"Rejoice in the Lord"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "Rejoice in the Lord"

Rejoice in the Lord.

That’s the instruction of the song. I’m sure we could go through our Bible reading today verse by verse and find deep and hidden meaning in it – but let’s not. Today let’s just talk about

Rejoice in the Lord.

OK – first just a little bit of background –

First there’s this wonderful word "rejoice." It means to sing joyfully; celebrate; to be glad; take delight; to be full of joy; to feel or show great happiness. It is the English translation of the Hebrew word ranan (Raw-nan) which technically means to creak (or emit a shrill and grating sound. Its context usually has to do with shouting for joy, though it also is used to express crying out or being overcome. There’s a whole lot in that little word. "Rejoice" is deeper than it first seems.

Then there’s this interesting and difficult phrase," God frustrates the plans of the peoples: It is often understood to mean, "God thwarts the plans of the wicked" and is used against whatever group of people disagree with the ones who are doing the accusing. But rather than automatically turn it into an "us" and "them" phrase, I think it’s better to understand it like this. We make lots of plans for ourselves, but sometimes and even often, we don’t pay attention to or understand or include God's plans in our plans. Then we feel like God is frustrating our plans – SO maybe the question in that case is, "When is God frustrating our plans and it’s time to change direction and when is something else frustrating out plans and we need to persevere?"

That’s the question. I don’t have a complete answer – just a guideline.

Check it against the two rules. (Love God – Love others.) Then remember God’s care for the oppressed, exploited, the poor and the marginalized.

So – "Rejoice: is deeper than it first seems" and "When is God frustrating our plans and it’s time to change direction and when is something else frustrating out plans and we need to persevere?"

Let’s stick with the first one, "Rejoice." Do you remember what it means?

(Congregation answers – then shouts "Hallelujah!" together)

What makes you rejoice?

(Responses from Congregation)

• Good Health
• Family Reunions
• Safety in training for our children
• Family togetherness
• Seeing friends
• Fishing
• Vacation – sharing experiences
• Upcoming retirement
• Shopping with grandchildren and seeing them grow up
• Unexpected joy like hearing a bagpiper while you’re out on a lake
• Needed rain
• Seeing the kids go back to school
• Returning from a trip safely
• Worshipping in a place I love

How do you rejoice?

(Responses from Congregation)

• Praying
• Singing
• Shouting
• Calling a friend
• Doing woodwork
• Playing the guitar
• Taking a deep breath

We have so many reasons to rejoice -- Good Health, Family Reunions, Safety in training for our children, Family togetherness, Seeing friends, Fishing, Vacation – sharing experiences, Upcoming retirement, Shopping with grandchildren and seeing them grow up, Unexpected Joy like hearing a bagpiper while you’re out on a lake, Needed rain, Seeing the kids go back to school, Returning from a trip safely, Worshipping in a place you love.

We have so many ways to rejoice – Praying, Singing, Shouting, Calling a friend, Doing woodwork , Playing the guitar, Taking a deep breath.

So are you ready – let’s rejoice in the Lord

First let’s do it with a deep breath.

Now let’s have a shout – three times:

"Hallelujah!"

"Hallelujah!"

"Hallelujah!"

Rejoice in the Lord!

Close with prayer.

© 2007 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved