Notes on the worship services of Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino at 8:00, 9:45, 11:30 on the morning of Sunday, May 27, 2001. Notes written by Bernard Bell.
Worship leader: Sue Bell
Host: Bernard Bell
Preacher: John Hanneman
The theme of this morning’s service is affliction. John’s sermon in on the text which includes Jeremiah’s lament, “Why was I ever born?” (Jer 20:18). In understanding and responding to affliction, I have been greatly helped by Pope Gregory I, called Gregory the Great (ca. 600). His poor health has been called “one of the greatest events in the history of spirituality” (Jean Leclercq, The Love of Learning and the Desire for God), because it produced a theology of suffering, and gave it “the ring of conviction.” Here’s what Gregory wrote in the Moralia, his homilies on the Book of Job, commenting on Job 5:12,
There are various kinds of blows we suffer in this world: (1) some by which the sinner is struck for his punishment but not for his correction; (2) some by which a sinner is smitten so that he will mend his ways; (3) some by which someone is afflicted not to correct past faults but to prevent future ones; (4) some by which neither past sins are punished nor future sins prevented but for which the strength of a deliverer, coming unexpectedly at the end of the trials, is the more ardently loved, and when an innocent man is worn down by tribulation, the sum of his merits grows and grows.
In a letter to Libertinus, Gregory wrote,
What straits you are in with regard to the things of this world is not unknown to us. But, since to those who are placed in the utmost tribulation the only comfort is the mercy of the Creator, rest your hope on Him, and turn to Him with your whole heart, Who both justly allows whom He will to be afflicted and will mercifully deliver one who trusts in Him. To Him, then, give thanks, and patiently endure what has been brought upon you. For it is the part of a right mind not only to bless God in prosperity, but also in adversities to join in praising Him. In these things therefore that you are suffering let no murmur against God creep into your heart, since for what purpose our Creator thus works is unknown.
(Epistle 31, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. 13, p 45).
Psalm 42:1-7. v1 Nystrom. © 1984 Maranatha Music
Call to worship: Psalm 130.
| Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, |
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, |
Psalm 42:1-7. v1 Nystrom. © 1984 Maranatha Music
Praise my soul, the King of Heaven #3. Words (1834): Henry F. Lyte (1793-1847), based on Psalm 103.
| Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, To His feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King. |
Fatherlike He tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame He knows. In His hands He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows. |
| Praise Him for His grace and favor To our fathers in distress; Praise Him, still the same as ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless; Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness. |
Angels in the heights adore Him; Ye behold Him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before Him, Dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace. |
Shout to the Lord, Darlene Zschech, © 1993 Hillsong Music Australia.
A Mighty Fortress is our God #26. Words: Martin Luther (1483-1546), translated by Frederich H. Hedge (1805-1890), based on Psalm 46. Tune: Ein Feiste Burg by Martin Luther. Public domain.
| A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. |
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. |
| Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. |
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. |
Be Still and Know, John Bell (1949-), © 1989 Wild Goose Resource Group. John Bell works with The Iona Community.
Psalm 31:1-8, responsive reading
| In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. |
Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. I hate those who cling to worthless idols; |
Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul. Words: Anne Steele (1716-1778), public domain. Tune: Kevin Twit © 1998 Kevin Twit Music. Track 17 on Indelible Grace (2000). Music available online in the RUF Hymnbook.
| Dear refuge of my weary soul, On Thee when sorrows rise. On Thee when waves of trouble roll, My fainting hope relies. To Thee I tell each rising grief, For Thou alone canst heal, Thy Word can bring a sweet relief, For every pain I feel. |
Hast thou not bid me seek Thy face, And shall I seek in vain? And can the ear of sovereign grace, Be deaf when I complain? No still the ear of sovereign grace, Attends the mourner’s prayer. Oh may I ever find access, To breathe my sorrows there. |
| But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail, I fear to call Thee mine. The springs of comfort seem to fail, And all my hopes decline. Yet gracious God where shall I flee? Thou art my only trust. And still my soul would cleave to Thee. Though prostrate in the dust. |
Thy mercy seat is open still, Here let my soul retreat. With humble hope attend Thy will, And wait beneath Thy feet. Thy mercy seat is open still, Here let my soul retreat. With humble hope attend Thy will, And wait beneath Thy feet. |
How Can I Keep From Singing. Words: Robert Lowry (1860). This song was popularized by Enya on her album Shepherd Moons (1992), but all references to Christ had been removed.
| My life flows on in endless song; Above earth’s lamentation I hear the sweet though far off hymn That hails a new creation: Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul— How can I keep from singing? |
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it; And day by day this pathway smoothes Since first I learned to love it: The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, A fountain ever springing: All things are mine since I am His— How can I keep from singing? |
| What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth; What though the darkness gather round! Songs in the night He giveth: No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging; Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? |
Pain Breaks in Song (Jeremiah 20:7-18) - John Hanneman. Fourteenth Message in John’s series on Jeremiah. [Other formats: pdf.]
A Mighty Fortress is our God #26. see above.
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say #414. Words (1846): Horatius Bonar (1808-89). Tune: Kingsfold (1906), traditional English melody arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). Public domain.
| I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad. |
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that light of life I’ll walk, Till traveling days are done. |
| I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him. |
Let us exalt his name together. words and music by Stuart Dauermann, © 1982 Stuart Dauermann. Available on the album Y’shua: Let us exalt his name together, by The Liberated Wailing Wall, the music ministry of Jews for Jesus.
The numbers given after some of the titles refer to the pew hymnal used at PBCC, The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (Waco: Word, 1986).
A good source for words, lyrics, and history of hymns is The Cyber Hymnal.