Supernatural Excitement
The visions come to an end. St. John, dazed in adoration, falls at the feet of the revealing angel, prostrate in worship. The angel rebukes the misplaced devotion: “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God! (Rev. 22:9). This is the second time that St. John has tried to worship the revealing angel instead of the revealed God (Rev. 19:10). Why is he having such a hard time getting it right? Why do we? Because it is easier. It is easier to indulge in ecstasies than to engage in obedience. It is easier to pursue a fascination with the supernatural than to enter into the service of God. And because it is easier, it happens more often. We have recurrent epidemics of infatuation with religion. People love being entertained by miracles. A religion of angels is a religion of supernatural excitement, of miraculous ecstasy. It is heady stuff. Around it for very long, any of us are apt to get swept off our feet and carried along in the general delirium. Revealing angels have always proved more popular than the revealed God.
When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they went wild, calling out in their Lyconian dialect, “The gods have come down! These men are gods!”… When Barnabas and Paul finally realized what was going on, they stopped them … “What do you think you’re doing! We’re not gods! We are men just like you, and we’re here to bring you the Message, to persuade you to abandon these silly god-superstitions and embrace God himself, the living God.”
- Acts 14.11, 14-15a
* taken from Eugene Peterson’s, “Living the Message”
At LHF, we aim to make Sundays an integral part of getting us back in-step with the rhythm and cadence of our Creator/Redeemer. It’s a chance to hear again who we are and whose we are. Our worship, with all of its imperfections, is a response to the grace of God.
Here’s a general framework for our service for February 26:
10:45
pre-service (gym reserved for prayer, singing, sitting)11:00
invitation to worship
announcements/offering
community prayer - Feb Birthdays
message - Life Map - Tom Hong
response
benediction
Service Notes:
If you would like to receive our announcements by email, visit the Contacts page.
We are moving! We have had 2 great years wandering between Miller Park and Seaview. Our last service at Seaview will be on 3/18. Our first Sunday at the New Life Ministry Co-Operative (formerly known as Royal Oak Community Church) will be on 3/25. Some notes:
AGM. 2/26, after service. All are invited to our Annual General Meeting to hear the latest on our transition to the NLMC and any updates regarding SACF. Pizza and childcare will be available. Please pray and listen for direction for our church.
Youth Outreach Trip. 4/13. Sue, Kara, and Samantha will be traveling to Bluefields, Nicaragua with Samaritan’s Purse to deliver shoeboxes. If you would like to support them through prayer or finances, please talk to Sue. All donations are tax receiptable.
Outside events are non-LHF sponsored announcements that might interest you.
Kids + Ministry Leaders Conference. 2/24-25 (Fri-Sat) @ New Joy Community Church. Guest speakers are from Bethel Church’s Children’s Ministry. The conference focuses on leading kids to the heart of Jesus and teaching them to encounter Him daily. Cost varies by age. Early bird rates end on Jan. 24. Go here for more info or to register.