Preparing For The Lord's Day

preparing

Preparing for the Lord's Day

Our Psalm for this week holds a special place in the life and history of Rivermont Presbyterian Church. As many of you know Psalm 121 is painted on the wall panel adjacent to the pulpit. The dedication inscription says, “In Loving Memory of Graham and Lena Gilmer who served this congregation from 1923-1953. Given by their children and grandchildren.” Dr. Graham Gilmer shepherded Rivermont for thirty years as the senior pastor and left a legacy of gospel preaching that continues to this day. The Gilmer family recalls that whenever they would set out on a long journey the family would recite Psalm 121 together. It was a reminder of the Lord’s presence and protection as they drove across the state or flew cross country. This Psalm became such a central aspect of the Gilmer’s family life that when asked how Graham and his wife Lena might be remembered Psalm 121 was the clear choice.

Traveling is dangerous and yet the Lord calls his people to go. We are called to travel for work, for school, for vacations, and for missions. And this traveling can create fear and anxiety. However, what we will see in our Psalm for this week is that as we travel in faith the Lord as our Shepherd will care for our every need. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Psalm 121, Numbers 6:24-27, Psalm 44:22-23, Matthew 28:20, Luke 10:30, John 10:11-30, Revelation 7:15-17, and Westminster Confession of Faith 5.1.  

As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Processional Hymn “Rejoice the Lord Is King, the Acclamation of Praise “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” and the Hymn of Response “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.  Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!

If you’re going to be out of town this Sunday, let me encourage you to listen to the sermon online, through the Rivermont App, (available at the App Store or Google Play), or you can download the REPC podcast, which will be delivered to your mobile device. 

Sermon Text: Psalm 121

Sermon Title: A Traveler’s Psalm

Sermon Outline:

  1. The Pilgrim’s Faith
  2. The Priest’s Assurance
  3. The Shepherd’s Work

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