harvestoc.net blog, Thursday, May 28, 2009
READ AND HEED -- Jeremiah 4 'How the Church Wins the Culture War' (Friday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
I hope that with the dramatic headline I may have caught eyes that would otherwise just skip over the worship follow-up. Jeremiah is sharply relevant to today, because today's culture and today's church are so similar to the wider cultural context and the specific church context that Jeremiah was addressing. In Jeremiah 4, he is addressing a church that was trying to woo the culture by making itself pretty to the culture. Is this how to win the culture war? v2 actually answers that the only way to successfully win the culture is to be pretty toward God. Grab a Bible (or click the link), and do this quick study in Jeremiah 4:
Lesson:
In Yahweh alone can blessing be found; hoping in anything else is like throwing your garden seeds into thorn bushes (vv1,3). So, if Judah is to be a blessing to the nations, they must acknowledge Yahweh as the only God—not only with their lips, but in lives of integrity, justice, and righteousness (v2). This alone—dedication to Yahweh as the only God—is how God’s people are a genuine blessing to a dark world.
But this is not the knowledge and wisdom that Judah have had; rather, they seem to be experts at sin (v22). They thought the nations would love them, if they tried to be attractive to them (v30a), but this is just the way in which the nations lead to their destruction (v30b). Attempting to be attractive to the culture is exactly how to lose the culture war!!
Since they deny the Creator as the only God, their judgment is appropriately likened to the undoing of creation (vv22-26). There are judgments that come to cleanse, and winnow, but when they are ignored there are temporal judgments that come only to destroy (vv11-12). And this happens at the top, with the church officers: kings, priests, and prophets (v9). The solution, then, is Jesus as King, Jesus as Prophet, Jesus as Priest. He is the circumcision of our hearts (v4, 14 cf. Deut 10:12-16, Deut 30:6, Rom 2:28-29, Col 2:11-17). In Christ, therefore, let us worship and believe in God alone—in truth, in justice, and in righteousness! And let us pray that in this way the culture would be blessed in us!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
31-May Worship Booklet Online
[click to view; right-click and 'save as' to download] the coming Lord's Day's worship booklet.
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 5:16 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
28-May Elders' Meeting Roundup
Here are some of the things that took place at the elders' meeting last night:
- approval to hold community prayer meeting on AUGUST 26th in the Harvest worship room. (The approval for June 17 from last week was based on an error by Pastor James, who had misunderstood which week was being requested of Harvest).
- decision to join in the June 17 community prayer meeting at Trinity RCA in OC. This meeting is at 7p.m., and will preempt our usual congregational gathering. Pastor James and Pastor Bob will be at the General Assembly that week
- decision to explain at Saturday's meeting the reason/purpose of the cryroom and how the session and diaconate at Harvest differ from consistories, to which many are accustomed. We have found that there is general lack of understanding or confusion on these topics. If you know of other issues that could use addressing, please let us know.
- setting of a date of June 27 for officer examinations
- setting of a date of June 27 for the annual meeting (this will follow officer examinations, and include an announcement of the slate)
- setting of a date of July 31 for new officer voting
- decision to have a celebration of thanks, July 31, after God gives us officers
- decision to sign and send several letters of instruction as a first step of corrective discipline
Labels: Announcements
¶ 5:09 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Daily Reminder--Congregational Meeting
There is a congregational meeting this Saturday evening, May 30, at 7:30p.m. Please let an elder know if you cannot attend. Congregational meeting attendance is important for many reasons.
- It is good for helping the direction of the congregation reflect the mind of the congregation as a whole.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in conversation so that each of us can have improved understanding of the Scriptural reasoning that each of the others has.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in prayer together before God, which both reinforces and expresses our dependence upon Him in all we do.
- It is good for everyone to be reminded of and encouraged to participate in the mission of the church--this is especially true for covenant children and for non-members who are considering membership.
- Participation in congregational meetings is an important discipline for each of us to foster a sense of the responsibility and interest that each of us has as an organ in the body.
- Participation in congregational meetings is a fulfillment of the "to the best of our ability" part of our membership promises.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:56 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
28May09 Best of the Web
- This guy has been reading my diary.
