EChurch@Wartburg – 10.28.12 – My Ark is Christ!

Posted on by October 27, 2012avatar

Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg


Duomo Feltre-Wkikcommons

A prayer attributed to St Patrick: (@470AD)

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Amen

A prayer by Clement of Rome, early church father, 1st century

We beseech thee, Master, to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly;
raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of thy people;
feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted
In the name of Jesus
 Amen

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Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:23 (NASB Bible Gateway)

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and to give more than we either desire or deserve:
Pout upon your church the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,
and giving us those good things for which we are noteworthy to ask,
except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen
(Phyllis Tickle-Divine Hours)

Benediction: Psalm 121 (NIV-Bible Gateway)

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.
Amen

Please feel free to leave a comment or question. We also have contact information if you should wish to discuss thoughts about anything privately. We are so glad you took time to be with us!

Comments

EChurch@Wartburg – 10.28.12 – My Ark is Christ! — 10 Comments

  1. Wade,

    After all I have been through, it is wonderful to find again the pure Gospel being preached – the Gospel I first believed which set me free and filled me with a deep love for God that has never waivered. I don’t think the wounds inflicted by hyperauthoritarian male pastors could have begun to heal if I had not encountered another male pastor who understands spiritual abuse, values women as co-heirs with Christ, and who has the faith to entrust me to God to finish the good work He began in me. My heals a little every time I listen to you.

  2. Abigail,

    One of the finest comments I’ve ever read in terms of encouragement for me, my wife, and my family. Thank you for being used by the Spirit today.

  3. “Pout upon your church the abundance of your mercy,
    forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,
    and giving us those good things for which we are noteworthy to ask,”

    Think this should be “pour upon your church…..” and “…those good things for which we are unworthy to ask”.

    I am a regular reader of the blog – a lurker, you might say – but this is my first time checking out echurch. Wade, thanks for this message. I have struggled much with the emphasis on how rotten we are. This was a breath of fresh air, a drink of cool water to a parched soul.

  4. Wade, I don’t know how you keep from crying during your sermons; I can’t. …smile

    The beautiful picture above of the cathedral and the snow surrounding it as well as your reminder that we are safe in the ark of Jesus, reminded me of something that happened many years ago. I was standing in my bedroom on the second floor of my old farmhouse looking out at the night. It was snowing softly and the ground was covered as far as I could see. In contrast to that peaceful scene, I was feeling very alone and frightened because of the heavy load of bringing up two sons alone. As I looked outside, I thought to myself that at 2 a.m., surely there were things happening that required God’s attention (thefts, rapes, murders, etc.) more than my situation. My problem seemed to pale in comparison with all those more important things requiring His attention.

    How He does it is difficult to describe, but in a moment…in a flash…I became keenly aware that He knew I was standing at that window at that very moment thinking He might be too busy for me. That revelation enabled me to go to sleep feeling safe in the ark.

    From time to time, I begin to worry perhaps there’s a leak in it and He might not know I’m drowning, but your sermon today was a welcome reminder that He not only knows I’m there, but prepared it for me.

    Thank you, Wade, for presenting the Good News as Jesus did; as hope, healing, joy, living water.

    Thanks as well to Deb and Dee for the beautiful, inspirational hymns.

  6. Wade,

    Thank you for your kindness to our EChurch community. Dee and I met with Abigail a while back, and she shared her testimony with us. She had been adversely affected by pastors who were supposed to be 'caring' for her. I understand why your messages are a balm that are helping her heal spiritually. I absolutely loved this sermon. You have given me much to ponder.

  7. Victorious,

    I am so proud of you for raising two sons by yourself. Jesus is the rock, and I am grateful you are clinging to Him, as am I.

    Thank you for letting us know how Wade's sermons are blessing you.

  8. Pastor Burleson,

    I have always been moved by the story of Pharaoh’s daughter and how she saved Moses as a baby and raised him as her own. The world would indeed be a much darker and crueler place without courageous women who listen to the better angels of our nature.