"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Acts 20:28
weekly message
“…but those who hope (wait) in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Even the strongest of people get tired and worn out at times. God’s power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. God’s strength is our source of strength. When you feel like life is getting the best of you, and you are feeling crushed by the weight of all that you have to do, you might feel like you can’t take even one more step. But remember that you can call on God to renew your strength. Calling on God to renew your strength is trusting that He will do just that. God created the eagle to be able to fly through storms. We can trust God to give us the strength to get through anything. Trust Him!
Sermon Sneak Peek
Isaiah 40:21-31 “Soar Like an Eagle”
traditions explained
The Use of Candles
WHY WE USE CANDLES IN WORSHIP
In Christian tradition, light represents Christ. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”. We light our candles at the start of worship service, symbolizing His presence with us.
We use two Candles: These represent the 2 natures of Jesus
- One candle symbolizes Jesus’ Humanity (His birth, His life among us, His suffering, and Him being with us in our everyday lives)
- The other candle symbolized Jesus’ Divinity (His holiness, His authority, His saving power, and His eternal nature)
Together, the two candles proclaim that Jesus is fully human and fully God!
WHY WE LIGHT AND EXTINGUISH THEM AT SPECIFIC TIMES
Lighting the candles at the beginning of the Worship service is a way of saying, “This time is set apart for God” and marks the beginning of our gathered worship
Extinguishing the candles at the end of the service is NOT a sign that Jesus leaves us. It simply marks the conclusion of the formal worship time. As the candles are extinguished, we keep a light lit and carry it down the aisle towards the door, reminding us that, as we leave, we carry Jesus’ light out into the world.
The candles remind us every week:
- Christ is present
- Christ is the center
- Christ is the light of the world
At the beginning of the service, as the candles are being lit, is a time to quiet ourselves with each other and before God, asking Him to prepare our hearts for worship.
words to encourage
Words of encouragement
I have said these things to you, that you may have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33