This weeks sermon - Pastor Chris Kilbert

“Prudence in This Time and Place”

Proverbs 27:12; Joshua 24:14-24

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Order of Worship

     January 17th Worship Video

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A Word from our Pastor

Why does Christmas joy turn so quickly into new-year angst?  Often, it’s because what felt like joy at Christmas was not anchored very deeply in Christ after all.  David Mathis states, “He was invited and welcome, on our terms, as we were trying to wrap our fears in paper, hide our trials under the tree, and drown our sorrows in seclusion.  We thought it was all about baby Jesus, but we were merely covering our burdens for a couple weeks with lights & garland. We were too afraid to really trust him and cast our anxieties on him.  

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Then Jan. 1st comes knocking again – responsibilities to resume, decisions to be made, resolutions to be kept, procrastination to be forsaken.  Stress and uncertainties suddenly cast a dark shadow on our joy, and our hearts struggle to withstand it.  The reason many of us feel so insecure and anxious at the beginning of another year is that we’ve taken gifts meant to lead us to God, and looked to them for the strength, hope, clarity, and purpose only God can give.  But if we let our longings lead us to God himself, he will graciously provide what we truly need at the beginning of another new year.  Our God will provide …

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Strength for the Weary – Though 2020 was a year unlike any other for all of us, and while we can pray for relief and a newness of life in the coming year, the fact remains that you and I will face tiring and taxing days in this life.  But when you are tired and struggling across this new year, remember God's promise in Isaiah 40:31: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."  

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Clarity for the Future – The clarity we need to make difficult decisions today, especially as we enter another year, comes not mainly from meticulous planning, but from lifting our eyes to God – knowing Him more through what He says in his Word; waiting on Him in prayer; deepening our joy in Him in all we set ourselves to do.  Lift your eyes and declare: "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love & compassion” (Ps 103:2).  In such depths, remember the God who "redeems your life from the pit."  

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Glory for the Father – Part of what makes happiness so elusive is that we’re always tempted to try and put ourselves at the center of it.  The deepest human happiness, though, has been liberated from that temptation, and loves instead to hide in the living God.  Do you regularly ask God to move in your life, your relationships your work … in ways that magnify him, and not you?  Is His greatest glory our greatest joy?

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The beginning of the year is a perfect time to remember why we exist, and to re-center our lives around that one great purpose.  If you’ve found yourself drifting away from God and an appetite for his glory, go to Him in prayer; ask God to awaken this appetite for His glory – commit each day to Him, not just the year.  Ask what treasures or trappings have robbed you of the deeper joy of living for His name’s sake.  My prayer for all of us is that our joy in God is renewed and flourishes.  So let your soul thirst for Him … And let that thirst lead you through trials, into wisdom, all for His glory.    – Pastor Chris 

Worship includes music.

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Below are this week's worship music selections.

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Just click on the title to hear the music.

Select "Music Archives" for past weeks music.

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Songs of Worship – 01/24/2021 

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Alive and Breathing – Matt Maher  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYUJjsgd96k

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Be Thou My Vision – Audrey Assad  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Optrm7lF16s

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Come Thou Fount – All Sons & Daughters  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrTqBioaZ4

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Famous For (I Believe) – Taurin Wells, Jenn Johnson  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o15X2yZ1LT8

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It Is Well with My Soul (Traditional Hymn)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHe_qmo3gX4

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CHRISTMAS PIANO MEDITATIONS

by Pam Johnson, is now located in the "Music Archives". There are many other Riverlawn Choir and solo performances also located under the tab "Music Archives".

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Riverlawn Presbyterian Church

2008 Pennsylvania Ave.

St. Albans, WV 25177