Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week we are focusing on 1 John 2:15-17, which is an examination of worldliness – something we always need. But, why do we always need it? We always need it because worldliness is not simply avoided by, “don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t chew and go with girls that do.” Worldliness is far deeper than outward appearances. We can do all those things and still be driven about by the winds of the world. But, when you believe in your heart that this world and its lusts are “passing away, your affections reject the worldliness of the world. When you believe that “he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17) you gravitate away from the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Your holy affections overtake the forces of the ungodliness of this world and so you become less worldly. 

Remember the upcoming Father Daughter Retreat Aug 12-13.

Sunday Afternoon Teaching. We are planning to add an additional instrument or two for Sunday morning worship beginning July 10, and Mike Davenport will explain from scripture why we would do such a thing after the fellowship meal this Sunday.

Prayer will be held at the Burke Home.

The Songs we are going to sing are,

All Hail the Power

Higher Ground

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

In Christ Alone

All I Have Is Christ

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall

Bring forth the royal diadem

And crown Him Lord of all

Bring forth the royal diadem

And crown Him Lord of all

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race

Ye ransomed from the fall

Hail Him who saves you by His grace

And crown Him Lord of all

Hail Him who saves you by His grace

And crown Him Lord of all

Let every kindred, every tribe 

On this terrestrial ball

To Him all majesty ascribe

And crown Him Lord of all

To Him all majesty ascribe

And crown Him Lord of all

O that with yonder sacred throng

We at His feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song

And crown Him Lord of all

We’ll join the everlasting song

And crown Him Lord of all

Amen

Higher Ground

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” 

   Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

   By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

   A higher plane than I have found;

   Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, by grace, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground. 

Through grace alone I shall not stray,

Kept by His power throughout each day;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

Save in the death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to His blood

See, from His head, His hands, His feet

Sorrow and love flow mingled down

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a present far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! 

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

All I Have Is Christ

I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I knew the way.

The sin that promised joy and life

Had led me to the grave.

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will.

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross.

And I beheld God’s love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace.

   Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

   Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me.

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose.

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You.

   Hallelujah! All I have is Christ

   Hallelujah! Jesus is my life