Homecoming

7This is what the Lord says:

“Sing with joy for Jacob;

shout for the foremost of the nations.

Make your praises heard, and say,

‘Lord, save your people,

the remnant of Israel.’

8See, I will bring them from the land of the north

and gather them from the ends of the earth.

Among them will be the blind and the lame,

expectant mothers and women in labor;

a great throng will return.

9They will come with weeping;

they will pray as I bring them back.

I will lead them beside streams of water

on a level path where they will not stumble,

because I am Israel’s father....

They will be like a well-watered garden,

and they will sorrow no more.

13Then young women will dance and be glad,

young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

14I will satisfy the priests with abundance,

and my people will be filled with my bounty,” (Jeremiah 31) 

Thoughts: What happens when God smiles on us again? He brings us back and restores His people.  It is a beautiful thing when the people who went astray are brought back into the fold.  It is a beautiful thing when God blesses His people.  In response he is praised, there is fruitfulness (women having babies with hope), things go smoothly and He provides bountifully. 
    This is my prayer for my church family at LMPC- that God will bless us, provide for us, and that the days of our disgrace will be turned into abundant joy.   There are those who say we don't deserve to be blessed- but who does?  It is God's mercy that gathers us to praise Him, give thanks to Him, be comforted by Him, and recognize Him as our Father.  Some almost act as if it is not our place to ask for blessings.  But scripture implies that being blessed by God is a good thing. It also implies that gathering together in worship- a homecoming in worship- is a wonderful thing too. 
     This Sunday 11/4, we are calling all our former members back.  We will have a "Kirkin' O the Tartan" (a calling of the families back to church). All those who have ever cared or worshiped here to come home and join us in praise to God to be blessed and bless His name.  

Prayer: Lord, may your name be praised.  May you be blessed as we gather together in what united us in the first place- your praise and blessing.