Almighty God,
You are the maker of heaven and earth. All things were created By you and by you we are sustained. This day we gather as your humble people to acknowledge our utter dependence upon you. You are from everlasting to everlasting and have no need of anything in any of your creation. But we are needy people. We are like babes who rely upon their mothers at every moment.
Since we know that we are but dust and shall one day come from the ground from which we were formed, we look to you with the eyes of faith. We wish this day to worship you and embrace again the everlasting life that you do give through your Son. May you be pleased to dwell with us and shine down upon us in this time. And may your grace be poured out from heaven to draw us further into obedience and faith.
Monday, October 29, 2007
A Prayer for Entering Morning Worship
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Just as you called the sun to rise today, you have called us out of our slumber. By your grace you caused us to arise with life and breath anew. Moreover you have awakened our souls that we might enjoy eternal life.
Now, having been brought into this assembly by your good hand, we look to our God—We look to the head and defender of his church, in order to offer you our praises and to set apart this day to the One who has created all things and redeemed us by his only Begotten Son.
We acknowledge you as our King and know that it is in your hand to do make great and to bring low. By your Spirit hearts are hardened or broken. And we ask that this time of worship would be showered with your mercies. May your word this day not fall on dull ears, but we pray that the door of our hearts would be opened wide that we might receive it like the good soil receives the seed. May our minds be sharp and our souls be like traps so that no good thing may escape us.
Above all may we enjoy you today. May we remember again our God who has forgiven our sins, secured for us an eternal inheritance, and made us to reign with him in this world.
Just as you called the sun to rise today, you have called us out of our slumber. By your grace you caused us to arise with life and breath anew. Moreover you have awakened our souls that we might enjoy eternal life.
Now, having been brought into this assembly by your good hand, we look to our God—We look to the head and defender of his church, in order to offer you our praises and to set apart this day to the One who has created all things and redeemed us by his only Begotten Son.
We acknowledge you as our King and know that it is in your hand to do make great and to bring low. By your Spirit hearts are hardened or broken. And we ask that this time of worship would be showered with your mercies. May your word this day not fall on dull ears, but we pray that the door of our hearts would be opened wide that we might receive it like the good soil receives the seed. May our minds be sharp and our souls be like traps so that no good thing may escape us.
Above all may we enjoy you today. May we remember again our God who has forgiven our sins, secured for us an eternal inheritance, and made us to reign with him in this world.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Today's Invocation
Almighty God,
We come before you this morning because you are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. You are the only wise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one who lives and reigns. We acknowledge that you are unlike any other, for you are infinite in being and perfection. And you have all life, glory and goodness in and of yourself. For this reason we assemble here today. We desire renew our vows to you and set you apart as Lord in our hearts.
As we call upon your name, we ask that you would condescend to us. Would that you would come down from your lofty dwelling place above and fill this place with your Spirit. May we enjoy sweet communion with you and worship you this day and this hour. We pray that you might be pleased to lift our heads and anoint our hearts with your redeeming love and cause us to pay homage to our Jehovah God.
We come before you this morning because you are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. You are the only wise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one who lives and reigns. We acknowledge that you are unlike any other, for you are infinite in being and perfection. And you have all life, glory and goodness in and of yourself. For this reason we assemble here today. We desire renew our vows to you and set you apart as Lord in our hearts.
As we call upon your name, we ask that you would condescend to us. Would that you would come down from your lofty dwelling place above and fill this place with your Spirit. May we enjoy sweet communion with you and worship you this day and this hour. We pray that you might be pleased to lift our heads and anoint our hearts with your redeeming love and cause us to pay homage to our Jehovah God.
Confession of Sin
Almighty God,
As we approach you this morning we come to you as we are, with all of our sins.
We do not hide the fact that we have transgressed and offended your infinite holiness. Indeed we admit that we have been weak to battle temptation and slow to fulfill our duty before you. We have not paid honor to your name, nor taken it upon ourselves with sober recognition. We acknowledge the raging of our hearts and how we lust and yearn for ignoble things.
To our harm we pant after what is evil and we indulge in what can only be called folly. Each of us has strayed, and each of us has strayed in our own way. But we acknowledge also that we have sins that are common to us all. Moreover we have sinned corporately. Each of us has contributed to the wrath that is justly due to our house, community, and church.
But we pray that you might not look upon us in your displeasure. We cry out to you and we run to the cross of our dear Savior Jesus Christ. And on Calvary’s hilltop we cry out for mercy, begging that our sins not be held against us. Forgive us our many debts and turn our hearts toward you again. Let these misdeeds and our many others that we have committed time after time be crucified with Christ and put to death once and for all. Cause righteousness to come to life and let what is in accord with justice be fulfilled among us.
For this we ask in Jesus strong Name. Amen
As we approach you this morning we come to you as we are, with all of our sins.
We do not hide the fact that we have transgressed and offended your infinite holiness. Indeed we admit that we have been weak to battle temptation and slow to fulfill our duty before you. We have not paid honor to your name, nor taken it upon ourselves with sober recognition. We acknowledge the raging of our hearts and how we lust and yearn for ignoble things.
To our harm we pant after what is evil and we indulge in what can only be called folly. Each of us has strayed, and each of us has strayed in our own way. But we acknowledge also that we have sins that are common to us all. Moreover we have sinned corporately. Each of us has contributed to the wrath that is justly due to our house, community, and church.
But we pray that you might not look upon us in your displeasure. We cry out to you and we run to the cross of our dear Savior Jesus Christ. And on Calvary’s hilltop we cry out for mercy, begging that our sins not be held against us. Forgive us our many debts and turn our hearts toward you again. Let these misdeeds and our many others that we have committed time after time be crucified with Christ and put to death once and for all. Cause righteousness to come to life and let what is in accord with justice be fulfilled among us.
For this we ask in Jesus strong Name. Amen
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The Failure of Foresight
Our Father in Heaven,
In calling us to be Christians you called us to be light in the midst of darkness, and blessings in the midst of misery. But we have not lived up to this calling, nor adequately sought to fulfill it.
That is why we bow before you this morning, because we need to be forgiven for our lack of forethought. We are people who most frequently live by our whims and passions, and we fail to consider the future and how we might do good.
In this regard, our greatest offense has been against you. You have never ceased to think about us, and it is to our shame that we have not ceased for even a moment to devise ways to please you. We have not honored you because we have not properly prepared our hearts for worship or calculated when we could set aside time for special prayer, personal devotions, and much needed adoration and thanksgiving.
But we have sinned not only against heaven, but against our peers here on earth. Instead of carefully studying how we might be of benefit to our neighbors, we have been much consumed with ourselves and our own gain.
We beg you for pardon because the plans we have made have only revolved around our own desires and personal satisfaction. We have forgotten your past acts of love and have not remembered your great acts of redemption. You moved mightily in order to deliver us in our times of need. But you deeds have been like mighty storms of rain: they came with much power and made us stand in awe, but with their passing they were quickly forgotten. Indeed they were eclipsed by unrelenting selfishness and lust.
Forgive us, Lord, for failing to have a preemptive love. And give us hearts that truly esteem you. Turn us to yourself, and let our soul’s be fixed upon you. May all of our intentions and longings be focused upon the one who has loved us and given his life for us.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
In calling us to be Christians you called us to be light in the midst of darkness, and blessings in the midst of misery. But we have not lived up to this calling, nor adequately sought to fulfill it.
That is why we bow before you this morning, because we need to be forgiven for our lack of forethought. We are people who most frequently live by our whims and passions, and we fail to consider the future and how we might do good.
In this regard, our greatest offense has been against you. You have never ceased to think about us, and it is to our shame that we have not ceased for even a moment to devise ways to please you. We have not honored you because we have not properly prepared our hearts for worship or calculated when we could set aside time for special prayer, personal devotions, and much needed adoration and thanksgiving.
But we have sinned not only against heaven, but against our peers here on earth. Instead of carefully studying how we might be of benefit to our neighbors, we have been much consumed with ourselves and our own gain.
We beg you for pardon because the plans we have made have only revolved around our own desires and personal satisfaction. We have forgotten your past acts of love and have not remembered your great acts of redemption. You moved mightily in order to deliver us in our times of need. But you deeds have been like mighty storms of rain: they came with much power and made us stand in awe, but with their passing they were quickly forgotten. Indeed they were eclipsed by unrelenting selfishness and lust.
