Thy Mercy, My God

This week is pretty exciting for me because I get to lead worship on Sunday morning for all three of the main services. I love the opportunity to lead others, but I think I love the preparation time just as much. I thought I would share with you what I have prepared for Sunday, in hopes that you would meditate on these verses and songs and come full on Sunday morning.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
- Eph 2:1-10

Read a few lines from each song that we'll sing and hear sung:

"Let me at Thy throne of mercy, find a sweet relief. Kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief - Savior! Savior! Hear my humble cry! While on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by - Trusting only in thy merit, would I seek Thy face? Heal my wounded, broken spirit. Save me by Thy grace!"
- Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

"Tis mercy all, immense and free. For, O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou my God, should die for me!"
- And Can It Be?

"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise - and to know 'thus saith the Lord'"
- 'Tis So Sweet

"I will not boast in anything. No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ - His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer!
But this I know with all my heart - His wounds have paid my ransom"
- How Deep the Father's Love For Us

"Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own
and the covenant love of Thy crucified Son.
All praise to the Spirit, whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine!"
- Thy Mercy, My God

I'm praying that everyone who reads this would meditate anew on the great mercy of Jesus. His mercy, shown to us, is a great reason to celebrate and worship Him! May we do that more and more...

24

quote of the night:

"the only reason you're still conscious is because I don't want to carry you"
- jack bauer

i think i'll get hooked on 24 this spring.

From the Rising of the Sun...

"From the Rising of the Sun to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised..."

He is worthy, so some very awesome people go to the ends of the earth to make him known so that the nations will praise Him. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

One of the first mornings...wow

I'm not a good photographer, so I just angle things and take pictures.

This guy gave "very good price"

Downtown at the Harbor, in the Castle District.

"...to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised"