April 5, 2014 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "Celebrating the Finish" - Part 10 - Nehemiah: Of Bricks and Prayers - Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Randy Speyer

Baptism: Jennifer Esther Lumintang - Doug Mace, Victor Leonid Vartic - Patrick Johnson, April Denise Lane, Amrit Paul - Roy Ice

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 12:27–30 - Sandra Leggitt

Note: Child Dedications and Baptisms are on the extras section of the dvd.

Sermon Notes:

Celebrations are always fun! Remember some of the celebrations that you have enjoyed: a child’s birthday; your parents’ wedding anniversary; the day you completed your dissertation; the day you moved into your first house; the date your first pay check arrived. Whatever the occasion, when we celebrate someone or something of importance to us, we are swept away in the emotion of the moment!

There are sacred celebrations, as well: the gentle and solemn hush of a Good Friday service; the splash of water as believers wash each other’s feet; the lingering taste of unleavened bread on lips as the Last Supper is savored; the joyful heart as a loved one emerges from the baptismal font. Each of these scarcely contains the hallowed hearts that swell with gratitude to God.

In today’s passage, Nehemiah and his people are about to celebrate—celebrate the amazing fulfillment of a God-given dream. As they celebrate together, what can we learn from them about sacred celebrations? What can we learn about God?

Join me for this wonderful experience in Nehemiah’s life!

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor