A Worship Magazine
Easley Presbyterian Church
Easley, SC
September 2017 Vol. 3 Issue 5
A common thread that joins us together with Christ and with each other.
Koinonia And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2;42-47 The Greek word, Koinonia, is defined as Christian Fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians. As we begin a new church year, it is easy to reflect on all the ways that we experience koinonia at Easley Presbyterian Church. Whether we are sharing a meal around the tables at Wonderful Wednesday, studying and discussing God’s Word in Sunday School or playing on the playground in the big backyard, we are experiencing koinonia.
When high school youth gather on Sunday nights to learn, play, and fellowship, we are experiencing koinonia. When choirs rehearse, pray together and add songs of praise to our weekly worship, we are experiencing koinonia. When children are singing, playing, creating, acting, learning, and laughing at VBS or Wonderful Wednesdays, we are experiencing koinonia. When adults call children and youth by name and say to them, “You are a beloved child of God,” we are experiencing koinonia.. When we pass one another in the halls, worship outdoors, and enhoy BBQ together, we are experiencing koinonia. When God’s people gather around the communion table, pass the bread and the cup, or welcome a newly baptized baby to our fold, we are experiencing koinonia.
When women gather in small groups for bible study and missions or men gather over coffee and biscuits, we are experiencing koinonia.
In all these ways and many more we clearly experience this mysterious, beautiful, and wonderful fellowship/communion with God and with each
When middle school youth walk to the church on Wednesday or go on retreat, we are experiencing koinonia.
This is our “Common Thread” out tapestry that binds us together in worship and fellowship.
other.
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Sunday, September 3 “A Helper Fit for Genesis 2:18-25
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
Hymn Meditation: “To God Be the Glory” click on title to listen
To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, Who yielded his life an atonement for sin, Fanny Jane Crosby was born of humble And opened the lifegate that all may go in. parents at Southeast, New York, on March 24, 1823. She was blinded at the age of six weeks Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, by improper medical treatment. Throughout let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, her lifetime she was a faithful member of the let the people rejoice! St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church in New O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, York City. She was educated at the New York and give him the glory, great things he hath done! school for the blind. From 1847 to 1858 she O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, served as a teacher at this school. In 1858, To every believer the promise of God; she married a blind musician, Alexander Van The vilest offender who truly believes, Alstyne, a highly respected teacher of music That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. at the institution for the blind. Through the Great things he hath taught us, influence of a well-known church musician, Great things he hath done, William Bradbuy, she began, in her early And great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; forties to write gospel song lyrics in earnest. But purer, and higher, and greater will be Fanny Crosby never wrote a hymn text Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. without first kneeling in earnest prayer asking — Fanny J. Crosby for divine guidance.
3 “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O Come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, And give him the glory, great things he hath done!”
Hymn Meditation: “Your Love, O God, Has Called Us Here”
click on title to listen
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possesO gracious God, you consecrate sions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do All that is lovely, good, and true. not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is Bless those who in your presence wait not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on And every day their love renew. its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes O God of love, inspire our life, Reveal your will in all we do; all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Join every husband, every wife But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, In mutual love and love for you they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we — Russell Schiltz-Widmar, 1982 know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. — I Cor. 13
Your love, O God, has called us here, For all love finds its source in you, The perfect love that casts out fear, The love that Christ makes ever new.
The familiar words of this hymn are a paraphrase of I Corinthians 13. The haunting melody is a traditional English tune: O WALY WALY. This pairing of text and tune were arranged by Hal Hopson, a wellknown arranger of church music. Mr. Hopson lives in Dallas Texas, and currently has over 1000 published arrangements for church music.
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Anthem Meditation: “More Love” click on title to listen These days most folks know about the Shakers from their crafts and furniture. Like the functional design of their furniture, their music employed the same care and skill. Shaker tunes were both simple and singable. And their music had a longer history, from the time of the first Shaker leaders in the 1780's to the 20th More love, more love, the heavens are blessing The Angels are calling, “O Zion, more love.” century. During these centuries, thousands of songs, If ye love not each other in daily communion, hymns and anthems were composed and sung by Shaker How can ye love God whom ye have not seen. More love, more love, the heavens are blessing brethren and sisters. And like their religion, Shaker music The Angels are calling, “O Zion, more love.” has always been a central aspect of their culture. Music was of the utmost importance to a group that — Shaker text believed in dancing in worship. As more than 20,000 songs were written by a large cross-section of the Shakers, much can be learned about the Shakers from the tunes and lyrics. Music was one of few means of artistic expression, and many of the Shaker songs are achingly beautiful. Many have a haunting, almost otherworldly quality to them. Shaker music was always performed a cappella (without instruments) from the early beginnings until the latter 1800s, because the Shakers thought one could not improve upon the most perfect instrument, God's instrument - the voice - with anything man-made. Singing meetings were held usually on weekdays but also sometimes on Sunday mornings before the Sabbath service to perfect the singing of the anthem designated for the later service held in the village meeting house. The first Shaker songs were wordless tunes which were hummed, usually as accompaniment to the early dances. Shaker songs remained wordless until the field of religious music as a whole was influenced by "The Great Awakening" in New England and by the Great or Kentucky Revival in the west. From the incipiency of the Shaker movement, dancing, or "laboring" under operations of the spirit was an essential element of Shaker worship. The Shakers found several reasons to add dance to their worship. They found 19 scripture passages that said they should dance for the Lord and also reasoned that God created the whole body not just the mouth and hands and therefore they should praise the Lord with their whole bodies. The communal family often gathered in their family meeting room to worship during the weekday evenings, at first in spontaneous, individual dancing, and later to practice intricate dance steps. Shaker Sabbath worship was unique, and yet in the early days followed the form dictated by spiritual influence on each individual and was therefore purely natural. Shakers shared their devotional feelings in worship as they shared every other aspect of their communal lives. Full participation in worship meant worshipping with one's whole body and soul, expressed through dancing, singing, and other exercises, rather than merely repeating time-worn phrases. The Shaker song More Love comes from Canterbury, New Hampshire, where it appeared in Selection of Devotional Melodies in 1876.
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Hymn Meditation: “We Are One in the Spirit”click on title to listen 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. 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.
Jesus prayed, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." -John 17:23 (NIV)
“THE wooded slope was ablaze with autumn colors - fiery reds and oranges, vivid yellows and golds. Occasional splashes of green added to the chorus of color. God's masterpiece! I thought. We will work with each other; we will work side by side; Only God could create individual colors We will work with each other; we will work side by side; And we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride: and blend them together to produce a And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love landscape of breathtaking beauty like Yes, They’ll know we are Christians by our love. this. The Body of Christ is like that multicolAll praise to the father, from whom all things come, ored forest. God has created individuals And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son, And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one: with unique personalities and expects us And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love to work together, portraying unity for the Yes, They’ll know we are Christians by our love. world to see. Some people are visionar—Peter Scholtes, 1966 ies, while others possess the ability to fulfill plans. Some folks are bubbly and impulsive while others are quiet by nature, proceeding only after careful thought and prayer. Some people are gifted leaders, while others prefer to serve behind the scenes. Our response to people's differences can strengthen unity or destroy it. Does the world see unity when it looks at our churches? If not, what can we do to change that? Just as the hillside's colors combined to create a beautiful picture, so the Body of Christ is most glorious when we work together in unity. — Grace Fox (British Columbia, Canada)
Prayer: Dear God, help us to appreciate the uniqueness of others. May those around us see unity when they look at the Body of Christ. Amen. —- Upper Room Devotions, September 8, 2003
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Sunday, September 10 “Crime…” Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Hymn Meditation:“Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” (click title to listen)
Joseph Hart, author of “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”, was born in London in 1712. He was raised in a Christian home, but he turned away from the church in his twenties. He even described himself as a “monstrous sinner.” He wrote, “I ran such dangerous lengths both of carnal and of spiritual wickedness that I outwent Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, Weak and wounded, sick and sore; professed infidels.” Joseph even wrote an anti-Christian pamphlet Jesus ready stands to save you, entitled “The Unreasonableness of Religion,” in response to a ser- Full of pity, love, and power. mon John Wesley preached from Romans 8. Finally, at age forty-five, after a serious bout with depression, his I will arise and go to Jesus, heart was turned again to Christ, after attending a Moravian ser- He will embrace me in his arms. In the arms of my dear Savior, vice on Pentecost Sunday 1757. “Such a light and comfort flowed O, there are ten thousand charms. into my heart, as no words can paint.” Soon Joseph was writing Christian poems which became very Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome; popular. He entered into ministry and served in a meetinghouse in God’s free bounty glorify, London until his death in 1768. By then, he was so beloved that True belief and true repentance, Every grace that brings you nigh. 20,000 people attended his funeral. His greatest hymn is an expression of his testimony: “I will arise Come, ye weary, heavy laden, and go to Jesus, he will embrace me in his arms. In the arms of my Lost and ruined by the fall; If you tary till you’re better, dear Savior, O , there are ten thousand charms.” you will never come at all. —Kenneth W. Osbeck “101 Hymn Sotires” As you sing this hymn, note how the verses are a call to come Let not conscience make you linger, to the loving arms of Christ and the refrain is the responsive decla- Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness he requireth ration of entering into those embracive arms. Is to feel your need of him.
— Joseph Hart
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Anthem Meditation: “Amazing Grace/Pachelbel’s Canon” click on title to listen “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forAmazing grace! How sweet the sound giveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” That saved a wretch like me! Ephesians 1:7 I once was lost but now am found; Was blind but now I see!
It’s hard to shake off a mother’s influence. John New- Twas grace that taught my heart to fear ton’s earliest memories were of his godly mother, who de- And grace my fears relieved; spite fragile health, devoted herself to nurturing his soul. At How precious did that grace appear her knee he memorized Bible passages and hymns. Though The hour I first believed. she died when he was about seven, he later recalled her When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun; tearful prayers for him. After her death, John alternated between boarding We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun. Amen. school and the high seas, wanting to live a good life but — John Newton nonetheless falling deeper and deeper into sin. Pressed into service with the British Navy, he deserted, was captured, and after two days of suspense, was flogged. His subsequent thought vacillated between murder and suicide. “I was capable of anything.” He recalled. More voyages, dangers, toils, and snares followed. It was a life unrivaled in fiction. Then, on the night of March 9, 1748, was jolted awake by a brutal storm that descended too suddenly for the crew to foresee. The next day, a great peril, he cried to the Lord. He later wrote, “That tenth of March is a day much remembered by me; and I have never suffered it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748 — the Lord came from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.” The next several years saw slow, halting spiritual growth in John, but in the end he became one of the most powerful preachers in British history, a powerful foe of slavery, and the author of hundreds of hymns. Here are some things that you may not know about Newton’s most famous hymn. His original title was “Faith’s Review and Expectation.” (Catchy huh?) It is based in Newton’s study of 1 Chronicles 17:16-17: “King David...said: ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that you have brought me this far? And yet… you have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of high degree…” The final stanza in most hymnals, “When We’ve been there. Ten thousand years…” was not originally a part of this hymn and was not written by John Newton. It was an editorial mistake that occurred many, many years later. An editor of a new hymnal included John Newton’s text, but also included the final stanza and another hymn that had been printed beside “Amazing Grace.” By the time this “mistake” was found, the hymn was already in wide circulation and the included stanza became adopted into Newton’s hymn.
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Hymn: “Lord Jesus, Think on Me” click on title to listen When Compassion Arrives Lord Jesus, think on me, and purge away my sin. From earthborn passions set me free, and make me pure within. Lord Jesus, think on me, amid the battle’s strife. In all my pain and misery be thou my health and life. Lord Jesus, think on me, nor let me go astray. Through darkness and perplexity point thou the heavenly way. Lord Jesus, think on me, that, when this life is past, I may the eternal brightness see, and share thy joy at last.
Most of us have regrets. Some of us carry them around like badges of honor. We all have sins we tote on our backs, allowing them to grind us down until it seems we cannot take another step. And then something that is almost magical occurs: compassion arrives and we are suddenly free. It happens because we have allowed God’s compassion to meet us on our road to recovery. We
— Synesius of Cyrene, 5th century
are free, not because we have loosened our own bonds but because God’s compassionate love has saved us once again. I remember a time in my late teenage years when I committed a real faux pas. I had acted out in a way that was detrimental to myself, my family, and everything that was important to me as a young Christian. The conversation I had with my father was one I would have preferred to avoid. But in spite of my fears, my guilt and shame, I came away from that encounter healed because I was able to meet compassion. Compassion had arrived through the love of my dad. God’s compassion is waiting for us on whatever road we journey upon. God wants to meet us where we are and touch us with grace. Compassion is a beautiful thing to experience. It is also a great gift to give. Prayer: Almighty and loving God, come to us in our need. Share your compassionate love with us and free us from whatever binds us. Give us strength to admit we are in need of compassion and the willingness to accept it. Amen. - Dr. William Galbraith, Spring River Presbyterian, “Devotional Psalms”
In Christ there is no east or west, In him no south or north, But one great fellowship of love Throughout the whole wide earth. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere Their high communion find; His service is the golden cord Close binding humankind. Join hands, disciples of the faith, What e’er your race may be. All children of the loving God Are surely kin to me.
Hymn Meditation: “In Christ There Is No East or West” click on title to listen
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3;28). One of the clear teachings of the Bible is that the gospel does not presuppose the superiority of any race or culture. In the past, In Christ now meet both east and west; missionary endeavor has too frequently imposed “our” culture on In him meet south and north. others while spreading the gospel, often putting native believers in All Christly souls are one in him Throughout the whole wide earth. bondage to another culture rather than to Christ and the Scrip—John Oxenham, 1908 tures alone.
9 Written in 1908 by the noted English writer, John Oxenham, this missionary hymn text was part of a script for a pageant at a giant missionary event sponsored by the London Missionary Society’s exhibition, The Orient in London. It is estimated that over a quarter of a million people viewed this presentation. It was continued from 1908-1914 both in England and in the United States. An interesting account of the impact of this hymn relates an incident during the closing of the days of WWII when two ships were anchored together, one containing Japanese citizens, and the other American soldiers, all waiting to be repatriated. For an entire day they lined the rails, glaring at one another. Suddenly someone began to sing “In Christ There Is No East or West.” Then another on the opposite shipped joined in. Soon there was an extraordinary chorus of former enemies united in praising God with these words: In Christ there is no East or West, in him no South or North, but one great fellowship of love thru out the whole wide earth.
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Sunday, September 17 “”...And Punishment” Genesis 3: 8-24
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children,
yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, “See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.
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 hymn is a product of that fine musical heritage. During the early part of the 18th century, a young Welsh preacher, William Williams, became known as “the sweet singer of Wales.” Although he was greatly respected as a preacher, it was as a hymn writer that he made his greatest impact. He wrote over 800 hymns — all in the Welsh language. Unfortunately, most of William’s hymns are untranslated, and this is the only hymn that is widely sung today. “Guide Me” first appeared in a hymnal in 1745. It was translated and published in English in 1771. The imagery of the hymn is taken from the forty-year journey of the Israelites to the promised land and compares that journey to the Christian life.
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, Be thou still my strength and shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death and hell's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side. Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee.
—William Williams
11 The tune was written in 1907 by John Hughes, a noted Welsh composer. This is one of the most popular hymn tunes in Wales.