- Another great reminder that we don't need more plans and programs, but more prayer-full and pious men
- Here is a wonderful statement of the Gospel by John Newton.
- I found these three minutes of explanation on oaths and vows to be well spent time.
- A helpful application of Rom 8:28 from Jay Adams.
- Here is a good reminder that as a church "does more," it necessarily decreases the centrality in its life of the Lord's Day and especially of worship on the Lord's Day.
- Some of you have heard me mention that prior to 1900, almost every book was designed to be read aloud. Reading out loud (even when alone, and to yourself) is an excellent way to find out how much you're comprehending and to increase that comprehension. This post points out that the Bible even commands that it be read out loud (one of the Scriptural reasons behind our having serial readings in worship). If you don't regularly read out loud, click over and find some motivation :).
- Boundless.org has published a booklet called "A Guy's Guide to Marrying Well." That might as well be a subtitle for Genesis 24, which we are currently hearing preached! I haven't read the Boundless booklet, but I HAVE been in the thick of Genesis 24 a while. Of course, our Genesis 24 study could also have such subtitles as "A Gal's Guide to Being the Desirably Excellent Wife" and "A Parent's Guide to Marrying Your Children off Well"
- Here is an excellent encouragement to the theologically faithful on becoming a strong parliamenterian (translation: someone who knows the rules well and plays by them). Playing by the rules is more than just a matter of integrity and godliness; it is also a matter of wisdom. Also, I infer from this argument that when a denomination no longer plays by its own rules, it's time to leave. So far, when push has come to shove, the PCA has continued to live by its own constitution. I hope it will play out the same on the 2nd Commandment and the Deaconess issue. There are appropriate ways to change our constitution. There are NO appropriate ways to ignore it.
- Now THIS is how to make an apology! God grant us the humble grace to do the same when it is our turn to be confronted with our sin and error
- Many of you know that we named our last stillborn child "Lakachya Baruk Ha Shem" (Yahweh has taken away; blessed be the Name). We have found that just as for Stonewall Jackson, the rich consolations of Christ have become opportunities to direct others toward Him.
- Have you ever noticed that the idea that "love casts out fear" is in context (just 5 verses away) that love means obedience and love means not feeling God's commands to be a burden? It makes absolute sense, because as THIS POST says so well, obedience casts out fear; since results are God's, the genuine heart-obedience that love produces isn't concerned with "what might happen"--only that I would be pleasing to God whatever happens. Such faith, such love, such obedience, is fearless.
- Some of the most tender and affectionate moments in my relationships with each of my children have actually come in the context of disciplining them! That sounds counter-intuitive, and though God's commands don't need my experience to vindicate them, it turns out that my experiences actually do. And I'm not the only one.
Labels: Best of the Web
¶ 3:34 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Psalm 134 'Praise God in Evening Worship' (Thursday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
Reading – Psalm 134
Lesson:
What a delight the Lord's DAY is, the Christian Sabbath DAY. Who defines "day"? Why, God Himself defines it over and over again, right at the beginning of His book as evening AND morning. God Himself in the anticipatory worship of tabernacle and temple commanded services evening AND morning. Ought not we who DELIGHT in Him DELIGHT to worship morning AND evening on His DAY?
The songs of ascent crescendo to this final one, a joyfully sung prayer for the evening service. The journeying worshipers would be reveling in how delightful it has been finally to spend a day among the worshiping throng in the congregation of God. Is that not how we feel as well, as we come to the closing worship service on the Lord’s Day? Let us bless the Lord together, ascribing to Him the glory due His name!
The songs of ascent crescendo to this final one, a joyfully sung prayer for the evening service. The journeying worshipers would be reveling in how delightful it has been finally to spend a day among the worshiping throng in the congregation of God. Is that not how we feel as well, as we come to the closing worship service on the Lord’s Day? Let us bless the Lord together, ascribing to Him the glory due His name!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 6:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Daily Reminder--Congregational Meeting
There is a congregational meeting this Saturday evening, May 30, at 7:30p.m. Please let an elder know if you cannot attend. Congregational meeting attendance is important for many reasons.
