Twenty-six years have passed since the inception of Gethsemane B-P Church. How graciously and wonderfully our loving Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, has nurtured and strengthened us! We must recollect His goodness towards us and praise Him. To help us to reminisce His goodness towards Gethsemane BPC, I have prayerfully written the following liturgy for today’s Thanksgiving Worship.
- Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
- We rejoice in the truth that “the church of God” is “purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
- “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). “So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations” (Psalm 79:13).
- “I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 34:15). “It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).
- Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”. (Luke 12:32). “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).
- The Holy Ghost hath made some overseers, to feed the church of God (cf. Acts 20:28). Help us “to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among (ourselves)” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
- “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Amen.
