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Showing posts from April 8, 2018

"Remembrance, Communion, and Hope" by J. Todd Billings. A Review

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Remembrance, Communion, and Hope: Rediscovering the Gospel at the Lord's Table by J. Todd Billings My rating: 5 of 5 stars There’s only so much you can say about J. Todd Billings, Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, and accomplished author. You either like him, or you like him. It’s just that plain and simple. And recently Billings gave us one more reason to like him with his newest 237 page softback, “Remembrance, Communion, and Hope: Rediscovering the Gospel at the Lord's Table”. This fine treatise on the Lord’s Supper is written to attract the attention and affections of professors, pastors and parishioners. And it is composed to present readers and leaders with a wager: “that a renewed theology and practice of the Lord’s Supper can be an instrument for congregations to develop a deeper, more multifaceted sense of the gospel itself…the Supper is ...

Vespers - 8 April 2018

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(Our Children) : Father, who delights to call us your children and has blessed our families and church with many children – teeny ones, tween, teens and grown ones. We pray for them that in their particular stages of maturation and growth, you would preserve them from harm and harmful people. Further, we ask you to cultivate their attractions, their affections, their thoughts, and their discretions that they would not be swept up and away by treacheries or twisted allurements. We want them to be successful in their academic studies and vocations, yet we ultimately long for them to always walk in your ways, to know that they are yours and you are theirs, and to love you with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. O Lord, hear our prayer. (North American Church): We plead with you especially and expressly for your church in North America. Preserve us from ourselves; preserve us from amputating ourselves from the essential, directive, life-supporting connection to your Word;...

"The LORD Takes Pleasure..." - 8 April 2018

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Our Father, who’s blessed Son our Savior gave his back to the smiters and did not hide his face from shame: give us all that we need to endure the sufferings of this present time with grace and joy, as well as a sure and certain confidence of the glory that shall be revealed in us through Jesus Christ our Lord. For the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love (Psalm 147.11) . O Lord, we pray for your Church in all places, for this congregation, Northwest Freewill Baptist; Oak Hills; Shady Nook; South Oaks; and Southwest Free Will Baptist Churches. Help us that we may be strengthened to greater and greater faithfulness, that no matter what we may face, we will always walk in your ways. Take care of all our needs, providing for us bountifully from your generosity. For the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Please turn the hearts of our enemies away from hate and maliciousness, and brin...