lent 2015

CITYVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

LENT2015

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About LentLent originated in the early centuries of church history as a time of preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Holy Saturday, the Saturday before Easter. Reminiscent of Israel’s forty years in the wilderness and Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness, the Lenten season, not counting Sundays, lasts forty days. Sundays are not included because the Lord’s Day, according to church tradition, is never a fast day but always a feast day, a celebration of the resurrection.

Lent is traditionally observed by penitence, almsgiving, self-denial, and, above all, prayer. We humble ourselves before God, coming before him in dust and ashes, confessing our sin and total inadequacy, stripping ourselves bare of all pretense to righteousness. We place our needs, fear, failures, hopes and lives into the hands of God. We confess that our only hope is in Christ, who lived, died, and rose on our behalf.

As Jesus made clear when he quoted Isaiah to the Pharisees, external actions void of heart engagement are not honoring to God… ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.’ (Matthew 15:8) Therefore, any special attention to the Lenten Season that honors God must include heart-level repentance and real faith, not external obedience to church tradition.

The Lenten Season is an extended time to focus on the death and resurrection of Christ that provides us with an opportunity to honor God as well as fight against sin. There can be a real value in participating in this season, but only if done with a heart that seeks to honor God.

Perhaps this Lent you may find the following scripture readings from the Gospel of Luke to be a helpful guide. I am grateful to two pastors, Craig Higgins and Clay Holland, who helped me in creating this Lenten devotional for Cityview.

I would encourage you to take time to pray, read and reflect upon the Psalms of Lament and these passages in Luke. A few songs are also provided for you to sing or meditate on during this season. As Lent begins this year, my prayer for you is that this would be a truly blessed season, a time of genuine and significant spiritual growth for you and for your family. - Dan Adamson

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Contents

Week 1

Readings and Questions, Week 1

Week 2


Week 3


Week 4


Week 5


Week 6


Week 7


Hymns for Reflection

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5

6

7

9

10

12

13

15

16

18

19

21

22

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Booklet Images:by Elizabeth Steele Halstead. Reprinted by permission from Visuals for Worship, ©2006, Faith Alive Christian Resources

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WEEK 1 February 18 - 21

Opening Prayer:Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of Your Son’s death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives.Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 123

Lenten Hymn: Who Is This, So Weak and Helpless?

To you I lift up my eyes,O you who are enthroned

in the heavens!

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Readings & Questions, Week 1Day 1 | Wednesday, February 18

Luke 6:20-23• Why do you think Jesus starts his sermon on the mount with the words, “Blessed are you

who are poor”? What does it mean to be poor in the spirit?• What do the beatitudes teach us as we enter into this season of Lent?

Day 2 | Thursday, February 19

Luke 6:27-36• Who are the people in your life that are hard to love right now? Why?• What does it look like to show mercy to others (verse 36)?

Day 3 | Friday, February 20

Luke 8:4-15• What does this parable teach us about the gospel?• What does it mean to hear the word and bear fruit with patience (verse 15)?

Day 4 | Saturday, February 21

Luke 9:18-22• What does this passage teach us about Jesus?• How should this passage encourage us and convict us during this season of Lent?

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WEEK 2 February 22 - 28

Opening Prayer:O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh — a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee. For Christ’s sake, Amen.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 32Lenten Hymn: Our Souls in Stillness Wait

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

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Readings & Questions, Week 2Day 5 | Sunday, February 22

Luke 9:57-62• What do you think it means to follow Jesus? What hindrances do you believe keep you

from coming to him?• What kinds of things tempt you to turn back from the path of following Jesus? Are there

areas of your family, your business, or your relationships that pull you from the path of discipleship?

Day 6 | Monday, February 23

Luke 10:25-37• Why do you think Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of his story to the lawyer? What

does this teach us about the surprising nature of Christ’s kingdom?• What are some opportunities you have to be a good neighbor in this city? How can you

more fully take advantage of these opportunities?

Day 7 | Tuesday, February 24

Luke 10:38-42• To whom do you relate more: Mary or Martha? Why?• How do you take steps to either serve Jesus more or sit and listen to Jesus more through

his Word?

Day 8 | Wednesday, February 25

Luke 11:1-13• Have you ever asked in frustration why God does not seem to answer some of your

prayers? In what ways could this passage teach you to ask the question differently?• How have you seen God answer your prayers in the past? How can God’s past history

encourage you as you persevere in prayer?

