Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
Enhanced Rainbow by Barb Ver Sluis
Here is our order of worship
Prayer on the Beatitudes Link
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Keep us from being preocuppied with money and worldly goods, and with trying to increase them at the expense of justice.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."
Help us not to be ruthless with one another, and to eliminate the discord and violence that exists in the world around us.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Let us not be impatient under our own burdens and unconcerned about the burdens of others.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled."
Make us thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness, and actively spread your influence in our private lives and in society.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Grant that we may be quick to forgive and slow to condemn.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God."
Free us from our senses and our evil desires, and fix our eyes on you.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."
Aid us to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.
Lord Jesus, You said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for the kingdom of heaven in theirs."
Make us willing to suffer for the sake of right rather than to practice injustice;
and do not let us discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.
In Jesus name
Amen
A Prayer for Discouragement Link
Heavenly Father, I know I am close to despair.
I feel so tempted to give up, to withdraw from life and religion and let the world simply carry me along.
Everything seems so meaningless and nothing appeals to my better instincts.
Help me to remember that Jesus gave meaning to everything in the world.
Let me bank on that fact and get over this time of despair,
to really believe in the depths of my being that there is a reason for living.
Show me the reason for my life and tell me what I must do.
Bring home to me that I am never alone, but that You are with me even in the depths of despair.
Remind me that no matter what I may endure now,
an unending joy awaits me in the future if I but cling tightly to You
and your Son Jesus in the unity of the Spirit. Amen.
If you are new to EChurch, please click on this link for an explanation
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:23 (NASB Bible Gateway)
" Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;"
A Benediction From Jude 24-25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
to the only wise God our Saviour,
be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Thank you for spending your precious time worshipping the Lord.
Wade,
I have listened to your message again, and it is so encouraging! Thank you for reminding us about our hope in Christ.
How did you like the final song?
Blessings to you and Rachelle!
All the songs, Wanda, were wonderful!!
đ
Thanks, Wade. I heard Casting Crowns perform during a chapel service at SEBTS four or five (?) years ago, and I also saw Steven Curtis Chapman perform with his two sons several months before his daughter died. I love the combination of songs, prayers, and your sermons in our EChurch. Even though Dee and I put it together each week, we are tremendously blessed by it! Thank you for agreeing to be a vital part of it.
 “Jesus, My Eyes?”
HowDee YaAll,
Hum, Â hum, hum…âȘâ«âȘ Jesus, my eyes have seen the years,
And the slow parade of fears without crying,
Now I want to understand,
I have done all that I could…
To see the evil and the good without hiding,
You must help me if you can,
Jesus, my eyes,
Tell me what is wrong…
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long,
‘Cause I have travel’d through this world,
And as each moment has unfurled,
I’ve been waiting to awaken from these dreams…
People go just where there will,
I never noticed them, until I got this feeling,
That it’s later than it seems…
…âȘâ«âȘ Jesus, my eyes,
Tell me what you see,
I hear the people – their cries,
Just say it’s not too late…
*
My hope…
…Behold,  Jesus whom The Lord has chose, His Beloved, in whom His soul takes much pleasure; He has place’d His Spirit upon Him, and an equitable administration of justice upon His sholders, therefore Jesus  will announce to all; He will not wrangle, nor boast, nor even shout; A reed that has been completely crushed He will not break; a dimly burning lamp wick He shall not quench, until He will have caused the equitable administration of justice to move straightaway on to its intended goal -resulting in the following victory:
That in His Name all would come to trust!
It’s not too late ta trust Jesus…ok?
Iprâ„ay4U
SăĄpy
___
Comic relief: Jackson Browne – “Doctor My Eyes”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0GhjlmlEwQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music; Songwriters: BROWNE, JACKSON. (adapted)
—
Sopy,
I sang that song (in my head) with your lyrics. Now I can’t stop thinking about them.
Your talent amazes me!
It is hard for me to fully comprehend Jesus loving me that much. Can’t wrap my head around it. So different than what I have been taught. I pray that God makes if real for me. Oh, and Wade, regarding responsibility, the fact that I am searching to know the truth about God shows to me that I am not letting my old church control me any longer.
Thank you Wade, Deb, and Dee. You will never truly know how God is using you and the impact He is having through you.
Pastor Wade,
This sermon brought to mind my very dark days following a divorce. The awesome responsibility of raising two boys and providing for them weighed heavily on me. Around midnight, I stood at the second-story window watching the snow falling outside and felt how enormously insignificant my problem might seem to God in the big scheme of things taking place in the world. I thought about all the crime happening at that very moment that surely must be demanding His attention and there would likely be little to no compassion for my burden. But immediately came the revelation that no matter what was happening anywhere in the world at that moment, the Lord knew I was standing at that second-story window with heaviness in my heart. That assurance has eliminated many future âpity-partiesâ and I’ve been able to hold fast without wavering knowing He is faithful.
Thank you for another edifying, strengthening sermon from the Word of God.
P.S. Loved your oreo ice-cream cookie/broccoli analogy!
Deb and Dee, once again thank you for those beautiful worship hymns.
Deb,
Hey,
Ditto…
L’honneur est le mien! Le soin des enfants vous prĂ©cĂšde!
“The grace that cometh of Christ be with them that love him.” -Wm. Tyndale, Worms, 1526
“His gentle wings, nestled, may you find refuge,Â
May His faithfulness be to you,
As your shieldï»ż and rampart,Â
For always!” Â (Ps. 91:4, adapted)
…âȘâ«âȘ Sing your song,
Rejoice!Â
For the love given,
The blood of His Son,Â
Redeemed,Â
Children of God, we are call’d!
In His service,
;~)
___
Third Day – “Children of God”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ3aLeqeNGo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Songwriters: Samuel Tai Anderson, David Carr, Mark Lee, Johnny Mac Powell  © Third Day (adapted)
—
Sopy,
Merci beaucoup! Vous ĂȘtes gentils!
J’apprĂ©cie votre amitiĂ©.
Mon français est un peu rouillĂ©. Google est une excellente ressource. đ
Dieu vous bénisse!
Pastor Wade, your voice is so soothing. đ Your sermons are great to listen to just before bedtime. Thank you for this today. I’m struggling to hit my goals in my new job, and I’m having to balance trusting in the Lord with believing in my own competence and working hard. There’s nothing wrong with the latter, but I know that I should not entirely lean on my own understanding. God has given my promises regarding work. He’s also told me to wait, and to maintain a good attitude. Thanks for reminding me about my real hope and joy, who won’t let me down. Even if I have to wait for great results, knowing that God WILL come through for me will certainly help me stay positive.
Anne, thank you for the update. I’ve been praying for you. I will continue to pray for you.
Thanks RenĂ©! đ Anything you want prayer for in return?
Anne,
Pastor Wade, your voice is so soothing. Your sermons are great to listen to just before bedtime.
Thank you, Anne! I’ve had others tell me it’s so soothing it puts them to sleep even when it is not bedtime! Laughing. Glad you enjoyed the message.
And, Anne, I continue to pray for you. Keep us posted.
You are correct about God coming through for you – in ways you have not ever even been able to imagine!
đ
scooters.mom
I think and pray for you often.