- It is good for helping the direction of the congregation reflect the mind of the congregation as a whole.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in conversation so that each of us can have improved understanding of the Scriptural reasoning that each of the others has.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in prayer together before God, which both reinforces and expresses our dependence upon Him in all we do.
- It is good for everyone to be reminded of and encouraged to participate in the mission of the church--this is especially true for covenant children and for non-members who are considering membership.
- Participation in congregational meetings is an important discipline for each of us to foster a sense of the responsibility and interest that each of us has as an organ in the body.
- Participation in congregational meetings is a fulfillment of the "to the best of our ability" part of our membership promises.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 6:56 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Reformation Society Meeting Tomorrow, 7p.m., OC Library
SIOUXLAND REFORMATION SOCIETY will meet this Thursday evening, 7p.m., at the Orange City library. As we ask God to bring revival, the society studies the Bible together, since we know that He brings revival through His Word. We will be studying Matt 7:1-14
Labels: Announcements
¶ 6:55 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Gen 24:1-9 'The Significance of Marriage' (Wednesday Worship Follow-Up, Morning Sermon)
We had intended to cover from this text: first, that marriage is about glorifying God; second, that marriage is about reproducing believers; and, third, marriage is about enjoying God forever.
That's because as we traced through Scripture to discover why Abraham thought marriage was such a big deal, we concluded that Abraham knew that marriage was created by God as a special part of the way in which people image God. When the Pharisees challenged Him on divorce, Jesus said the importance of marriage was underscored in that "God created them from the beginning, male and female."
In other words, it's first of all the Genesis One consideration--how marriage relates to the image of God in man that makes divorce so wicked! Once we saw from our context (and with the help of Rom 4:17) that Abraham had both the glory of God and Genesis 1 continually in mind, we saw at least one reason--and the greatest reason--for the significance of marriage.
So, do you view glorifying God as the purpose of your marriage? Do you glorify Him by relating to your spouse in covenant love? (or by faithfully planning to do so and waiting for your spouse, if you're not married). Do you glorify Him for the provision of marriage by contentment with the spouse that you have? Do you view all attacks on marriage as He created it--whether through fornication, or coveting another spouse, or adultery, or homosexuality, or divorce--as on the level of murder or gossip or other sins whose guilt comes from attacking the image of God in man?
(You can [click here] to listen to the full audio of the sermon as preached)
Reading – Genesis 24:1-9
Lesson:We had intended to cover from this text: first, that marriage is about glorifying God; second, that marriage is about reproducing believers; and, third, marriage is about enjoying God forever.
That's because as we traced through Scripture to discover why Abraham thought marriage was such a big deal, we concluded that Abraham knew that marriage was created by God as a special part of the way in which people image God. When the Pharisees challenged Him on divorce, Jesus said the importance of marriage was underscored in that "God created them from the beginning, male and female."
In other words, it's first of all the Genesis One consideration--how marriage relates to the image of God in man that makes divorce so wicked! Once we saw from our context (and with the help of Rom 4:17) that Abraham had both the glory of God and Genesis 1 continually in mind, we saw at least one reason--and the greatest reason--for the significance of marriage.
So, do you view glorifying God as the purpose of your marriage? Do you glorify Him by relating to your spouse in covenant love? (or by faithfully planning to do so and waiting for your spouse, if you're not married). Do you glorify Him for the provision of marriage by contentment with the spouse that you have? Do you view all attacks on marriage as He created it--whether through fornication, or coveting another spouse, or adultery, or homosexuality, or divorce--as on the level of murder or gossip or other sins whose guilt comes from attacking the image of God in man?
(You can [click here] to listen to the full audio of the sermon as preached)
Song – A Christian Home
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:14 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
How meaty and consistent has your own personal or family diet of Scripture been recently?
heb412.us is active again, as of today. Maintaining http://heb412.us is so helpful to me in keeping my mind active in all parts of the Bible, that every time I re-prioritize my time, I pick it back up again.
That of course begs the question: why do I ever take a break from it? And the honest answer is that it takes a chunk of time. But it's a chunk of time worth taking.
I suspect many in the congregation have a similar experience when it comes to personal and family intake of Scripture in your daily devotions. There's a lot out there that includes a quick thought and prayer, but not so much for really getting into the Bible on a daily basis. The Dutch tradition of a chapter a day far outclasses almost every devotional resource in the bookstores today, but it can be daunting for those who don't feel equipped to understand or explain it to their wives and children.