Forgive us, Lord, for failing to have a preemptive love. And give us hearts that truly esteem you. Turn us to yourself, and let our soul’s be fixed upon you. May all of our intentions and longings be focused upon the one who has loved us and given his life for us.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
A Prayer of Confession for the Fourth of July
Almighty and Compassionate God,
As we come before you this morning we give you praise for the freedoms that we as a nation enjoy. You have granted us life and liberty. Because of your loving-kindness we have the freedom to own property and pursue our personal welfare.
You have been gracious to us, for we know that we deserve not one good thing. We know that if you dealt with us as our sins deserve all these things would be stripped from us and we should be cast immediately into hell.
But we thank you for looking upon us so kindly. And we thank you for causing our forefathers to implement laws that were in accord with true justice and wisdom. We give you praise that our nation was founded on the principles of truth and the freedom that is found in your Law.
And this morning we look to you for your continued mercy and grace. For we know that we as a nation have not lived in accord with Christ. Like the Israelites long ago who strayed from the faith. We too have become a nation that does what is right in our own eyes.
Your patience has been great, but we know that you will only suffer so long with sinners. So we plead with you again to have mercy upon us. We ask that you would restore our fortunes. Give us a fresh outpouring of your Spirit. Like days of old where revival and renewal graced our lands, let us be drawn back to our God. Let us not glory in wickedness or lewdness, but let us glory in Christ. Let us not set ourselves up as lords, but may we as a united people acknowledge the Triune God alone as the Supreme Head and King of our state.
Since we have sought our independence from you, we know that we deserve to live eternally without you. We know that we deserve to have the freedoms we enjoy be used against us for our downfall. But we beseech you this morning for your favor. Do not give us justice, but make us a people who love justice. Do not take away our lives, but make us a people who treasure life. Grant us liberty, but bind our hearts to you. For this we ask in Jesus Name. Amen.
As we come before you this morning we give you praise for the freedoms that we as a nation enjoy. You have granted us life and liberty. Because of your loving-kindness we have the freedom to own property and pursue our personal welfare.
You have been gracious to us, for we know that we deserve not one good thing. We know that if you dealt with us as our sins deserve all these things would be stripped from us and we should be cast immediately into hell.
But we thank you for looking upon us so kindly. And we thank you for causing our forefathers to implement laws that were in accord with true justice and wisdom. We give you praise that our nation was founded on the principles of truth and the freedom that is found in your Law.
And this morning we look to you for your continued mercy and grace. For we know that we as a nation have not lived in accord with Christ. Like the Israelites long ago who strayed from the faith. We too have become a nation that does what is right in our own eyes.
Your patience has been great, but we know that you will only suffer so long with sinners. So we plead with you again to have mercy upon us. We ask that you would restore our fortunes. Give us a fresh outpouring of your Spirit. Like days of old where revival and renewal graced our lands, let us be drawn back to our God. Let us not glory in wickedness or lewdness, but let us glory in Christ. Let us not set ourselves up as lords, but may we as a united people acknowledge the Triune God alone as the Supreme Head and King of our state.
Since we have sought our independence from you, we know that we deserve to live eternally without you. We know that we deserve to have the freedoms we enjoy be used against us for our downfall. But we beseech you this morning for your favor. Do not give us justice, but make us a people who love justice. Do not take away our lives, but make us a people who treasure life. Grant us liberty, but bind our hearts to you. For this we ask in Jesus Name. Amen.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Squandered Blessings
Almighty Father,
As we come before you this morning we recognize that we are sinners. And we know that we deserve to be stripped of all that we have and thrown into hell. Yet you have seen fit to give us life and breath. Moreover you have lavished upon us good things.
And we confess that we have mishandled these things and corrupted ourselves. We have loved the blessing and not the Blesser. We have coveted earthly goods and sought to attain them through wicked means. We have lusted and lied, cheated stolen. Neither have we looked out for the good of our neighbor. Instead we have wronged them and hurt them as we have grasped after temporal things.
You would be perfectly just if you would cut us off from the face of the earth and condemn us for all eternity. And this is why we seek you out. We come to you knowing that nothing we would offer you would satisfy you. Indeed we come naked and barren, putting our hope in nothing but the righteousness of your Son. We humbly ask that you would forgive us for our sins.
And we beseech you to cleanse us from our idolatrous heart. Lord, we ask that you would purge from us those unrighteous lusts & cravings. Give us a spirit of moderation and a heart that does not lurch after goods. Indeed we pray that we would be people who acknowledge the source of our life and diligently adhere to the righteous means of receiving our sustenance. We ask that you would temper our desires so that we might be content with what you give us, liberal in our giving, and hospitable towards others.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
As we come before you this morning we recognize that we are sinners. And we know that we deserve to be stripped of all that we have and thrown into hell. Yet you have seen fit to give us life and breath. Moreover you have lavished upon us good things.
And we confess that we have mishandled these things and corrupted ourselves. We have loved the blessing and not the Blesser. We have coveted earthly goods and sought to attain them through wicked means. We have lusted and lied, cheated stolen. Neither have we looked out for the good of our neighbor. Instead we have wronged them and hurt them as we have grasped after temporal things.
You would be perfectly just if you would cut us off from the face of the earth and condemn us for all eternity. And this is why we seek you out. We come to you knowing that nothing we would offer you would satisfy you. Indeed we come naked and barren, putting our hope in nothing but the righteousness of your Son. We humbly ask that you would forgive us for our sins.
And we beseech you to cleanse us from our idolatrous heart. Lord, we ask that you would purge from us those unrighteous lusts & cravings. Give us a spirit of moderation and a heart that does not lurch after goods. Indeed we pray that we would be people who acknowledge the source of our life and diligently adhere to the righteous means of receiving our sustenance. We ask that you would temper our desires so that we might be content with what you give us, liberal in our giving, and hospitable towards others.
For this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Directions to Worship
CRF will temporarily be meeting in the basement of Armstrong Accounting, which is located at 1236 Claremont Ave and is beside the National City Bank. (Click here for a map and driving directions.)
Parking is provided behind the building and you may enter through the basement door located to the left of the main double doors. Please note that there is no access through the main double doors. Also be aware that the basement entrance is somewhat hidden. A quick glance might overlook it.
Parking is provided behind the building and you may enter through the basement door located to the left of the main double doors. Please note that there is no access through the main double doors. Also be aware that the basement entrance is somewhat hidden. A quick glance might overlook it.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Where Thou Goest, I will Go
Due to unforeseen and sudden circumstances CRF is looking for a new meeting place. Please email CRF or call (419-289-2552) to find the arrangements for this week.
Evening Prayer
O merciful God, light eternal shining in the darkness, Thou dispellest the night of our sins and the blindness of our hearts. Since Thou didst ordain that man should rest in the night and labor during the day, we pray Thee that our bodies may rest in peace and quiet, in order that they may be enabled to sustain the labors to which we shall again be called. Control our sleep and rule our hearts while we slumber in order that we may not be defiled in either body or soul but may glorify Thee even in our nightly rest.
Enlighten once more, we beseech Thee, the eyes of our mind, lest we enter upon the sleep of death. Grant that we may ever cherish the expectation of our redemption from the misery of the life that now is. Defend us against all assaults of the devil and take us in Thy holy protection.
We confess that we have not spent this day without grievously sinning against Thee. We pray Thee to cover our sins in Thy mercy, even as Thou dost shroud all the things of earth in the darkness of the night, lest we be cast away from Thy face.
Be pleased to bestow comfort and rest upon all that are sick, bowed down with grief, or afflicted with distress of soul, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
--taken from the Psalter Hymnal, CRC
Enlighten once more, we beseech Thee, the eyes of our mind, lest we enter upon the sleep of death. Grant that we may ever cherish the expectation of our redemption from the misery of the life that now is. Defend us against all assaults of the devil and take us in Thy holy protection.
We confess that we have not spent this day without grievously sinning against Thee. We pray Thee to cover our sins in Thy mercy, even as Thou dost shroud all the things of earth in the darkness of the night, lest we be cast away from Thy face.
Be pleased to bestow comfort and rest upon all that are sick, bowed down with grief, or afflicted with distress of soul, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
--taken from the Psalter Hymnal, CRC
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Easter Hope
Gracious and Redeeming God,
We who are poor sinners, come to you this morning with thankful hearts. Because of Christ’s victory over sin and death we are drawn into your presence. We acknowledge that there is no hope for us in this world save Christ. All is lost without him.
For this reason we wish you lay our souls at your feet. We ask that the conquest of his cross would be ours. We desire that his empty tomb would be our life.
