Understanding the Times

"Time, like an ever-rolling stream..."

The words are from Isaac Watts’ rendition of Psalm 90, one which we considered on Sunday evening when I spoke about how Christians should approach the New Year. What I failed to point out – something which I was musing on as I drove to church on Sunday evening and then forgot to mention it – was that Psalm 90 provides a God-centered, Gospel-focused, Christ-infused, and Heaven-bent way of looking at how to live wisely. It was, I think, my best thought and then in the delivery forgot to mention it! So let me explain what I intended to say:

First, the psalmist’s (Moses’) way of saying, “Teach me to be wise” (which he does in verse 12 when he asks for a “heart of wisdom”) is to turn all his thoughts upon God. This is the answer to the me-centered sickness that pervades our existence: watch how the psalmist insists that wisdom (practical, day-to-day advice about how living for God) is a by-product of contemplating God’s character. Yes, watch him ring the changes on God’s eternality, sovereignty, severity and mercy. The first question we need to ask in Bible study is not, “What is this text saying to me?” but “What is this text saying to me about God?” God-centered living puts God first, second and last. Those in love will understand full well: we just can’t get enough of those we love and if we truly love God we will be equally dissatisfied with anything (or anyone) else.

Second, Moses’ understood gospel-dynamics. Yes he did! Law-laden Moses, that is! Watch him ask for mercy for his increasing consciousness of sin by mentioning God’s “loving-kindness” (Miles Coverdale’s famous translation) or “steadfast love” as the ESV renders it in verse 14. This must be the most important word in the Old Testament for sure! Its frequent appearances always speak of God’s unmerited favor shown to sinners through blood-bought redemption and forgiveness. It is God’s covenantal, "promise made – promise kept" word denoting how sins are covered and sinners reconciled. It speaks of gospel (for there is no obligation on God’s part to make such a covenant) and ultimately of Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son. He – Jesus – is the seed of the woman that will bruise the head of the seed of the serpent as Moses had written in his opening pages of Scripture (Gen. 3:15). Gospel-focused and Christ-infused – this is the way of wisdom: recalling that each moment we exist in this love-relationship with God is only because of God’s “unspeakable gift” to us – the death of his Son for us. Wisdom comes from knowing we are recipients of mercy!

Third, the psalm encourages a heaven-bent mentality, what the Puritans called living sub specie aeternitatis – in the light of eternity. Our time here is short and living for the things that this world offers is not only misguided but foolish. This world is passing away and we along with it (remember Moses’ warnings about the average life-span being seventy years in verse 10). Dust we are and to dust we shall return. Moth and rust corrupts everything and only what is done for Jesus will last. Wise Christians know this and put it into practice: giving away what they do not need to further God’s kingdom. The brevity of life is a sobering reality, one should force us to look up and say: “Here am I, Lord! What will you have me to do for you today?”

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Market Day of the Soul

Lessons from the Visitation: Elizabeth's Humility

This morning, we will be looking at Luke 1:39-45, a passage that records Mary's meeting with Elizabeth after the angel's announcement to Mary and in the sixth month of Elizabeth's expectancy. This initial encounter in what was probably about a three month stay has been called "The Visitation." One of the outstanding features of it is Elizabeth's humility. Geldenhuys has a beautiful description of it in his commentary.

"Elisabeth nobly and voluntarily placed herself in the background and acknowledged unreservedly and joyfully that her younger relative had received infinitely more honour than she. The gift of God to herself she accepted in grateful worship. But when she meets Mary, to whom a still greater gift has been given, she does not become jealous or unsympathetic. She humbles herself and sings to the honour of the all-excelling privileged one among women who is to become the Mother of her Lord. Because she is filled with the Holy Ghost, she was capable of such special maganimity. Whilst jealousy would have darkened her life, her humble attitude opened for her the gates to true, deep and jubilant joy. He who elevates himself is constantly engaged in wrecking his own life. But he who is sincerely humble finds richness of life and happiness."

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Missionary Spotlight

Ed and Emily Hartman, Romania

When God called the Hartman’s to Romania, he didn’t just call Ed, or Ed and Emily. He called their entire family. The Hartman’s believe it to be a privilege to serve together, even and especially when the service is simply moral support. Here’s a small picture of the family and what they like to do.


Ed is the team leader, a pastor, a dad, a husband--not necessarily in that order. He is the shepherd of the MTW team working here in Romania and the keeper of its vision. He is a mentor for several Romanian pastors and a trainer of leaders in the church.

Emily is a wife and a mom, in that order. She also spends time with Romanian women in Bible studies, in the kitchen, and in the community.

Michael is a sophomore at Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. He runs on the college cross country team, is enrolled in the Air Force ROTC, enjoys Ultimate Frisbee, and misses his family dearly. If you can, please let him know we are praying for he and his family.

Katy is a senior at Kingstone Academy in Codlea, Romania. She still loves horses and playing the piano. This year she’s pursuing voice lessons, as well. Her plan is to attend university next year somewhere near her brother and major in something to do with international studies.

Abigail is a freshman at Kingstone Academy. She is taking piano and art lessons, but her real passion is cooking! She enjoys sewing and making anything creative. When Abi’s not making something, she’s most often reading something.

Daniel is a freshman at Kingstone Academy. He plays on a football club (soccer team) in Codlea and takes guitar lessons. He often leads in worship for their team on Sunday night studies. Daniel loves to do pretty much anything as long as he’s with somebody else.

This is their family! Thank you First Presbyterian for keeping these missionaries in your prayers.

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'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Alright, it is in fact three nights before Christmas as I write this and neither am I about to retell Clement Clarke Moore’s unforgettable story, though I could add since I’m home alone this Christmas that noting is stirring in my house, not even Jake (my dog), who’s fast asleep dreaming of… food, I suspect.

What makes Christmas special, to Christians at least, is the mystery which is the incarnation:God becoming man, taking on human nature – not just a human body but a nature, body and soul – all the while remaining as much God (with all the properties of deity) as he ever was and shall be.

In Jesus Christ we the ultimate mystery: “two entire distinct natures and one person for ever.” In fact, I found myself unwittingly in the Sunday morning “Pastoral Prayer” citing from the Westminster Confession about the relationship of the divine and human natures being “without conversion, without conversion, without composition.” The memorable phrases come from the ancient Chalcedonian Creed (A.D. 451) and they are worth pondering for a few minutes.

It’s all too easy to focus on the baby Jesus lying the manger and manner and circumstances of his birth and miss the staggering fact that the baby was also the Creator of the world! I have no idea how much he weighed at birth, but guessing that he was under ten pounds, how in the world could such an entity have created everything that is? Little wonder that recent surveys among evangelical churches reveal a large number of professing Christians who do not in fact believe any such thing! The baby Jesus, after all, could not make so much as an egg let alone the entire cosmos in which we live. That is why it is necessary for Jesus to be both man (a baby in this instance) and God at the same time, and that neither nature be any less or more than it is meant to be.

It is possible that the ancient Church Fathers meant these phrases to be taken as synonyms (as the renowned Scottish theologian William Cunningham believed), in which case the error in view is one called Eutychianism after its principal exponent, Eutyches of Constantinople (c. 380-456). Eutyches taught that the human nature was overtaken by the divine, an understandable idea in the face of skeptics who could believe that a baby could be called God! It gave rise to pictures of Jesus in which a “halo” surrounds his head, distinguishing the child from any other baby before or since and, at the same time, removing him from any possibility of becoming our substitute – the book of Hebrews is at pains to point out that in order for Jesus to save he must be like us in every way, apart from sin – “he had to be made like his brothers in every respect” (Heb. 2:17).

We could go on, but the point I am wanting to make is that there is profound mystery here: the Word, who was with God in the beginning and is God now and forever was also made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-2, 14).




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A Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols

The 2008 "Music of Christmas"

We were filled to capacity last night for the annual Service of Lessons and Carols, with choir and orchestra. It was just superb. Our thanks to Bill Wymond, Connie Wadsworth and everyone who took part. Here are the musical pieces and the readings.


A Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols
First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi


The Orchestra Prelude – Farandole (Bizet)

The Welcome
On behalf of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, I want warmly to welcome you to this, our annual service of lessons and carols.

