Grace Notes 2025-09-10

As baptized believers we are pilgrims in this age. Our deliverance from the kingdom of darkness in the waters of Holy Baptism is behind us. And yet the resurrection of the dead and our arrival in the fulness of the Kingdom of Light in the new heavens and earth lies ahead. We are situated as travelers and sojourners in the interim.

We can learn from ancient Israel’s deliverance in the Exodus. Being set free from enslavement in Egypt was just the beginning. There was a path to follow before Moses and crew would reach the land of Canaan, spoken of as the Promised Land. The Hebrew people discovered an in-between time. This was between their watery deliverance at the Red Sea and their crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

The in-between time was filled with trials, temptation, and tribulation. God intended to use these difficulties along with the scarcity that accompanies a barren wilderness (here a desert) to form the Hebrews into the People of God with a special calling to the rest of the world. And as they were slow learners they ended up wandering for forty years. Many who started the journey failed to complete it because they resisted God’s leading and provision.

You may remember that it was during this time that Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai. He also received instructions on how God was to be worshiped and served. With the scarcity of food and drink in the desert, God provided bread that fell from heaven (manna) and water from the rock. Through all this Israel was being apprenticed to be people of faith.

As we traverse this present age as pilgrims, we learn the world is not known for being kind to Christians. We also learn that Christ who began a good work in us promises to bring it to completion (cf. Ph 1:6). But we are to be careful not to resist His guiding, provision, and fortification. There is always the danger of wandering away and not making the destination.

Since You Asked

Are announcements necessary? And should they be included as a part of the liturgy?

Not all announcements are necessary! Nor should they be allowed to disrupt the rhythmic flow of the service. It is likewise important that announcements be kept to a minimum. But certain announcements are important. Information that will enhance participation in the worship, information pertaining to further Christian service, and information for regarding further opportunities for spiritual edification are such announcements of importance, and they are worthwhile to promote publicly to the assembly. We have chosen the beginning of the worship service as the most helpful and least disruptive placement for announcements.