August 31, 2018 - Preparing for the Lord's Day
September 1, 2018Preparing for the Lord's Day
In 144 AD Marcion of Sinope declared to his followers that the God of the Old Testament was not the same as the God of the New Testament. He rejected the Hebrew Bible and taught that the God portrayed in these books was wrathful and harsh. On the other hand, he taught that the God of the New Testament is a God of love and forgiveness. As a result, Marcion and his followers dropped the Old Testament and edited out all the Old Testament quotations from the New Testament. While the Marcionite heresy was rejected by the early Church, his false assumptions continue to creep into the Church. Is the God of the Old Testament essentially different than the God of the New? Is the God of Moses different than the God of Jesus? In our passage for this Sunday we are confronted with a picture of God that seems very foreign to us. In Numbers 31 the Lord commands Israel to engage in a Holy War against the Midianites. Could a God who commands that men, women and children be executed be the same God who calls us to love our enemies? In this week’s sermon we will explore the concept of a Holy War. Here we will see that in Christ God’s wrath and love come together in a Holy War aimed at peace. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Numbers 31, Isaiah 2:2-4, Ephesians 6:12, Revelation 19:11-16 and Westminster Confession of Faith 33.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine we look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” and “Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him.”
Bulletin
Discussion Notes
Announcements
Sunday School on September 2:
o Parents of infant through 4th grade students take your children to their new Sunday School room to meet their teachers!
o All youth parents meet in the Youth Center at 10:00 am.
o There is no adult Sunday School. Adults may go to the Cheatham Center to look through the books that will be offered in the upcoming classes, as well as pick up your copy at the tables. Join us for a time of fellowship with coffee and donuts provided!
Getting To Know Rivermont will begin Sunday, September 9th from 9:45 am to 10:40 am in Room #203 (during the Sunday School hour). Pastor Brett and Pastor Ron will host an eight-week introductory class about the life, mission, and ministry of Rivermont EPC. This class is designed for the curious, as well as for those desiring to pursue formal membership at Rivermont EPC. Please call Janet at the church office (846-3441) for more information or to register. You can also register online at http://www.rivermont.org/gtkr-registration.