Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

We’ve been singing about and thinking on who you are and what you are. You are eternal, unchanging, mysterious, unknown, unfailing, gracious, merciful, and glorious. There is so much about you to learn and understand. So much about you that gives us hope now and confidence in the future. So much that brings up praise and thanksgiving in our hearts. 

This morning, though, we want to think specifically about your love.  

Your word tells us that you are love. We know what love is because love began with you. Because we are created in your image, we are able to experience and express love – love to you, love to others. You have shown us time and again what your love for us looks like. 

You show your love by making yourself known to us. Walking with Adam in the garden, talking with Abraham, meeting face-to-face with Moses, giving us your word. In all these ways and more, you help us to know you in as a holy and righteous and majestic yet personal God. 

You show your love through giving and keeping your promises. Your promises to make a people into your own nation, promises to preserve them, promises to send a savior to die for the sins of the world, promises to preserve forever those that become your children. 

You show your love through sending Christ. Your son takes on flesh in order to obey where we, the creatures, cannot, to achieve for us a righteousness that we don’t deserve, making a full payment for our sins. Christ showing us what your love looks like in human form.  

You show your love in joining us together this morning. As your children, you give us your spirit, who joins us in unity, so when we come together, we can rightly admonish each other, encourage each other, and love each other, in ways that glorify you. 

When we are weak, you love us. When we are helpless, you love us. When we are wounded, you love us.  

When we were your enemies, you loved us enough to save us from our sins. You are ready, able, and willing to love and save all who call on your name, all who trust in your unchanging, unfailing, gracious, sufficient love.  

Amen.