They First Gave Themselves to the Lord
Rev. Leon Dorleans on 1 Chronicles 29: 12-16 & 2 Corinthians 8: 1-5.
First Sermon in the series Blessed by God's Generosity, Trusting in God's Faithfulness
Preaching this week was Pastor Leon Dorleans, who is our mission partner in Haiti and witness to the power of generosity to transform lives both of those who have given and of those who have received. His message begins a four-week focus on God's profligate generosity and the theme, "Blessed by God's Generosity, Trusting in God's Faithfulness": how we are called to be participants in and conduits of His Love and blessings being poured out into the world through Christ.
Why focus on generosity? Because it is central to God’s message for all of us as followers of Jesus. Think of His generosity starting in Genesis 1 when He gave us everything on the earth. The Psalms reinforce His generosity, as well. But we see God's character most clearly in His act of ultimate generosity, giving us His Son who died that we may have eternal life. His generosity should be our generosity, through all of our resources: time, talents and finances.
As we learn more about God’s generosity through Leon and Steve and Corey’s sermons, stories from members, videos, and our celebration of Commitment Sunday on November 2, we pray that you will feel blessed by God’s generosity and trust in His faithfulness.
Rev. Dorleans leads Third’s mission partner, Haiti Outreach Ministry. This past July, a group of about 30 people from Third worked alongside HOM to build a home, help in a medical clinic and conduct a vacation Bible school. You can watch a video from that trip here. Another trip is scheduled for July 2015, and you can contact Tom Barila for more information.
1 Chronicles 29:12-16
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
The songs and hymns we'll be singing together in each service to celebrate God's generosity are listed below. You can view and download the Worship Bulletin for each service by clicking the service name.
9:00 AM Convergent Worship in the Sanctuary
Blessed Be Your Name
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated
11:15 AM Contemporary Worship in the Fellowship Hall
Blessed Be Your Name
You Never Let Go
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
Called Me Higher
Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated
11:15 AM Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Majesty
Now Thank We All Our God
Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated
Jesus Calls Us o'er the Tumult
Choir anthem - Yet Will I Sing by Alisa Bair; (a beautiful setting of Psalm 63)