So, I'm wondering. What has been the quantity and quality of your own personal or family diet of Scripture been recently? If the answer is less than you wish it to be, then my first recommendation is that you use the worship booklet throughout the week (as I model in in the "worship follow-ups") to feed upon what we heard in the worship services.
If you can do more, perhaps http://heb412.us would be a helpful resource for you. You can pick up one or more of the tracks (each of the 4 readings just goes straight through Bible): the questions help you get at the text's meaning (or, better put, help the text's meaning get at you!), and the prayer gives you even more of a hint at some main ways in which the Bible passage applies.
If neither of these is helpful, please let an elder know. We sincerely and strongly desire for every individual in the congregation to be nourished in the word every day; and, we will do whatever equipping and encouraging is necessary to that end!
Labels: Announcements, Website
¶ 4:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Daily Reminder--Congregational Meeting
There is a congregational meeting this Saturday evening, May 30, at 7:30p.m. Please let an elder know if you cannot attend. Congregational meeting attendance is important for many reasons.
- It is good for helping the direction of the congregation reflect the mind of the congregation as a whole.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in conversation so that each of us can have improved understanding of the Scriptural reasoning that each of the others has.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in prayer together before God, which both reinforces and expresses our dependence upon Him in all we do.
- It is good for everyone to be reminded of and encouraged to participate in the mission of the church--this is especially true for covenant children and for non-members who are considering membership.
- Participation in congregational meetings is an important discipline for each of us to foster a sense of the responsibility and interest that each of us has as an organ in the body.
- Participation in congregational meetings is a fulfillment of the "to the best of our ability" part of our membership promises.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:38 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Prayer Request: Kessedi's Surgery at 9a.m.
Thank you, already, to all of you who have been encouraging her. We praise God for your love.
Labels: Prayer Requests
¶ 4:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Reminder: Prayer Meeting Tomorrow
As usual, we will meet for prayer tomorrow evening, Wednesday, at 7p.m. Congregations should gather for prayer, because this is what you do if you believe in God as Savior through Jesus Christ (1Tim 2:1-8). The devotional will again be the richly soul-nourishing text of Psalm 37:1-9. See you there!
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 4:29 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, May 25, 2009
Revelation 18 'Pursuing Pleasure Ends Quickly in Pain' (Morning Reading, Worship Follow-Up)
Lesson:
Last week, with the beast of power in chapter 17, we saw how utterly stupid it is to spend ourselves in the pursuit of power and influence. This week in chapter 18, we find out that the babe of pleasure isn’t any wiser a pursuit.
Here is a great warning against giving our hearts to what looks good and feels good and smells good and tastes good. The judgment that comes so fast upon those whose lives are consumed with pursuing what pleases the senses, that in this chapter the salespeople are left mourning with no one left to whom to sell.
God’s warning to us in v4 is on two accounts: if we live for the same pleasures as the rest of the world, we will fall into the same sin as the rest of the world; if we live for the same pleasures as the rest of the world, we will endure the same plagues as the rest of the world. Oh how we the church need to hear this today! Is it not evident, when you look at what churches seem to value even in the activities they plan and the prosperity they promise, that we are indeed defining pleasure according to our senses, and just placing God Himself as one pleasure among many?
But this is God’s mercy to us in worship this morning: hearing about the end of those who define pleasure by their senses. When in Psalm 73 Asaph was jealous of the worldly pleasures that the wicked seemed to enjoy, and tempted to think that righteousness was useless, God had the same mercy upon him:
Psalm 73:16-20: But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Oh that God would take our hearing the same truth from Revelation 18 and have the same result in the cry of our hearts:
Psalm 73:21-28 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Let us be those who define goodness as nearness to God and define security as trusting in Him. God grant that our hearts’ cry would be: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You!” And let our goal in this pleasure and peace be that we would tell of all His works!
Song – Be Thou My Vision
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Daily Reminder--Congregational Meeting
There is a congregational meeting this Saturday evening, May 30, at 7:30p.m. Please let an elder know if you cannot attend. Congregational meeting attendance is important for many reasons.
- It is good for helping the direction of the congregation reflect the mind of the congregation as a whole.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in conversation so that each of us can have improved understanding of the Scriptural reasoning that each of the others has.
- It is good for the congregation to engage in prayer together before God, which both reinforces and expresses our dependence upon Him in all we do.
- It is good for everyone to be reminded of and encouraged to participate in the mission of the church--this is especially true for covenant children and for non-members who are considering membership.
- Participation in congregational meetings is an important discipline for each of us to foster a sense of the responsibility and interest that each of us has as an organ in the body.
- Participation in congregational meetings is a fulfillment of the "to the best of our ability" part of our membership promises.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:16 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Audio: 24-May Evening Sermon, Rom 8:29-30 'What Wondrous Love'
Labels: Sermons
¶ 4:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Audio: 24-May Morning Sermon, Gen 24:1-9 pt1 'The Significance of Marriage'
[click here to stream the audio, right-click for options to save/download it]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 4:06 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Audio: 24-May Serial Reading, Revelation 18
The morning serial reading this week was from Revelation 18, an important caution not to get sucked into being led by our senses and living for pleasure, as the rest of the world does. The audio of reading and exposition are [online here].
Labels: Serial Readings
¶ 4:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Monergism Books Memorial Day Sale -- 10% off already steeply discounted prices, $35+
If you only receive these by email and never see them [on the web], you may not have seen the links to [wtsbooks.com] and [monergismbooks.com]--doctrinally reliable and well-discounted sources of books. There's a link to christianbook.com as well, though much of what they sell is doctrinally poor; but, they have a lot more gift and stationary-type things that you might find useful.
monergismbooks.com is having a Memorial Day sale today. You'd have to register, because it's for registered customers. 10% off all purchases over $35. Type - MemorialDay - in the "Coupon or Promotional Code" box (case sensitive). Valid until midnight on May 25th.
Labels: Book Recommendations and Reviews, Website
¶ 1:20 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Sunday, May 24, 2009
Heb 3:1-6 'Christian Worship's Priest, Prophet, and King' (Monday Worship Follow-Up, Morning Reading)
Reading – Hebrews 3:1-6
Lesson:
Last week, we heard how Jesus perfectly became our merciful and faithful High Priest in the worship of God. The text for this week’s call turns to how Jesus is also our perfect Prophet, the Apostle (sent one) who builds the church through His Word.
And Jesus is our perfect King, the Son who faithfully rules the house of God.
So, we come to Christian congregational worship with Jesus as our Priest, Jesus as our Prophet, Jesus as our King—a priest higher than Aaron, a prophet more glorious than Moses, a King who is God Himself. Is it not astounding, what we are about to do?!
No wonder, then, that the preacher of this sermon looked around the room and addressed the congregation as “holy brethren” involved in a “heavenly calling,” with a confidence to which they held fast and a hope in which they were full to bursting with joy.
The same is now our own confidence and joy in Jesus, our Priest, Prophet, and King!
Song – The Church’s One Foundation
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, May 23, 2009
Correct Meeting Time This Saturday Is 7:30 p.m.
The time was listed correctly in the body but not the title of the original web post. Sorry for the confusion! The original post has been corrected. The meeting is THIS COMING SATURDAY the 30th at SEVEN THIRTY in the evening.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 3:11 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:28 'What We Surely Know' (Saturday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Sermon)
Reading - Romans 8:28
Lesson:
Lord's Day evening, we examined this verse especially in light of its grammar and context. Grammatically, we saw the emphasis upon (a) our certain knowledge, (b) our current loving, (c) God’s active involvement. Contextually, we saw that these are built upon the facts that (a) everything believers do, they do jointly with Christ, (b) everything God does in time, He does with a strong purpose to the end of glorifying us with Jesus, (c) the Holy Spirit, who completely desires our good, and exactly knows what must bring it about, perfectly prays for every necessary detail of it.
Song – I Know Whom I Have Believed
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, May 21, 2009
Jeremiah 3 'The Husband of Our Hearts' (Friday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
Lesson:
“The heart” is the heart of Jeremiah 3. If you’ve ever witnessed a marriage in which the wife has thrown herself at one man after another who is not her husband, you get the point the chapter makes about the situation at the beginning of the chapter: this marriage is broken beyond repair; there’s no way to undo the pollution done here. In fact, v10 tells us that although Judah has seen enough to be frightened, her repentance was only outward and not from the heart.
Are you in such a situation? Have you sinned against God over and over and over? Have you heard His warnings and seen examples of what can happen—but still, the best you can produce is an outward and temporary changing of ways? Then God comes to you with an invitation in Jeremiah 3, because He is the God who changes us from the heart.
God comes to Israel and to Judah and invites us to turn to Him. He will keep us from stubbornly following our own evil hearts (v17) by giving us shepherds after His own heart to help us (v15). He Himself will heal our faithlessness, because it is simply beyond us (v22).
Although Jeremiah will hint (23:3-5) at how God will do this, all his readers need to know is that God makes this invitation: Turn to Him even now, and He will heal your heart. We know who the Chief Shepherd is, the Lord Jesus. We know who the Righteous Branch is, the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ obedient life and substitutionary atoning death and powerful resurrection are the guarantee that even for someone as dirty and dead as you, God can and will transform your heart. Turn away from your sin and to this heart-changing God!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:34 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Congregational Meeting Rescheduled for May 30, 7:30p.m.
The congregational meeting originally planned for April 29 has now been rescheduled for Saturday, May 30, at 7:30p.m. Please let an elder know if you cannot be there. Thank you!
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:22 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
20-May Elders' Meeting Roundup
Here is a summary of things that the elders did last night:
- opened in prayer an had a devotional, working through the end of 1 Cor 10
- ok'd the use of our worship room for a community prayer meeting on June 17
- planned for the April 29 congregational meeting to be rescheduled to May 30--announcements to take place via internet and the worship booklet, with instruction that if you cannot go you should call an elder and let them know
- decided that the elders will purchase for the congregation 12 large print pew Bibles, and 24 more regular print pew Bibles
- planned the coordination of schedules for running sound, greeting, class nursery, worship nursery, coffee/refreshments, cleaning
- discussed the spiritual care of the congregation in general, and several individuals and families in particular
- praised God for evidences of growth in grace in several individuals
- paused several times for seasons of prayer
Remember that elders' meetings are open to the public, and that we encourage your attendance. Please remember especially to pray for your elders. God grant His blessing upon their work to the praise of His glory.
Labels: Announcements, Elders' Meetings
¶ 4:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
New in the Church Library
The Puritans were unmatched in their ability to combine deep, theological thinking with warm, practical living. In recent decades, many of their writings have been brought back into print but few Christians know who these men were or why their works are worth reading.
In Meet the Puritans, Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson go a long way toward alleviating this problem. This resource provides biographical introductions to every Puritan whose work has been republished in recent decades. Along with each biography is a guide to the written works of that Puritan author. 
The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer's life. He aims to "cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications." In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twenty-eight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so-called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism's influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion.
New today in the library...
The Puritans were unmatched in their ability to combine deep, theological thinking with warm, practical living. In recent decades, many of their writings have been brought back into print but few Christians know who these men were or why their works are worth reading. In Meet the Puritans, Joel R. Beeke and Randall J. Pederson go a long way toward alleviating this problem. This resource provides biographical introductions to every Puritan whose work has been republished in recent decades. Along with each biography is a guide to the written works of that Puritan author.
The theological system known as Calvinism is often caricatured as harsh, dour, and illogical. But as Dr. Joel R. Beeke argues in this important new book, this image could not be further from the truth. Beeke, a pastor, educator, editor, and prolific author, shows instead that Calvinism is a theology that is firmly rooted in Scripture and works its way out into every area of the believer's life. He aims to "cover the intellectual and spiritual emphases of Calvinism, the way it influences the church and everyday living, and its ethical and cultural implications." In this comprehensive survey of Reformed Christianity, Dr. Beeke and eight fellow contributors offer twenty-eight chapters that trace the history of Calvinism; explore its key doctrinal tenets, such as the so-called five points of Calvinism and the solas of the Protestant Reformation; reveal how Calvinists have sought to live in devotion to God; and survey Calvinism's influence in the church and in the world at large. In the end, the book asserts that the overriding goal of Calvinism is the glory of God. Saturated with Scripture citations and sprinkled with quotations from wise giants of church history, this book presents Calvinism in a winsome and wondrous fashion.Labels: Book Recommendations and Reviews
¶ 10:53 AM 1 Comments Links to this post
Praise Report for Joel De Groot
This praise report is late, as it was Tuesday night when Jo phoned with the joyful news. Joel's surgery was so completely successful that there isn't even any aftercare needed. Praise the Lord!
