Bible Verse for Sunday Service September 22, 2024
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.
Announcements:
Every Friday at 9AM, the men meet for a time of coffee, fellowship and prayer.
Rather than meet on October 3, the deacons will now meet on October 10. They will consider the kitchen remodeling project. If you have an idea about that project, you are invited to submit feedback so we can put together the best proposal. Phil Witschi has put together some drawings that are on the foyer table. Thank you Phil.
Just a reminder that we will again be participating in the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Child Box program. So, we will need items for the Awana children to pack in the boxes in November. In the foyer, you will find a sign up sheet with items you could provide by purchasing them. Also, if you prefer, you can support the program by contributing funds instead.
This election features a constitutional amendment, #128. That amendment seeks to enshrine the “right” to an abortion, and restrict parents’ ability to make decisions for their children. Please review the information available so that are an informed voter and make your views known at the polls.
Sermon:
Pastor Jim spoke to us on Esther 2:5-23 in a sermon he titled “God’s Work in a Pagan Place.” Pastor used the famous line from Solomon and Ecclesiastes to introduce today’s sermon. In Esther, the king is conducting a beauty competition to replace the queen that he felt dishonored him. As today, many TV shows are about dating and physical beauty. But, Pastor used this scripture to see the greater truths. He asked us to consider true beauty and how God is sovereign.
Firstly, we need to identify true beauty. That is found in a caring cousin as we learn that Mordecai took in Ester when her family died. His act of kindness is what is commanded in the Bible, we must care for our relatives in need. Esther was indeed a beautiful woman physically. That is what the Bible tells us. But, that is not all of or the best part of her beauty. Her beauty is found in her obedience to God, or internally. God looks at the heart. In covering the part where Esther is finally to go into the king’s bedroom and spend the night, Pastor remarked that it is good to remember that God a perfect being loves us his bride the church. But, we are imperfect, only made right through him.
In the story of Esther, the next part revolves around the discovery of a secret plot. Mordecai has been promoted, and sits in the city gate were he is able to hear of a plot by the king’s door keepers against the king. Perhaps they were allied with the queen displaced by Esther. Regardless, Mordecai informs Esther who in turn lets the king know. An investigation reveals the truth of Mordecai’s warning, and the usurpers confess and are executed. But, Mordecai receives no recognition from the king. Those familiar with the story of Esther know that his reward comes later, and saves him and all the Jews.
In closing Pastor asked us to remember what is truly beautiful in this world about us and God. Moreover, that is God is always sovereign and in control of everything. These are comforting thoughts for us to take along the way as we live in this world.
Accessing the Service, Bulletin and Sermon Outline:
Here are the pages from the bulletin, click on the images below to see them full size:
If you would like to have the sermon outline, you can download it here, a pdf file.
If you would like a link to this service you can find it here. It starts a little later as we had difficulty with our camera at the start of the service. Perhaps you would like to share it with your friends. You could also share that link on social media, if you use any of the providers. We use Rumble, a safe alternative to Google’s YouTube.