Archive for July, 2008

My Savior My God

July 31, 2008 at 11:24 pm · Filed under Aaron Shust ·Tagged , , ,

My Savior My God

 

 

 

This past Sunday we played this smash hit during worship.  The song was written by Aaron Shust.  The lyrics are striking.  Here they are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed, what God has planned

I only know at his right hand

Stands one who is my savior

 

I take him at his word and deed

Christ died to save me this I read

And in my heart I find a need

For him to be my savior

 

That he would leave his place on high

And come for sinful man to die

You count it strange, so once did I

Before I knew my savior

 

My savior loves, my savior lives

My savior’s always there for me

My God he was, my God he is

My God he’s always going to be

 

Yes, living, dying; let me bring

My strength, my solace from this spring

That he who lives to be my king

Once died to be my savior

 

That he would leave his place on high

And come for sinful man to die

You count it strange, so once did I

Before I knew my savior

 

My savior loves, my savior lives

My savior’s always there for me

My God he was, My God he is

My God he’s always going to be

 

CCLI #4592255, Copyright 2005 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)

 

The following is a piece written by Mr. Shust that explains this song in a wonderous way (from www.greatworshipsongs.com):

 

Aaron Shust has written a number of worship songs including “My Savior, My God,” “Matchless,” and “Watch Over Me.”

 

When I have a good day I say, “God, thank you. You’re really blessing me.” Blessing is a word I think only Christians use.  I’ve heard it means to “speak well about a thing”, but I think it’s used more often like we just got a raise, or a gift, or something. “God, bless me” means I want my business to do well, or I want a motorcycle, or I want to pay my rent this month.

 

When I’m having a bad day I say, “God, don’t forget me.  Please hear my prayers”, as if He may have forgotten about me.

 

One of my favorite communicators, Bill Bahr, tells a story of a man who by a series of events misses his flight and when the plane crashes and everyone dies, an article is written in a Christian publication saying, “God was watching out for him”.  Not long after that article, another article is written by the wife of a man, who by a series of miraculous events, made that flight, and the last communication they had was waving goodbye with joy in their hearts at how God had orchestrated his ability to make his flight…that would take him to his death.  Was God working in one man’s life and not the other?

 

People are healed of cancer after much prayer.  People die of cancer after much prayer.  People are born beautiful and talented; people are born with deforming diseases.

 

My perception of how God should operate is so often focused on how He should make my life better.  But one of the reasons His name is “God” is because He is smarter, wiser, and infinitely better (perfect actually) than me in all arenas.  I can’t figure out the reasoning behind all that God does.  But, I know that I am loved by Him because I FEEL it!  I know with my heart that the promises written in the Bible are true.  An act of faith?  Absolutely.  But once you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, there’s no question that there’s really a ball of fire in the sky.

 

So whether I’m looking at one stitch on the backside of a tapestry and God’s looking at all of the front, or “I have point of view and God has view”, the bottom line is: I’m not skilled to grasp all that God has planned and I’m okay with that, because His ways are higher than mine.  And I trust him.

 

Source: greatworshipsongs.com

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Hymn to the Trinity (Come Thou Almighty King)

July 31, 2008 at 4:30 pm · Filed under Holy Trinity Sunday, Hymns, Patriotic ·Tagged , ,

Hymn to the Trinity (Come Thou Almighty King)

An anonymous hymn of praise to our triune God.  For an Independence Day treat, try singing this familiar text to “AMERICA” (“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”).

 

 

A HYMN TO THE TRINITY

 

Come, thou Almighty King,

Help us thy name to sing,

Help us to praise:

Father, all glorious,

O’er all victorious,

Come and reign over us,

Ancient of Days.

 

Come, thou Incarnate Word,

Gird on thy mighty sword,

Our prayer attend:

Come, and thy people bless,

And give thy word success:

Spirit of holiness,

On us descend.

 

Come, Holy Comforter,

Thy sacred witness bear

In this glad hour:

Thou who almighty art,

Now rule in every heart,

And ne’er from us depart,

Spirit of power.

 

To thee, great One in Three,

Eternal praises be

Hence, evermore!

Thy sovereign majesty

May we in glory see,

And to eternity

Love and adore.

 

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Flag Folding Ceremony

July 29, 2008 at 4:50 pm · Filed under Patriotic ·Tagged , , ,

If you have any members of the armed services in your congregation, consider holding a flag folding ceremony during worship on any of the Patriotic Observance holidays.   At our church, we had our keyboard player play “taps” softly in the background during the ceremony. 

The flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies.

Here is a typical sequence of the reading:

(Begin reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming forward).

 

 

 

 

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

 

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

 

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

 

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

 

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

 

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

 

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

 

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother’s day.

 

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

 

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

 

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

 

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God we Trust.”

 

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag–after the inspection, resume reading.)

 

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

| The Flag Folding Ceremony above is from the US Air Force Academy |

 

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Be Lifted High

July 28, 2008 at 9:11 pm · Filed under Michael W Smith ·Tagged , , ,

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This past Sunday, we sang the song “Be Lifted High”, written by Leeland Mooring and made popular by Michael W. Smith on his CD entitled “Stand.”  We actually closed our service with this arrangement but during the sermon, our guest Pastor, made a reference to the song lyrics stating that it was about “sin personified” which I found to be an intelligent observation.  The lyrics are included below:

 

Be Lifted High – by Leeland Mooring

 

Sin and its ways grow old;

All of my heart turns to stone,

And I’m left with no strength to arise,

I need to be lifted high.

 

Sin and its ways lead to pain;

Left here with hurt and with shame.

So no longer will I leave your side;

Jesus, you be lifted high.

 

You be lifted high,

You be lifted high,

You be lifted high in my life,

Oh God.

And I fall to my knees,

So it’s you that they see,

Not I.

Jesus, you be lifted high.

 

And even now that I’m inside your hands;

Help me not to grow prideful again.

Don’t let me forsake sacrifice,

Jesus you be lifted high.

 

And if I’m blessed with the riches of kings,

How could I ever feel that it was me?

For you brought me from darkness to light,

Jesus, you be lifted high.

 

You be lifted high,

You be lifted high,

You be lifted high in my life,

Oh God.

And I fall to my knees,

So it’s you that they see,

Not I.

Jesus, you be lifted high.

 

Oh Jesus, you be lifted high,

Oh you be lifted high,

Oh you be lifted high in my life,

Oh God.

And I fall to my knees,

So it’s you that they see,

Not I.

Jesus, you be lifted high

 

Copyright (C) 2006 Meaux Mercy, CCLI # 4831442

 

Leeland Mooring is also an accomplished musician.  He leads a band known as “Leeland” (he’s the red headed kid in the center of the picture).  The following comments are from the song writer himself on what the song means to him:

 

Everywhere we look there’s something that is trying to steal our devotion and attention.  Whether good or bad there’s so many things that if we aren’t careful, can rob us of our hunger and passion to know the Lord.  Everything in this world will always be temporary.  Even the love we have for other people isn’t eternal.  The only place we’ll ever be truly satisfied is in the presence of the Lord.  The presence of the Lord is where we find hope, vision for our lives, healing, love, restoration from past hurts, and honor in the eyes of Jesus.

 

In Psalm 62 vs 1 David says ” My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.”  Later on in verses 7&8 David continues to say ” My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, mighty refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, Oh people pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”  David not only said our honor depends on God, but he went as far as to say our salvation depends on God!  Then he urges the people to pour out their hearts to God.

 

I believe God’s love for the world is very much eternal and so is His salvation, but I also believe that we can be so hardened to God sometimes that without even knowing it we can walk away from Him.  No one is perfect and the great part about that is that God knows it.  He knows that we fail and we fall sometimes in our walk with Him, but the most important thing to remember is that when we get back up, it brings honor to the Lord.  So don’t be discouraged in your faith.  Just make the effort every day that you live and in the way that you live, to lift Jesus up and make Him the center of everything.

