On Sunday our focus will be Nehemiah 2:1-20,  where we will see how God uses people of prayer and deliberate careful action to build His Kingdom.  The chapter breaks down into three sections. First, Nehemiah stands before King Artaxerxes, confronts him for his actions toward Judah and makes a bold request. Nehemiah stands before the king as a man dependent upon God, and full of prayer. The second section shows Nehemiah inspecting the walls of Jerusalem by night. He is examining the damage, in the same way that we all must inspect the damage done to us by the works of the world the flesh and the Devil and turn to God to repair what has been harmed. We must enter into a time of self examination.  The third section reveals the opposition that Nehemiah experienced, showing us that works of God always are opposed.

The songs we will be singing on Sunday are:

Behold Our God
Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice   Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore HimWho has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

Rejoice, the Lord Is King
Rejoice, the Lord is King
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing and triumph evermore.
   Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns
The God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains, He took His seat above.
   Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o’er earth and heav’n.
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n.
   Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand,
The Church’s great High Priest,
And all his enemies are placed beneath His feet.
   Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord, the Judge, shall come
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
   Lift up your heart; lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Like a River Glorious
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller ev’ry day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

   Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding, as He promised,
Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Ev’ry joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love.
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

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

Rise Up, O Church of God
Rise up, O Church of God!
Have done with lesser things
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings

Rise up, O Church of God!
His kingdom tarries long
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong

Rise up, O sons of God!
The Church for you doth wait
Her strength unequal to her task
Rise up, and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod
As followers of the Son of Man
Rise up, O Church of God!