Tapestry August 2018 by Easley Presbyterian Church

A Worship Magazine

Easley Presbyterian Church

Easley, SC

August 2018 Vol. 4 Issue 4

A common thread that joins us together with Christ and with each other.

Joy in the Journey We are starting a new season with a new theme: “Joy in the Journey.” One of my favorite “journey” bible verses comes from Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Trying to follow and walk by faith can sometimes be a frightening thing to do. The word of God is not a “Spotlight” shining out into the distance, it is a lamp at our feet. And in that is the faith — we do not see our destination, we do not even clearly see the path — we see a small, dimly lit step. But in the light of the word of God, that one step is enough. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Learning to trust god in each of those steps is the beginning of finding the Joy of trusting in God. Another favorite “journey” verses comes from Micah 6:8 — “What does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” When I was younger, there was a lot of thought and prayer about “finding the will of God for my life”. And there is was in the little book of Micah — do justice, love mercy, and walk with God. (Easier said than done). Some days, the journey is more successful than others, but “God’s mercies are new every morning”. Wait patiently for the light at my feet, step into the journey; love deeply; walk with God. There is a joy in the journey—led by Christ, encouraged by one another, inspired by beauty along the way. As many of you may know, one of my favorite singer/songwriters is Michael Card. I have song many of his songs in our worship services. Many years ago, he wrote a song “There is a Joy

in the Journey”. When I heard about this year’s theme, I immediately thought of this song. This is a devotion that Michael Card wrote about this song.

“Joy in the Journey” click on title to listen That first Easter was an ordinary day. A good number of the Jews were probably in an inn halfway between their hometowns and Jerusalem, returning to the ordinariness of their daily routines, wondering to themselves how the joy of Passover could have disappeared so quickly from their hearts, thinking back to the wonderful feast of Passover as they sat in the motel, eating their peanut butter sandwiches (or whatever was their “ordinary meal”). Jesus chose an ordinary day to transform the world and give us a chance to know joy. Joy is hard to find on ordinary days, in the routine of daily life. If real joy is to be found it must come from the outside. On those mystical occa(continued on the back page)

Sunday, August 5 “Reconciliation” Genesis 44:1-45:15

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said. As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’” When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.” “Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.” Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city. Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?” “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.” But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ “Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face click on title to listen again.’ When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said. apostle for food.’ fellowBut believers wascannot “brethren”. He used this term at least “Then The our father said, Paul’s ‘Go backfavorite and buy aname little more we said, ‘We go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see man’s epistles. face unlessPul’s our youngest brother is with us.’church “Your servant father said to family us, sixty times throughout his the various concept of the local was my a worshiping ‘You that my wife bore me two sons. One of to them went away fromdaily me, and I said,individual “He has surely been torn to piec-every —know the family of God. While we need worship God in our devotional lives, es.” And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down believer needs the enriching of Iworshiping and serving God and with onwhose a weekto the grave inalso misery.’ “So now, if the boy is experience not with us when go back to your servant my father, if others my father, life ly basis. Only a church of faithful worshiping members is prepared to do its work and fulfill its is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head ofwitness our father downworld. to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to in the you, I Our will bear the blame beforeboth you, my father, all my life!’ “Now then, please let your servant remain as my lord’s slave in worship of God, personally and corporately, should reflect these fivehere elements from Isaiplace of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not ah’s call, found in Isaiah 6: Recognition (vs 1), Praise (vs 3), Confession (vs 5), Pardon (vs 7), and let me see the misery that would come on my father.” Dedication (vs 8). Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my pres2 ThisSohymn tune: HOLY hashebeen favorite tune since it first appeared 1825.that the Egyptians ence!” there was no one withMANNA Joseph when made a himself known to his brothers. And he wept soinloudly —Osbeck 366still Inspiring Hymn heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am “Amazing Joseph! Is Grace my father living?” ButStories” his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Hymn Meditation: “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”

Hymn Meditation: “The Mighty God with Power Speaks”

