7 november 2017

A Worship Magazine

Easley Presbyterian Church

Easley, SC

Nov. 2017

Vol. 3 Issue 7

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

Celebrating 500 Years of the Reformation This year Presbyterians celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. The theses, which criticized the sale of indulgences by church officials, are considered the opening salvo in the Protestant Reformation — a movement that emphasized individual relationships with God and salvation through faith alone.

Luther is also celebrated for a second piece of writing: his translation of the Bible into German. After Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther in 1521, the reformer took refuge inside Wartburg Castle. There he completed his translation of the New Testament, based on Erasmus’ 1516 Bible text. First printed in September 1522, the “September Testament” does not include Luther’s name on the title page, an omission meant to limit church reprisals.

The Old Testament translation proved more difficult, in part because of Luther’s struggles with Hebrew and his insistence that the text be accessible to all Germans. “The translator must not be led by the Hebrew words,” Luther wrote. “He should make sure that he really understands the sense and ask himself: ‘What would the German say in such-and-such an instance?’” His editorial philosophy required inventive interpolations. For example, he replaced the word “chameleon,” which would have been unknown to 16th-century Germans, with “weasel.”

It took Luther and a team of fellow scholars 12 years to translate the Old Testament, which was printed in 1534 together with Luther’s New Testament. Despite criticism for the way he valued certain books of the Bible over others and for editing passages to fit his own theology, Luther’s Bible was an immediate and lasting success; one Wittenberg publisher alone printed 100,000 copies between 1534 and 1574. Many Germans regarded it as a work of literary genius, the way English readers would revere the King James Bible in the century to come.

David Koch, Reference Archivist, Presbyterian Historical Society

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Sunday, November 5 All Saint’s Sunday Genesis 6:6-7:5 And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created—people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.

These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.

Detail of tapestry “Communion of the Saints” by John Nava, combining historic saints of the church with everyday contemporary believers.

Hymn Meditation: “A Mighty Fortress”

(click title to listen)

The Reformers didn’t just protest; they sang. The Protestant Reformation, which began in earnest 500 years ago this week, didn’t just give birth to preaching and writing, but it inspired music and unleashed song.

That God declares us rebels fully righteous on the sole basis of his Son, through faith alone — such news is too good not to sing. And that our Creator and Redeemer himself has spoken into our world, and preserved his speech for us in a Book, to be illumined by his own Spirit — such news is too good not to craft into verse. Perhaps the greatest evidence that the Reformation released real joy in freeing captives from the bondage of man-made religion is that its theology made for such a good marriage with music. The Reformation sang.

Leading the way not just in word, but in song, was Martin Luther. He wrote nearly forty hymns, many of which he composed not only the words but even the music. His most famous, of course, “A Mighty Fortress,” often is called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation.”

The song embodies with strength and gusto the very spirit of the Reformation, breaking free from the flaccidity and poverty of medieval theology with rich God-confidence.

The hymn takes its inspiration mainly from the first two verses of Psalm 46, along with the refrain of verses 7 and 11. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear . . . (Psalm 46:1–2 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:7, 11)

3 Psalm 46 opens with God as “refuge and strength,” and the battle hymn opens with God as “mighty fortress” — literally, a strong or unshakable castle. Line three is “help in trouble”; stanza three is “we will not fear.”

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be loosing, But that’s where the parallels end. Rather Were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. than a mere hymnodic expression of the Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is he. psalm, we do better to call it a Christian hymn Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, And he must win the battle. inspired by it. What’s generic in Psalm 46, LuAnd though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, ther makes specific, and Christian. He names We will not fear for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. the personal agent behind the trouble: “our The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him. ancient foe,” the devil. He puts a human face His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. and person to the rescue: “Christ Jesus it is he.”

One little word shall fell him.

Finally, the translation of the last line (“His That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth. kingdom is forever”) loses Luther’s “for The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. us” (literally, “The kingdom must remain for us”).

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.

It’s a small loss, yes, but sweet and important.

The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever.

This is the great for-us-ness which the Refor—Martin Luther, 1529 mation so wonderfully recaptured. In Christ, we not only catch a glimpse of God’s spectacular kingdom, but we’re invited in. We become part of the reign from the inside (even, in some real way, reigning with him, 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6) — in a kingdom that not only remains forever but is for us, for our eternal good and everlasting joy.

So, this weekend, and into the future, as we enjoy the admirable translation — for which we should be thankful — we can rest assured that Luther’s original is even stronger, and even better. And Psalm 46 and Romans 8 are even better, and even stronger, than what Luther could capture in verse. The God we sing about will always be stronger, and better, than even our best songs can say.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.

Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

Listen to how it the original hymn sounded.

Prayer Response : “Jesus, Remember Me” (click title to listen)

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Para“Jesus, remember me, dise.” Luke 23:39-43 when you come into your kingdom.”

Anthem : “Steal Away” (click title to listen) Celebrating the Saints “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” -Heb. 13:7 I was raised in a denomination that didn't celebrate All Saints' Day. Later, I was introduced to what has become a celebration I look forward to each year.

The pastor at our church said he loved All Saints' Day because it is a good time to reflect on all the saints who have gone before us and those who have made an everlasting impact on our lives. Instead

4 of preaching, he held one of the most memora- Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus. ble services I have ever experienced. He put Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here. unlit candles on the altar and invited the conMy Lord, he calls me, he calls me by the thunder, gregation to come forward and light a candle The trumpet sounds within-a my soul, in honor of the "saints" in their lives.

I ain’t got long to stay here.

I loved hearing my friends one by one gratefully share the names of their saints with the rest Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus. of us. Even though I might not know the people Steal away, steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here.

— traditional spiritual they name, I appreciate them and love them for being a part of my friends' lives. And I realize that no matter what beliefs we have, we can each point to specific people in our lives who have nurtured us in our faith, stood by us, and helped us navigate through life. In the same way that my own saints helped to guide me, I hope that I have been and will be a guide to someone else.

— Joanne Hirase-Stacey (Idaho, USA) Prayer: God, thank you for those who teach us well and help us learn to follow you. Help us to support, encourage, and guide others in this same way. Amen.

(From Upper Room Daily Devotions)

Hymn Meditation: “The Days Are Surely Coming” (click title to listen) Re-reading the account of the flood in Genesis chapters 6 to 9 recently, I was impacted afresh by the character of Noah and his complete obedience to every instruction that God gave him.

The dimensions of the ark were to be very precise, in order to accommodate all the creatures that God wanted to save, and to store enough food to sustain them all, plus Noah and his family, for the duration of the flood. If Noah hadn’t been obedient to every detail given to him, the ark might not have been tall enough for the giraffe, or wide enough for the elephant, and these beautiful creatures could have been lost for ever!

The instructions God gave to Noah would have seemed ridiculous to many – to build a huge boat on dry land and to expect that pairs of every single kind of animal and bird would come to him and enter the ark. Noah wasn’t told to go and set traps for them, or to start rounding them up, because the creatures would just come to him! Noah trusted God and knew that whatever He said would happen, so he did everything just as God commanded him. The reason for his complete trust was that he ‘walked with God’ (Genesis 6:9) and knew Him. It’s difficult to trust someone we don’t know.

The days are surely coming, says God to all the earth, When you will see my promise: Salvation come to birth.

My righteousness and justice will spread throughout the land And you will be delivered by my almighty hand.

The days are surely coming, says Christ the promised one, When you will read my warning in moon and stars and sun.

Though earth and heaven tremble, stand up and do not fear, For I am your redeemer, and I am drawing near.

The days are surely coming, when we will know at last The fullness of God’s presence, God’s promise, come to pass.

Then righteousness and justice will spread throughout the land And we will be delivered by God’s almighty hand.

— David Gambrell, 2009

When the flood had finally receded, and Noah and his family were able to come out of the ark on to dry land again, the first thing that Noah did was to worship God by building an altar and sacrificing some of the extra animals and birds that God had instructed him to keep for that purpose. For some of us, our first thought might have been to start building a house, or digging a plot of land, or having a rest after feeding all those animals and birds for so long, but Noah’s priority was worship to the Lord.

