Over the course of 4 weeks, we will reflect on 8 different psalms. Service starts at 7 p.m. in the Lower Level, but we’ll have coffee, water, and tea available at 6:45 if you want to come early and enjoy some fellowship. Bring your own mug or use one of ours! If you’d like to follow along with the Psalms in your own Bible, bring it along. We’ll be using English Standard Version (ESV) for public reading.
This week we are focusing on Psalms of Thanksgiving. The psalms of thanksgiving typically follow the resolution of some earlier lament, but some are more generally a response of thanks to God. They usually describe what God has done on our behalf. A reference to the distressing situation may be included, but much more of the text is devoted instead to praising God. Our two Thanksgiving Psalms are:
Psalm 32
About this Psalm: This psalm also shows the physical, mental, and spiritual implications of being silent in sin. God calls us to confess our sins quickly with contrite hearts in order to receive absolution. Only He can relieve the troubled heart. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) (from the Lutheran Study Bible)
Psalm 65
About this Psalm: David praises God for the forgiveness of sins, peace in the world, and prosperity in the land—a straightforward song of praise to God for His awesome grace. We have nothing except what God gives us, and the appropriate response to such amazing generosity, both spiritual and physical, is praise. David begins the list of gifts with the most important, the forgiveness of sins and the gift of faith. (from the Lutheran Study Bible)
Service Design
We will be using Holden Evening Prayer for the basic order of service. A full description of the evening is available on this post. Below you will find a recording of Holden if you’re interested in learning the music or revisiting the liturgy throughout the week. We have trained singers to help lead and will use piano each week. Other instruments will join in throughout the series as well.
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