Please note that the choir and orchestra seek no applause for themselves, but rather desire to give praise alone to God, and to help you worship him in your hearts.

At the end of the service, after the Benediction, the Choir will be remaining here until the orchestra is finished with the postlude. You are, of course, welcome to stay and listen to the postlude, but at that time I will give you some indication that you are free to depart.

During the service, there will be an offering taken this evening for the relief and aid of retired ministers and their families. We encourage our congregation to contribute, but our visitors should not feel compelled to do so. This service and music is our free gift of love to you.

The Call to Worship
Beloved in Christ, at this Christmastide let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all his people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in this our city and congregation.

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us remember, in his name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember the hope which is set before us; we think of all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one for evermore.

To God be the glory.

The Processional Hymn–Once in Royal David’s City

The Anthem–Nova! Nova! (arr. Chilcott)

The First Lesson
Genesis 3 (8-15) – The first offer of the Gospel.

God tells sinful Adam and Eve that they have lost the life of Paradise because of their rebellion, but that (in His mercy and grace) the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?

And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain (arr. Jennings)

The Second Lesson
Genesis 22 (15-18) – God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

AND the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said,
By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore;
and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–One December, Bright and Clear (arr. Wilberg)

The Third Lesson
Isaiah 9 (2, 6-7) – The Prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.

THE people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:

they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–Ubi Caritas (Duruflé)

The Fourth Lesson
Isaiah 11 (1-9) – The Peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots:

and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD.

With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–Ding Dong Merrily on High (arr. Wilberg)

The Fifth Lesson
Luke 1 (26-33) – The angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary.The arrival of the promised Messiah is announced

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–I Saw Three Ships (arr. Rutter)

The Sixth Lesson
Luke 2 (1-7) – Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. The Gospel account of Christ’s nativity.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into JudFa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–The First Nowell (arr. Wilberg)

The Congregational Carol No. 201 "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

The Prayer
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only son, Jesus Christ:
Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer,
so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall come to be our judge;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
And receive these our offerings for thy needy servants.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Joy Gift Offering for Retired Ministers and their Wives

The Anthem–Carol to the King (arr. Wilberg)

The Seventh Lesson
Luke 2 (8-16) – The shepherds go to the manger, upon hearing the angelic heralds of Messiah’s birth.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–Still, Still, Still (Wilberg)

The Eighth Lesson
Matthew 2 (1-11) – The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus. The ancient prophecy is fulfilled.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of JudFa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–The Coming of Our King (arr. Rutter)

The Ninth Lesson
John 1 (1-14) – John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. The Divinity and Glory of the Messiah is set forth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.

That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Thanks be to God.

The Anthem–O Come All Ye Faithful (arr. Wilberg)

The Congregational Carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (arr. Pelz)

The Benediction
May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly,
grant you the fullness of Gospel favor and peace;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
rest upon you, and be amongst you and remain with you always.

Go in grace and peace.

The Postlude–God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (Organ and Orchestra)

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Pastor's Perspective

Nothing is Impossible with God:
The Sovereignty of God gloriously displayed in the virginal conception of Christ

Well, I'm still enjoying the afterglow of a glorious Lord's Day at First. In the morning services, we were in Luke 1:26-38, a passage telling of Gabriel's visit to Mary, commonly know as, the Annunciation. We began by reflecting on the fact that at Christmastime, American evangelical Christians are perhaps more conscious than at any other time of the year of how the world shapes us. And we also, perhaps, long more than at any other time of the year to be shaped by Christ and his Word and Spirit, rather than by the world. We asked how can we see some growth and encouragement in this area. And answered this way. First, it begins in the desires, the affections. Then prayer. Then self-examination. Then attention to Scripture. Then repentance. Then new resolve. Then deeper dependence upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, and greater treasuring of Christ.

And we observed that Luke 1:26-38, while being first and foremost about Christ, and God's work of redemption in him, offers us some help and hope here. If the world offers us worship of stuff and status, treasuring of fading pleasures, worldy wisdom, self-reliance and freedom to do as we please, the Gospel offers us superior joy. In particular, we saw this through five words: (1) Humility, (2) Privilege, (3) Mystery, (4) Sovereignty, and (5) Submission.

I. The humble circumstances of Mary and the humble conditions of our Savior’s birth, set forth something of God’s condescension and Jesus’ humility (26-27). In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary."The great Gabriel sent to mean Nazareth is a picture of God's amazing condescension and foreshadows Jesus' course of humility. As Kent Hughes says: "Mary was a nobody in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere." God dwells with the humble indeed. And should this not move us to lives of humility?

II. The privilege of Mary in bearing the Messiah, God’s only Son, ought to make us think of the privilege we have in being children of God, through faith in Him (28, 30). And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."
Though it is true, as Luther said "No woman has ever lived on earth to whom God has shown such grace." It is also true that there is no greater privilege than the adoption we have by faith-union into God's family. Remember Luke 8:21 where Jesus said, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." And John 1:12 where we learn that "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." As great as Mary's privilege was, we must not forget that by grace through faith in Christ, we have becomes God's children, members of his household, brothers and sisters of Jesus and joint-heirs with him.

III. The Mystery of the Virgin Birth, far from a problem for faith, proves the worthiness of God to be worshiped, and the importance of our walking by faith and not by sight (34). And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Do you have a problem with the idea of a virgin birth? So did Mary! She was befuddled by such a concept. But think about it friends, if you believe in an infinite and omnipotent God, miracles and mysteries shouldn't surprise you. After all, Christians believe that Mary's baby was God in the flesh! Surely that is no less amazing than her virgin conception of him.

IV. The Sovereignty of God is seen in the Angel Gabriel’s answer regarding the Virgin Birth (and the birth of John the Baptist) (37). For nothing will be impossible with God."
How does Gabriel answer Mary's query? "There's nothing God can't do, Mary!" So, faith rests on the truth and reality of the sovereignty of God. As our favorite dead Anglican bishop once said: "Faith never rests so calmly and peacefully as when it lays its head on the pillow of God’s omnipotence" (J.C. Ryle). By the way, this shows at the outset, that our salvation must be all of God and all of grace! If the entrance of the Messiah into the world is marked by a singular, sovereign intervention by God, it serves to remind us that HE will accomplish our salvation, without our aid or assistance. This is his work. His sovereign work. His gracious work. This is the heart of the passage, and a key to the Christian life.

V. The Christian life can be summarized by Mary’s response to Gabriel – God-centered believing, thinking and living, and self-renouncing service (38). And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Mary's response is stunningly mature. Indeed, it's a picture of how the Christian life should be lived. "Let it be according to your Word" about sums it all up, doesn't it. I love how the hymn "Father, I Know That All My Life" captures this idea in its fourth stanza: "In service which thy will appoints there are no bonds for me; my secret heart is taught the truth that makes thy children free; a life of self-renouncing love is one of liberty." (Anna L. Waring).

So while the world offers us worship of stuff and status, and fading pleasures for treasures, and worldy wisdom, and self-reliance and freedom to do as we please, the Gospel offers us solid joys and lasting treasure, because of God's grace to us in Christ Jesus. And thus we have a superior joy. And that joy is expressed and experienced in our (1) life of humility, (2) sense of Gospel privilege, (3) acceptance of mystery, (4) embrace of his sovereignty, and (5) joyful submission to God's will.

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Derek's Christmas Carol

Stars of Heaven Glowing Softly to be featured at Tenth Presbyterian Church Lessons and Carols Service

Many of you know that our own Derek Thomas is not only an author, but also a hymn writer. He has written a Christmas carol called Stars of Heaven Glowing Softly that will be sung by Choir and Orchestra at the Tenth Presbyterian Church this Wednesday.

The Tenth Presbyterian Christmas Eve Carol Service program says: "Tenth has premiered five new carols in the last few years on texts by James Boice, Philip Ryken, and Derek Thomas. The choir will offer one of Rev. Thomas’s carols, Stars of Heaven Glowing Softly, on these two evenings. A joyful setting of the traditional West Indian carol, The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, arranged by John Leavitt, will follow. In addition to the calypso rhythms, conga drum, and claves called for in the score, we are adding traditional steel drums to more fully realize the musical colors of the Caribbean islands."