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A Litany of the Person

July 26, 2008 at 9:07 pm · Filed under Quotes ·Tagged ,

A Litany of the Person

- Anonymous Trappist Monk

 

image of God

born of God’s breath

vessel of divine Love

after his likeness

dwelling of God

capacity for the infinite

eternally known

chosen of God

home of the Infinite Majesty

abiding in the Son

called from eternity

life in the Lord

temple of the Holy Spirit

branch of Christ

receptacle of the Most High

wellspring of Living Water

heir of the kingdom

the glory of God

abode of the Trinity.

God sings this litany

eternally in his Word.

This is who you are.

 

Source: (from the Abbey of Gethsemani)

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Contemporary Christian Music

July 26, 2008 at 1:17 pm · Filed under Contemporary Christian Music, Music ·Tagged

Hi All,

 

For those of you who haven’t tried listening to Contemporary Christian music yet; here’s your chance to find an artist that sounds a little like your favorite secular artist.  Below is a cross reference of popular secular artists to Christian artists that have a similar sound.

 

This list originally appeared in an old issue of CCM Magazine.  I’ve added to it and updated it through the years.

 

If you find a Christian artist that you’d like to check out before making a purchase – just look for them on the WEB.  They usually have sample sound bites at their websites.  Or, you can go to “youtube”, search on their name and usually find a full length song to listen to.  This is also a handy list to find Christian music for your children.

 

Please leave a comment if you have any further additions or corrections.

 

If you or they like…

then try

Aerosmith

Petra*, Building 429*, Big Daddy Weave*, David Crowder Band*

Alanis Morissette

The Benjamin Gate, Rebecca St. James*, Nicole Nordeman*

Aqualung

Tree63*, Telecast, Kutless*

Ashlee Simpson

Stacie Orrico, Krystal Meyers, Inhabited, ZOEGirl, Barlow Girl

Back Street Boys

Brian Littrell*, Leeland*, FFH*, the Katina’s*, Paul Coleman Trio*, Philips Craig & Dean*

Ben Folds

The Straw Theory, The Swift

Billy Joel

Mark Schultz*, Michael W. Smith*, Josh Bates*, Aaron Shust*, Bebo Norman*, Brian Litrell*, Rich Mullins*

Black Eyed Peas

LA Symphony, Liquid, Newsboys*,  Kutless*

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Sanctus Real, Luna Halo

blink-182

Hangnail, Slick Shoes

Bon Jovi

Petra*, Stryper, Brenton Brown*, Charlie Hall*, Leeland*,  Kutless*

Bright Eyes

Starflyer 59, Aaron Sprinkle

Britney Spears

Jump5, Rachael Lampa, Stacie Orrico, Nicole Nordeman*

Carole King

Sara Groves*, Nicole Nordeman*, Amy Grant*, Kathryn Scott*

Celine Dion

Crystal Lewis, Point Of Grace, Nicole Nordeman*, Amy Grant*, Avalon*, Selah*, Kathryn Scott*

Coldplay

Sleeping at Last, Telecast, Ten Shekel Shirt, Shane & Shane*, Brenton Brown*, Charlie Hall*, FFH*, the Katina’s*

Copeland

Mae, Holland, Telecast

Counting Crows

Caedmon’s Call*, Everman, Silers Bald, Newsboys*,  Kutless*

Creed

12 Stones, Todd Agnew*, Big Dismal, Building 429*, FFH*

Creedance Clearwater

FFH*, Newsboys*, Casting Crowns*, David Crowder Band*, Pcoket Full of Rocks*

CSNY

Phillips Craig & Dean*, Leeland*, the Katina’s*, Matt Redman*, Pocket Full of Rocks*

Dashboard Confessional

Anberlin, Emery, Further Seems Forever

Dave Matthews Band

Big Daddy Weave*, Caedmon’s Call*, David Crowder Band*, Shane & Shane*, Bebo Norman*, Newsboys*

