feedback from combining services about once every two months throughout the year.) It was a challenge, and a lot of work! But it seems to have come
Together for Christmas Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 10, No. 11 (November 2015) God is the almighty Creator of the universe; the Bible calls Him “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:15-16). And yet – wonder of wonders! – this infinite God has condescended to be with us. “God with us” – in the Hebrew “Emmanuel” –
EMMANUEL: God with Us Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 9, No. 11  (November 2014) 1. The Glory of God in Christ’s preincarnate state (John 1:1; 17:5) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “And now, Father, glorify Me in your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.” 2. The Glory of God in Christ foreseen (John 12:41) Isaiah said
CHRISTMAS AND THE GLORY OF GOD Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 9, No. 6 (June 2014) 18. WORSHIP IN THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS Hebrews is a whole world of its own when it comes to New Testament teachings about worship. Here are some testimonies to its greatness and uniqueness: Hebrews presents the most complete and fully integrated theology of worship in the New Testament. All the important categories of Old Testament thinking on this subject—sanctuary, sacrifice, altar, priesthood and covenant—are
Important New Testament Worship Passages (Part 12) Read More »