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Market Day of the Soul

Gabriel Came to Galilee (Luke 1:26-38)

Here's another new carol, by Duncan, Thomas and Wymond, that we will sing in public worship this morning. Use the words to prepare to hear and respond in faith to Luke 1:26-38, the passage that will be read and preached during our morning services. This carol is based on that passage and is called "Gabriel came to Galilee" (sung to the tune of "See Amid the Winter's Snow" by John Goss).

Gabr’l came to Galilee, “Gospel news I bring to thee.
“Hail to you, the favored one. You will bear God’s only Son.”

Refrain – Glory to our blessed Lord! Praise Him, Praise Him, Son of God.
Bless the Lord, we all must sing. God for us can do all things.

Troubled in her heart was she. “Gabriel how can this be?”
“I am still not yet a wife. I’ve been pure for all my life.”

Refrain – Glory to our blessed Lord! Praise Him, Praise Him, Son of God.
Bless the Lord, we all must sing. God for us can do all things.

“There is nothing God can’t do. His great pow’r o’ershadows you.”
“I’m the servant of the Lord; let this be by His own word.”

Refrain – Glory to our blessed Lord! Praise Him, Praise Him, Son of God.
Bless the Lord, we all must sing. God for us can do all things.

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Sunday's Coming

Prepaing for Worship By Asking "What is the Aim of Our Form of Worship?"

If it helps us to ready ourselves to gather with God's people to worship him - to ask "what is worship? and "why ought we to worship?" and "what ought we to do in worship?" (as we already have, here and here and here) then it may also help to ask "what is the aim of our form of worship?" or "to what end or purpose do we do what we do?" or "what is our aim in worshiping in the manner in which we worship?"


The Presbyterian answer to this query is essentially: "our goal is to have radically biblical worship, worship that is uniquely directed by God's word, so that God is clearly in charge of both the form and substance of our worship of him.

Radically Biblical Worship

Our aim then is to have a public worship service that is according to Scripture: that is, a service rooted in the Bible's teaching about the form and substance of congregational worship. Presbyterians often call this the "regulative principle" in arranging our public worship - the axiom that we ought to worship God in accordance with the Bible's teaching about the public worship of God. This axiom applied, in turn, helps us with the whole scope of worship. How we go about corporate worship is the business of the second commandment, but it is also a central concern for the New Testament church as well (see, for instance, John 4, 1 Corinthians 11 and 14, and Colossians 2).

For our worship to be biblical in all its aspects means, among other things, (1) that its content, parts and corporateness are all positively in accord with Scripture; (2) that it is simultaneously a communal response of gratitude for grace, an expression of passion for God, the fulfillment of what we were made and redeemed for, a joyful engagement in a delightful obedience, as Scripture teaches; (3) that it is a corporate Christ-provided, Spirit-enabled encounter with the almighty, loving and righteous Father, and thus always has in view the Triune God, again in accord with the Bible's teaching; and (4) that it aims for and is an expression of God's own glory, and contemplates the consummation of the eternal covenant in the church triumphant's everlasting union and communion with God.

Determining that the Bible will guide our worship, helps the church ensure that the elements of worship (like singing, praying, reading Scripture, preaching, administering the sacraments, making solemn vows, confessing the faith and giving offerings) are unequivocally and positively grounded in Scripture, and that the forms of worship (how you go about singing, praying, reading Scripture, preaching, administering the sacraments) are in accord with Scripture and serve the elements they are intended to help convey, and that the circumstances of worship (incidentals like whether you sit in pews or chairs or stand, whether you meet in a church building or a storefront, what time you meet, how long you meet, etc.), are maximally helpful in assisting us to do what the Bible calls us to do in worship.

