The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
What does it mean? How does it apply to my life? Welcome to our Sunday sermon and chapel at Faith for Living
We welcome you to our Sunday sermon and chapel at Faith for Living.
Wherever you find yourself today, we greet you warmly in Christ's name. This weekly online gathering provides an opportunity to pause, reflect on God’s Word, and experience spiritual community, even at a distance. We pray that each Sunday chapel brings renewal and encouragement to your home.
"The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth" (Psalm 37).
Today’s message centers around Psalm 37, illuminating the powerful promise reserved for those who come to God in lowliness that they may then be lifted in His strength. But there is a virtue that proceeds from the theology. As we explore these truths, may your heart be comforted by God’s assurance that ultimate victory belongs not to the proud, but to the humble followers of Christ.
Our devotional resources for your time of worship follow. May you be strengthened as God is praised.
Our deepest desire is that these teachings and worship aids lead you into a deeper relationship with Christ. As you hear God's Word and reflect on its implications, may you be inspired to live out a life of repentance, faith, and committed discipleship, embracing fully the transformative power of Jesus Christ.
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1)
An Order of Worship
On the Lord's Day The Fifth Sunday in Lent (Passion Sunday)
You may prepare for worship with this prayer:
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.—The Book of Common Prayer
GATHERING
Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)
Let us worship God.
Hymn
Be Thou My Vision (a link to Miss Corrine May on piano with voice)
Invocation and Lord’s Prayer
O Lord, our Father, who sent Your only begotten Son to live the life we could not live and die the death that should have been ours, receive our humble worship as we come in Spirit and in truth, hidden in Christ. Perfect our praise through the power of the Holy Spirit according to Your will, O Father, so that we may bring our full praise to You, O Sovereign Lord. May our worship mingle with the worship of Your people throughout the world and across the ages, so that by Your Spirit we may be one and in unity lift up the name of Jesus to the nations. As we pray in the name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, we remember how You taught Your own to pray, saying:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
Forever. Amen.
Confession of Sin
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have wandered and strayed from your ways
like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things
that we ought to have done;
And we have done those things
that we ought not to have done;
And there is no health in us.
But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us sinners.
Spare those who confess their faults.
Restore those who are penitent,
According to your promises declared to mankind
In Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a disciplined, righteous, and godly life,
to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*That is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
WORD
The Reading of the Holy Scriptures
Pastoral Prayer
O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Sermon
Scripture: Psalm 37
“The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth: A study from Psalm 37.” Dr. Michael A. Milton
TABLE
Prayers
For Our Nation
O Lord our Governor, whose glory fills all the world: We commend this Nation to your merciful care, that we may be guided by your providence, and dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of this Nation, the Governor of this State [or Commonwealth], and to all in authority, wisdom, and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them continually mindful of their calling to serve this people in reverent obedience to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
For Our Families and Friends
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Those in Need
O merciful Father, you have taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity on the sorrows of your servant N. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy; nourish his soul with patience; comfort him with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon him; and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Gospel Mission
Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Spiritual Communion
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament in a special way. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people [gathered around every Communion table of your Church], and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Note: This is the ROCKINGHAM tune, which I have used for many years during the Lenten and Easter seasons. Our link is to the Trinity College Choir, Cambridge.