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January 17
Life streaming Worship services
For 10:30am service click the following link: https://youtu.be/pm9wvOqhiLs
For our 1:30pm service click the following link: https://youtu.be/iqL5dgn_aMA

10:30 am Service
​Welcome and Announcements
Preservice song - #91B - Who with God Most High Finds Shelter
Silent Prayer
Opening reading -  Psalm 24:1-6 (p.539) (large p.862)
Statement of dependance and Blessing
Song  - Lord, I Lift My Soul to Thee - #25C - stanzas 1-4
Our Need  - Exodus 20:1-21 (p.73) (large p.118)
Prayer
Song - God, Be Merciful to Me - 51C - stanzas 1-5
Prayer
Bible reading  - Genesis 37:1-11
Message - God shows Jacob’s family a glimpse of the future
Prayer
Song - The Church’s One Foundation - #404 - stanzas 1,4,5
Profession of faith - Cora Loppers          
                    Professing our faith together with the Apostles Creed 
Offering - The ministry of the church
Congregational Prayer
Closing Song - Holy, Holy, Holy - #230
Closing blessing from God

1:30 pm service 
Welcome and announcements        
Preservice song - #SB22 - My Heart Is Filled 
Silent Prayer 
Opening reading - Psalm 100 (p.585) (large p.937)
Statement of dependance and Blessing
Song - Nearer, Still Nearer - #531
Prayer
Bible Readings -  Romans 9:1-21 (p.1097) (large p.1758)        
Confession Reading - Belgic Confession - Article 16
Message - The blessing of knowing and trusting
​                                                                                    God’s sovereignty in election
Prayer
Song - In Christ Alone - #265
Offering - Shepherd’s Heart
Congregational Prayer
Closing Song - My Only Comfort - SB18
Closing Blessing

Announcements

 Sunday worship services - 10:30 and 1:30

The Lord willing, the public profession of faith services for Cora Loopers will be on January 17, 2021 in our 10:30 service.
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 Offerings 
This morning it is for the ongoing ministry of the River of Life church.
This afternoon is for Shepherd’s Heart - it is a food hamper, from a local church, for those in our community who have struggles with having enough food

Afternoon offering schedule for the next months 
February - Adoration Christian Center - this is a Christian School in Haiti for those who would not be able to get an education otherwise.  Part of the centre also provides housing for students who are orphans or have  parents who live very far from the Center. 
In the last Sunday of the month for the Deacon Fund.  This fund is to help those with special financial struggles in our community.

Wednesday devotionals - Each Wednesday there is a devotional put up on our Face book page.  Presently the devotionals go through the book of James.  May they be a blessing for us, especially during this time when we cannot meet for our regular Bible studies during the week days.  