We know that we have erred and greatly sinned against you. We have lived in accordance with our father Adam, and we have betrayed you like Eve, our mother. Despite our better judgment, we have run off into sin. Indeed our sin is so frequent that our consciences often fail to feel the sting of sin’s guilt.
But yet in our hearts we hear our condemnation. And we bow before our judge to ask for mercy and pardon. We know that those who come to you will by no means be cast out. So we come to you with full assurance of your pardoning grace.
Moreover we are so bold to ask that you might cleanse us from sin. Just as Christ left his grave clothes in the tomb, we pray that we would leave our lives of sin. We pray that you would put to death the misdeeds of the body and create within us new obedience and new life.
Let us not glory in that which is wretched, but let us cling to what is good and pure. Give us hearts to seek your will and the zeal to perform it.
In all things we pray that the world might know that we serve a living Savior and a glorified king. We ask that your work might be accomplished in us for the glory of your name.
For it is in the name of the resurrected Christ that we do pray. Amen.
We who are poor sinners, come to you this morning with thankful hearts. Because of Christ’s victory over sin and death we are drawn into your presence. We acknowledge that there is no hope for us in this world save Christ. All is lost without him.
For this reason we wish you lay our souls at your feet. We ask that the conquest of his cross would be ours. We desire that his empty tomb would be our life.
We know that we have erred and greatly sinned against you. We have lived in accordance with our father Adam, and we have betrayed you like Eve, our mother. Despite our better judgment, we have run off into sin. Indeed our sin is so frequent that our consciences often fail to feel the sting of sin’s guilt.
But yet in our hearts we hear our condemnation. And we bow before our judge to ask for mercy and pardon. We know that those who come to you will by no means be cast out. So we come to you with full assurance of your pardoning grace.
Moreover we are so bold to ask that you might cleanse us from sin. Just as Christ left his grave clothes in the tomb, we pray that we would leave our lives of sin. We pray that you would put to death the misdeeds of the body and create within us new obedience and new life.
Let us not glory in that which is wretched, but let us cling to what is good and pure. Give us hearts to seek your will and the zeal to perform it.
In all things we pray that the world might know that we serve a living Savior and a glorified king. We ask that your work might be accomplished in us for the glory of your name.
For it is in the name of the resurrected Christ that we do pray. Amen.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Sinners Indeed
Almighty and Merciful God,
As we come before you this morning we wish to acknowledge ourselves for who we are. We are sinners, utterly unable to submit to your will in any way without you.
We confess that we are evil and inclined toward every sort of wickedness. And the sole reason we do not fly headlong into the grossest of evils is because your hand is there to restrain us.
Indeed you have protected us from many evils already. We know that we have life and breathe today only because you have not treated us as our sins deserve. Lord, we thank you for your mercy, and we thank you for your long suffering. Moreover we thank you for turning our hearts toward you. For we know that we would never have even a sense of our sin without you.
And it is because we have this sense of sin that we turn to you this morning. You are good, and worthy of all honor and praise, but we have not given you’re the homage you deserve. Therefore we bow ourselves before you with contrite hearts. And we wish to ask you to pardon us for our transgressions.
Forgive us for not seeking the things of Christ. Forgive us for rebelling against your dominion and rule. Like the Israelites of old you pledged yourself to us. In kindness you brought us into your covenant, and promised to protect us and be our guide. But we have not submitted to your government or listened to your word. Forgive us Lord for our childish behavior, and be not angry with us.
But instead subdue our hearts. Conquer us with your mighty power, and make us to love your reign. Make us to find delight in your law and help us to take pleasure in what pleases you.
We pray that you might also bind that wretched Satan. We ask that you might restrain him and keep him from tempting us. We do not pardon ourselves by blaming the devil, but we do acknowledge his role in leading us astray. Our souls are so weak that we cannot resist him in and of ourselves. So we pray that you might keep him far from us and far from our children.
In all things we pray that you might order our lives so that you might receive all glory and honor. For this we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen
As we come before you this morning we wish to acknowledge ourselves for who we are. We are sinners, utterly unable to submit to your will in any way without you.
We confess that we are evil and inclined toward every sort of wickedness. And the sole reason we do not fly headlong into the grossest of evils is because your hand is there to restrain us.
