Order, Words, & Voices
06.30.24, Faces – Esther 1:1-2:17, Queen Vashti
Order
Pre Worship Music – Spotify – Open and Close
Songs Let God Arise (Chris Tomlin) Lynn/Team
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
Passage/Prayer Esther 1:-2:17 Cricklins
Songs Praise (Brandon Lake) Lynn/Team
Because He Lives
Message Queen Vashti Rick
Music Taste and See Lynn/Team
Community/Benediction Rick
Closing Peace Rick
Closing Music Firm Foundation (He Won’t) Lynn/Team
Post Worship Music – Spotify – Open and Close
Music (Slides) Lynn/Team
Let God Arise CCLI Song # 4822413
Verse 1
Hear the holy roar of God resound
Watch the waters part before us now
Come and see what He has done for us
Tell the world of His great love
Pre-Chorus
Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves
Chorus 1
Let God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever
Verse 2
His enemies will run for sure
The Church will stand she will endure
He holds the keys of life our Lord
Death has no sting no final word
Pre-Chorus
Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves
Chorus 2
God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever
Pre-Chorus
Our God is a God who saves
Our God is a God who saves
Chorus 2
God arise
Let God arise
Our God reigns now and forever
He reigns now and forever
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms CCLI Song # 31779
Verse 1
What a fellowship what a joy divine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a blessedness what a peace is mine
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Chorus
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Verse 2
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way
Leaning on the everlasting arms
O how bright the path grows from day to day
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Chorus
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Verse 3
What have I to dread what have I to fear
Leaning on the everlasting arms
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Chorus
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning (leaning on Jesus)
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Passage (Slides) Cricklins Esther 2:1-17
When the anger of King Ahasuerus had faded, he remembered his wife, the Queen Vashti. He remembered how she angered him and how he had punished her.
His servants suggested, “Appoint leaders in all provinces to send their beautiful young virgins to the harem under the custody of Hegai the eunuch. Hegai will watch over their cosmetic treatments and training. The young woman who pleases you most will be the queen instead of Vashti.” The king approved the plan.
In the same city as King Ahasuerus was a Jew named Mordecai, a Benjaminite who had been exiled from Jerusalem when the Babylonians conquered Judah.
Mordicai had adopted and raised his niece, Esther, since her parents died. As a young adult, Esther was considered fair and beautiful by all who saw and knew her.
Esther was among the women taken into the king’s palace under the care of Hegai. She pleased Hegai and won his favor. Hegai advanced Esther and her maids to the best place in the harem.
Esther did not reveal that she was an Israelite because Mordecai had cautioned her not to tell anyone. Every day Mordecai would walk back and forth outside of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was doing.
After twelve months of beautification and ‘How to please the King’ training, it was Esther’s turn to go into the King for a night. Following her evening she would not see the King again unless the King liked her and called for her to return.
As it turned out, the king loved Esther more than all the other women so he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Join me in the prayer of Jesus,
‘Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be your name./ Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven./ Give us this day our daily bread./ Forgive us our trespasses, while we forgive those who trespass against us./ And, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil./ For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Music (Slides) Lynn/Team
Praise CCLI Song # 7213077
Verse 1
I’ll praise in the valley
Praise on the mountain
I’ll praise when I’m sure
Praise when I’m doubting
I’ll praise when outnumbered
Praise when surrounded
‘Cause praise is the water
My enemies drown in
Pre-Chorus
As long as I’m breathing
I’ve got a reason to
Chorus 1
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Verse 2
I’ll praise when I feel it
And I’ll praise when I don’t
I’ll praise ’cause I know
You’re still in control
‘Cause my praise is a weapon
It’s more than a sound
My praise is the shout
That brings Jericho down
Pre-Chorus
As long as I’m breathing
I’ve got a reason to
Chorus 2
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Praise the Lord oh my soul
I won’t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Bridge
I’ll praise ’cause You’re sovereign
Praise ’cause You reign
Praise ’cause You rose and defeated the grave