Music Corner
Psalm 91B
This month we have the opportunity to learn Psalm 91.  If we were to do a google search of songs that have been penned to this Psalm, we would be learning a new song for years to come.   Yet, this Psalm set to the tune composed by Rowland H. Pritchard during the late 1800’s follows closely the words of the Psalmist David.  Likely the original setting of this poem itself was during warfare with “threats of battle and plague.”  It will be good for us to have a deeper understanding of this Psalm as we sing His very words back to Him in worship, and as we speak His truths to each other through song. Perhaps a key verse to memorize from this Psalm itself this month, would be the opening two verses! 
Verse 1 (covers Psalm 91:1-4)  Consider the word shade as the equivalent of a shadow.  Rev. Peter Holtvluwer writes “When Scripture speaks of God casting a shadow it means that he is a welcome refuge from trouble for those who trust Him.”  We can confidently receive his protection from the fowler (Satan), and the presence of sin in this world when we dwell, that is live near God.
Verse 2 (covers Psalm 91: 5-8)  God covers us with his feathers or (the word in the song) pinions. His shield is the truth of His word.  The buckler is a term used for a coat of mail (chain metal used to protect soldiers in warfare), that covers us completely.  That is how God protects us metaphorically in the fight against sin and evil.   A suit of armour that protects us from the arrows and the dangers of sin and Satan himself.  Singing through verse 2 can be a challenge.  What is the Psalmist saying?  What are we actually singing?  As humans we will face fear.  What the Psalmist reminds us is that when we dwell close to the Almighty, when we fellowship with God, we can avoid the danger of fear, and drive it back into the darkness.  We can be safe from the arrows, that Satan slings at us to injure and harm. Those that do not shelter near the Lord himself will be outside His protection and care.  It is not the absence of trial or illness or even viruses.  But his care and protection through them and His promise to give us what we will need!  Again Rev. Peter H Holtvluwer writes “But realize something important: you have to walk very close to a person for his shadow to fall upon you.  If you’re far from God, then you won’t benefit from his gracious presence.  If you stray from his way, his protecting shadow won’t help.”
Verse 3 (Psalm 91:9-12)  God provides a host of angels to watch over us, not just one guardian angel as we often may think but an entire bodyguard of angels!  They are sent to watch over us as we stumble and trudge through the rough places in life, to protect those that dwell in the shadow of the Almighty from further harm. 
Verse 4 (Psalm 91:13-16)  When we remain strong in the Lord, we will be able to stand firm and stamp out the sin that encroaches like a lion or a serpent.  Because we are called by God, we now bring Him all honour, we pray, and He answers.  God is near in our trials.  We are able to be satisfied in Christ no matter the length of our days.  We are able to enter our eternal rest because of the light and joy of salvation!
That is briefly, what we are singing in Psalm 91!  Will you be encouraged to dwell in the shelter of the Almighty in 2021 no matter what disease, or trouble ravages around us?    Will you take refuge under his Almighty wings that promises to protect us?  Will you thank God as you sing and learn this Psalm and His merciful provision through his ministering angels that surround us? 

My Heart is Filled
Our second song of the month for the afternoon services is My Heart is Filled written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend in 2003.    Taken from gettymusic.com this excerpt is the story behind the song:  If we examine our personal devotions, or listen in on a prayer meeting, our thanksgiving often focuses on health and position, family and friends, home and belongings (and all these are right and good – the Bible tells us to give thanks in every situation). But the prayers of the early church in the New Testament never follow this pattern. The strong emphasis there, is on giving thanks to God for spiritual blessings – the blessings that have true value beyond life on earth. In "My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness" we give thanks to God for spiritual blessings – past, present and future: what Christ has done for us – for forgiveness and new life, which only He could bring by coming here to earth and suffering for us...how He walks beside us each day and having lived, breathed and walked here on earth...how He promises to be with us whatever our future holds.” What a great way to start our year concentrating on learning this modern day hymn.  Can we challenge each other to make thankfulness the pattern of our year, no matter what steps we are called to take?  Let the two songs we learn this month frame 2021-   by Sheltering in the shadow of the Almighty and being thankful for His provision of salvation, grace and mercy.   Together as a congregation let us encourage each other to “give my life, my all, to love and follow Him.”  

From the Deacons 
Dear church family, As ROL deacons we want to let you know that, though we are not able to meet as regularly as we like this month, we will still be able to receive your offerings towards the ROL budget or monthly offering causes. As we did last year, envelopes can be given to one of the office bearers, dropped off at River of Life through the mail slot Sunday morning or placed in the offering box on Sunday morning or afternoon. If dropping off at one of us office bearers please phone ahead of time to make delivery arrangements to ensure someone is home and money is not left in a mailbox. As always, we as deacons serve Christ to ensure no one among us is lacking of any basic living needs. If any among you are having difficulty meeting a physical need please never hesitate to contact one of us. Upcoming offering causes beside the regular AM collection for ROL Budget, or Deacon fund are as follows: (Please indicate on envelope or cheque memo)
Jan - Shepherd's Heart
Feb - Adoration Christian Centre (Haiti)
March – Word & Deed
April – South Niagara Life Ministry
In Christ we serve,
Your deacons, Mike and Nick