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Psalm 29 offers something powerful. It’s no secret that intentional and mindful silence is one of the central practices of my life. It The Mighty God with power speaks, and all the world obeys; can be too easy to associate that From dawn until the setting sun, God’s wonder earth displays. practice with a tame view of God – The perfect beauty all around from Zion’s height shines forth; And stars across the firmament so brightly beam their worth. a safe view of God, and connect it God comes not with a silent form, but riding on the winds; before God’s to images such as those given in 1 Kings 19:12 where God is present face the raging storm its blast of thunder sends. All hail the Judge in bold array, whose promise is to bless; with Elijah in a gentle whisper Who sees our sins, yet also feels our thirst for righteousness. (ignoring the potency of what came before). This can lend itself to The heaven’s declare your justice, Lord, as endless as the sky; a familiarity that robs us of someAgainst the taunts of disbelief, our God will testify. Receive my heartfelt gift of thanks, as honor to your might; thing. The closeness that comes with Refresh my faith with each new day; protect me through the night. such an approach is important, and — Michael Morgan, 1999 should feed our very being, but it’s good to hold it in tension and also allow it to be fueled by something else – God’s awesomeness. Silence can and should be a response to God’s love, fueled by the desire to be in union with and shaped by Him. It’s a practice that puts aside all other things that seek to crowd out our sense of who we are, and it brings us back to the simple truth that we are loved – this should be the seat of our identity. But there is another understanding of God that gives that story of love its strength, stops it just from being an empty, warm fuzzy experience, and helps us to truly grasp its significance, bringing us to silence in another way – here’s where Psalm 29 steps in for me. You’ll notice Psalm 29 builds to this: The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning! The voice of the Lord shakes the desert… Sit with those words for a moment – sense the majesty and fearsomeness of them. The Psalm builds this awesome (in the true sense of the word) image of God, smashes through with that quote, then drives the point home, finishing on this very God giving strength to, and blessing his people. The Psalmist leaves no question – God is big, awesome, mighty, powerful and anything but tame and safe. This is the creator of the universe. His majesty is all engulfing. When I truly consider this it makes me tremble and I ‘get’ the idea that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). This isn’t the sort of fear that is known in the terror I felt as a child waking up from nightmares drenched in sweat and so scared I couldn’t scream though I wanted to – a terror that crushes the heart. Rather, Psalm 29 shows us an awe that makes me tremble, leaves my voice quivering and my heart beating fast and it leaves only one response – a silence entered into on my knees. This awe of God makes me mirror the words of Job: I am unworthy – how can I reply

4 to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer – twice, but I will say no more. And it draws me to the question uttered by the Psalmist (Psalm 8:4): …what is mankind that you are mindful of them [me], human beings that you care for them? That fearsome majesty of God puts things into perspective, brings me to silence and it’s in the knowledge of that power and strength that the wonder of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and love become truly potent. Out of that silence my gut response is to mirror the sentiment of the shout of ‘Glory!’ in verse 9. The God who could crush all chooses to whisper to us and out of who He is, chose to become one of us. Then through that becoming, He draws us into union with Himself. In that process I see who I am – the good, the bad and the ugly and am freed from that which binds me. I am made new. The beauty of it all begins not with God being small, tame and familiar, but with God being big, powerful, majestic and all encompassing – to the point where it should cause our knees to knock together in awe. When I truly sit with Psalm 29, it does this for me. It’s this that makes the story of Jesus and our union with Him a thing of wonder, and truly transforming. — Rev. Francis Richie “Exploring the Journey of Life and faith”

Hymn Meditation: “Goodness is Stronger Than Evil”

