Tuesday, November 2, 2021

The Regent community gathers for Chapel through Zoom on Tuesdays at 11 am (PDT). You can find Zoom login details in the Weekly Announcements email. If you don’t currently receive our Weekly Announcements email, you can subscribe by clicking the 'Subscribe’ button on this page.

If you are unable to join us at that time the recording of Chapel will be available on Moodle.

Welcome & Announcements

1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Worship | Psalm 46 (NIV)

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah.
According to alamoth. A song.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Lyrics & Tune (“Ein Feste Burg”): Martin Luther | Translation: Frederick Hedge

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

If we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing
You ask who that may be, Christ Jesus it is He!
The Lord of Hosts His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

That word above all earthly pow'rs no thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever

A mighty fortress is our God! His kingdom is forever! (repeat)

Psalm 46:1-7 | For the Mariachis of the Sons of Latin America

Taken from Liturgies of Below: Praying with People at the Ends of the World by Cláudio Carvalhaes

God is our refuge and strength,
An ever-present spring in the desert.
Therefore, we will not fear, though la migra comes this way.
And the mountains close in as we try to walk between them,
though the sandstorms seek to carry us away
and these mountains resemble a fridge.

There is a river separating us from the city of God,
the land of the promise where peace dwells.

God, are you even there?
Will you help us at the breakage of day?
This nation is in uproar, will its kingdom fall?
If God lifts His voice, will the injustice melt away?

Dios es grade, God be our fortress

How Long?

How long, will you turn your face away?
How long, do you hear us when we pray?
On and on, still we walk this pilgrim way
How long?

How long, till your children find the rest?
How long, till you draw them to your breast?
We go on, holding to your promises
How long?

Till you wipe away the tears from every eye
Till we see our home descending from the sky
Do we wait in vain?
Jesus, give us hope again

How long, till your word will still the storm?
How long, till you bare your mighty arm?
How we groan, till you snatch us from the thorns
How long?

Amen, Jesus, Come! (repeat)

1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Testimony

1 Peter 3:13-16 (NIV)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Prayers of the People

Taken from Douglas McKelvey's "A Liturgy For A Time Of Widespread Suffering" in Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope

How Firm a Foundation

Arrangement by Joseph Funk, George Keith, John Rippon, & Anne Steele

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glo - rious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say

You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name
You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name

1 Peter 1:3-7 (NRSV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Homily | Unshakeable Faith

Rhonda McEwen | Director of Regent Exchange; Associate Professor of Education and Culture

He Will Hold Me Fast

Ada Ruth Habershon & Matthew Merker | 2013 Matthew Merker Music

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast

I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast

He'll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast

Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
'Til our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!

Benediction

After the benediction, volunteers are available to pray with you. If you would like someone to join you in prayer, send a private chat message to Claire Perini.

Chapel Online