Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
Enhanced Rainbow by Barb Ver Sluis
Here is our order of worship
(All the songs in today's EChurch are performed by Avalon)
The Trinitarian Prayer of John Stott link
Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Lord Jesus, I worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me.
Amen.”
If you are new to EChurch, please click on this link for an explanation
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB Bible Gateway)
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Questions for Discussion
(1) Do you have some ideas on how to “provoke one another to love and good works?”
(2) Why is it difficult sometimes for a traditional church to focus in on the mission of loving others and doing good, even to strangers?
(3) Have you ever had anyone ever challenge you to love others and do good? When? Do you think it uncomfortable to challenge someone else?
Prayer of St. Benedict link
O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
and a life to proclaim you;
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi link
OUR FATHER
most holy, our Creator and Redeemer, our Saviour and our Comforter.
WHO ART IN HEAVEN
in the angels and the saints, giving them light to know you, since you, Lord, are light; setting them afire to love you, since you, Lord, are love; dwelling in them and giving them fullness of joy, since you, Lord, are the supreme, eternal good, and all good comes from you.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME,
may we grow to know you better and better and so appreciate the extent of your favours, the scope of your promises, the sublimity of your majesty, and the profundity of your judgements.
THY KINGDOM COME,
so that you may reign in us by your grace, and bring us to your kingdom, where we shall see you clearly, love you perfectly and, happy in your company, enjoy you forever.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,
so that we may love you with all our heart, by always having you in mind; with all our soul, by always longing for you; with all our mind, by determining to seek your glory in everything; and with all our strength, of body and soul, by lovingly serving you alone. May we love our neighbours as ourselves, and encourage them all to love you, by bearing our share in the joys and sorrows of others, while giving offence to no one.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may remember and appreciate how much He loved us, and everything He said and did and suffered.
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
in your immeasurable mercy, by virtue of the passion of your Son, and through the intercession of Mary, and all your saints.
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
and if we do not forgive perfectly, Lord, make us forgive perfectly, so that, for love of you, we may really forgive our enemies, and fervently pray to you for them, returning no one evil for evil, but trying to serve you in everyone.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
be it hidden or obvious, sudden or persistent.
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL,
past, present or future.
For Thine is the Glory,
Forever and ever
Amen.
Thank you for spending your precious time worshipping the Lord.
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Dee and Deb, I should confess that I’m copying and pasting some of these prayers each week into my own service resources file.
May you be blessed with the same abundance with which you bless others
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Lynne,
We are so glad you are being encouraged! Your presence here is encouraging to us. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to the discussion.
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First of Wade’s messages that has made me sad. This type of church is totally foreign to me. Don’t really know what to do at this point. There are no churches here that show the love or compassion Wade described. The Christians I know are too judgmental. Oh well, I will do what I always do, pray.
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I live in a city full of churches and I’ve attended several of them for a “season” but have always stopped going for one reason or another. Sure, I can blame them all I want but I’m beginning to see my failures as part of the problem.
Thanks, Wade for the thoughtful message, and thanks dee and deb for hosting it.
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Thanks again for a beautiful, thought-provoking service.
Attending this E-church has renewed my faith in the purpose of Christian gatherings and I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to gather with you all.
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Dee and Deb,
This is my first time with E-Church and I am impressed. Thanks for this service.
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Scooters mom: That is where it begins. In my opinion, you are absolutely right in your thought. Having the desire to have such a relationship with God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, praying for it and for God to send a body of believers aka the church where you can go and find such a thing. God will answer. I don’t know how long it will be, but as he answered my prayer some twenty six years ago, taking six to lead us to Oklahoma from Kansas and to Emmanuel through of all things the yellow pages of the phone book, so he knows your heart, and will answer. Maybe for now he has answered through EChurch. Our church is just as available to you for anything as is to me if my understanding is correct.
I hope I’m not offering unsolicited, unwelcome advice but I feel your longing and your pain. Been there and done that as have others. I have such a burden and prayer for you and other commentators on this blog who have been beat up by the very one who is supposed to love us, the church. It’s like having a parent abuse you where they are to love and protect. It’s just something my mind can never comprehend.
BTW my granddaughter and I were at the 9:30 Refuge service today and I can’t wait until you guys hear the message given. It was wonderful.
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V,
I like this format, too. I’m an introvert and sort of socially awkward, so a small group setting suits me much better. I wish I could be is a small group with other believers without the formal church setting. Some of my family membrs are believers so when we get together, it’s “church” to me 🙂
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Very much enjoyed today’s order of service.
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Thank you for the sermon today- was wonderful Wade! This was very encouraging to us.
Our family have been “doing” church at home and know that this is where the Lord
has us. For awhile we were getting down about not having the fellowship with other
believers, but the Lord has been bringing unexpected surprises. We have had a desire
to reach young adults for Christ – well my daughter has a friend who is unsaved; had church
service with her this morning and presented the gospel. These experiences are showing
my family that we can be used to reach lost souls for Him even at home- yes church is
all around us. In fact, this setting is effective because we can open our arms to these kids
whether believers or unbelievers and get to know them on a personal level.
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To Debbie Kaufman – thank you for your prayers. I long so much to be around others that truly love God, however, they are the ones I don’t trust. As you have probably guessed,I have trust issues and it has spilled over into all areas of my life. I am tired of being distrustful of people. I will keep praying and will try hard to trust God to show me the answer. Afterall, he pointed me to TWW and echurch!!!!!
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Vicki,
I love your transparency and honesty. Some small group somewhere would benefit from your giftedness and wisdom–even if it is in your front living room!
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Debbie,
I didn’t see you or your granddaughter in REFUGE today (lights too bright), but I appreciate your encouraging words! Also, I think your experience (as revealed in your comment to Scooter’s Mom) is typical of many, and I appreciate you encouraging folks with your comments!
By the way, REFUGE at 9:30 is quickly becoming my favorite service of the four on Sunday morning! I thought the worship was incredible!
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Kelly, True Words, Faith and Victorious,
Like you, I too enjoyed today’s Echurch format. I really appreciate Wanda and Dee for Wartburg Watch’s attention to detail in putting E-Church together. The songs, written prayers and comments all add to the electronic worship. If any of you ever desire to begin a small group in your home to reach out to family/friends and neighbors, we’d love to give any support possible! Regardless, just the fact that each of you is participating in EChurch is testimony that this ministry is worthwhile!
I pray the Lord reveals His grace and favor to you this week in surprising ways!
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Wade, my husband and I would love the support of a pastor- we do not know quite how to go about
a ministry/home Bible study to young adults in our area. We do know the Lord has laid it on our hearts to
minister in this area. By the way Debbie and Dee we have loved your site and are glad that these areas of
abuse and doctrinal errors are coming out in the light. May the Lord expose the darkness and bring those to see His light!
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Faith
I am so glad you are here! We believe we have been called by God to draw attention to spiritual abuse and minister to the downtrodden. We are so grateful that Wade Burleson is helping us through his powerful sermons and his wonderful dialogue with our commenters here.
I believe God will equip you and lead you in the direction He would have you go. I will pray to that end.
Blessings!
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FYI
When this Avalon CD featuring these songs first came out, I played it often, and my daughters and I would joyfully sing allong. I believe these songs (and others we have featured in our EChurch posts) played an important role in teaching my daughters about the character of God.
I’m grateful these songs have been encouraging to some of you.
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Faith,
I would love to visit with you and/or your husband via phone sometime this week. My number is 580-237-0602. The best time to call is Monday, Wednesday or Thursday and ask for me. I will visit with you about how we can give you some support in your area and introduce you to Dr. John Stam (our Discipleship and Missions Pastor) who is leading our home groups. I can also put you in touch with a leader of a home group in OKC (Mike and Cherri Moxley) and they can share with you their experiences.
Look forward to visiting with you if you would like to begin a ministry in your home. We would be thrilled to offer our support and backing.
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Wade
Thanks for preparing the discussion questions included in this week’s EChurch.
Also, I really enjoyed your message!
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scooter’s mom
I think of you often and pray for you.
I hope you don’t mind me asking this question:
Who is Scooter?
Blessings!
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Wade: We were sitting in the back where it’s hard to find us. 🙂 My granddaughters love Refuge service, so that is where we go. I agree the 9:30 is terrific. I have also been to the 11:00.
It’s so encouraging to see home groups being started from the Echurch. God moves in ways I certainly don’t see coming. This being one. I am so thankful for Dee and Deb having a heart for those who hurt. I’m always just so sorry that it was the church who hurt them.
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Scootersmom: The fact that you are going to God in prayer is all the faith you need. No need for trying, you are there in the faith department. A mustard seed of faith isn’t very big, but it’ not the amount, but going to God despite the issues. I understand trust issues, and your Father understands more than I ever could. He loves you and is there for you with healing in spite of our lack of faith. He understands why that is difficult for you.
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to Debbie Kaufman – Wow, I don’t have the words to express my gratitude and thanks to you, for the encouraging words and the validation of my faith. How different it is to have someone say to me that I’m okay, my amount of faith is okay, etc. I’m used to being told “not enough (fill in the blank)”. It is almost too much for my brain to take in.
to Deb – Scooter is my 6 yr old cat. The first cat I have ever lived with and I adore him sooooooo much. If he were human, I’d marry him. He has all the attributes I want in a man!!! thanks for the prayers too.
I can’t begin to thank all of you for the prayers and words of encouragement. My heart, right now, is overflowing so much that it is flowing out of my eyes in the way of tears.
Also, I’m so sorry for the late response. I was not near a tablet or computer for much of the day yesterday until now. (I’m at work right now)
Love you guys. (really)
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Pastor Wade Burleson,
I am working with small groups and would like to talk to you. May I call you some time? At your convenience, of course.
Thank you so much. I like your ministry.
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Kelly,
Anytime. Feel free to call me at 580-237-0602. If I am not in, leave a number and I will return your call.
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I’m late to looking at this (thanks deb for mentioning that it was this Hebrews passage) but am glad I watched it. We looked at verses 19-25 at bible study this week, but we spent almost all the time on verses 19-23 (which isn’t a bad thing, they’re beautiful and encouraging words) that we only had about 10 minutes to look at these two verses. It was great to hear preaching on this passage that doesn’t bash the ‘don’t give up meeting together’ over people’s heads as an admonition. I love the focus on spurring to love and good deeds.