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Born in 1931 in South Africa, Desmond Tutu established a career in education before turning to theology, ultimately becoming one of the world's most prominent spiritual leaders. In 1978 Tutu was appointed general secretary of his country's Council of Churches and became a leading spokesperson for the rights of black South Africans. During the 1980s he played an almost unrivaled role in drawing national and international attention to the iniquities of apartheid, and in 1984 he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. He later chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and has continued to draw attention to a number of social justice issues over the years. In 1985, Tutu was appointed the Bishop of Johannesburg, and a year later he became the first black person to hold the highest position in the South African Anglican Church when he was chosen as the Archbishop of Cape Town. In 1987 he was also named the president of the All Africa Conference of Churches, a position he held until 1997. In no small part due to Tutu's eloquent advocacy and brave leadership, in 1993 South African apartheid finally came to an end, and in 1994 South Africans elected Nelson Mandela as their first black president. The honor of introducing the new president to the nation fell to the archbishop. President Mandela also appointed Tutu to head the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, tasked with investigating and reporting on the atrocities committed by both sides in the struggle over apartheid. Desmond Tutu stands among the world's foremost human rights activists. Like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., his teachings reach beyond the specific causes

5 for which he advocated to speak for all oppressed peoples' struggles for equality and freedom. Perhaps what makes Tutu so inspirational and universal a figure is his unshakable optimism in the face of overwhelming odds and his limitless faith in the ability of human beings to do good. "Despite all of the ghastliness in the world, human beings are made for goodness," he once said. "The ones that are held in high regard are not militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They have a commitment to try and make the world a better place." Desmond Mpilo Tutu was one the central forces in the dismantling of the apartheid state which kept a white elite in power over the black majority in South Africa for nearly five decades, causing untold death and suffering. “Desmond Tutu’s voice,” said Nelson Mandela recently, “will always be the voice of the voiceless” Desmond Tutu is a man who laughs and cries easily. Behind that lurks a man of huge imagination, sensitivity, humility and wisdom. Asked to sum up his message he once said: “Goodness is stronger than evil; Love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness Life is stronger than death.”

Hymn Meditation: “Live into Hope”

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So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17–18) Why does the writer of Hebrews encourage us to hold fast to our hope? If the final enjoyment of our hope was obtained and irrevocably secured by the blood of Jesus, then why does God tell us to hold fast? The answer is this:  What Christ bought for us when he died was not the freedom from having to hold fast, but the enabling power to hold fast.  What he bought was not the nullification of our wills as though we didn’t have to hold fast, but the empowering transformation of our wills so that we want to hold fast.  What he bought was not the canceling of the commandLive into hope of captives freed, ment to hold fast, but the fulfillment of the commandment to Of sight regained, the end of greed. hold fast. The oppressed shall be the first to see The year of God’s own jubilee!  What he bought was not the end of exhortation, but the triumph of exhortation. Live into hope! The blind shall see With insight and with clarity; He died so that you would do exactly what Paul did in Philippians 3:12, “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Removing shades of pride and fear, Jesus has made me his own.” It is not foolishness, it is the gospel, A vision of our God brought near. Live into hope of liberty, to tell a sinner to do what Christ alone can enable him to do; The right to speak, the right to be, namely, hope in God. The right to have one’s daily bread, So, I exhort you with all my heart: Reach out and take hold of To hear God’s word and thus be fed. that for which you have been taken hold of by Christ. Hold it fast with all your might — which is his might. His blood-bought Live into hope of captives freed From chains of fear or want or greed. gift of your obedience. God now proclaims our full release To faith and hope and joy and peace. — Jane Parker Huber, 1976

Sunday, August 12 “Grief” Genesis 49:28-50:14

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. 29 Then he gave them these instructions: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites.[p]” 33 When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people. 50 Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, 3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. 4 When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, 5 ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’” 6 Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— 8 besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. 9 Chariots and horsemen[a] also went up with him. It was a very large company. 10 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. 11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.[b] 12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: 13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 14 After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

