The Song of Moses recorded in Exodus 15 is the first recorded song in the Bible. It was the Number 1 song on the charts!! And, as we read the lyrics of the song, we sense the joy of the people! “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” This is a song of exaltation and thanksgiving!!
The joy of the people could be felt, as we see in v. 20 where Miriam the prophetess takes a tambourine, and “all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.” You get the impression that these people were excited and joyful about something! The singing was both congregational. We read in v. 1, “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord.” The song was also personal. The song begins, “I will sing to the Lord.”
Friends, worship should be both; if God has saved you, you should joyfully sing because you personally have experienced his marvelous salvation. But also, we ought to join with others who have experienced his salvation so that the corporate singing magnifies your experience by the factor of how many hundreds and thousands of saved people are combining their voices in praise.”
Israel was joyful over God’s delivering them from hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt and from Pharaoh’s threatening army. The Exodus is the greatest picture in the Old Testament of God saving His chosen people from bondage to Satan and sin. And that is something to get excited about over and over and over again!! We should never allow ourselves to be bored over what God has done for you and me by saving us by His grace!!
It is so easy for us to get busy with so many other less important things (football games, parties, movies, TV shows, work, etc.) and forget about what God has done for us on the cross by shedding His blood so that we could be freed from the bondage of sin and death, which is where we would be if God had never sent Jesus into the world to redeem us!!
So, when we worship corporately or personally, may we be joyful, singing, and celebrating (maybe even by dancing!) what God has done for us through His Son on the cross, as He has set us free from the bondage of sin and death!
Worship
In Pastor Glen’s absence, Mike Adams will be filling our pulpit. His sermon is “Divine Purpose,” based on 2 Kings 12:1-15. Please read this text in preparation for worship. There will be an opportunity to contribute to a unique ministry in Pakistan.
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the large Sunday school room. Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will continue our study of the Gospel of John. This Sunday we will focus on John 20: Christ is Risen!! Alleluia!! Please bring your Bible.
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
August Financial Report
Tithes/Offerings: Monthly: $13,350 YTD: $144,766.29
Expenses: Monthly: $12,918.03 YTD: $133,554.36
Capital Campaign: $3,875.00 YTD: $14,923.00
Church Sign Donations: Monthly: $0. YTD: $2,800.00
Men’s Group
The next gatherings of the Men’s Group will be on October 19th, November 8th, and December 12th. The group will meet from 9:00 a.m. to Noon in the Community Room at Panera Bread. Please mark your calendar for these gatherings!
Golden Oldies
Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports
If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at 10:00 a.m.!! Thanks so much!!
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointments, please call Tom Reider (540.649.5162). He has agreed to coordinate rides. He has a list of those who have volunteered to give those rides. We are grateful for this important ministry!!
The Gathering
Let’s join other area churches in praying for persecuted Christians around the world! The Gathering will be held on THIS Sunday, October 15th at 3:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church of Augusta.
The featured speaker this year will be our own Dr. Andrew Brunson (an EPC Teaching Elder), who, along with his wife, Norine, started churches, offered training, aided refugees, and started a house of prayer in Turkey. They served there for 23 years until they were falsely accused of terrorism in October 2016. Andrew was held in Turkish prisons for two years. He was dramatically released in October 2018 as a result of a worldwide prayer movement and significant political pressure from the U.S. government.
Comfort Care Banquet Update
Dear Friends,
It’s been one week since our Fall Fundraising Banquet, and we are still feeling the love from you, our supporters! We hosted over 300 guests + over 50 volunteers gave of their time + one of our patients attended with her tiny newborn baby! It was an evening of inspiration and challenge. From the two powerful patient stories to the incredible testimonial shared by our guest speaker, Karen Lester, to Stephanie Crawford’s message of God’s abundance throughout ComfortCare’s season this year; there was much to celebrate and be grateful for at this year’s banquet.
OVERALL RESULTS
20 new monthly Defenders; 38 people gave to ComfortCare for the FIRST time; $74,389 – the TOTAL received that night in new gifts and pledges!
Mission Corner
Missions Team is active keeping in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Outreach page
October Birthdays
George Wilson and Bob Simmons (10/15); Tyler Bouthillier (10/29)