Our worship is pleasing to God. This doesn’t just mean the formal worship times we have with others or on our own, but it’s

5 also the sacrifice of our lives which pleases Him (Romans 12:1) – doing what He wants and not what we want, putting Him first, changing our attitudes to be in line with His. Submitting to Him is worship and shows our love for Him. Jesus said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

Noah’s obedience was complete. What about us?

Prayer: Lord, I want to walk with You as Noah did, to know You better and to trust You more. I also want to lay down my life as a sacrifice of worship to You. Please help me to do this. Amen.

—-”Seed’s of the Kingdom”

“The Lord Fulfilleth all His Words” by Clark Kelly Price

Hymn Meditation: “For All the Saints” (click title to listen) For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 Thou Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; Who are the Saints of God? Every believer Thou in the darkness drear, their one true light. whom God has called by His grace and sanctified Alleluia, Alleluia!

by His Spirit has been called to sainthood.

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, Bishop William W. How wrote the text of “For All Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, the Saints” in 1864, for use in the Anglican church And win with them the victor's crown of gold. liturgy commemorating All Saints Day. It was Alleluia, Alleluia! originally titled “Saints Day Hymn - Cloud of O blest communion, fellowship divine!

Witnesses - Hebrews 12:1” How do we best honor We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; the memory of loved ones and friends who have Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. contributed to our lives? By rededicating our own Alleluia, Alleluia! life to God, obeying Him implicitly, and reaching And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, out to the needs of others. We should be thankful Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, for the memories of those believers from our local And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. church who were called home during this past Alleluia, Alleluia! year. We should be thankful for their influence in From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, our lives - directing us to God, tutoring us in truth, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, and modeling the virtues of the Christian life.

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: In preparation for this All Saints Day Service, let Alleluia, Alleluia! us take a moment to recall the various individuals — William W. How, 1864 who have especially influenced our lives for God.

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Sunday, November 12 Riding out the Storm Genesis 7:6-8:19 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. And Noah with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. And after seven days the waters of the flood came on the earth.

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind— every bird, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. The waters swelled so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; the waters swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred fifty days.

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark.

And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred fifty days the waters had

Hymn Meditation:

“Ark” by Hannah Emmit, 2014 abated; and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.

In the six hundred first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.

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Hymn Meditation: “The Mighty God with Power Speaks”

(Click title to listen)

“What Are the Moments that Shape Our Lives?”

There are moments that change us. That quickly — one moment we are one person, the next, we are a different person.

There are moments in history The Mighty God with power speaks, and all the world obeys; that change this country, change From dawn until the setting sun, God’s wonder earth displays. our world, change us as a person.

The perfect beauty all around from Zion’s height shines forth; Pearl Harbor, was one such moAnd stars across the firmament so brightly beams their worth. ment. Perhaps the assassination God comes not with a silent form, but riding on the winds; of President John Kennedy was Before God’s face, the ragging storm its blast of thunder sends. another.

All hail the Judge, in bold array, whose promise is to bless; My first such world changing Who sees our sins, yet also feels our thirst for righteousness. event was the Challenger acciThe heavens declare your justice, Lord, as endless as the sky; dent. We were all stunned in disAgainst the taunts of disbelief, our God will testify. belief and as witness to that moReceive my heartfelt gift of thanks, as honor to your might; ment, it changed me.

Refresh my faith with each new day; protect me through the night.

More recently were the events — Michael Morgan, 1999 from Psalm 50 of September 11th when the world stopped in that moment and when the world breathed again, it had been changed.

But there are other life-changing moments for us all. That moment when we say, “I do.” The sound of your baby’s first crying breath — these moments also change us.

We live our lives from moment to moment, from hour to hour, and day to day. How many moments have we missed or wasted or let slip away?

What do we do with 24 hours? Truth be told, some days, getting out of bed is an accomplishment. We busy ourselves with work. We eat. We sleep. We love and laugh and sometimes cry. But what do we do with 24 hours?