Indeed you have protected us from many evils already. We know that we have life and breathe today only because you have not treated us as our sins deserve. Lord, we thank you for your mercy, and we thank you for your long suffering. Moreover we thank you for turning our hearts toward you. For we know that we would never have even a sense of our sin without you.
And it is because we have this sense of sin that we turn to you this morning. You are good, and worthy of all honor and praise, but we have not given you’re the homage you deserve. Therefore we bow ourselves before you with contrite hearts. And we wish to ask you to pardon us for our transgressions.
Forgive us for not seeking the things of Christ. Forgive us for rebelling against your dominion and rule. Like the Israelites of old you pledged yourself to us. In kindness you brought us into your covenant, and promised to protect us and be our guide. But we have not submitted to your government or listened to your word. Forgive us Lord for our childish behavior, and be not angry with us.
But instead subdue our hearts. Conquer us with your mighty power, and make us to love your reign. Make us to find delight in your law and help us to take pleasure in what pleases you.
We pray that you might also bind that wretched Satan. We ask that you might restrain him and keep him from tempting us. We do not pardon ourselves by blaming the devil, but we do acknowledge his role in leading us astray. Our souls are so weak that we cannot resist him in and of ourselves. So we pray that you might keep him far from us and far from our children.
In all things we pray that you might order our lives so that you might receive all glory and honor. For this we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Practical Atheism
Gracious and Forgiving God,
Your abundant grace has been manifested to us every day. Your kindness and mercy have overflowed heaven’s gates and descended upon us. Because of it we have thrived and blossomed like the spring flowers. Not one thing has been withheld from us, but we have received a boundless portion of good things.
We acknowledge that we have been given much, and therefore much is required of us. That is why we bow our heads before you this morning.
We have not sought to glorify you with glad hearts, nor have we given you the thanks that you deserve. We have been forgetful of your many kindnesses and we have not acknowledged your favorable presence in our lives. Much to our shame we have acted like God-deniers. We have mimicked the atheists of the world by our lack of love and homage.
Lord, forgive us for not loving you with all of our heart, mind and strength. Forgive us for not duly recognizing our blessed estate as your covenant people. We know that we have incurred much guilt because of this, more than those you have not covenanted with. And we understand how our unfaithfulness provokes you to wrath. But we pray that you would not hold these wicked sins against us.
Moreover, we ask that you might renew our minds and transform our hearts. Though you are unseen, we ask that you might help us to perceive you with they eyes faith. May your presence be more real to us than our hardened hearts now admit.
Give us the heart of Christ, whose eyes were ever set upon you. And compel our souls to regard your infinite majesty and glory.
For we ask this in the Name of the One who died and rose again. Amen
Your abundant grace has been manifested to us every day. Your kindness and mercy have overflowed heaven’s gates and descended upon us. Because of it we have thrived and blossomed like the spring flowers. Not one thing has been withheld from us, but we have received a boundless portion of good things.
We acknowledge that we have been given much, and therefore much is required of us. That is why we bow our heads before you this morning.
We have not sought to glorify you with glad hearts, nor have we given you the thanks that you deserve. We have been forgetful of your many kindnesses and we have not acknowledged your favorable presence in our lives. Much to our shame we have acted like God-deniers. We have mimicked the atheists of the world by our lack of love and homage.
Lord, forgive us for not loving you with all of our heart, mind and strength. Forgive us for not duly recognizing our blessed estate as your covenant people. We know that we have incurred much guilt because of this, more than those you have not covenanted with. And we understand how our unfaithfulness provokes you to wrath. But we pray that you would not hold these wicked sins against us.
Moreover, we ask that you might renew our minds and transform our hearts. Though you are unseen, we ask that you might help us to perceive you with they eyes faith. May your presence be more real to us than our hardened hearts now admit.
Give us the heart of Christ, whose eyes were ever set upon you. And compel our souls to regard your infinite majesty and glory.
For we ask this in the Name of the One who died and rose again. Amen
Friday, March 16, 2007
CRF Missionary Jamie Thornton
CRF is dedicated to the fulfilment of the great commission. Therefore we prayerfully and financially support Jamie and Julia Thornton as they minister in the Ukraine. Below you will find a brief bio. of the Thorntons. You may also follow their work at http://thorntonsinukraine.blogspot.com/index.html.
