Hope in Lament

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Scriptures: Psalm 13

• Sermon Summary

  In this sermon, Ben looks at Psalm 13 as it follows a movement from lament to praise, demonstrating that expressing our pain and feelings of abandonment is a necessary step before we can truly remember God's character.

  This Psalm challenges our categories by encouraging us to examine our implicit biases and recognize how we label our "enemies". Knowing our bias is an essential part of Christian discipleship.

  Remembering God's past goodness allows us to endure present suffering, and learning from diverse, non-Western worldviews expands our understanding of how God walks with us through grief.

  And finally, practicing regular rhythms like the Ignatian Prayer of Examen helps us spot patterns of desolation and consolation, anchoring us in God's presence so we can bring comfort to others.

• Discussion Guide

  Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
  
  Summer Discussion Guide 2026

  If your group is meeting this summer and wants to talk about the sermons, here are a few questions that you could use to engage with our teaching. 

  • What specific part of the message resonated with you the most? Why do you think that particular part, or idea, or story caught your attention? 

  • Did the sermon speak into a particular struggle or question in your life or your faith journey right now?

  • How did the message challenge or encourage you personally?
    And what do you think the application could be for our church community? Was there anything that could strengthen or stretch us as a church? 

  • How did the exposition of the scriptures used in the sermon provide you with a new perspective of deeper understanding?

  ——
  It is good to remember that the conversation experience in the group is shaped by the personal stories of those who participate in it and how willing the people are to be open and vulnerable in the group.

  So if you’re leading the discussion, feel free to model and encourage person-centred and story-centred sharing by reflecting on how some parts of the sermon resonate with you personally.
  ——

  Additionally, what contributes to a more authentic group discussion is when people can share not about the abstract and theoretical applications, but one or two practical things they are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion. 

  So, you can end your time together with this question: 

  • What is one thing you are taking away from either the sermon or the discussion we’ve just had?

• Service Songs & Prayers

  CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 57

  MUSIC Curated by Curt M.
  Bethel Music - Stand In Your Love
  Brooke Ligertwood - Ancient Gates
  Elevation Worship - Call God
  Maverick City Music - Fear Is Not My Future
  
  REFLECTIVE PRAYER: MID-SUMMER PAUSE
  Written by Scott Wall
  In the Christian practice of prayer, there is a long history of taking a beat — of observing how stillness is sacred — of assuming that God’s presence is close in our daydreams and our silence.
  
  So let’s take a moment at summer’s height.
  And whether you have been basking in the heat — or you’re in a season of profound professional pressure -
  Whether you are relaxed and care-free — or anxious and unsettled -
  Whether you sense divine nearness — or divine estrangement -
  Perhaps it’s only right that you would observe this pause as your prayer.
  
  Pray with me…
  
  Loving God —
  
  Let the blessing of this unhurried moment settle now -
  On the memories of our deep delight, and our joy, and our recreation…
  And in the reminder of your nearness in our dis-ease, our illness, and our worries.
  
  Let the blessing of this unhurried moment move us now -
  Into awareness of how our wisdom, imagination, and courage grow in faithful tending.
  Into awareness of how the work of forgiveness and recovery and transformation cost us so much…and that we are right to rest.
  
  Let the blessing of this unhurried moment renew us now -
  To move and love and share extravagantly in summer’s warmth…
  To let go and move on and heal purposefully in the light of brilliant days.
  
  Let the blessing of this unhurried moment guide us now toward your great goodness, we ask.
  Amen.
  
  SERIES BUMPER
  Summer Songs Series