We’re working our way through he book of Nehemiah
Todays Bulletin
OUTLINE
I. The Celebration of Dedication
A. Anticipation (27-30)
B. The Procession (31-39)
C. The Temple (40-43)
D. Organization (44-47)
II. Four Features of the Celebration
A. Purification
B. Music
C. Giving
D. Organization
E. Thanksgiving/Joy/Gratitude
Nehemiah 12:27-47
“ And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29 also from Beth-gilgal and from the region of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.
31 Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate. 32 And after them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 and certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph; 36 and his relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At the Fountain Gate they went up straight before them by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, to the Water Gate on the east.
38 The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens, to the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Gate of Yeshanah, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate; and they came to a halt at the Gate of the Guard. 40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader. 43 And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
44 On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered. 45 And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and his son Solomon. 46 For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.”
Serving Today
Musicians:
Piano: Nicola Cyr
Guitar: Ethan Shanahan
Singers: Christine Durrett and Tricia Dunning
Sound: George Durrett
Nursery: Felecia Keister and Laura Anderson
Sunday school Nursery: Ande Flagg and TBD
Worship Training: Hailey and Cooper Pasque
Greeter: Adam Thiesen
Snacks: Helen and Thomas Durrett
Coffee: Lucas and Annie Renz
Lord’s Supper Set up: Lucas and Annie Renz
Bread Baker: Dunnings
Announcements: Rob Martinusek
Set-up: Annie and Lucas Renz
The following was used as our Call to Worship on February 6th 2020, the first day we gathered to worship the Lord in our new space at the time, The Wareham.
The Call To Worship: Based on an entry in Every Moment Holy
Pastor: We thank you for this new place of worship, O Lord, for the moments of life and worship that will be shared here.
People: We thank you for this, our new place to worship you.
Pastor: Dwell with us in this place, O Lord.
People: Be ever present as we come to your table.
Pastor: May this be a sanctuary where our lives are knit together,
People: where bonds of love are strengthened, where mercy is learned and practiced.
Pastor: May this place be a harbor of anchorage and refuge,
People: and a haven from which we journey forth to do your work in the world.
Pastor: May it be a garden of nourishment in which our roots go deep
People: that we might bear fruit for the nourishing of others and the glory of your name.
Pastor: May this our new home be a place of knowing and of being known,
People: a place of shared tears and laughter;
Pastor: a place where forgiveness is easily asked and easily granted,
People: and wounds are quickly healed;
Pastor: a place of prayer to you O Lord and meaningful conversation among all who enter.
People: A place of joining, of becoming, of creating and reflecting;
Pastor: a place where our diverse gifts are named and appreciated,
People: where we learn to serve one another,
Pastor: where we learn to serve the Lord and to serve our neighbors as well;
People: a place where our stories are forever entwined by true affections.
Pastor: Grant also, O Lord, that our moments lived gratefully within these temporary walls, enjoying these momentary fellowships, would serve to awaken within us a restless longing for a truer home.
People: Incline our hearts ever towards the glories of that better city, built by you, O God - a city whose blessings are never ending, and whose fellowships are eternally unbroken. Amen.
