“Greetings from all of us at Immanuel”
For the past two weeks we have looked at the reality of God's existence. We have seen how He truly does exist, and what He is truly like. Now we come to the difficult question of, if God is so good, why does He allow evil to happen?
As we wrestle with this question, we look at Psalm 74 today. Psalm 74 was written in the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction at the hands of the Babylonian empire. This Psalm is filled with the angst of the question, “Why would You let this happen to us God?”, and as the Psalmist wrestles with this question, we are given a clear picture of what it looks like to wrestle with this question before God in prayer.
Today, we may not come to a definitive answer of why God allows evil, but we will come to see God's definitive answer to evil.
The Approach to God
Pre-Service Music The Majesty and Glory of Your Name -Bennett
*Song Good, Good Father -Barrett
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance and Law of God
Kids
The Word of God
*Songs You Never Let Go -Redman
Taste and See (Psalm 34) -Shane/Rigney
Scripture: Psalm 121
Message “If God is in Control, Why Does He Allow Evil to Happen?”
Pastor Matt Lee
Prayer for Blessing
The Response to the Word
Moment for Ministry
*Song How Great Thou Art -Boberg
*Benediction
Postlude
Offering
The ongoing ministry of the church relies on the generous giving of its members. At this time, we will not be passing the offering plates during the service. Please place your offering in the basket provided.
*Songs used by permission of CCLI #95502
ANNOUNCEMENTS
June Calling Team: Please call Eric C. or Marcia J. with any special concerns or requests.
June Mission of the Month: Lansing City Rescue Mission, a Christian ministry founded in 1911 that provides food, shelter, and hope in Michigan's capital area.
Flowers Provided By: Carrie B. in celebration of Jennifer B’s birthday that was on June 25. Jennifer may God always provide you with the most precious things in life; good health, love, joy, peace, and prosperity.
Join Us for the Congregational Meeting Immediately Following the Service Today: On the agenda will be a proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, and the selection of one new deacon, and one new elder. Nominated for deacon is Fred H and Liz S, and for elder is Wayne K and Harold S.
2021 Summer Mission Trips: Please contact Joey South to sign up.
Alger, MI July 15-18 Cost: $50 per person, Signup, and $25 deposit due by 6/30. We will be staying on Liz and Cecile S’s mission property (Michigan Missions) in Alger, MI. There is a small cabin on site with a bathroom and kitchen. Our volunteers will be staying in tents. The mission work will consist of various yard work for; the Hospice Center, Pregnancy Center, Cripple Man’s Society, and for Alger community members.
Omaha, NE July 31-August 7 Cost: $150 per person, Signup, and $50 deposit due by 6/30. We will be driving vans to Omaha, NE where we will stay at Presbyterian Church of the Cross. We will be partnering with a ministry called The King’s Garden that is currently working to provide relief efforts following the 2019 floods.
Summer Series: June 13- September 5: Join us as we take a deep dive into the Psalms in order to know ourselves, our world, and our God more deeply.
July 4 - Do all religions lead to God? Psalm 1
July 11 - If God is so good why does He allow suffering? Psalm 22
July 18 - Where is God when I am hurting? Psalm 42
July 25 - Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? Psalm 73
Your Leaders are so thankful for your fervent prayers:
Staff: Pastor Matt L, Joey S, Darla L, Stacia W
Consistory: Carrie B, Sandy C, Eric C, Sue F, Rick H, Marcia J, Mike J, Julie L, and our ministry teams
Pray For our RCA missionaries- Phil and Olivia Lekel, and The Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD).
Please pray that the people will come to know God's love through the CEPAD staff and their efforts to reduce rural poverty in Nicaragua. Please also pray for the faith-based leadership development programs, pastoral training, food security, and that CEPAD will be able to continue to help communities develop sustainable practices for long-term transformation.
To hear more prayer requests from ICRC, please call 321-2495, extension 191, or if you have a personal prayer request, please contact Marcia J. You may also submit a prayer request on our website at www.icrclansing.org.
Friends with Health Concerns
Shelby A, Mark and June B, John B, Joe C
Howard C, Sandy F, John F, Carol G,
Kathy G, Roland H, and other Parkinson’s sufferers,
Lon H, Marcia N, Jim P, Marian P,
Sandi S, and Joy V for continued healing.
Save the Dates
July 8- Prayer Team Meeting
July 11- Communion Service
July 13- Deacon’s Meeting
July 13- Men’s Study
July 15-18- Alger, MI Mission Trip
July 21- CONNECT Basketball Night
July 22- Prayer Team Meeting