Death Cab for Cutie

The Juliana Theory, Further Seems Forever

Destiny’s Child

Stacie Orrico, Out of Eden, Rizen, Trin-i-tee 5:7

Dido

Nichole Nordeman*, Sarah Sadler

Don Henley

Steven Curtis Chapman*, Mark Schultz*, Todd Agnew*, Aaron Shust*, Bebo Norman*, Brenton Brown*, FFH*, Matt Maher*

Doves

Telecast, Sleeping At Last

Duran Duran

The Echoing Green, Newsboys*,  Kutless*

Eagles

MercyMe*, Casting Crowns*, Philips Craig & Dean*, Newsboys*, the Katina’s*, Rich Mullins*

Elton John

Michael W. Smith*, The Swift, Bebo Norman*, Brenton Brown*, Matt Maher*

Eminem

KJ-52, John Reuben, Verbs, TobyMac

Enrique Iglesias

Freddie Colloca, Motivo, Salvador

Erasure

Joy Electric, Fine China, Elkland

Eric Clapton

Lincoln Brewster*, Shane & Shane*,  Kutless*

Foo Fighters

Holland, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay*, Kutless*

Gavin DeGraw

Across the Sky, Shawn Groves*, Andrew Peterson

George Strait

Randy Travis*, Chris Rice*

Gloria Estefan

Motivo, Jaci Velasquez*

Goo Goo Dolls

Audio Adrenaline*, Detour 180, FFH*, the Katina’s*

Green Day

Relient K, Hawk Nelson, FM Static, Stellar Kart, Avalon*, Selah*, FFH*, Newsboys*,  Kutless*

Gwen Stefani

Superchic[k], Daniel’s Window

Howie Day

Warren Barfield, Bebo Norman*

James Taylor

Bebo Norman*, Chris Rice*, Brian Doerksen*, Paul Baloche*, Matt Redman*

Janet Jackson

Patty Cabrera, Stacie Orrico

Jason Mraz

Warren Barfield, Bebo Norman*, Shawn Groves*

Jennifer Lopez

Ileana Garces, Jaci Velasquez*

Jessica Simpson

Rachael Lampa, Joy Williams*, Kathryn Scott*

Jewel

Jennifer Knapp, Nichole Nordeman*, Jill Paquette, Nicole Nordeman*, Amy Grant*, Kathryn Scott*

Jimmy Buffet

Chris Tomlin*, Chris Rice*, Michael W. Smith*, Josh Bates*, Bebo Norman*, Brenton Brown*, Matt Redman*, Matt Maher*

Jimmy Eat World

Bleach, FM Static, Hangnail,  Kutless*

John Mayer

Shawn Groves*, Bebo Norman*, Andrew Peterson, Rich Mullins*

Johnny Lang

Lincoln Brewster*

Joni Mitchell

Sara Groves*, Kathryn Scott*

Kanye West

T-Bone, Grits, tobyMac, dcTalk

Kid Rock

P.O.D., tobyMac

Lenny Kravitz

All Together Separate, Fusebox, Tait

Lifehouse

Big Dismal, Jeremy Camp*, Tait

Linkin Park

38th Parallel, Justifide, PAX217

Liz Phair

Krystal Meyers, Sarah Hart

Mariah Carey

Jeremy Camp*, Chris Tomlin*, Kathryn Scott*

Maroon Five

Across the Sky, David Crowder Band*, Casting Crowns*, Newsboys*

Matchbox Twenty

By The Tree, Jeremy Camp*, The Waiting, FFH*, , Matt Redman*

Melissa Etheridge

Jennifer Knapp, BarlowGirl, ZOEGirl

Michael Bolton

Bob Carlisle, Russ Lee, Jeremy Camp*, Jermy Riddle*

Michelle Branch

Charmaine, Erin O’Donnell, Sarah Sadler

Moby

apt. core, The Echoing Green, Andy Hunter

My Chemical Romance

Further Seems Forever, Slow Coming Day

Natalie Merchant

LaRue, Jennifer Knapp

Nickelback

Pillar, Thousand Foot Krutch, Leeland*, Newsboys*

No Doubt

Daniel’s Window, Superchic[k]

Norah Jones

Ginny Owens*, Jill Paquette, Nicole Nordeman*, Jennifer Knapp, Ashley Cleveland, Kathryn Scott*

Oasis

Delirious?*, Phil Joel

Outkast

Cross Movement, Ill Harmonics, Verbs

Phil Collins

Steven Curtis Chapman*, Mark Schultz*, Michael W. Smith*, Delirious?, Jeremy Riddle*, Matt Redman*

Pink

Daniel’s Window, Stacie Orrico

Prince

Souljahz, Tonex

R.E.M.

