Worship on Sunday, March 1
As we are on the second Sunday of Lent, we will be learning about the message of the CROSS. Most of the time, when we look at the cross, we see torture, pain, suffering, loss and rejection. However, the real meaning of the cross of Christ is: triumph and hope.
The Gospel of Mark tells us that during the entire ministry of Jesus—His mind and heart and mission are pointed to Jerusalem and the cross that await him. He has one purpose—that is the CROSS. In Mark 8:31-38, Christ calls us to Follow Him, Take Up Our Cross, and Deny Ourselves. In order to learn more about this, please come and join us at First Baptist Church of Hudson. Our worship begins at 10:30 a.m.
We will continue the Adult Sunday school study series on “Give Up Harsh, Condemning Judgments for Lent” chapter 2 from James Moore’s Give Up Something Bad For Lent. Also read: Matthew 7:1-5 for this class.
For worship, please read: Mark 8:31-38
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
http://bible.com/111/gal.5.24.niv
This went on year after year.
This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
http://bible.com/111/1sa.1.7.niv
Better a little with the fear of the Lord
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
http://bible.com/111/pro.15.16.niv
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
http://bible.com/111/pro.18.10.niv
Carry each other’s burdens
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
http://bible.com/111/gal.6.2.niv
The Lord weighs the heart
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
http://bible.com/111/pro.21.2.niv
Test the spirits to see whether they are from God
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
http://bible.com/111/1jn.4.1.niv
February 22: Worship – Join Us for the beginning of Lent!
Finally, it is Lent season. Every year during this time Christians, including the protestants, make a commitment to sacrificially give up something that is important—such as desserts or burger or pizza or soft drinks or ice cream or coffee or even chocolate—as an exercise in self-denial and spiritual discipline.
But the questions are?
Why not select something that spiritually I would be a whole lot better off without?
Why not choose certain acts, attitudes habits or sins that have the power to contaminate, infect, or poison my soul?
Why not give up one of those for Lent?
It’s a good idea for all of us, isn’t it?
Why not intentionally decide, with the help of God, to put our energy and efforts into ridding ourselves of something that is destructive in our lives, something like envy or jealousy or self-pity or apathy or procrastination or gossip or resentment or blame-shifting or negative thinking or prejudice or discrimination or bias?
Why not give up something bad for Lent in the hope and with the prayer that if we can give up a bad thing for the forty days of Lent this year then maybe, just maybe, God can give us strength to give it up forever?
In order to help us with this spiritual exercise, the Adult Sunday School class will do a six-week Lenten study on giving something up bad in our Christian lives, beginning February 22.
Please join our Adult Sunday school class at 9:15 a.m.
Following the study, we will congregate for worship, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Scripture reading for the worship is Mark 1:9-15. Based on the Gospel reading—we will learn about Jesus’ wilderness experience—and what they can teach us about our own spiritual wilderness wandering, examining the darkness of our lives, and reclaiming God’s call on our lives.
Please read: Mark 1:9-15
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
First Baptist Church of Hudson, NH 