It is fitting that this would end up being my first blog post as it is the foremost reason I wanted to start writing in the first place. I of course want to post on other wonderful things like my little Eliora, what I'm sewing, glueing, painting, adoring, reading, cooking, and so on. But ever since I was asked to lead worship at First Baptist, I felt like God was leading me to write about the songs we are singing on Sundays.
I love my church. I love that I go to the church in which I grew up, was baptized, and was married... a church that still uses hymnals and has pews and a steeple. It isn't because a body of believers needs to be housed in any particular fashion - a warehouse, beach pier or backyard will do just fine for the people of God. I guess it's because we aren't ashamed to be "churchy" or old. I happen to like old (except when it comes to old movies - they just aren't my thing). And even though it makes planning the songs a pain sometimes, I kinda like that you don't see a big screen with Power Point on it...kinda.
Speaking of old, I heart hymns so so so very much. What depths of theological bliss can be found in them. In addition to hymns, I love, love modern hymns (especially from the Getty Family), vintage and new praise songs (Sovereign Grace rocks my world) and just about anything that combines accurate doctrine and beautiful music. I am passionate about expressing affection for God through our music while keeping His holiness and sovereignty in full view. There is a lot of worship music out there. Some should never EVER be sung... ever. And sometimes a new song is so killer-wonderful that I can't rest until we sing it together as a church family. I am extra-super-duper careful about the songs that I choose, so much so that I am thinking about what we are singing pretty much all week long.
Anyway, with all this thought and time and wracking my brain about whether to sing that new song that no one knows yet, it feels right to tell someone besides my dear husband about the songs we are singing every week. (I have THE best husband by the way.) So, here we are. I'd love to show you this Sunday's songs.
This week's Songs:
Come Thou Fount Words by Robert Robinson, 1757; Music: John Wyeth
All Creatures of Our God and King Words: Francis of Assisi, 1225. Music: 17th Century German
Bless His Holy Name By Andrae Crouch, 1973
I Will Glory in My Redeemer By Steve and Vikki Cook © 2001 Sovereign Grace Worship
And Can it Be That I Should Gain Words: Charles Wesley, 1738 Music: Thomas Campbell, 1825. Listen to Enfield leading us at Resolved.
No new songs this week. We've sung I Will Glory in My Redeemer once before so it is on the newish side. Such a great song. Listen to it here. I love the words that say, "I will glory in my Redeemer whose priceless blood has ransomed me, Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails, And hung Him on that judgment tree." I look forward to singing with you Sunday!
April, I love your blog and what you're doing with it! You get to write about worship, the overflow of your heart in worship and worship Him all at the same time!!! I agree some of the old hymns are the best - Cole and I went went to the service together this past weekend and we sang "Before The Throne". Afterwards he said, "Mom, I was about to cry tears of joy when we sang the second song. It was really weird, I've never done that before." I asked him what part of the song it was and he said the part - when Satan tempts me to dispair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see HIM there, who made an end of all my sin!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how God can and will move in our hearts through the truths in worship. There is nothing in Cole that would cause him to do that except for the Holy Spirit wooing him to how wonderful, how marvelous He is!
Can't wait to see more blogging!!! Love you!