Friday, July 18, 2008

A Call to Solemn Assembly

This is a notice for members of First Presbyterian Church, Lake Jackson, Texas.
You are asked, if at all possible to attend a Solemn Assembly, called for 7:30 p.m., July 27, 2008, in the sanctuary.

Solemn Assembly



“Return to Me with all your heart… [and] I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” Joel 2:12, 25.

I. Purposes of the Assembly
a. to humble ourselves before God with prayer and fasting;
b. to seek God’s presence;
c. to listen to God’s Word;
d. to turn away from things that displease God;
e. to confess spiritual apathy and seek renewal;
f. to pledge a new commitment to our Covenant with God;
g. to dedicate ourselves to being God’s vessels in the world.

II. Prepare for the Assembly
a. expect to encounter God;
b. read appropriate Scripture;
c. pray, asking the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart;
d. fast, if you feel led to do so.

III. Elements of the Assembly
a. a formal assembly before God, seeking His face;
b. Scripture readings on the renewal of our relationship with God;
c. prayer;
d. time of confession, both personal and corporate;
e. time of commitment, presenting ourselves back to God;
f. celebration and praise;
g. renewal of our Covenant with God.

IV. What to expect from the Assembly
a. God to answer prayers for guidance;
b. God to reveal hidden sins;
c. God to move us to speak His truth in love;
d. God to send spiritual refreshment and healing.


Solemn Assemblies – Scripture Quotations
Please prepare your hearts for our assembly, during the coming week, by spending time in prayer. In particular, meditate upon these Scripture verses.


“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.” Isaiah 59:1-2

“When I shut up the heavens so there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:13-14

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

“For this is what the high and lofty One says – He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.” Psalm 51:12-13, 15

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17


First Presbyterian Church
102 Yaupon, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
fpc-lj.org

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