Hymn Meditation: “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” (click title to listen) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 This hymn was written by Joachim Neander, born in 1650, whose father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and greatgreat-grandfather — all Joachim Neanders — had been preachers. But this Joachim had a rebellious streak and at Earth to heaven exalt the strain, Alleluia! 20, he and a group of students ransacked a church during Send it, heaven, to earth again, Alleluia! the worship service. The preacher at that church reached Age to age, God’s mercies trace, Alleluia! out to him and changed his views. A few years later, JoaPraise God’s providence and grace! Alleluia! chim was assistant preacher at that very church. Strings and voices, hands and hearts, Alleluia! Joachim would often take long walks in Hochdal, GerIn the concert, bear your parts, Alleluia! many. He called them worship walks where he would pray All the breathes, your Lord adore, Alleluia! and meditate and often write hymns as he walked. Singing praise forevermore, Alleluia! He wrote this hymn while battling tuberculosis at age 30. — Henry Francis Lyte, 1836 He died later that same year. “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation. O my soul praise Him, for He is Thy health and Salvation.” Praise the Lord! God’s glories show, Alleluia! Saints within God’s courts below, Alleluia! Angels round the throne above, Alleluia! All who see and share God’s love. Alleluia!

—from “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan

Anthem Meditation: “There is a Time” (click title to listen)

There is a time, there is a season

The book of Ecclesiastes has this beautiful poetic section on For every purpose under heaven: time— a time and season for every purpose under heaven. God A time to born, a time to die, A time to plant, a time to reap, has created and ordained time. A time to kill, a time to heal, Chronos and kairos are both Greek words referring to kinds of A time to destroy, a time to build. time. Chronos is the ordinary, measured time in which we live: the There is a time, there is a time. passing of days and years, the human division of time into hours A time to weep, a time to laugh, and minutes. Kairos, on the other hand, stands outside ordinary A time to mourn, a time to dance, time. Kairos is the To scatter stones, to gather stones, fullness of time, de- A time to embrace, and to refrain, A time to search, a time to lose, cisive time, or God’s A time to hold, a time to release. time. The earliest There is a time, there is a time. portions of the New time for silence, a time to speak. Testament are full of A A time to love, a time to hate this kairos—time. A time for war, a time for peace. “The time (kairos) is There is a time, there is a time. — Ecc. 3:1-8 fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.” (Mark 1:15) The composer of this anthem, Craig Courtney writes: “On January 30, 1995, as I was preparing the manuscript of There Is a Time to mail to the Tri-Valley Sacred Choral festival headquarters, I received a phone call from my sister, Connie, informing me that my father had died twenty minuets earlier after an eight-month struggle with cancer. The words of Ecclesiastes 3

8 took on unusual poignancy as the significance of that phone call penetrated my mind and emotions. It is my prayer that this anthem will be a reminder of god’s presence and grace in all the times of our lives.” This week, let us enter into God’s space, and God’s time, and worship with our whole heart and mind.

Hymn: “Sometimes a Light Surprises” click on title to listen

William Cowper (November 26, 1731 – April 25, 1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. Like so many other creative minds, he suffered from periods of severe depression, and spent much of his adult life in and out of institutions. However, these times of deep despair and his faith in a healing and saving Lord, led to the writing of these very personal and inspiring texts — texts not filled with despair, but of hope. In the city of Olney, John Newton (“Amazing Grace”) invited Cowper to contribute to a hymnbook that Newton was compiling. The resulting volume known as Olney Hymns was not published until 1779 but includes hymns such as "Praise for the Fountain Opened" (beginning "There is a fountain fill'd with blood") and "Light Shining out of Darkness" (beginning "God moves in a Sometimes a light surprises the child of God who sings; mysterious way") which remain some of It is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings; Cowper's most familiar verses. Several of When comforts are declining he grants the soul again Cowper's hymns, as well as others originally A season of clear shining to cheer it after rain. published in the "Olney Hymns," are today In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue preserved in the Sacred Harp, including The theme of God’s salvation and find it ever new; “Sometimes a light surprises.” Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say, “Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.”

It can bring with it nothing but he will bear us through; Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe his people too; Beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed; And he who feeds the ravens will give his children bread. Though vine nor fig tree neither their longed-for fruit should bear, Though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there, Yet god the same abiding, his praise shall tune my voice; For while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

— William Cowper, 1779

Hymn Meditation: “We Come to you For healing, Lord” click on title to listen

On November 19, 1863, two well-known men gave speeches at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The featured speaker, Edward Everett, was a former congressman, governor, and president of Harvard University. Considered one of the greatest orators of his day, Mr. Everett delivered a formal address lasting 2 hours. He was followed by President Abraham Lincoln, whose speech lasted 2 minutes. Today, Lincoln’s speech, the Gettysburg Address, is widely known and quoted, while Everett’s words have almost been forgotten. It is not just Lincoln’s eloquent brevity that accounts for this. On that occasion, his words touched the wounded spirit of a nation fractured by civil war, offering hope for the days to come. Words do not have to be many to be meaningful. What we call the Lord’s Prayer is among the shortest and most memorable of all the teachings of Jesus. It brings help and healing as it reminds us that God is our heavenly Father whose power is at work on earth, just as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:9-10). He provides food, forgiveness, and fortitude for each day (vv.11-13). And all honor and glory belong to Him (v.13). There is nothing in our past, present, and future that is not included in our Lord’s brief words that help and heal. How easy it is to use many words And give little thought to the things you say; So willingly yield your lips to the Lord And hearts will be blest by them every day. —D. DeHaan —By David C. McCasland , “Our Daily Bread”

We come to you for healing, Lord, Of body, mind, and soul, And pray that by your Spirit’s touch We may again be whole.

Through nights of pain, and wakefulness, Through days when strength runs loe, Grant us your gift of patience, Lord, With calming peace to know.

As once you walked through ancient streets And reached toward those in pain, We come to you, O loving Lord, We know you come among us still In our distress and pain, With power to heal again. In trust that through our nights and days Your grace will heal, sustain. — Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. 2002 You touch us through physicians’ skills, Through nurses’ gifts of care, And through the love of faithful friends Who lift our lives in prayer.

Sunday, August 19 “All Along It was God” Genesis 50:15-21

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Hymn Meditation: “To God Be the Glory” Fanny Jane Crosby was born of humble parents at Southeast, New York, on March 24, 1823. She was blinded at the age of six weeks by improper medical treatment. Throughout her lifetime she was a faithful member of the St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church in New York To God be the glory, great things he hath done! City. She was educated at the New York school So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, for the blind. From 1847 to 1858 she served as a And opened the lifegate that all may go in. teacher at this school. In 1858, she married a blind musician, Alexander Van Alstyne, a highly Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, respected teacher of music at the institution for let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, the blind. Through the influence of a well-known let the people rejoice! church musician, William Bradbuy, she began, O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, in her early forties to write gospel song lyrics in and give him the glory, great things he hath done! earnest. Fanny Crosby never wrote a hymn text O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, without first kneeling in earnest prayer asking for To every believer the promise of God; divine guidance. The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth Great things he hath taught us, hear his voice! Great things he hath done, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the peo- And great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be ple rejoice! Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. O Come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, And give him the glory, great things he hath — Fanny J. Crosby done!”

Anthem Meditation: “Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name” (click title to listen) The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. — 1 Kings 19:11-13

We have had some powerful storms the last several nights. It certainly gets your attention! A storm would certainly be an extraordinary way for God to call us out of our ordinary lives that distract us from following him. But in this story, God is not in the storm, or the earthquake, or the fire. God is in the whisper. And that is remarkable. There is also an amazing power in speaking a person’s name. It says that you know them. To know someone by name, implies that you know about them and care enough to learn more. The story does not tell us what the whisper said, but something made it clear to Elijah that Hush, hush, somebody’s callin’ my name. God was in the still, Hush. Somebody’s callin’ my name. small voice. Perhaps it Hush, hush, somebody’s callin’ my name. was the whisper of his O, my Lord, o, my Lord, what shall I do? name. I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always. I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always. I’m so glad that trouble don’t last always. O, my Lord, o, my Lord, what shall I do? I’m so glad I got my ‘ligion in time. I’m so glad I got my ‘ligion in time. I’m so glad I got my ‘ligion in time. O, my Lord, o, my Lord, what shall I do? I’m so glad. The Lord breathed life in me. I’m so glad. The Lord breathed life in me. O, my Lord, o, my Lord, what shall I do? Hush, hush, somebody’s callin’ my name. Hush. Somebody’s callin’ my name. Hush, hush, somebody’s callin’ my name. O, my Lord, o, my Lord, what shall I do?