Anthem Meditation : “Be Still and Know” click on title to listen
Three months after the new Denver International Airport (DIA) opened in February 1995, several hundred people threw a loud party to celebrate something they hadn't heard for many years--silence. The celebrants were residents of Denver's Park Hill neighborhood, near Stapleton International Airport, which closed when DIA opened. "It's just like we moved and settled in a new place," one man said. "You can carry on conversations, listen to television, and work in the yard without noise." We often call our personal devotions a "quiet time." For a few minutes each day, we shut out the sounds of the world to obey the Almighty's command, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). It seems strange, then, to fill the rest of the day with headBe still and know that I am God. phones, background music, radio talk shows, and televiBe still and know that I am with you. sion sets blaring in empty rooms. Have we become threatBe still and know that I will comfort you ened by stillness? T. S. Eliot wrote, "Where shall the word be when you come to me in your hour of need. found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not Be still and know that I am God. enough silence." Be still and know that I am here for you; We can't stop the thundering planes. But what can we And I will wipe your tears; you will be renewed. turn off today so that we can listen more carefully and quiCome unto me, my child, be still etly to hear the voice of God?
And know that I will give you rest. I am present in your pain and I always will remain your Comforter and Friend. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you. Peace.. Be still and know that I am God. Be still.
—Herb Frombach
Alone with God, the world forbidden, Alone with God, O blest retreat! Alone with God, and in Him hidden, To hold with Him communion sweet. --Oatman To hear God's voice, turn down the world's volume.
Hymn Meditation: “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” (click title to listen) Showing Mercy Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NIV) As a college professor, I had always been a stickler for the rules. In my opening speech on the first day of class, I even mentioned that while I hoped my students would learn the subject, I guaranteed they would learn about responsibility. I then would go on about deadlines, due dates, and the importance of being on time and handing in papers promptly. Then, last semester, one student was going through a difficult period, including a sudden death in her family. She was obviously emotional as she informed me that she would not turn in her final project on time. I was left with a choice: I could stick to my rules, or I could let her turn in the project a few days late. In an instant, I concluded that the biggest lesson I could teach in this situation was not responsibility but grace. Her relief was apparent when I told her she could have an extension. A few days later, she turned in an ex-
12 cellent project and appeared more rested and less depressed. This experience helped me realize that I was sometimes missing opportunities to teach my students the life lessons of grace and compassion that Christ taught me. Making an exception for the There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, one stuLike the wideness of the sea. dent reThere’s a kindness in God’s justice, Which is more than liberty. minded There is no place where earth’s sorrows me that life Are more felt than up in heaven. lessons are There is no place where earth’s failings the most Have such kindly judgment given. important thing I can For the love of God is broader teach. Than the measures of the mind. And the heart of the Eternal Prayer: O God, help us to realize that you teach us great lessons Is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more faithful, so we can pass them on to others. Amen. We would gladly trust God’s Word, And our lives reflect thanksgiving Upper Room Devotional, June 13, 2006 Andy C. Billings (South For the goodness of our Lord. Carolina, U.S.A.) —Frederick William Faber, 1854
Hymn Meditation: “The Church’s One Foundation” click on title to listen "Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.” Ephesians 5:23 During an especially heated period of theological controversy in England, when liberalism threatened to detroy the the doctrins of the church, this hymn was written by Pastor Samuel Stone. In 1866, Stone desired to write a hymn that would reaffirm the Lordship of Christ as the foundaiton of the church. Stone was described as the poor man’s pastor. He demonstrated his firm belief that the church was the instrument of Christ for meeting the needs of people. The “church” is a group of people who are called out from the world by God Himself. The church consists of people who meet regulalrly for w o r s h i p , The church's one foundation Their cry goes up, "How long?" inspiration, instruction, and Is Jesus Christ her Lord; And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song. fellowship. After that, Christ our She is his new creation By water and the Word. Head sends His own back into Mid toil and tribulation, the world to represent Him and From heaven he came and sought her And tumult of her war, To be his holy bride; She waits the consummation to model His love for all With his own blood he bought her, Of peace forevermore; mankind. Give thanks to God And for her life he died. Till, with the vision glorious, for your local church as well as Elect from every nation, Her longing eyes are blest, for fellow-believers of the Yet one o'er all the earth; And the great church victorious Church universal throughout Her charter of salvation, Shall be the church at rest. the world. let us reaffirm our One Lord, one faith, one birth; Yet she on earth hath union conviction in Christ as the head One holy name she blesses, With God the Three in One, of the church as we sing this Partakes one holy food, And mystic sweet communion musical truth — “The church’s And to one hope she presses, With those whose rest is won. With every grace endued. O happy ones and holy! one foundaiton is Jesus Christ Lord, give us grace that we her Lord; with His own blood He Though with a scornful wonder We see her sore oppressed, Like them, the meek and lowly, bought her, and for her life he By schisms rent asunder, On high may dwell with thee. died.” —Samuel J. Stone, 1866 By heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping;
