EMMANUEL'S APRIL GATHERING

This evening was one of those unique moments, precious like a gem stone.

Connie cooked, and we consumed, two roasts of mouthwatering beef and two pies. Richard brought a magnificent "macaroni salad," some of which we took home with us for later enjoyment. A green salad, rolls, gravy and satisfying beverages refreshed us all. After satiating ourselves on a delicious meal, prepared with tender loving care, we settled in for teaching from Hebrews chapter five, and a worship set of songs presented by Sean Loomis . . . including one he wrote this week and taught us tonight.

The evening was so pleasant, intimate and spiritually enriching!
Thanks to everyone who participated. You are the best.

Some requested the content from the public address, particularly the prayer of repentance, which went well with the subjects in Hebrews. Here is that prayer, adopted and modified from a prayer discovered online. You might want to print it out and make it part of your prayer life. I know I will.

O Changeless God,
Under the conviction of the Spirit I am learning that The more I do, the worse I am, The more I know, the less I know, The more holiness I have, the more I see my sins, The more I love, the more there is to love. O wretched man that I am!

O Gracious Lord,
I have a wild heart And cannot stand before you blameless; I am like a slow beast before a man. How little I love your truth and ways! I neglect the kind of prayer you desire of me. By thinking I have prayed enough and earnestly, I deceive myself. By knowing you have saved me, I allow my soul to be slothful. Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be as a self-righteous hypocrite, Who sins more safely because your grace abounds, Who tells his LUSTS that Christ’s blood cleanses them rather than condemns them, Who reasons that God cannot cast him into hell, for he is saved and free, Who loves only interesting preaching, beautiful churches and winsome christians, but lives like those who care nothing for you.

O Generous Father,
My mind is like a bucket without a bottom, With no real spiritual understanding, with no desire to keep the Lord’s Day, Ever learning but never growing fully into your truth, Always at the gospel-well but holding precious little water. My conscience is often without conviction, commitment or contrition; feeling nothing sufficient to repent of.

My will is without power of decision or resolution to act. My heart is without proper affection; full of holes. My memory retains little of what is vital to you, so I forget easily the lessons you’ve taught, and your Truth drains away.

Give me a broken heart that yet carries home the water of grace. For only then will the deaf hear your voice, the blind eyes be opened and the lame walk. Only then will I be pleasing to you, and will be a blessing to our family, and a light to those who walk in darkness. Only then will you be seen in me and truly praised, as you ought to be.

Adapted from
The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett and modified by Dan Rice for this evening's worship service.