Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Lord is merciful. In Zech 1:14-16, the Lord says, He is “Zealous for Jerusalem,” and “I’m returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built.” Why would He do this for a distracted, discouraged and disobedient people? They stopped building for sixteen years. They were “off mission.” The opposition they were receiving coupled with their desires for luxury and “personal peace and affluence” caused them to quit. But now – mercy. God sends two prophets (Haggai and Zechariah) to awaken them. On Sunday, our focus is the message of Zechariah. The prophet does two things. First, he calls for repentance. This is the theme of the opening verses. Then the the Lord, through Zechariah assures His people that He will keep His promises – he will protect them with a “wall of fire” all around. Therefore, they can trust Him and get back to work… in the “day of small things.”  On Sunday, we will focus on the first half of the message of Zechariah – Zech 1-6:8 – the eight night visions. God sends these eight visions through Zechariah to bring His people back to their senses… and get back to work. He wants them to return to the work but not just the work, but to love him and return to him with wholly dedicated hearts – to Him. Two questions: First, are you working at building the temple and how? Second, are you doing it with a whole heart… not just involved in the mechanics of building, but your whole life dedicated to Him?

Women’s Mentoring will be meeting at the Brown Barn at 10:00 on Wed, continuing in the book, “Be Still My Soul” by Elisabeth Elliott. Childcare will be provided for preschool children.

Wed night, Jan 11 Prayer will be held at the Browns Barn

For your joy… this is very good from John Piper – Why Porno Shops Don’t Have Windows. 

Our Songs for Sunday are:

Praise Waits for Thee in Zion

Be Thou My Vision

By Grace Alone

O Great God

I Will Glory in My Redeemer

Praise Waits for Thee in Zion (Psalm 65)

to tune of “Lead on O King Eternal”

Praise waits for thee in Zion;

All men shall worship there

And pay their vows before thee,

O God who hearest prayer.

Our sins rise up against us,

Prevailing day by day,

But thou wilt show us mercy

And take their guilt away.

How blest the man thou callest

And bringest near to thee,

That in thy courts for ever

His dwelling place may be;

He shall within thy temple

Be satisfied with grace,

And filled with all the goodness

Of thy most holy place.

O God of our salvation,

Since thou dost love the right,

Thou wilt an answer send us

In wondrous deeds of might.

In all earth’s habitations,

On all the boundless sea,

Man finds no sure reliance,

No peace, apart from thee.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me save that Thou art

Thou my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise

Thou mine inheritance now and always

Thou and Thou only first in my heart

High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

By Grace Alone

Out of the depths I cry to You,

Lord, hear my voice of pleading;

Bend down Your gracious ear, I pray,

Your humble servant heeding.

If You remember each misdeed,

And of each thought and word take heed,

Who can remain before You?

Only by grace, by grace alone.

Your pardon is a gift of love,

Your grace alone must save us,

Our works will not remove our guilt,

The strictest life would fail us.

Let none in deeds or merits boast,

But let us own the Holy Ghost

For He alone can change us:

Only by grace, by grace alone.

Though great our sins and sore our woes

His grace much more aboundeth;

His helping love no limit knows,

Our utmost need it soundeth.

Our kind and faithful Shepherd He,

Who will set all His people free

From all their sin and sorrow:

Only by grace, by grace alone.

O Great God

O great God of highest heaven

Occupy my lowly heart

Own it all and reign supreme

Conquer every rebel power

Let no vice or sin remain

That resists Your holy war

You have loved and purchased me

Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin

Had no ears to hear Your voice

Did not know Your love within

Had no taste for heaven’s joys

Then Your Spirit gave me life

Opened up Your Word to me

Through the gospel of Your Son

Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life

That’s dependent on Your grace

Keep my heart and guard my soul

From the evils that I face

You are worthy to be praised

With my every thought and deed

O great God of highest heaven

Glorify Your Name through me

I Will Glory in My Redeemer

I will glory in my Redeemer

Whose priceless blood has ransomed me

Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails

And hung Him on that judgment tree

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who crushed the power of sin and death

My only Savior before the holy Judge

The Lamb who is my righteousness

The Lamb who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer

My life He bought, my love He owns

I have no longings for another

I’m satisfied in Him alone

I will glory in my Redeemer

His faithfulness my standing place

Though foes are mighty and rush upon me

My feet are firm, held by His grace

My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who carries me on eagles’ wings

He crowns my life with lovingkindness

His triumph song I’ll ever sing

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who waits for me at gates of gold

And when He calls me, it will be paradise

His face forever to behold

His face forever to behold