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Sunday, September 24 “Cain and Abel” Genesis 4:1-16
Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
You are worthy, our Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 Sometimes called the “National Anthem of Christendom,” this is one of the truly All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; great worship Bring forth the royal diadem, hymns of the And crown him Lord of all. church. Written Bring forth the royal diadem, by a young Eng- And crown him Lord of all. lish minister, it was Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, published in 1779. Ye ransomed from the fall, The strong exu- Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him Lord of all. berant lines lead us to heartfelt worship of God every time we Hail him who saves you by his grace, sing them. And crown him Lord of all. We can be thankful that God moved an 18th century pastor Let every kindred, every tribe to write this stirring hymn text that reminds us so forcibly that the on this terrestrial ball, angels in heaven and the saints from “every kindred, every to him all majesty ascribe, tribe” on earth are worshiping with us even now. And we will one and crown him Lord of all. day all join together in singing “the everlasting song” — when To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all. Christ is crowned “Lord of all.” Edward Perronet came from a family of distinguished French O that with yonder sacred throng Huguenots who had fled to Switzerland and then England to es- We at his feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song, cape religious persecution. He was ordained to the ministry of And crown him Lord of all. the Anglican church but was always more sympathetic to the We'll join the everlasting song, evangelical movement led by John and Charles Wesley. Soon And crown him Lord of all. —Edward Perronet, 1779 Edward left the state church to join the Wesleys in their ministry.
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Anthem Meditation: “The Music of Thy Name” click on title to listen “The first will be last and the last will be first.” That is a theme that ran throughout Christ’s ministry. He came to earth to show us the better way — a way of putting others before ourselves—-a way of loving others and loving God more than loving ourselves. Philippians chapter 2 includes a beautiful hymn of praise encouraging us to imitate the life of Christ. Yo ur Jesus, my Shepherd, Savior, Friend, attitude My Prophet, Priest and King; should My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, be the Accept the praise I bring. Alleluia. same as Weak is the effort of my heart, that of And cold my warmest thought; Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider But when I see Thee as Thou art, equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself I’ll praise Thee as I ought. Alleluia. nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in ‘Till then I would Thy love proclaim human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he With every fleeting breath; humbled himself and became obedient even unto death — And may the music of Thy name even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest Refresh my soul in death. Alleluia. —John newton place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the Glory of God the Father.
Hymn Meditation: “Jesus Lover of My Soul” click on title to listen
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
The universal recognition of a personal dependence upon the infinite God has no doubt made this appealing hymn he best loved of the more than 6500 texts of Charles Wesley. Written shortly after Charles’ “Heart-warming” experience at the Aldersgate Hall in London in 1738, this text has since brought comfort and inspiration to countless numbers during “the storms of life.” The simple yet vivid language of this hymn gives it a special quality, Some have called it the “finest heart-hymn in the English language.” Also the exaltation of Christ is truly noteworthy in such picturesque terms as “lover, “ Healer,” “fountain,” “wing,” and “pilot.” But possibly the greatest appeal of these lines is the assurance they give of Christ’s consolation and protection through all of life and then for eternity. There is no authenticated information as to what particular situation caused Wesley to write this test. A frightening storm at sea that he experienced while returning home from America may account for the nautical references. A story also has been mentioned of a bird flying into Charles’ cabin for safety, while another incident is given of his hiding in a hedge after the attack by an angry mob opposing his ministry. Still others see this text as a picture of Wesley’s own life as a young man as he struggled to find his peace with God before his dramatic Aldersgate conversion experience. Remember to fly to Christ for refuge whenever the “storms of life” becomes overwhelming. He
15 alone is our refuge and the one true foundation of life. —Kenneth W. Osbeck from “Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”
Hymn Meditation: “Where Charity and Love Prevail”
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past; safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last. Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee; leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me. All my trust on thee is stayed, all my help from thee I bring; cover my defenseless head with the shadow of thy wing.