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Day 9 | Thursday, February 26

Luke 11:14-23• Is there a sphere of your life (business, dating, addiction, etc.) over which you resist

allowing Jesus to exercise control? How does this passage challenge any presuppositions you may have regarding where Jesus is and is not able to exercise his rule?

• In what ways can you work with Jesus in extending his kingdom and in what ways is it possible to work against him? How can you be an instrument to extend his kingdom in this city?

Day 10 | Friday, February 27

Luke 11:37-52• In what areas of your life have you experienced transformation through encounters with

Jesus? In what areas are you currently in the process of being transformed?• Are there areas of your life that you hope Jesus will simply leave alone? What are they,

and why are you unwilling to have Jesus challenge them?

Day 11 | Saturday, February 28

Luke 12:8-12• Have you ever worried that you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit? How does this

passage give you comfort?• Do you struggle to acknowledge your relationship with Jesus before your family, friends

or co-workers? How does this passage challenge you? How does the offer of repentance bring you comfort?

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WEEK 3 March 1 - 7

Opening Prayer:Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves.Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversaries which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 38Lenten Hymn: O For a Closer Walk With God

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,nor discipline me in your wrath!

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Readings & Questions, Week 3Day 12 | Sunday, March 1

Luke 12:13-21• The rich man in this parable struggled with feeling like he needed more of what he

already had in abundance. Where do you struggle with wanting more? How does this desire manifest itself in your mood and ability to serve?

• What are some tangible ways you can be on guard against all covetousness? How can the community of God’s people help you?

Day 13 | Monday, March 2

Luke 12:22-31• What causes anxiety in your life? How does this anxiety manifest itself?• What would redemption from anxiety look like in your life? In what ways could your life

be impacted by reduced worrying? How can your understanding of God help bring you to this place of peace?

Day 14 | Tuesday, March 3

Luke 12:35-40• What are some of the means God gives to keep us awake and ready for his coming? Do

you view these means as burdens in your life or as good gifts of God’s grace?• How would your life change if you took Jesus’ words in this passage seriously? How

would you view your job, your family, the city and your relationships differently?

Day 15 | Wednesday, March 4

Luke 13:1-5• What sorts of questions about God do disasters cause you to ask?• Are you surprised that Jesus answered the questions regarding disasters with a call to

repentance? Why or why not?

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Day 16 | Thursday, March 5

Luke 13:10-17• Have you ever been shocked or even angered by the grace that Jesus showed someone?

According to this passage, how do you think Jesus would respond to that attitude?• Jesus refers to the woman’s physical condition as an aspect of Satan’s binding. What

does his healing of her suggest about the extent of his redemption?

Day 17 | Friday, March 6

Luke 13:18-21• How do the parables in Luke 13:18-21 help you overcome any impulses toward cynicism

you may have?• How have you seen the kingdom grow in your own life and in the world over time?

Where do you see yourself and the world still battling the effects of sin? How can you be a part of participating in the extension of Christ’s kingdom in this city?

Day 18 | Saturday, March 7

Luke 13:22-30• Pray that God will help you examine your heart to determine if, deep down, you are

trusting in anything other than Christ alone for entrance into the kingdom.• Jesus says at the end of this passage that unexpected people (the Gentiles) will recline

at the table with the heroes of the faith (Jews). Do you ever set stipulations for entrance to the kingdom that Jesus himself has not set? In what ways do you think you may be surprised by those you meet in heaven?

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WEEK 4 March 8 - 14

Opening 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 the world, our hearts may surely 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 for ever. Amen.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 90Lenten Hymn: Lead Me to the Cross

Before the mountains were brought forth,or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

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Luke 13:31-35• Jesus mentions Jerusalem as a place with a history of killing prophets. What does this

history teach about the ease with which the message of the gospel permeates a place?• Have you ever experienced rejection from your family or friends because of your

commitment to Christ? How are you encouraged by Jesus’ experiences?


Luke 14:1-6• Jesus compares the healing of the sick man to pulling a child or ox out of great danger.

Why does he make this comparison, and what does it teach regarding the purpose of his coming?

• Do you ever find yourself annoyed regarding the grace Jesus shows certain people? If so, take time during Lent to confess this to him.


Luke 14:7-11• In what areas of life are you tempted to follow the Pharisees in “taking the places of

honor?”• In what specific ways did Jesus humble himself while on earth? How does that instruct

you in how to live as a follower of Christ?


Luke 14:12-24• What reasons do you have for declining Jesus’ invitation to his table? As you reflect upon

this parable, do you find yourself challenged in your reasoning?• In Jesus’ parables, it is often the wealthy that reject his invitation and the poor who

accept it. Why is that, and how does that challenge you and/or encourage you to minister in this city?

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Luke 14:25-33• The word “hate” Jesus uses in verse 26 is a strong one. What is the context for this

statement and what do you believe he means by it?• We are all guilty of prioritizing other things over Christ and his kingdom. Where does

this passage challenge your priorities and perhaps the way you order your family?


Luke 15:1-10• Jesus mentions joy and rejoicing two times in this passage regarding the salvation of the

lost. What do these words teach about the character of God?• If you were to follow the pattern of Jesus and “receive sinners and eat with them,” what

would it look like? In what ways could you follow Jesus’ example in the course of your normal relationships?


Luke 15:11-32• In what ways do you identify with the younger brother in this parable? Have you

experienced the gracious embrace of the Father?• In what ways do you identify with the older brother in this parable? Have you

experienced the gentle rebuke of the Father?

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WEEK 5 March 15 - 21

Opening Prayer:O Lord of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, faint-heartedness, lust for power and idle talk. Instead grant me, your servant, the spirit of purity, humility, patience and love. Yes, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own sins and faults and not to judge my neighbor,for you are truly blessed forever. Amen.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 25Lenten Hymn: Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit

For your name’s sake, O Lord,pardon my guilt, for it is great.

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Luke 16:1-13• What difference does it make that this passage is addressed specifically to Jesus’

disciples? Would someone who already follows Jesus hear this teaching differently than someone who does not?

• Jesus often speaks of the dangers of money becoming our “master.” In what ways can money master you, and what does Jesus encourage you to do to prevent that from happening?


Luke 16:14-17• Why do you think Jesus talks so much about money? Does his teaching make you

uncomfortable? Why or why not?• In what ways do we sometimes seek to justify ourselves before God – perhaps even by

using parts of the Bible that do not reveal the whole story?


Luke 16:19-31• Why did Abraham not grant the rich man’s request to have his family warned? Does this

strike you as unfair? What does it teach about the importance of the Scriptures?• How does this passage challenge you to live to promote what Jesus taught in the Lord’s

Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”?


Luke 17:1-6• In what situations do you find yourself asking Jesus to increase your faith? How are you

encouraged by knowing that it is the object, rather than the amount, of your faith that is most important?

• Why is Jesus so offended by the prospect of more powerful people leading weaker people to sin? What implications does this have for our relationships with our children?

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Luke 17:7-10• Have you ever been upset with God because you did not feel like he “paid you back” for a

good deed you had done?• How can knowing that you can never repay the debt release you to live a life

characterized by gratitude and joy rather than shame and guilt?


Luke 17:11-19• Were the nine men who failed to return less needy than the one who did? What could

account for their different actions?• Do you find it difficult to acknowledge your neediness before God? Why or why not? If

so, what consequences does this have in your life?


Luke 17:20-37• If the kingdom of God broke into the earth at the coming of Christ, what implications

does that have for the way we should view the world?• Jesus makes clear that his second coming will be a time of judgment. How do his

references to Noah and Lot and lot illustrate this? Was it better for Noah to be left behind or taken?

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WEEK 6 March 22 - 28

Opening Prayer:Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agonyand shame of the cross for our redemption,Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him;who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 51Lenten Hymn: Lord, I Believe

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

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Luke 18:1-8• Do you find it difficult to persevere in prayer? Why is it hard to wait for an answer from

the Lord?• Do you wrestle with God’s goodness to you – his desire to hear you and answer you?

How does this passage encourage you in this area?


Luke 18:9-14• In what ways do you mimic the attitude of the Pharisee in this parable? According to the

point of the Parable, what should you do if you struggle with being a Pharisee?• The tax collectors were the worst of all possible sinners in Jewish society. Why is it

instructive that Jesus chooses a tax collector for this parable?


Luke 18:15-17• Jesus allows the little children to disrupt his schedule, and he gives them his complete

attention. How does this speak to some of the ways our culture encourages us to treat children?

• In what ways do you struggle with bringing your children to Jesus? This could include attendance in corporate worship but also more family oriented elements such as demonstrating a lifestyle of repentance.


Luke 18:18-30• What do we learn about the rich young ruler by the way he addresses Jesus in verse 18?

