New Testament | Philippians 4:4-7 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
O Come, All You Unfaithful by Bob Kauflin and Lisa Clow

Lyrics:
O come all you unfaithful
Come weak and unstable
Come know you are not alone

O come barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying
Come see what your God has done

Christ is born Christ is born
Christ is born for you

O come bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come taste of His perfect love

O come guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done

He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
His promise is peace for those who believe
He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
His promise is peace for those who believe

So come though you have nothing
Come He is the offering
Come see what your God has done

Passage:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4–7 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)

Reflection Notes:
This meterless hymn flows freely, a clear indicator of its plainchant origins. The rich text by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius was a response to the Council of Nicea in the early Church; it establishes belief in the Trinity and Christ’s nature as fully man and fully God.

Prayer:
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.