Jamie became a Christian at a church youth retreat in 1988. He grew through discipleship and the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) while studying engineering at the University of Toledo.
His call to missions came during his first short-term missions trip to Russia in 1992, where he saw a people without hope and knew the gospel was the only remedy. It was also on this trip that he met Julia. Julia was born and raised in Russia. She became a Christian just prior to the break-up of the former Soviet Union in 1991. They were married in 1996.
In preparation for the mission field, Jamie and Julia went to seminary after they were married. Jamie has a M. Div. and is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. Julia has an M.A. in theological studies.
Jamie's vision is to see the church that exists strengthened and growing through church planting. Julia's vision for Ukraine is to see strong Christian families being established and for women to be godly keepers of the home, loving their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4,5). Please pray for the Thorntons as they serve in Ukraine by planting churches, training future leaders, and discipling young families. Also pray for their children, Nadia (9/12/98), Timothy (10/23/01), Anna (7/18/03).
Jamie became a Christian at a church youth retreat in 1988. He grew through discipleship and the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) while studying engineering at the University of Toledo.
His call to missions came during his first short-term missions trip to Russia in 1992, where he saw a people without hope and knew the gospel was the only remedy. It was also on this trip that he met Julia. Julia was born and raised in Russia. She became a Christian just prior to the break-up of the former Soviet Union in 1991. They were married in 1996.
In preparation for the mission field, Jamie and Julia went to seminary after they were married. Jamie has a M. Div. and is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. Julia has an M.A. in theological studies.
Jamie's vision is to see the church that exists strengthened and growing through church planting. Julia's vision for Ukraine is to see strong Christian families being established and for women to be godly keepers of the home, loving their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4,5). Please pray for the Thorntons as they serve in Ukraine by planting churches, training future leaders, and discipling young families. Also pray for their children, Nadia (9/12/98), Timothy (10/23/01), Anna (7/18/03).
Monday, March 5, 2007
A Prayer Offered at the Annual Senior Citzen's Memorial Service
Compassionate Father,
We look to you in this hour with humility in our hearts. And we acknowledge that you are the author of life, and the one who takes it away. You formed us in our mother’s womb and gave us breath. But you have also ordained the day we breath our last.
As we bow our heads, we wish to thank you for the gift of life. We thank you for the days that you have given us. You are to be praised because we know we do not deserve to experience life at all. Though we have sinned against your infinite goodness, and persistently offended you in grievous ways, you have been merciful to us, and you have granted us many days.
Moreover, you have been good in supplying a way of salvation—a way to eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. You saw fit to send forth your Son into this world. And you made him to die on the behalf of sinners like us. And to those who believe in him you give victory over the grave.
We rejoice that the grave could not hold him, and through him we have the hope of the Resurrection. From our hearts we unite to thank-you for the Grave Conqueror. And we commend ourselves to your continual care.
Lord, gathered here today are those who mourn the loss of friends and family. And I beseech you on their behalf. May you send forth your Spirit into their hearts to console them. I ask that you might help them to grieve. Give then eyes that look unto Jesus, the one who gives peace to ailing hearts. And may they find consolation in Him and him alone.
We look to you in this hour with humility in our hearts. And we acknowledge that you are the author of life, and the one who takes it away. You formed us in our mother’s womb and gave us breath. But you have also ordained the day we breath our last.
As we bow our heads, we wish to thank you for the gift of life. We thank you for the days that you have given us. You are to be praised because we know we do not deserve to experience life at all. Though we have sinned against your infinite goodness, and persistently offended you in grievous ways, you have been merciful to us, and you have granted us many days.
Moreover, you have been good in supplying a way of salvation—a way to eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. You saw fit to send forth your Son into this world. And you made him to die on the behalf of sinners like us. And to those who believe in him you give victory over the grave.
We rejoice that the grave could not hold him, and through him we have the hope of the Resurrection. From our hearts we unite to thank-you for the Grave Conqueror. And we commend ourselves to your continual care.
Lord, gathered here today are those who mourn the loss of friends and family. And I beseech you on their behalf. May you send forth your Spirit into their hearts to console them. I ask that you might help them to grieve. Give then eyes that look unto Jesus, the one who gives peace to ailing hearts. And may they find consolation in Him and him alone.
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