— Traditional Spiritual

Listen. Really listen. Can you hear the whisper?

Lord, you have called us. Lord, you have called us by our name. Lord, you have whispered. Lord, you have called us in Your name. Lord, we come to your table. Fill us. Clear the clutter and noise from our lives so that we can more clearly hear and respond to your most powerful and loving whisper. Amen.

Hymn Meditation: “God of Our Life” click on title to listen

God of our life, through all the circling years, we trust in thee. In all the past, through all our hopes and fears, thy hand we see. With each new day, when morning lifts the veil, We own thy mercies, Lord, which never fail.

When I am asked how I’m doing as a man God of the past, our times are in thy hands. With us abide. in his eighties, I reply, “My life moves along Lead us by faith to hope’s true promised land. Be thou our guide contentedly in well-worn grooves.” As I obWith thee to bless, the darkness shines as light, serve my friends and neighbors around me, I And faith’s fair vision changes into sight. realize that most of them are also following a God of the coming years, through paths unknown we follow thee. basic routine. Although not trapped on a When we are strong, Lord, leave us not alone, Our refuge be. treadmill, they are working at their jobs, raisBe thou for us in life our daily bread, ing families, and serving in their churches. Our heart’s true home when all our years have sped. — Hugh Thomson Kerr, 1916 There’s nothing necessarily heroic or exciting about their lives, nor is there about mine. This reminds me of the response of the astute American statesman Bernard Baruch when asked who he thought was the greatest personality of our age. With great wisdom at age 94 he said: “The fellow who does his job every day. The mother who has children and gets up to get them breakfast, keep them clean, and send them off to school. The fellow who keeps the streets clean. . . . The unknown soldiers—millions of them.” The apostle Paul also emphasized the importance of faithfulness in everyday life. He urged his fellow believers to settle down, lead a quiet life, and provide for their own families (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:8). Most of us are ordinary Christians who live routine lives. Yet, our extraordinary God wants all of us to be everyday disciples who are faithful and fruitful. May it be so! —”Our Daily Bread”

Hymn Meditation: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” click on title to listen “For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for your name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 Throughout the centuries the Welsh people have been recognized as one of the most enthusiastic groups of singers in the world. Wales is known as a land of song. This Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, hymn is a product of that fine musical heritage. Pilgrim through this barren land. During the early part of the 18th century, a young Welsh preacher, WilI am weak, but thou art mighty; liam Williams, became known as “the sweet singer of Wales.” Although Hold me with thy powerful hand. he was greatly respected as a preacher, it was as a hymn writer that he Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, made his greatest impact. He wrote over 800 hymns — all in the Welsh Feed me till I want no more. language. Unfortunately, most of William’s hymns are untranslated, and Open now the crystal fountain, this is the only hymn that is widely sung today. Whence the healing stream doth flow; “Guide Me” first appeared in a hymnal in 1745. It was translated and Let the fire and cloudy pillar published in English in 1771. Lead me all my journey through. The imagery of the hymn is taken from the forty-year journey of the Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, Be thou still my strength and shield. Israelites to the promised land and compares that journey to the Christian life. When I tread the verge of Jordan, The tune was written in 1907 by John Hughes, a noted Welsh composBid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell's destruction, er. This is one of the most popular hymn tunes in Wales. Land me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee. —William Williams

Sunday, August 26 Rally Day “Joy in the Journey” Isaiah 55:12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Hymn Meditation: “Joyful, Joyful” click on title to listen