What did Christ do with 24 hours? We are reliving those moments together as we take this Lenten journey through the valley and on to Easter. What Jesus did in those moments and hours has altered history and changed lives in ways we cannot begin to comprehend. The change continues to progress toward the completion of the Kingdom. And we are called to bear witness. We are called to share in the process of change. We are called to build the Kingdom. And we are united in purpose and direction because God took a moment to change the world. Amen.

—Robert Holy Father, Guide me on this journey.

Give me the courage to take these moments that you have given and build your Kingdom. Change the world inside of me so that I can be an effective tool to change the world around me. May all things be done for your glory and for your purpose. Amen

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Anthem Meditation: “Secure” (click title to listen)

When Storms Howl Read Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

-Matthew 14:27 (NRSV) Have you ever been desperately afraid when you passed through a stormy patch in your life? If so, then you probably understand the terror and fear that the disciples experienced when they saw Jesus walking on the storm-tossed lake, coming toward their little boat.

The Sea of Galilee is almost completely surrounded by steep hills. It is 686 feet below sea level, and in no time the wind can blow down the valley and whip the sea into a “Stormy Seas” by Alex Hill boisterous turmoil.

It was probably during such a storm that Jesus walked on the water toward the boat in which the disciA storm is raging, Lord. ples were traveling. The disciples were terrified; they imagined The boat I sail is small, and oh, so frail. the figure they saw to be a ghost. But Jesus calmed their fear The wind is blowing, Lord. and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

I cannot hold the course against the gale.

Jesus gave them peace in the midst of the storm, and JeThe lightening strikes on every side, Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. sus can give us peace too. When we fear the storm, when Your hand alone can hold the tide, Lord, frightening figures hover in the shadows like ghosts, we can Rescue me. remind ourselves that Christ says, "Take heart. I'm here with I am sinking, Lord. you."

The boat is taking water, going down.

— Elaine S. Massey (Gauteng, South Africa) Part the waters, Lord.

I long to plant my feet on solid ground.

O Lord of earth and sky and sea, Your hand is reaching out to me, I know that you have heard my plea, My hope is sure.

I am secure, I am secure, I am secure.

Prayer: Source of strength, give us peace when storms come.

Make us conscious of your abiding presence each day.

Amen.

(From Upper Room Aug. 29, 1998

— Susan Bentall Boersma

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Hymn Meditation: “How Firm a Foundation”

(click title to listen)

A believer’s stability in this life, as well as his confidence for eternity, rests solely on the written promises of God’s Word. The direction of the living God for our lives is very definite. It is found in the firm foundation — the written revelation: “Thus saith the Lord.”

In the first stanza the source of the Christian faith is established as being the Word of God. This challenging question is posed: What more can God do than provide his very word as a completed revelation of himself to hu-

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; the flame shall not hurt thee I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

—Anonymous

9 manity? The succeeding verses personalize precious promises from scripture: “Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God…” (Isaiah 41:10); “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… (Isaiah 43:2); “My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9); “I will never leave y o u o r f o r s a k e you…” (Hebrews 13:5).

The authorship of this text has always been a mystery to hymnologists. Its first appearance was in 1787 in a hymnal published by Dr. John Rippon.

Plant your feet firmly on the “thus saith the Lords” and live life confidently in that strength.

— from ”Amazing Grace” by Kenneth W. Osbeck

Hymn Meditation: “The Solid Rock” (click title to listen)

“With the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.” Ephesians 1:18 The Bible likens our faith to a house. Some homes are built to last while others crumble easily in strong wind or rain. The difference is not in the severity of the storm but in the quality of the foundation upon which the structure is built. The author of this hymn text wisely chose “the solid rock” on which to build his own life, and he rested on Christ’s “unchanging grace” until his homegoing at age 77. Edward Mote was the son of poor innkeepers in London, England. He was unaware of the Hope of Christ until the age of 16 when his life was changed.

He eventually became a minister in Sussex, England. He remained there, preaching this hope until 1873 when his health no longer permitted it. He died a year later. During his busy life as a minister, Edward Mote wrote more than 150 hymn texts. In 1836 he published a collection titled Hymns of Praise and included “The Solid Rock” in it. Determine to build your life on a firm foundation, and praise God for Christ, the Solid Rock.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When Darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, his covenant, his blood Supports me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found!