Third Day*, The Waiting

Radiohead

Cool Head Luke, Delirious?*, Sleeping At Last,  Kutless*

Rage Against the Machine

Dizmas

Rob Thomas

Jeremy Camp*, MercyMe*, Jermy Riddle*, Matt Maher*

Rod Stewart

Todd Agnew*

Ryan Cabrera

Rachael Lampa, Crystal Lewis, Joy Williams

Santana

Motivo, Salvador, Israel Houghton & the New Breed,  Kutless*

Sarah McLachlan

Sara Groves*, Kelly Minter, Jill Paquette

Savage Garden

Ash Mundane, Newsboys*

Seal

Fusebox, Tait, Leeland*

Selena

Patty Cabrera, Ileana Garces, Jaci Velasquez*

Sheryl Crow

Jennifer Knapp, LaRue, ZOEGirl, BarlowGirl

Sugar Ray

Audio Adrenaline*, By The Tree, Tree63*

The Beatles

Aduio Adrenline*, Big Daddy Weave*, MercyMe*, FFH*, the Katina’s*

The Cranberries

The Benjamin Gate, Sixpence None the Richer,  Kutless*

The Killers

David Crowder Band*, The Echoing Green,  Kutless*

The Rolling Stones

The Elms, Rock ‘n’ Roll Worship Circus, Stereo Motion, Audio Adrenline*, Casting Crowns*, MercyMe*, FFH*

The Wallflowers

Everman, Third Day*, FFH*

The White Stripes

The Elms, Sanctus Real

The Who

The Elms, Rock ‘n’ Roll Worship Circus, Stereo Motion, MercyMe

Three Doors Down

Third Day*, Day of Fire

Tim McGraw

Randy Travis*, Paul Baloche*

Tom Petty

The Elms, Rock ‘n’ Roll Worship Circus, MercyMe*, Casting Crowns*, Brenton Brown*, Newsboys*

Train

By The Tree, Everyday Sunday, MercyMe*, Casting Crowns*

Travis

Everyone, Telecast

U2

Dakona, Delirious?*, Tree63*, Casting Crowns*, Charlie Hall*, Newsboys*

Vertical Horizon

downhere, Jars of Clay*

Weezer

Ace Troubleshooter, Bleach,  Kutless*

Whitney Houston

Yolanda Adams, Nicole C. Mullen*, Nicole Nordeman*, Kathryn Scott*

 

 

 

 

 

* = Artists I’ve heard and recommend

 

 

 

 

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Doxologies

July 18, 2008 at 6:07 pm · Filed under Quotes ·Tagged ,

The following is from “The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts”

 

DOXOLOGY 1

L. M.

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One,

Be honor, praise, and glory giv’n,

By all on earth, and all in heav’n.

 

DOXOLOGY 2

C. M.

Let God the Father, and the Son,

And Spirit, be adored,

Where there are works to make him known,

Or saints to love the Lord.

 

DOXOLOGY 3

289

C. M.

The God of mercy be adored,

Who calls our souls from death;

Who saves by his redeeming word,

And new-creating breath.

To praise the Father, and the Son,

And Spirit, all divine,

The One in Three, and Three in One,

Let saints and angels join.

 

DOXOLOGY 4

276

S. M.

Ye angels round the throne,

And saints that dwell below,

Worship the Father, praise the Son,

And bless the Spirit too.

 

DOXOLOGY 5

8,8,8,8,8,8

Now to the great and sacred Three,

The Father, Son, and Spirit, be

Eternal praise and glory giv’n,

Through all the worlds where God is known,

By all the angels near the throne,

And all the saints in earth and heav’n.