Labels: Praise Reports
¶ 9:12 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Psalm 133 'Good and Pleasant Worship' (Thursday Worship Follow-Up)
This week's evening call to worship was from Psalm 133. The goodness and pleasantness described in this Psalm is ultimately known in Christ!
Reading – Psalm 133
Lesson:
In the congregational gathering, we delight in our holiness to and acceptance by God through our High Priest—not now Aaron, who was a type, but Jesus Himself, who is the real thing. We delight in God’s showering us with His blessing, even as we come to serve Him through Christ!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:22 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Sermon Audio - Romans 8:28 'What We Surely Know' (17-May-09 Evening)
[left-click to listen, right-click to download/save]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 11:21 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Sermon Audio - Matthew 28:18-20 'Making, Marking, and Molding Disciples' (17-May-09 Morning)
[left-click to listen, right-click to download/save]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 11:20 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Psa 37:1-9 'Seeking Meekness' (20-May-09 Prayer Meeting)
Don't forget that Wednesday evening is prayer meeting, 7p.m., at the building. You won't want to miss the devotional on Psalm 37:1-9.
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 7:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Mat 28:18-20 'Making, Marking, and Molding Disciples' (Wednesday Worship Follow-Up)
On Wednesdays, many of us think back through the morning sermon. This week, it was invigorating to hear about Jesus' command to make and mold disciples.
Reading – Matthew 28:18-20
Lesson:
When we realize just how tall an order it is to seek sinners, warn them of the weight of God's wrath upon their sin, and invite them to exchange burdens with Christ.
And when we realize that the molding of disciples isn't complete until they keep from the heart every command of Christ.
Then, we especially need to remember both parts of the marking: that this mark obligates us as the special property of King Jesus in the world, but also that this mark also seals to us that the King of heaven and earth exercises His authority by being with His kingdom citizens in their kingdom work!
(the audio of the sermon will be online Wednesday morning)
Song – All Authority and Power (#453 in hymnal, unavailable online)
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:12 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, May 18, 2009
Revelation 17 'Pleasure and Power Are Pathetic Pursuits' (Tuesday Worship Follow-Up)
As we continue to digest what we fed upon in worship this week, we come to the morning reading. Jesus, the Lamb, is the only truly fulfilling, forever enduring pursuit. Though the seekers of pleasure and power may drink their fill of saints' blood now, those pursuits are utter folly. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
Lesson:
This chapter features a prostitute, dressed in the trappings of worldly pleasure, and a beast dressed in the trappings of worldly power. These are the two great idols of this age: the pursuit of pleasure and the pursuit of power, and these pursuits are self defeating.
The pursuit of pleasure results in drunkenness and insanity and misery. When pleasure itself is a goal, it cannot bring lasting joy.
The same with the pursuit of power. The first readers would have easily recognized the city on seven hills as Rome, and 10 being a number of human completion, the horns probably represent not 10 specific kings but the whole of world rulers from the fall of Rome to the end. Their “one hour” rule reminds us how fleeting all earthly power is, though at the time it may seem severe and invincible.
The teaching of this chapter is also a fact of history—that kingdoms built upon a lust for power are destroyed by that same beast as it expresses itself in others who will overthrow them. And that in the idolatrous pursuit of power, earthly comfort and pleasure are eventually and inevitably destroyed. All idolatry is self-defeating.