Dressed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne!

— Edward Mote

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Sunday, November 19 Thanksgiving Sunday Genesis 8:20-9:17

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, for the inclination of the human heart is evil from youth; nor will I ever again destroy every living creature as I have done.

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and just as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. Only, you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life.

Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person’s blood be shed; for in his own image God made humankind. And you, be fruitful and multiply, abound on the earth and multiply in it.”

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Hymn: “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” (click title to listen)

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Psalm 95:2 The first American Thanksgiving was decreed by Governor Bradford in 1621 to commemorate the Pilgrims’ harvest.

Later George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789, as a national day of thanksgiving, but the holiday was not repeated on a national basis until Abraham Lincoln named it a national Harvest Festival on November 26, 1861. After that time, the holiday was proclaimed annually by the President and the governors of each state. Finally in 1941, Congress passed a bill naming the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. Henry Alford was born October 7, 1810, in the Bloomsbury area of London. Henry was a powerful preacher and a brilliant scholar. He served in a small parish in Wymeswold for over 18 years before taking an appointment to a large church in London. While in Wymeswold, he wrote many hymns for use in worship at his small parish. “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” was written for the English Harvest Festival, the British version of the American Thanksgiving holiday.

The first stanza of this harvest hymn is an invitation and exhortation to give thanks to God in his

11 Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest home; All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide For our wants to be supplied; Come to God's own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.

For the Lord our God shall come, And shall take the harvest home; From the field shall in that day All offenses purge away, Giving angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast; But the fruitful ears to store In the garner evermore.

All the world is God's own field, Fruit as praise to God we yield; Wheat and tares together sown Are to joy or sorrow grown; First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear; Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, Bring thy final harvest home; Gather thou thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, In thy presence to abide; Come, with all thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home.

earthly temple for the heavenly care and provision of our earthly needs. The following two stanzas are a reference to the parable of the Wheat and Tares from Matthew 13:24-43. The final stanza is a prayer for the Lord’s return — the “final harvest home.”

— Henry Alford

Anthem Meditation: Simple Thanksgiving” (click title to listen)

Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be And when we find ourselves in the place just right, We’ll be in the valley of love and light.

Thanksgiving Tradition When true simplicity is gained Remember your leaders, those who spoke the ZTo bow and to bend we shan’t be a shamed word of God to you; consider the outcome of their To turn, turn will be our delight way of life, and imitate their faith. -Hebrews 13:7 Til by turning, turning, we come ‘round right.

(NRSV) I am not sure when the tradition began for our family. We stand around the Thanksgiving table, holding hands. Nourishing foods are spread out on the table; aromas fill the room. Yet no one sits down.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears, All nature sings and ‘round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hands the wonders wrought.

The question is asked, "Who isn't with us today?" The names of people who are not able to join us are spoken. All those around the table are free to speak the name of anyone they miss, anyone who has touched their lives. Some named are family, friends, teachers, pastors, and neighbors. Our tradition also encourages us to name those who have touched our lives but are now in the presence of the Lord.

Often there are tears of thanksgiving for what these people have added to our journeys through life. Each one has been a gift of grace from God. Gratitude fills our hearts.

12 Who has had an impact on your life? Why not begin today to offer thanks to God for that person? To speak the name at this season's celebration gives witness to another's life of faith, which is God's gift to you.

—Viola Ruelke Gommer (Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for those who touch our lives. Help us to touch the lives of others with your love. Amen. (From Upper Room Nov. 27, 2003)

We gather together To ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known. (click title to listen) “So the nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of The wicked oppressing Now cease from distressing. the earth your glory.” Psalm 102:15 Sing praises to his name, Those who have visited the Netherlands with its picturesque dikes He forgets not his own.