You have to work hard to offend Christians. By nature, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, and thoughtful group of people I’ve ever dealt with. They never assume the worst. They appreciate the importance of having different perspectives. They’re slow to anger, quick to forgive, and almost never make rash judgments or act in anything less than a spirit of total love. . Thou, O Christ, art all I want, . . No, wait—I’m thinking of Labrador retrievers! I laughed when I read this humorous thought by David Learn more than all in thee I find; raise the fallen, cheer the faint, in an e-mail. But having had experience with retrievers—and fellow Christians—I think it’s true that sometimes believers are just heal the sick, and lead the blind. too easily offended! “The choir director always gives her the so- Just and holy is thy name, I am all unrighteousness; los.” “The pastor didn’t even look at me when he shook my false and full of sin I am; hand.” “I do a lot around here—people ought to appreciate thou art full of truth and grace. me a little more.” Plenteous grace with thee is found, Anger. Resentment. Pride. Sure, issues between believers do sometimes need to be addressed. But what if we always tried to grace to cover all my sin; treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12), weren’t let the healing streams abound, quick to judge others but for- make and keep me pure within. Where charity and love prevail, Thou of life the fountain art, gave them (Luke 6:37), and There God is ever found; freely let me take of thee; Brought here together by Christ’s love, demonstrated a little humilispring thou up within my heart; ty? (Phil. 2:3). By love are we thus bound. rise to all eternity. And what if the world could Let us recall that in our midst actually recognize that we Dwells Christ, God’s holy Son. are followers of Jesus by the love we have “for one anothAs members of each body joined, er”? (John 13:35). Is this true of us? In him are we made one. Love was so important to Jesus that He told His disciples Let strife among us be unknown; shortly before His arrest and crucifixion, “A new commandLet all contentions cease. ment I give to you, that you love one another . . . . By this all Be God’s the glory that we seek; will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one Be his our only peace. another” (John 13:34-35). John, known as the disciple whom Jesus loved (and the Let us forgive each other’s faults man who recorded these words of Jesus), wrote much about As we our own confess, love in his first letter. Several times in chapter 4, the apostle That we may love each other well urged his fellow believers to “love one another” (1 John In Christian gentleness. 4:7,11-12). Love can exclude no race or creed No matter what is happening in our lives, let’s make Jesus’ If honored be God’s name; commandment and John’s exhortation our mission stateOur common life embraces all ment: “Love one another.” —Our Daily Bread, June 2005 Whose maker is the same. —Latin, 8th century
Musical Meditation: “Holy and Mighty” 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty wh o wa s , and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8). These are the words of worship that believers will proclaim in heaven one day. This majestic text based on these words were written over 150 years ago by an Anglican minister, Reginald Heber, and it is still one of the hymns most frequently used in our corporate worship. Worship is the cornerstone of a believer’s spiritual life. The bedrock of the local church is its worship service, and all aspects of the church’s ministry are founded here. It is only as a Christian truly worships that he begins to grow spiritually. Learning to worship and praise God, then, should be a believer’s lifetime pursuit. Our worship reflects the depth of our relationship with God. We must Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in power, in love and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
— Reginald Heber
learn to worship God not only for what He is doing in our own lives, but above all for who He is — His being, character, and deeds. The hymn tune NICAEA was written in 1861 by John B. Dykes. The name is given in honor of the council of Nicaea who met to discuss, debate, and finally ratify the Nicean Creed. The core subject of this historic church creed is the Trinity of God. What we take for granted now was of great controversy then. This council has helped to shape our understanding of who God is. With this greater understanding of God, who can help but fall on their knees and cry “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty — God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!”