To this, the chapter contrasts the only true life-pursuit: Jesus Himself. Though for a time idolatry will drink full of the blood of the saints, Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He must conquer in the end, and because their lot has been thrown in with His, believers will outlast all earthly power and all earthly pleasure.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Sunday, May 17, 2009
Heb 2:14-18 'Our Priest in the [Worship] Service of God' (Monday Worship Follow-Up)
Call to Worship – Hebrews 2:14-18 (Pew Bible, p1002)
God cannot die, and God cannot suffer. So God the Son, took a human nature for Himself that He might do both. His meritorious life earns for us to stand before God; His propitiatory death turns away God’s wrath so that as we stand before Him, we might enjoy His complete favor. Such is our merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God.
Jesus leads our worship services, presenting us in Himself, on His merits, through His blood. Let us worship God in Christ!
Song – #305, Arise, My Soul, Arise
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:28 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, May 16, 2009
17-May-09 Worship Booklet
A pdf file of the coming Lord's Day worship booklet is now [online here].
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 2:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
2Ki 4:8-37 'A Mother Living Out Rom 8:28' (10-May Evening Sermon)
Preached by Russ Herman. [Click here] for the audio.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 2:45 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:28 'All Things for Good' (10-May Morning Sermon)
Preached by Russ Herman. [Click here] for the audio.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 2:42 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Isa 46 'The God Who Makes, Bears, and Saves' (3-May-09 Evening Sermon)
[click here for the audio]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 2:41 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Isa 45:9-25 'He Doesn't Have to Explain' (3-May Morning Sermon)
[click here for the audio]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 2:40 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, May 15, 2009
Food Arrangements for the May 23rd Celebration
Alethea writes: May 23 @ 5:30 in the church- For the celebration supper we are asking each family to take their own meat and matching buns to grill. It may be brats, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Last names ending with A-M are asked to bring a salad, and last names N-Z are asked to bring dessert. Singles are to bring three bags of chips.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 9:20 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, May 14, 2009
Various Announcements
I'm back in the office again, and have a number of things for you, as I clear off my desk and clean out my inbox:
Please Turn in Your Favorite Hymns and Scriptures for the Celebration on the 23rd--Alethea tells me that she only has a few submissions so far. Since we are having a special congregational time of thanks to God for the wonders He has done among us, we would really like to include your family's favorite hymns and Scriptures in the program.
Prayer Request Pad--I'm wondering if anyone has seen this. I put a brand new one on the table before I left, and there isn't one now. Neither have I received 50 prayer requests in the meantime :). Also, please do not use these sheets as scrap paper. Thanks!
The Bridge Volunteer Needs--The Bridge usually relies fairly heavily upon Dordt and Northwestern students, but they will soon be gone for the summer. They need volunteers, especially in childcare. If you need convincing to help out for an hour or two each month, please talk to pastor James.
OCCS Hymn of the Month Program--Orange City Christian School is having their annual Hymn of the Month Program on Wednesday May 27 at 7:00 p.m. at First Reformed Church. Everyone is encouraged to attend and take a friend!
OCCS 8th Grade Graduation--Graduation exercises will be held for the eighth grade students attending Orange City Christian School on Friday evening, May 29, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church. Everyone is invited to attend this graduation.
Arlyn Schaap Retirement Celebration--The Staff of Orange City Christian School cordially invites you to celebrate Arlyn Schaap's years of service and leadership in Christian education. An open house will be held on Sunday, May 31 at the OCCS gym from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Stop by to thank Aryln for his dedication to Christian education and wish him well in his retirement.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:02 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, May 2, 2009
Genesis 25:22
Thank you all for your prayers. I write from Saint Mary's Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Michigan. After tests and diagnostics, it seems that Heather's bleeding was due to a little overactivity. As for tightness and tenseness in the uterus, that was likely due to the twins taking more space than those of previous pregnancies. Praise the Lord! The seven of us look forward to worshiping with you again soon.
Labels: Announcements, Praise Reports
¶ 6:01 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, May 1, 2009
Fellowship Meal on the 3rd
Remember to whip up (or unwrap/unbox) something for the fellowship meal after worship Lord's Day morning. The Lord's Supper will be postponed until the 17th.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 6:49 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Prayer Request
Heather has begun bleeding and may be miscarrying again. She is on bed-rest in Michigan, and James has gone to join them. Please pray for Heather, baby, and the rest of the Hakim family.
Labels: Prayer Requests
¶ 4:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