 

DOXOLOGY 6

8,8,8,8,4,4,4,4

To God the Father’s throne

Perpetual honors raise,

Glory to God the Son,

To God the Spirit praise:

With all our powers,

Eternal King,

Thy name we sing,

While faith adores.

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A Parting Prayer

July 18, 2008 at 10:51 am · Filed under Prayer ·Tagged

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Before we leave this place,

we pray for our own healing,

the healing of bodies which are sick,

of hearts that are weary,

of minds that are confused

of memories which are over active

and imaginations which are underused.

 

Before we leave this place,

we pray for our own deepening

in faith and hope and love

and in our discipleship in the company of others

and our own walk with God.

 

Before we leave this place,

let us lean on the solidarity of those around us

and the presence of Christ among us

to ask what God wants us to have

and to gracefully receive it.

 

We pray this in Jesus’ name, our friend and savior.

Amen.

 

Source:          Adapted from “In the Days to Come: Songs and Prayers for Peacemaking” by Tony Alonso / John Bell / Marty Haugen

 

 

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From the lips of children…

July 14, 2008 at 4:51 pm · Filed under Children, Composite ·Tagged , ,

Different Religions – Physical Expressiveness

 

I came across this list of physical expressiveness for various Christian denominations.  I suppose that its comical.  As a Lutheran, especially a WELS Lutheran, I can vouch for the fact that we are very stoic and reserved in our worship expressiveness.  But this past Sunday; something happened.  See what happened during our worship after reading the following:

 

•   If you’re Lutheran, you don’t show anything, but you move your toes in rhythm with the music lest anyone find out that you really do have a beat.

•   If you’re Reformed Church in America or Christian Reformed Church, you can do anything you want to with your hands with one unbreakable rule: No hands above the waist.

•   If you’re Roman Catholic, you make the sign of the cross.

•   If you’re Episcopalian, you thrust your hands nervously in your pockets and dig, scratch, or scrape.

•   If you’re nondenominational, you clap.

•   If you’re Wesleyan or Evangelical Free, you cry.

•   If you’re Nazarene, you laugh.

•   If you’re Seventh-day Adventist, you sway slightly with eyes shut.

•   If you’re United Methodist, you extend your hands, palms upward, but arms are never raised above the belly-button.

•   If you’re United Church of Christ, you stand erect with arms crossed and face scowled.

•   If you’re Presbyterian, you place one hand under the chin, a la Rodin’s The Thinker.

•   If you’re Unitarian Universalist, you go on and pretend nothing has happened.

•   If you’re Southern Baptist, you hold hands with people across the aisle.

•   If you’re American Baptist, you tap your feet.

•   If you’re United Church of Canada, you clasp your hands behind the back.

•   If you’re Salvation Army, you lift your hearts to God and your hands to whoever’s around you.

•   If you’re Quaker, you get real quiet.

•   If you’re Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), you raise one hand to the heavens as if you’re hailing a bus or waving a hankie.

•   If you’re Pentecostal, you lift both hands high above the head and make the wave. (By the way, do you know how they vote at Pentecostal conventions? They put their hands down.)

•   If you’re postmodern, you’ve done all of the above at one time or another.

Source- unknown

 

Well this past Sunday was a wrap –up worship service to conclude a week long Vacation Day Camp (VDC).  To our utmost joy, a few visiting families with children, who attended our VDC, showed up at worship.  During the week, these children learned several contemporary Christian songs and really got into it – hand motions, clapping, stomping, etc.  During worship, our Pastor showed a clip of the children singing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High.”  And us stoic, conservative, traditional, liturgical Lutherans watched as a young girl, perhaps 4 or 5 years old, in the front of the church, lifted her arms in praise as she was taught during VDC.  And the funny thing was that the Mother (who was also a visitor) realized that this was a bit out of place for us; so she tried to stop the little girl – but the girl was persistent!  Mom would put her hands down, and up they came again and again.  Arms up in a WELS service; who would have guessed!