I’ll praise ’cause You’re faithful
Praise ’cause You’re true
Praise ’cause there’s nobody greater than You
Chorus 3
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Praise the Lord oh my soul
I won’t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
I won’t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
I won’t be quiet
My God is alive
How could I keep it inside
Praise the Lord oh my soul
Because He Lives CCLI Song # 16880
Verse 1
God sent His Son they called Him Jesus
He came to love heal and forgive
He bled and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove
My Savior lives
Chorus
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
Verse 3
And then one day I’ll cross that river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death gives way to vict’ry
I’ll see the lights of glory
And I’ll know He reigns
Chorus
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
Message Rick (Slide)
[Slide – Leave Title Slide up for entire message]
Intro – Weirdness of book of Esther
Puritanical Values
Culture Context
Calendar Context
Persian Oppression/King Ahasuerus/2 Stories and 2 Women
Begin with 2nd story which starts with the ending of first Story
King Ahasuerus waking up,regret
Esther and Mordecai
Ahasuerus and Queen Vashti
‘Having the bravery and confidence to stand up to an inappropriate request from a superior is both paramount to the moral foundation of society, and extremely difficult. We each know deep down when we are doing right or wrong. Vashti’s modesty and fearlessness resonates even in our time period and our society. Her husband’s demand for her to show her beauty to his drunken friends overstepped his bounds. Her simple reply, “no,” is feared by the male “sages who knew the laws”. They advise the king to cast Queen Vashti out and to replace her with a new queen.
Even with the brutal risks facing she steps into her refusal with grace and beauty, exhibiting independence and strength in her solitary righteousness. She says ‘no’ because ‘no’ is the right thing to say.’
(Hannah Garrity)
2 Women, 2 Lines in Sand, ripples still impacting, still redeeming others
Our Lines in the Sand, Women at conference – We will not quit…
Music (Slides) Lynn/Team
Psalm 34 (Taste And See) CCLI Song # 7054932
Verse 1
I sought the Lord and He answered me
And delivered me from every fear
Those who look on Him are radiant
They’ll never be ashamed
They’ll never be ashamed
Verse 2
This poor man cried and the Lord heard me
And saved me from my enemies
The Son of God surrounds His saints
He will deliver them
He will deliver them
Chorus
Magnify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name forever
Verse 3
O taste and see that the Lord is good
O blessed is he who hides in Him
O fear the Lord O all you saints
He’ll give you everything
He’ll give you everything
Chorus
Magnify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name forever
Bridge
Let us bless the Lord
Every day and night
Never ending praise
May our incense rise
Let us bless the Lord
Every day and night
Never ending praise
May our incense rise
Chorus
Magnify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name forever
Magnify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name forever
Community (Slides) Rick
- Next Sunday, Faces of our Faith summer series, 07.07.24, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego, Daniel 3
- July Food and Games night TBA
- Conference Report, prayer for state students/classrooms/Leaders
Closing Responsive Reading Benediction (Slides) Rick
Leader: For reasons uncertain, Queen Vashti drew a line in the sand. Frustrated, humiliated, and exhausted, she made a statement that enough is enough.
Response: We are called to also draw lines in the sand. Lines that lead us to go not a step further into institutional unholiness and hatefullness towards others.
Leader: May we go from here respecting others’ ‘lines in the sand’ while remaining diligent towards God’s line drawn for us.
Response: May we hold to a trust in a God who has drawn a line of protection around his creation and the created.
Leader: May our line keep us from crossing into judgment and condemnation of those who look, think, and live differently than us.
Response: May our line hold us to fiercely trust God as we strive to love God and all others.
Leader: May we draw lines of respect, love, and dignity, that will serve as ripples for those who come after us.
Response: May we choose to show the good news to the world through our respect, love, and dignity of all.
Leader: May the peace, hope, and love of Jesus shine through our lives.
Response: May peace, hope, and love be the fuel that directs our every word and step.
Closing Peace (Slides) Rick
Leader: May the peace of the Lord go with you.
Response: And also with you.
Closing Music Lynn/Team
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) CCLI Song # 7188203
Verse 1
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now
Chorus 2 (x2)
He won’t He won’t
He won’t fail
He won’t fail
Order, Words, & Voices 