You may see all our videos on New Life's YouTube Channel. Our services are also aired in the Lake Zurich area at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays and 5:00 PM on Saturdays on Comcast Channel 4, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (select "Lake Zurich" as the community channel you want to access).
Click here to download the Service Folder/ Bulletin (PDF)
Before Service Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me today to learn how You gave the Bible. Let me see that since You inspired all the writers down through the centuries, there is only one author, You. Help me to trust that the Bible is God's word, not man's word, and make it possible for me to hear You today as Your word is read and preached. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Theme POPULARITY IS NOT PROOF OF SUCCESS. In 2009, Facebook added the "like" button. That same year, Twitter added the "retweet" feature. Interestingly, reported cases of depression began to rise sharply in 2010. It is easy to think that the more people like us, the more successful our lives must be. Likewise, it is easy to believe the more people like a church, the more successful that church is. So here is an important epiphany for both individuals and churches: popularity is not proof of success.
Though there will be times when Christ's gospel and those who proclaim it are popular, that popularity is never the goal. Nor does that popularity define success. If a church makes its central focus things like personal improvement, healing for the sick, or social justice, that church may draw a crowd. It just fails to carry out the true agenda Christ has given His Church. The gospel of forgiveness is to be the center of all our preaching and teaching. The agenda for Christ's Church is set. It's the same agenda that was followed by the Church's Christ.
Today's Service: Service Setting 3 without Communion, NPH, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-800156 and under CCLI license #1132777
Christian hymns preach Jesus Christ: crucified, risen and seated at God's right hand. The hymns in this service are from "Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal" ©2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission. Additional hymns: "Christian Worship Supplement" ©2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission.
You may see all our videos on New Life's YouTube Channel. Our services are also aired in the Lake Zurich area at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays and 5:00 PM on Saturdays on Comcast Channel 4, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (select "Lake Zurich" as the community channel you want to access).