While gazing at the magnificent Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, Henry van Dyke described in “Joyful, Joyful,” the many aspects of life that should bring us joy. He insisted that his text, written in 1911, be sung to the music of “Hymn of Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This combination of words and great music makes “Joyful, Joyful” one of the most joyous expressions of any hymn in the English language. One of the forceful ideas expressed by van Dyke is that Go’s gracious love for us should create a greater “brother love” for all of mankind. With God’s help we can become victorious over strife and be “lifted to the joy divine” as we daily show more love to others. Henry van Dyke was a distinguished Presbyterian minister. He also served as ambassador to Holland and Luxembourg under Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, ever blessing, ever blest, God of glory, Lord of love; well-spring of the joy of living, President Wilson. hearts unfold like flowers before thee, ocean depth of happy rest! He later served as opening to the sun above. Thou our Father, Christ our brother, a professor of literMelt the clouds of sin and sadness; all who live in love are thine; ature at Princeton drive the dark of doubt away. teach us how to love each other, University. Even Giver of immortal gladness, lift us to the joy divine. with all of the acfill us with the light of day! Mortals, join the mighty chorus colades, this simAll thy works with joy surround thee, which the morning stars began; ple hymn of praise earth and heaven reflect thy rays, love divine is reigning o'er us, stands as his greatstars and angels sing around thee, binding all within its span. est achievement center of unbroken praise. Ever singing, march we onward, Field and forest, vale and mountain, victors in the midst of strife; and for which he is flowery meadow, flashing sea, joyful music leads us sunward, best remembered. chanting bird and flowing fountain, in the triumph song of life. What could possi— Henry van Dyke call us to rejoice in thee. bly be better than Thou art giving and forgiving, to leave a legacy of joyful praise.

Hymn Meditation: “We Walk by Faith and not by Sight” click on title to listen We walk by faith and not by sight; With gracious words draw near, O Christ, who spoke as none e’er spoke: “My peace with you here.” We may not touch your hands and side, Nor follow where you trod; But in your promise we rejoice And cry, “My Lord and God!” Help then, O Lord, our unbelief; And may our faith abound To call on you when you are near And seek where you are found. And when our life of faith is done, In realms of clearer light May we behold you as you are, With full and endless sight.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you

—Henry Alford, 1844

doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31 ESV) We have all dreamt of doing something great for God. These dreams might involve some form of sacrifice or great leap of faith. We see others around us who have sold everything to follow Jesus as a missionary in some far corner of the world and view them as a person of great faith. We maybe even aspire to be like them. Consider this, if we had been sitting in that boat with Peter, we would have thought he was brimming with faith as he began to climb out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. But suddenly, something even stranger happened and Peter began to sink.That courage and faith he had in Jesus was getting smaller as he saw the wind and the waves getting bigger. With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, Shall I come before Him with yearling calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, With ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my first-born for my transgressions, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man; He has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice And to love kindness, And to walk humbly, Walk humbly with your God?

A true measure of a person’s faith then is not just the first step of their faith journey, but the subsequent steps thereafter. We deal with this every time we get excited about something, starting any given project only to stop halfway through because it was much more difficult than anticipated. The same thing happens when we believe Jesus would have us do something. We start doing it and it doesn’t turn out like we thought it would, or the ministry isn’t immediately growing, we begin to sink, losing faith in and sight of Jesus. What we must realize is that if Jesus has called us to make a first step, then he will provide a path for each step toward him after that. —“Daily Devotions”