How does Jesus understand his approach and respond accordingly?• The rich young man’s most prominent idolatry was his love of money. That may or

may not be the case with you. Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the things in your heart that prevent you from following him fully and pray that he will work repentance into your heart.

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Luke 18:35-43• Why do you think the crowds told the man to stop yelling at Jesus? Why did the man

refuse to stop? Did Jesus align himself with the crowds or with the blind man?• Read the passage immediately preceding this one, Luke 18:31-34. How does Luke set up

the tension between the disciples who, although seeing, cannot see, and the blind man who, although blind, sees clearly?


Luke 19:1-10• If we reach out to notorious sinners as Jesus did, do you believe people in Chicago will

grumble like the citizens of Jericho in verse 7? How should such grumbling affect our ministry in this city?

• List the details of Zacchaeus’ repentance in verse 8. In what ways is it instructive regarding the effect an encounter with Jesus should have upon our lives?


Luke 19:11-27• Luke points out in verse 11 that Jesus was near Jerusalem. How does that help make

sense of the portion of this parable relating to the rightful subjects of the king not wanting him to rule over them?

• The king commended the other two servants even though their returns were different. What does this suggest with respect to the differing gifts God gives his people and how much of an impact these gifts can have?

Be not far from me,for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

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WEEK 7 March 29 - April 4

Opening Prayer:May we look and listen,Responding to the Spirit of God who lives within us.May we throw off the grave clothes that confine us,and take on the life of the One who raised Christ from the dead.We who were once in darkness have now found light in Christ He who dwells within us is the light of the world.May we live as children of light,bearing fruit by doing all that is right and good and true.

Psalm of Lament: Psalm 22Lenten Hymn: Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Be not far from me,for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

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Readings & Questions, Week 7Day 40 | Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday)

Luke 19:28-40• A colt (or a donkey, as other translations put it) is an odd animal for a king to ride. Why

did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and what does this teach about the kind of King he is?

• Have you ever had the experience of praising the name of Jesus but then having circumstances quickly turn your heart cold toward him? What were those circumstances and what do they reveal about your expectations regarding how God should care for you?


Luke 19:41-44• Jesus knew that Jerusalem would be the place of his death, yet he still loved it deeply.

How does this instruct you about how you should interact with our city regardless of how you feel about it on any given day?

• Have you ever been grieved about the great need for the gospel that exists in Chicago? Should you?


Luke 19:45-48• What do you think this cleansing of the temple is all about?• Why is Jesus so upset with what was happening in the temple at this time?• How do you think this story prepares us for the death and resurrection of Jesus?

Day 43 | Wednesday, April 1

Luke 22:7-23• Do you take communion for granted? How do Jesus’ words in Luke 22 encourage you in

your celebration of the meal?• Have you ever been in a spiritual condition where you were nourished and encouraged

by the celebration of communion? What does this teach about the truth of Jesus’ words in this passage?

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Day 44 | Thursday, April 2 (Maundy Thursday)

Luke 22:39-62• Think about times in your life that you have not been consistent in prayer. How does the

work of Christ on your behalf encourage you?• Think about times in your life that you have pursued your own ends instead of Christ’s.

How does the work of Christ on your behalf encourage you?

Day 45 | Friday, April 3 (Good Friday)

Luke 23:26-49• Heart transformation on Good Friday came to the two most unexpected people at the

scene: A criminal sentenced to death and a pagan soldier. What does this teach about the power of God in transforming human hearts?

• What do you believe happened on Good Friday? How does your answer to this question affect your life now and for eternity?

Day 46 | Saturday, April 4

Luke 23:56b• Do you find it difficult to rest or find peace in your life? Why or why not?• How does coming to Jesus in faith provide you with rest even if your circumstances

remain frantic or troublesome?

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Hymns for ReflectionWho Is This, So Weak and Helpless?

& # # c œ œ1.Who2.Who3.Who4.Who

isisisis

jœ .œ ‰ œ œ œthisthis,this?this

soaBethat

weakManholdhangs

andofhimthere

œ œ œ Œ œ œhelpSorsheddy

lessrows,dinging

childwalkdropswhile

ofingofthe

! .jœ œ .œ œ .œ œ .œlowsadbloodrude

lylyupworld

Helife’sonscoffs

brewhardtheand

-----

---

--

& # #5

jœ .œ Œ œ œmaidway,

ground!scorns,

RudeHomeWhoNum

lyless,isbered

jœ .œ ‰ œ œ œinweathis,with

ary,desthe

stasighpised,mal

bleing,ree

œ œ œ Œ œ œshelweepjectfac

teringed,tors,

coldo

mocked,torn

lyverin

with

! .jœ œ .œ œ .œ œ .œinsinsultnails,

aanded,and

manSabeatcrowned

gertan’sen,with

---

--

---

--

----

--

- ----

& # #9

jœ .œ Œ œ œlaid?sway?bound?thorns?

