Communion Message
(Psalm 103)
March 3, 2002
Pastor Leighton Sheley

Hear these words from the psalmist written so many centuries ago and recorded for us in Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.

And listen to these words: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve. Praise the Lord. Or repay us according to our inequities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he has removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are but dust.

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting too everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- with those who kept his covenant and remember to obey all his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

May God bless the reading of his word. At times like this the Scriptures tell us that we should examine ourselves, and so I would like to invite you, if you are physically able, to join with me now as we kneel in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

So often Lord the busyness of this life drives us to distraction. It keeps our attention focused on only those things which we can see, and yet Lord Your word reveals to us that there is a reality beyond what we can see with these naked eyes. A reality beyond what we can touch with our hands; that everything that we can see and touch is only temporary, but that reality which is beyond our senses is eternal.

Thank you Lord for Your holy word which gives us guidance and direction, which gives us hope, which gives us purpose, which gives us the assurance that we are indeed loved by You. For You do not treat us as our sins deserve. You remember that we are but mere dust. We thank you for Your word that says if we confess our sins, and each and every one of us has sinned every day, if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all, all unrighteousness.

Lord the elements that we hold remind us of the price that was paid for our salvation, for our redemption, for the forgiveness of our sins. And the elements that we hold remind us that You always, always, always keep Your promises. By partaking this day Lord we do so in remembrance of You, and by faith receiving Your forgiveness. Let's particular the bread and also the cup.

Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Oh hallelujah. Thank you Lord. And this morning Lord we also pray for those amongst us, and those who aren't amongst us, who are feeling as though they are overwhelmed by the circumstances of this world. Lord we pray for those who are in need of healing; physical healing, emotional healing, spiritual healing. We pray for Patty this morning that You heal her in such a fashion that glory is brought to You. And Lord we also pray Your protection on the many marriages that are under intense pressure from within and without, and we thank You Lord that You hear our prayer and love us. In Jesus' name we pray, and all God's people said, amen.