Hymn: “You Shall Go out with Joy” click on title to listen "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth before you; forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into sing- There’ll be shouts of joy, and all the field will clap ing, and all the trees of the field shall clap Will clap their hands. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands; their hands." (Isaiah 55:12) The trees of the field will clap their hands; Praise and Joy are related! They can be The trees of the field will clap their hands manifest in many ways . . . smiles, laughWhile you go out with joy. —Steffi Geiser Rubin, 1975 ter, clapping, dancing, singing. But if we withhold our praise, the Bible tells us that even the rocks will cry out because His presence demands praise! The trees are a wonderful example of praise . . . when the morning mist is settled upon their leaves, their branches are seen reaching toward heaven, glimmering in the sunlight, drinking in the freshness each new morning gives them. In that they find the strength to reach just a little higher than the day before as a result of the nourishing and refreshing they receive as daily provision from their Maker! In the noontime when the sun is hot and bearing down upon them, their branches can be seen reaching even a little higher. Trees respond to the blistering heat of the midday sun by reaching toward it, not holding back away from it, knowing that the fiery trial brings with it an invitation and provision for growth and health like no other time of day! The heat actually provokes praise! But, finally, in the peaceful evening of the day when the sun is painting the sky with the artistry unequalled by mankind, setting and calm rests upon its busy boughs, the trees are still pointing toward the heavens. Gently hushed from the day's winds and heat, having been a magnificent dwelling place for the birds and a refreshing shade for the grass, the tree still stands still, rooted, and grounded never ceasing their example of total praise and adoration of the Creator! Trees respond to the presence of sunlight . . . the leaves can almost be seen following the sun as it changes position in the heavens during the course of each day! From trees we can learn a wonderful lesson! By following the sun (the Son) we have the opportunity to find ourselves responding to His presence moment by moment during the day with an attitude of praise. As we practice His presence and respond with heartfelt praise, the rocks will never have to be disturbed from their place of rest to cry out in our place!

sions when joy comes to us from beyond, the ordinary is transformed into a vehicle for true joy. The entire world can be transformed in a moment. A trip to the grocery store can quickly change into an adventure. Changing a dirty diaper can become a meaningful demonstration of divine love. A hotel room can be transformed in an instant into a holy place where you might even be confronted with the risen Lord. Jesus saves us not only from our sin and ourselves. He also saves us from our ordinariness. He transforms the drudgery of daily existence into a wonderful journey with Him. We see with new eyes, hear with new ears. An ordinary voice can become sweet. A simple flower is seen to possess the mystery of life. We find meaning where there was no meaning before, precisely because Jesus brings new meaning to everything, even the most meaningless of days. We find joy where before there was only dullness of heart because beyond ourselves, Jesus has come, the true bringer of joy. C.S.Lewis was drawn to Christ through an experience he described as being “surprised by joy.” Lewis’s first experience of joy came via the ordinary. His brother, Warren, had fashioned a toy garden from the top of a biscuit tin. Once in those very early days, my brother brought into the nursery the lid of a biscuit tine which he had covered with moss and garnished with twigs and flowers so as to make it a toy garden or a toy forest. It was the first beauty I ever knew…” There is a joy in the journey. As long as I live, my imagination of Paradise will reThere’s a light we can love on the way. tain something of my brother’s toy garden. Thee is a wonder and wildness to life, The Lord used that ordinary piece of tin to create And freedom for those who obey. an experience so powerful that it shaped the mind And all those who seek it shall find it of Christianity’s greatest writer. Having briefly tasted A pardon for all who believe. it as a boy, his life became preoccupied with findA hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind. ing that source of joy for which his heart ached. He finally found it, almost a lifetime later, in the love of To all who’ve been born of the Spirit, And who share incarnation with him, Christ. Lewis’s hunger for joy was not satisfied until Who belong to eternity, he found love for joy is simply another word for love. Stranded in time, In one of Jesus’ final words to his disciples and to And weary of struggling with sin. us He spoke of love and joy: Forget not the hope that’s before you, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. And never stop counting the cost. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, Remember the hopelessness when you were lost? you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have There is a joy in the journey. There’s a light we can love on the way. told you this so that my joy may be in you and that Thee is a wonder and wildness to life, your joy may be complete. My command is this: And freedom for those who obey. Love each other as I have loved you.” —Michael Card —-Michael Card, “Immanuel: reflections on the Life of Christ”