Hymn Meditation: “We Gather Together”

and windmills may be unaware of the terrific struggle for religious freedom that took place there in the sixteenth and seventeenth Beside us to guide us, centuries. For many, many years, this country was caught in a Our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining bloody battle between Catholicism and Reformation. Many thouHis kingdom divine; sands of people were killed, all in the name of Christ! The country So from the beginning was eventually divided into what is modern-day Belgium and Hol- The fight we were winning; land based on religious divisions.

Thou, Lord, wast at our side, This hymn, We Gather Together,” which we Americans associate All glory be thine! with the Thanksgiving holiday, was actually written sometime in We all do extol thee, 1597 to celebrate Holland’s separation from Spain. It’s author, an Thou leader triumphant, unknown Dutchman, was full of thanksgiving that his people were And pray that thou still free to worship as they chose.

Our defender wilt be.

This hymn should be remembered in its historical context, but it Let thy congregation should also be adopted by us today as thanksgiving for God’s Escape tribulation; leadership and God’s preservation of our lives as well. That is the Thy name be ever praised! beauty of the great hymns of the church. We add our voice to the O Lord, make us free! many voices who have sung before us. We add our hearts and minds and souls to the music that praises God and shares thanks for His actions in the past, in our present, and in our children’s future. God has been and will be faithful to guide us, and he is deserving of our thanks and praise.

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Hymn: “Now Thank We All Our God” (click title to listen)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37 Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices, From some of the severest human sufferings imaginable during the Who wondrous things has done, 30 Years’ War of 1618-1684 - a war that has been described as the In whom this world rejoices; most devastating in all history - this great hymn of the church was Who from our mothers' arms born.

Has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, Martin Rinkart was called at the age of 31 to pastor the state And still is ours today.

Lutheran church in his native city of Eilenberg, Germany. He arrived there just as the dreadful bloodshed of the 30 Year’s War began, O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, and there Rinkart spent the remaining 32 years of his life faithfully With ever joyful hearts ministering to these needy people.

And blessed peace to cheer us; Germany, the battleground of this conflict between warring And keep us still in grace, Catholic and Protestant forces from various countries throughout And guide us when perplexed; Europe, was reduced to a state of misery that baffles description. The And free us from all ills, In this world and the next.

German population dwindled from 16 million to 6 million. Because Eilenberg was a walled city, it became a frightfully over-crowded All praise and thanks to God refuge for political and military fugitives from far and near.

The Father now be given; The Son, and him who reigns Throughout these war years several waves of deadly diseases and With them in highest heaven; famines swept the city, as the various armies marched through the The one eternal God, town, leaving death and destruction in their wake. The plague of Whom earth and heaven adore; 1637 was particularly severe. At its height Rinkart was the only minister For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore. remaining to care for the sick and dying. Martin Rinkart’s triumphant, — Martin Rinkart personal expressions of gratitude and confidence in God confirm for each of us this truth taught in Scripture, that as God’s children, we too can be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

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Church Music: “Gather ‘Round the Thanksgiving Table” In their book The Voice of Our Congregation, Terry York and David Bolin compare church music to the Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Norman Rockwell painted a series on freedoms. In his Freedom From Want, he paints a Thanksgiving scene.

The turkey is placed on the table and everyone’s face is smiling with the anticipation, we suppose, for the feast about to be eaten.

But a careful look at the Rockwell painting shows the subject is not food at all. The faces, with the exception of two figures setting the turkey on the table, are not looking at the dishes but at one another. The joy of the feast is in community — generations united by stories, dreams, and laughter — the fruit of freedom.

Tables are for community.

Some of our Lord’s greatest lessons were in the context of a meal. The feeding of the five thousand was one occasion. The miracle had nothing to do with the taste of the fish, but everything with people and their needs being met.

Worship, like a good meal, is an exercise in Christian community. Every congregation can be just as picky in their musical tastes as in their dining. Life experiences have brought a variety of musical tastes to the table. Some musical dishes are full of old favorites — comfort food, if

you will. Others are new recipes with strange spices from around the world. Some may love the carrots, but will pass on the green beans, but everyone should be fed. And as our mothers have always done, everyone should be encouraged to try new dishes.

Just like the Thanksgiving meal, the worship service has been lovingly prepared with the very best of all that we have. If you do not care for the broccoli, pass it along and be grateful that someone else at the table is being well-fed. When the mashed potatoes get passed, dig in and be grateful. When the paprika corn soufflé is passed, don’t just say “We’ve never had corn that way for Thanksgiving,” try it. You might find the new flavor very appealing.

Let’s take a look at that painting again. See the grandparents placing the turkey on the table? Well, that’s you and me — the worship leaders (and that includes the choir) should always be working to provide the very best of a variety of dishes to serve our family (the congregation).

Like the painting, the focus of the gathering should not be about the food or the music. It should be about being with family and enjoying the company.

This season, the choir and congregation will be singing a wide variety of musical styles. These songs may not appeal to everyone, but it is the intension that everyone is feed a well-prepared and healthy meal.

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Sunday, November 26 Christ the King Sunday Genesis 9:18-19 The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah; and from these the whole earth was peopled.

Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King” (click title to listen)

“ Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty — He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:9-10 The doctrine of the Trinity has been controversial since the earliest days of Christianity. In AD 325, the Council of Nicaea affirmed its belief in Come, thou almighty King, the Triune Godhead. During help us thy name to sing, the 16th century Reforhelp us to praise! mation period, it was again Father all glorious, o'er all victorious, denied by the Socinians. come and reign over us, And still today, many theoloAncient of Days! gians deny the doctrine.

Come, thou incarnate Word, This familiar Trinity hymn is gird on thy mighty sword, also one of our most popular hymns for Sunday morning worship serour prayer attend!

Come, and thy people bless, vices. It appeared anonymously in England in about 1757 to comand give thy word success, memorate Trinity Sunday. It has been attributed by some to Charles Spirit of holiness, on us descend!

Wesley since it first appeared in a pamphlet published by John WesCome, holy Comforter, ley. thy sacred witness bear This is a hymn that must always be sung with all four stanzas. To in this glad hour. omit any of the first three would be to slight one of the members of Thou who almighty art, now rule in every heart, the Godhead. The final stanza is a grand affirmation of the mysteriand ne'er from us depart, ous doctrine of the Trinity, that God is One yet Three and ever worSpirit of power! thy of our love and adoration.

To thee, great One in Three, eternal praises be, hence, evermore.

Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see, and to eternity love and adore!

— Anonymous

— Kenneth W. Osbeck, “Amazing Grace

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Hymn Meditation: “Blest be the Tie that Binds” (click title to listen)

Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne “Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, in him to make him stumble.” 1 John 2:10 Our comforts and our cares.

“We just cannot break the ties of affection that bind us to you dear friends.” As Mary Fawcett assured the little congrega- We share each other's woes, tion at Wainsgate, England, of the bond of love that she and Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows her husband felt for the poor peasant parishioners, Pastor John The sympathizing tear. decided to express his When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; feelings in a But we shall still be joined in heart, poem about And hope to meet again. the value of —John Fawcett Christian fellowship.

The following Sunday, John Fawcett and his new bride, Mary, began their ministry at an impoverished church in Wainsgate. After seven years of devoted service in meager circumstances, they received a call to the large and influential Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London. After the wagons were loaded for the move, the Fawcetts met their tearful parishioners for a final farewell, they could not bear to leave them and the wagons were promptly unloaded.

They continued their little ministry in Wainsgate for a total of 54 years.

Anthem Meditation: “O God Beyond All Praising” (click title to listen)

This Sunday is the last Sunday in the ecclesiastical year. It is known as "Fulfillment Sunday" or "Christ the King Sunday." This day is a relatively new addition to the church calendar, so there are not many traditions associated with it. Mainly, it points us to the culmination of God's purposes in history through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:2128). It is not about Christ becoming king (since that happened at the resurrection/ ascension), but about the fulfillment of his kingship (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:20). The kingdom has already come, and yet in another

O God beyond all praising, we worship you today And sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; For we can only wonder at every gift you send, At blessings without number and mercies without end: We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word, We honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

For we can only wonder at every gift you send, At blessings without number and mercies without end: For Christ, your gift from heaven, from death has set us free.

