Home Text of 2024

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

I press on towards the goal, to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

We have not arrived at our goal, but we press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12

One thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on.
Philippians 3:13b

Whatever gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 3:7

I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
Philippians 3:8

I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11

Almighty and merciful God,
you have ordered our earthly life
that we walk by faith and not by sight.
Give us such trust in your fatherly care
that we show our faith
by our courage in the face of all perplexities.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Lord God,
you have planted your church
to be a flourishing fruitful vineyard.
Make us loyal and productive,
doing the work you have given us to do.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

54      When I survey the wondrous cross
67     And can it be (alt tune TIS 209)
75     We sing the praise of Him who died
148     Jesus, the very thought of Thee
149     Jesus, priceless treasure*
152     Fairest Lord Jesus
327     Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness*
331     My hope is built on nothing less*
377     Take my life, and let it be*
789     My Lord, you wore no royal crown