We're so pleased to have you among us in our worship service! If this is your first time here, the Congregational Church family and Pastor Ted Weis welcome the chance to know you. Please call on us if you have either a spiritual or material need. Hearing assisted devices are available at the sound booth, located in the back of the sanctuary.

# 225 "Come, Christians, Join to Sing"

# 104 "O Worship the King"

# 624 "His Eye Is On the Sparrow"

# 564 "Just a Closer Walk with Thee"

All songs taken from the Celebration Hymnal

"Help Is On the Way"

Pastor Ted Weis

At some point, everyone feels like Job.

You feel enormous, unrelenting stress. You lose someone precious.

In those moments, we ask, "Why God? Why me?"

In the middle of our loss and grief, there's another struggle going on. This struggle is inside our heart and it's this--"Do I blame God and walk away from him, or, do I trust him and rely on him more deeply?"

If you're in an emotional place today where you're tempted to leave God behind and go off on your own, I want you to consider these truths:

1. God is a God of comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). God has many attributes. He is the creator. He is holy. He is a judge. He is a Savior. In addition, know that God is one who comforts.
2. God comforts us in our troubles (2 Corinthians 1:4a). Christians know that something is terribly wrong with world. It needs redemption. Meantime, God is not aloof or disinterested in your struggles. In fact, God loves you and cares deeply for you. At the right time, God's Spirit and God's people comes to our side.
3. God comforts us, so in turn, we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4b). When someone suffers a loss, they find great comfort from, "those who have been there." God redeems our troubles by allowing us to help others.

Pastor John MacArthur observes seven ways that God uses trouble to teach us: (1) To test the strength of our faith. (2) To humble us. (3) To wean off the love of earthly comforts. (4) To focus our mind on our heavenly home. (5) To reveal what we truly love. (6) To help others in trial. (7) To bring God glory.

Overall, your pain has a purpose. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. He will whatever it takes to make us holy and more like himself.

Remember: In trouble and trials, God sends his heavenly band-aids!