Why the manner of congregational worship is important
Presbyterians have not been concerned with forms and circumstances so much for their own sake as much as for the sake of the elements and substance of worship, and for the sake of the object and aim of worship. The Reformers (from whom Presbyterians have learned much about Scripture) understood two things often lost on moderns. First, they understood that the liturgy (the set forms of corporate worship), media, instruments and vehicles of worship are never neutral, and so exceeding care must be given to the "law of unintended consequences." Often the medium overwhelms and changes the message. For example, if you sing "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "Gilligan's Island" (the meter works, but the tune doesn't - a light, quasi-sea-shanty, with comedic associations, coupled with gravely serious words) it changes the whole tone of what one is doing in singing that text, and easily becomes a sacrilege. Second, they knew that the purpose of the elements and forms and circumstances of corporate worship is to assure that you are actually doing worship as it is defined by the God of Scripture, that you are worshiping the God of Scripture and that your aim in worshiping Him is the aim set forth in Scripture.

So Presbyterians care about how we worship not because we think that liturgy (the order of service) is prescribed, mystical or sacramental, but precisely so that the liturgy can get out of the way of the gathered church's communion with the living God. The function of the order of service is not to draw attention to itself but to aid the soul's communion with God in the gathered company of the saints by serving to convey the word of God to and from God, from and to His people. C.S. Lewis puts it this way: "As long as you notice, and have to count, the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don't have to notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling. The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God" (from Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer). This is why the great Baptist preacher Geoffrey Thomas can say: "In true worship men have little thought of the means of worship; their thoughts are upon God. True worship is characterized by self-effacement and is lacking in any self-consciousness." That is, in biblical worship we so focus upon God Himself and are so intent to acknowledge His inherent and unique worthiness that we are transfixed by Him, and thus worship is not about what we want or like (nor do His appointed means divert our eyes from Him), but rather it is about meeting with God and delighting in Him. Praise decentralizes self.

Worship, Culture and Reverence
By the way, Presbyterians do not have the same interest in cultural accommodation as many modern evangelical worship theorists do. We are against culture-derived worship, and are more concerned to implement to principles of Scripture in our specific culture (and even to emulate the best of the Bible-inspired cultures of Scripture), than we are to reclaim current cultural forms for Christian use. This is precisely one of the areas productive of the greatest controversy in our own age. Many pastors and churches think that, in order to reach people, you must use the church's worship "style" to position the church for evangelism. Hence, pop-contemporary forms or the distinctive ethnic forms of a particular sub-culture are employed in order to reach an audience that likes that particular "style." This is exceedingly dangerous and turns the focus of corporate worship on its head, and opens the door to encouraging participants to view themselves as consumers rather than as worshipers. This is a significant problem in our consumer-oriented context.

And we Presbyterians believe that worship ought to be reverent. If worship is meeting with God, how could it be otherwise? It is precisely the reverence and awe of the greatness of God that should characterize worship at its best. We agree with Hughes Oliphant Old who says "The greatest single contribution which the Reformed liturgical heritage can make to contemporary American Protestantism is its sense of the majesty and sovereignty of God, its sense of reverence, of simple dignity, its conviction that worship must above all serve the praise of God." That's why we aim for a worship service that is Scriptural, simple, Spiritual, historic, heartfelt, majestic and reverent.

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Missionary Spotlight

Dale and Kathy Hollenbeck, Uganda



Dale and Kathy Hollenbeck have been serving the Church in southwestern Uganda in theological education since 2001. Dale served as a lecturer in Biblical studies with fellow RTS Jackson graduated at Uganda Bible Institute, a school established in 2003 to equip church leaders with the tools they need to preach and teach the Word of God.


Dale also serves as a trainer with Veritas College, a mobile ministry focusing on training pastors and church leaders in the skills of Biblical exegesis. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dale is the Les Collines Unit Leader for Africa Inland Mission International (southwest Uganda and Rwanda), recruiting and caring for fellow missionaries. Kathy home educates their three boys, Micah (9), Benjamin (6) and Zachary (4). Kathy is a member of a team trainers that conducts periodic Sunday school teacher trainings throughout churches in Mbarara. She also teaches ladies’ Bible studies in the neighborhood and at the local university. The Hollenbecks host a weekly children’s catechism club in their home for neighborhood children. In all of their endeavors, the Hollenbecks seek to bring glory to Christ as they disciple Christians for the growth of the church and the advance of the Gospel in missions.

Please pray for them as they further the kingdom through preaching and teaching!

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