Call to worship:
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.Psalm 34:17-22
Gathering Video
Questions for reflection:
How can we couple any criticism with actual help?
What does scripture show us about the unfolding promises of God and His process?
Where do you need patience for the product of what God is creating in your life?
Corporate Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
We are in awe of Your work. We see how the gospel of Jesus brings life, beauty, grace and freedom. May Your glorious truth be the center of our lives. Empower us by Your Spirit to remain connected to You and one another in everything we say and do.
In the name of Christ we pray,
Amen
Notes//Quotes//Slides:
Acts 27:1-44 - Jack
Title: Small Ship, Big Sea
“Chiding is indeed cruel, and brings no comfort; but if it be tempered with some remedy, it is now a part of the medicine.”
- John Calvin
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed” (Prov. 15:22)
“We do not worship a deistic God, an absentee landlord who ignores his slum; we worship a garbageman God who came right down into our worst garbage to clean it up.”
- Peter Kreft
Oh Maker of the mighty deep
Whereon our vessels fare,
Above our life’s adventure keep
Thy faithful watch and care.
In Thee we trust, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great; our boats are small.
We know not where the secret tides
Will help us or delay
Nor where the lurking tempest tides,
Nor where the fogs are gray.
We trust in Thee, whate’er befall,
Thy sea is great; our boats are small.
Beyond the circle of the sea,
When voyaging is past,
We seek our final part in Thee;
Oh bring us home at last.
In Thee we trust, whate’er befall;
Thy sea is great; our boats are small.
- Henry Van Dyke