Heritage Weekly for February 4, 2009

Dear Family,

On Sunday we will be studying the first half of Daniel 2. One of the important points of the text is the wisdom of God. That wisdom is found today in God’s Word, the Bible. I’ll point out in the introduction how much biblical illiteracy exists in our culture. Pastor Ray Ortlund gives several suggestions of what the church can do combat it:

1. Memorize the Bible together, as a church. One verse per week in your service. It can be fun, and it provides a moment of connectedness and participation together. It says a lot to guests about what your church is passionate for.

2. Gather a small group of eager men and go deeper. I believe every man should be able to think his way through the argument of the book of Romans, for example. That can happen, with great effect, in a small group.

3. Read the Bible in every worship service. Is this too obvious to say? I don’t think so. And end the reading with the faith-filled declaration, “This is God’s Word.” That solemnizes the moment in a gentle, non-spectacular, factual way. It’s a tactful way of saying, “Okay y’all, now we’ve got to deal with this for what it is.”

4. Preach from the Bible, and from the Bible only. Again, does this need to be said? One thing’s for sure. The Bible is fascinating, disturbing, offensive, sweet, alarming, comforting, stretching, shocking, controversial, caressing, strengthening. No way are you and I that interesting. Let’s put the Bible front and center and let it be itself and do its thing, whatever the impact. Submerging the Bible for the sake of our cool personas isn’t really cool at all. It’s a way of avoiding risk, chickening out.

5. Approach church problems and opportunities with explicit reference to the Bible, chapter and verse. Some may expect us to preach from the Bible but will be surprised if we lean hard on the Bible when everything is on the line. A corporate experience of realigning ourselves with the help of a specific, powerful and relevant verse of Scripture at an important moment in a church’s journey can be unforgettable.

6. Saturate your church’s children with the Bible faithfully and enthusiastically, week by week, year by year, and they will still be drawing strength from it fifty years from now. They might not remember our names, but we will still be there in their lives, speaking the Bible into their hearts and minds and consciences.

Next week’s (7th week of 2009) memory verse: Romans 11:36 (in the translation of your choice)
(Review: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 16:11; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Micah 6:8; Psalm 86:11-12)
*If you have fallen behind or haven’t begun, don’t get discouraged! Skip to this week’s verse and start from there. Ask the Lord to help you to be diligent in hiding His Word in your heart.

><>><>><> 2/8 LORD’S DAY<><<><<><

Sermon:
Daniel 2:1-23 What We Need in Times of Trial

Hymns:
P 70 This is My Father’s World
P 11 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
P 25 Come Thou Almighty King
P 66 Take My Life and Let it Be
P 80 Doxology

><> OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS <><

Announcements:

> We will have a celebration of new life for the Vejvoda family in next week, Lord willing
> Dessert will be provided
> Please bring additional food as Vejvodas are asked not to bring any as the guests of honor

Upcoming Events:
2/8 – Fellowship Meal following service
2/8 – Celebration of New Life for Vejvoda Family and their (and our) newest blessing, Elijah (Eli) Daniel
2/11 – Elder/Head of household meeting @ Fowler home – 7 p.m.
2/22 – Sunrise Nursing home visit – 3 p.m.
2/25 – Ladies Fellowship – 7:30 p.m.
2/28 – Men’s breakfast @ Harner’s – 6 a.m.