TisTisTisTis

theourourour

˙ œ œ œ œLordGod,God,God

ofourwhowho

allglorgiftslives

creiousandfor

œ œ œ œ œaSagracev

tionvior,eser

whowhoonmid

thisahisthe

˙ œ œ3

œ œ œwondbovechurchshin

droustheising

pathstarpourones

hasryingon

--

-

----

--

---

& # #13

˙ Œ œ œtrod;skydown;high,

HeIs

WhoIn

isforshallthe

˙ œ œ œ œLordussmiteglor

fromainious

evplacehogold

erprelyen

˙ œ œ œlastparvenci

inging,

geancety,

andwhereall

reign

tonohising

.œ jœ .œ jœevtearfoesev

ercanbeer

lastdimneathlast

ingthehising

˙ ÓGodeye.

throne.ly.-

---

--

---- -

-

-

---

-

- -

Who Is This?Words by William Walsham How

Music by Chris Miner

©1997 Christopher Miner Music.Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Words: William Walsham HowMusic: Chris Miner

As we turn from Advent and Christmas into the season of Lent, we continue to see the ways in which Christ confounds our expectations of who He is and what He does. With each verse we question and grapple with this man who is “helpless”, “homeless”, “weeping” and found amongst criminals. We are more

comfortable with the second half of each verse, as we identify Him as our God, our Lord and Savior; but if we don’t keep both of those descriptions as one, we

are not embracing the Jesus of the Bible but something else. This song read likes a confession with question and answer response and teaches us how to reorient

our view of both Jesus and the world he was not afraid to associate with.

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3.The2.What1.O

contemplatively

forpeacedear

afulest

closhours

i

erI

dols

walkonce

I

withen

have

Godjoyedknown

aHowwhat

calmsweete'er

andtheirthat

Heavnmem

i

lyorydol

- -- - -- - - -

4

framestillbe

aBut

lighttheyHelp

haveme

tolefttear

shineanit

u

ponach

from

theingthy

roadvoidthrone

thattheand

leadsworldwor

mecanship

toneon

theverly

-- -

- -

8

lambfillthee

WhereReSo

isturn,shall

theO

my

blessho

walk

edlybe

nessdove,close

Ire

with

knewturnGod,

WhensweetCalm

firstmessand

Iense

sawgerrene

theofmy

- -- - - - -

-

12

Lord?grace!frame;

WhereI

So

ishatepur

thetheer

soulsinslight

rethatshall

freshmademark

ingmethe

viewmournroad

ofandthat

Je

droveleads

sustheeme

andfrom

to

Hismythe

word?breast.lamb.

- - -

-

O For a Closer Walk with God William Cowper

©

Our Souls in Stillness Wait

Word & Music: Marty Haugen

For You, O

Lord, our souls in still ness

wait;

Tru ly our hope is in

You!- -

5

1.2.3.4.

OOOO

LordSpringRootKey

ofof

of

of

Joy,Life,

Light,

Know

ourainim

ledge,

ondownplantguide

lyup

Yourus

seed

hopeon

in

ofourwithour

glospiin

jour

ry,rits,us;

ney;

Yourour

Comewe

rathirstdwell

e

diencey

withver

- - -- - -

- - -- - -

8

shinesheartsinseek,

inareandyet

allyearndraw

un

whoingourful

lookfor

heartsfilled

toYour

tore

You.

Word.You!main.

ComeCome,Come,

Re

lightmakegiveveal

theususto

-

- - - -

10

heartswhole;life,us

ofbe

andthe

allcomovglo

inforterry

darkto

comeof

andourour

Your

sha

predarkhearts.

dow.

sence.ness.

--- - -- -

Our Souls in Stillness WaitMarty Haugen, 1953

©

This is most commonly a hymn sung in Advent, but as lent is also a time to wait and anticipate the coming event of Christ’s death, these lyrics can take on a new meaning in

our daily goings on. As the psalmist cries:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God[c]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

- Psalm 62:5-8

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William Cowper

We all know the feeling of loss or tragedy that pains us at a place too deep for words. William Cowper (this hymn’s composer) knew that place all too well as he wrestled with depression for most of his life. Losing his

parents at a young age and losing hope in life, he tried to take his own life but God spared him. Though he eventually came to the Lord and found

some impactful mentors (like John Newton), his depression still abided and caused him to pen this plea for a closer walk with God when all else in life (including his own brokenness) had failed him. May we also loath our sin

and crave a wholeness that is hard to put into words.