 

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:2

“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Ps. 8:2

 

 

 

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Psalm 133 & 134 Reading

July 9, 2008 at 4:17 pm · Filed under Book V: 107-150 ·Tagged , ,

Psalm of the Day (Adapted from Psalms 133 & 134)

 

Here’s a responsive Psalm reading that also includes an integrated song:

Pastor:         Psalm 133 was sung by the Israelites as they went up to the temple in Jerusalem for religious festivals.  These pilgrimages were the highlight of the year for the Jewish people, since they were able to gather on Mt. Zion, the place where God had chosen to dwell among His people.

 

Psalm 133 celebrates the coming together of the Israelites in unity.  As people journeyed to Jerusalem from far away places, they sensed a common bond in their commitment to the Lord.  This union delighted the people, who experienced it as “good and pleasant.”

 

Congregation: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  (Ps 133:1)

 

Congregation Sings: We are one in the Spirit,

we are one in the Lord,

We are one in the Spirit

we are one in the Lord,

And we pray that all unity

may one day be restored:

 

And they’ll know we are Christians

By our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians

By our love.

 

Pastor:         The goodness is accentuated through the use of two-word pictures.  First, the unity of God’s people is:

 

Congregation: It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down the collar of his robes. (Ps 133:2)

 

Pastor:         The Psalmist envisions the anointing of Aaron, the first high priest of the Temple, focusing on the special oil that was saturated with aromatic spices.  This oil was not applied sparingly, but generously, covering Aaron and spreading its pungent fragrance everywhere.  It signified the outpouring of forgiveness upon his people.

 

Congregation Sings: We will walk with each other

we will walk hand in hand

we will walk with each other

we will walk hand in hand

and together we’ll spread the news

that God is in our land:

 

And they’ll know we are Christians

By our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians

By our love.

 

 

 

Pastor:         The second-word picture that illustrates the pleasantness of unity says that:

 

Congregation: “It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.”  (Ps 133:3a)

 

Pastor:         Mt. Hermon, which towers above the Northern part of the Holy land, received ample precipitation that filled streams and produced lush vegetation.  As the pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem, especially in the summer months, they would not be likely to enjoy actual rain.  But their unity as they gathered at Mt. Zion would be like the refreshment of the showers God poured out upon Mt. Hermon.

 

Both images in Psalm 133 involve liquid being poured out liberally, upon either the head of Aaron or the heights of Mt. Hermon.  When God’s people come together in unity to worship the Lord:

 

Congregation:  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore.  (Ps 133:3b)

 

Congregation Sings: We will work with each other

we will work side by side

We will work with each other

We will work side by side

We’ll respect people’s dignity

And in love abide.

 

And they’ll know we are Christians

By our love, by our love

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians

By our love.

 

 

Pastor:         Psalm 133 calls us all to unity in worship, promising rich blessings from God.  The New Testament frequently echoes this summons as well.  Jesus prays that his followers “may be one”, even as He is one with His father:

 

Congregation:  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.   (John 17:20, 21)

 

Pastor:         The Apostle Paul urges us to:

 

Congregation: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  (Eph 4:3)

 

Congregation Sings: All Praise to the Father

from whom all things come,

And all praise to Christ Jesus

His only Son,

and all praise to the Spirit

who makes us one:

 

And they’ll know we are Christians

By our love, by our love

Yes, They’ll know we are Christians

By our love.

 

Pastor:         Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.   (Ps134:1)

 

Congregation: (the Congregation may lift their arms in praise if desired while reading)

 

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.  (Ps134:2)

 

Pastor:         (with your arms lifted as in the Benediction)

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.  (Ps 134:3)

 

 

Sources:

 

  1. Pastor’s readings adapted from “Lyrical Poetry”, By Dr. Mark Roberts, “Worship Leader Magazine”, July 2008.
  2. All scripture text is NIV (Zondervan Publishing)
  3. “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, by Peter Scholtes, © 1996 F.E.L. Publications, Lorenz Publishing CO., CCLI #26997 for Church License No. 2600615

 

 

 

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