Veritas Gathered: Preparing for Sunday – May 12th, 2013

::SERMON::
This weekend at the Veritas Worship Gatherings we will continue our sermon series, Romans: Sanctification from the Gospel, by looking at Romans 8:28-30.  We will be looking at the truth that scripture tells us about God working all things out for our good. This is often a difficult concept to grasp as we live amidst a sinful and broken world full of what seems to be the opposite of good. Our perceptions of what is good, however, could be the greatest source of our confusion. Is our standard of good the ultimate authority or does God reserve that right?

::LITURGY::
As part of our time of confession this week we will be reading a portion of Psalm 42.  So often we find ourselves in places of despair and depression because we have chased after idols instead of Christ.  We encourage you to read through this text and reflect on how often you are blinded from seeing that your ultimate satisfaction is in Jesus. Do this with great hope, however, because God the Father has justified us through the cross of Christ.

 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?
Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
– Psalm 42:1-6, 8

::MUSIC::
A couple of the songs that we’ll be singing this week are:

– “Hail To The King”, a new song by Mars Hill band called Citizens

– “When I Survey”, a Veritas arrangement of a beautiful old hymn that reminds us of Christ’s cross

– “Here is Love”, an older song by Matt Redman that reminds us so well of God’s love for us!

– “Doxology”, a familiar hymn filled with rich theology about the triune God

Here is a link to a Spotify playlist.
Even though our arrangements might be slightly different, listen through these songs and see the great truths that they speak about our God and then come prepared to sing them out loudly and joyfully as a gathered church.

See you Sunday!