O For a Closer Walk with God

3.The2.What1.O

contemplatively

forpeacedear

afulest

closhours

i

erI

dols

walkonce

I

withen

have

Godjoyedknown

aHowwhat

calmsweete'er

andtheirthat

Heavnmem

i

lyorydol

- -- - -- - - -

4

framestillbe

aBut

lighttheyHelp

haveme

tolefttear

shineanit

u

ponach

from

theingthy

roadvoidthrone

thattheand

leadsworldwor

mecanship

toneon

theverly

-- -

- -

8

lambfillthee

WhereReSo

isturn,shall

theO

my

blessho

walk

edlybe

nessdove,close

Ire

with

knewturnGod,

WhensweetCalm

firstmessand

Iense

sawgerrene

theofmy

- -- - - - -

-

12

Lord?grace!frame;

WhereI

So

ishatepur

thetheer

soulsinslight

rethatshall

freshmademark

ingmethe

viewmournroad

ofandthat

Je

droveleads

sustheeme

andfrom

to

Hismythe

word?breast.lamb.

- - -

-

O For a Closer Walk with God William Cowper

©

28

Words & Music: Brooke Frasier

SavYou

ior,were

Ias

come,I,

qu

tempietted

myand

soul,tried,

re mem

hu

berman,

- - - -- -

5

re

worddemp

betion'scame

hill,flesh,

the

wherebore my

Your bloodsin

wasin

spilleddeath,

for

nowmy

You'reranri

som,sen!

- -- -

9

e'v ry thing I

once held dear, I count

it all as loss-

12

Lead me to the cross

where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees,

15

Lord, I lay me down

Rid me of my self,

I be long to You- -

18

oh, lead me


Lead Me to the Crosswords and music: Brooke Frasier

©

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One of the most recent hymns written, this song gives us words of scripture that are sometimes difficult to say - “Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss” (paraphrasing Paul in Phillipians 3:8). To turn to Christ is a constant, eternal sacrifice of the things we love the most that get in the

way. Consider CS Lewis’s words in Mere Christianity: “Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end submit with every fiber of your being,

and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself,

and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”

Lead Me to the Cross

29

Words: Charles Wesley Music: Bruce Benedict

Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit

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Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit

© 2011 Cardiphonia

T: charles wesley, 1745M: bruce bendict, 2010

This is a beautiful, poignant prayer we sing to invite the Holy Spirit to plant the depth and beauty of Christ’s sacrifice into our minds and hearts. By fully believing that our identity and whole being is found in Christ because of this event - by ‘groaning thy inward groaning’ - we can approach the scriptures and the communion table with

minds and hearts of fertile soil. The Holy Spirit is the one who sows the seeds of the Gospel and worship helps that fruit to grow in each of us, no matter how many times

we have heard the story of God’s redemptive character.

30

Words and Music: Isaac Wardell and Joseph Pensak

God’s invitation to “taste and see that He is good” (Psalm 34:8) is repeated through the Bible in a variety of ways towards those who doubt. One of the

Bible’s most notorious “doubters” was Thomas who couldn’t believe that a man who was once dead is now alive (John 20:24-29). Caravaggio’s painting, The

Incredulity of Thomas (1601-2), shows the hand of Jesus leading Thomas’ hand into his pierced body. As we sing and ask the Spirit to work in our souls, we

experience that same gesture of Jesus leading our doubtful hands into Himself. This hymn gives vocabulary to the kind of doubts we fear to name, “I have no

constant heart, no kindled faith.” We sing this song during Lent, because Jesus himself felt the dimness and confusion of alienation from God and He is also

the Light who casts out the dimness of our souls.

Lord, I Believe (Spirit, Help My Unbelief)

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- --- --- --- --- --

Lord, I BelieveIssac Wardell and Joseph Pensak

©2008 New Jerusalem Music

31

WORDS and MUSIC: Philip P. Bliss, pub.1875. Public Domain.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isa. 53:3

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

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Words & Music: Philip P. Bliss

C TYVIEWpresby terian church

lent 2015

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