Deus Misereatur

  (This is what I wrote my congregation today - 23 October 2024) Earlier this year the deacons and elders read a wonderful book by a PCA pastor, Christopher Hutchinson, titled “Rediscovering Humility”. Toward the close of the book Hutchinson makes an important set of observations and recommendations, “…the Lord’s Day is for the Christian, a Sabbath from the worries and labors of the world. A sincere church will be a place of rest and respite for believers as they gather with God’s people to worship and remind themselves where their true hope lies (…). Many of today’s churches, however, have become so self-oriented and self-consumed that their constant goals are growth and motion and nonstop advertisement of multiple new programs with the inevitable pressure on everyone to do their part to make the church bigger and busier. Just as in a city, the energy and busyness are not bad in themselves. In fact, energy can be very good, as churches work hard to participate in the Great Commi...

  With Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) we pray: “ My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation .” Thank you for your compassionate care over us, and for listening to our concerns. Thank you for lifting us up out of the miry clay and setting our feet on the Rock. Thank you for rescuing us from the one who had the power over death, and the fear of death. Our hearts do exult in you.     “ There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed .” We pray to you, O Lord who knows our hearts, and who is in our homes. Heal the strained and stressed marriages; mend the fragmented and fractured families; and repair the brittle and bleak hearts that are troubled (…). Bring reconciliation where there has been hostility; repen...