And we through him are given the final victory.

Then hear O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring, That we who know your favor may serve you as our King.

And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, We’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still: To marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, And make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.

—Michael Perry, 1982

17 sense, it has not yet come in all its fulness. Thus, we live in light of both the "now" and "not yet" of Christ's rule. To spell it all out more fully: Christ was definitively coronated king when he rose from the dead and took his place at the Father's right hand.

His kingdom progressively expands in the world as he works through his Spirit and church.

Christ is presently reigning even if we do not see all things subdued to him (Heb. 2). His kingdom will become more and more visible in the world as the nations are more and more completely brought under his redemptive lordship. At the last day, Christ will be finally and fully revealed as king to all, as every knee bows before him (Phil. 2). Even death itself will be defeated when he raises his people up in resurrection glory so that they are perfectly conformed to his image. The story of the cosmos is the story of Christ's kingdom. The kingdom gives history its meaning and direction. The kingdom is not "other worldly." To be sure, it comes from heaven -- but it invades and transfigures this world, bringing creation to the goal God had purposed from the beginning. If the church calendar commemorates the highlights of cosmic history, "Christ the King Sunday" points us to the end of the story, so to speak. It is a fitting conclusion to the cycle of the ecclesiastical year. If this is the last Sunday in the church year, how do we transition into a new year the following Sunday? The church calendar begins a new year with the first Sunday in Advent. Advent must be distinguished from Christmas season. Traditionally, Advent has done double duty, drawing All hail the power of Jesus' name! together both the first and last comings of Christ. But these multi- Let angels prostrate fall; ple layers are often hard to hold together during the season -- Bring forth the royal diadem, thematically, theologically, liturgically, and psychologically. By And crown him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem, celebrating "Christ the King Sunday" at the end of the church And crown him Lord of all. year, we are able to simplify and streamline the meaning of Advent. The final coming is still a thread in the meaning of Advent, Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, Ye ransomed from the fall, but the season as a whole focuses on the church's expectations Hail him who saves you by his grace, and longings in a wide variety of ways.

And crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace, And crown him Lord of all.

Hymn Meditation: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (click title to listen)

Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all.

To him all majesty ascribe, You are worthy, our Lord, to receive glory and honor and pow- and crown him Lord of all. er, for you created all things, and by Your will they were created O that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall! and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 We'll join the everlasting song, Sometimes called the “National Anthem of Christendom,” this is And crown him Lord of all. one of the truly great worship hymns of the church. Written by a We'll join the everlasting song, young English minister, it was published in 1779. The strong exuber- And crown him Lord of all.

—Edward Perronet, 1779 ant lines lead us to heartfelt worship of God every time we sing

18 them.

We can be thankful that God moved an 18th century pastor to write this stirring hymn text that reminds us so forcibly that the angels in heaven and the saints from “every kindred, every tribe” on earth are worshiping with us even now. And we will one day all join together in singing “the everlasting song” — when Christ is crowned “Lord of all.”

Edward Perronet came from a family of distinguished French Huguenots who had fled to Switzerland and then England to escape religious persecution. He was ordained to the ministry of the Anglican church but was always more sympathetic to the evangelical movement led by John and Charles Wesley. Soon Edward left the state church to join the Wesleys in their ministry.

“Celebration” by Tom Duboise

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The Christian Year: Celebrating Our History of Faith Celebration describes what happens every time the

people of God gather for worship. The focus of every worship experience is to actualize the divine presence in our lives. Everything that happens centers on what God has done in Jesus Christ – his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, we are a people who share a history, not only of what God did in Jesus the Nazarene, but of God’s profound interest in the redemption of God's creation. From the beginning of the Old Testament we can see this divine concern in the call of Abraham and the liberation from slavery in Egypt, the formation of a nation, the calling of the prophets. In each event, we see God’s pursuit. All of this renders a fullness and enriches our sense of celebration in worship.

The chief aim in worship is that it be whole in every aspect. Celebrating the Christian Year offers us a natural rhythm involving the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

You may ask, "What is the Christian Year and how did it come to be?" From what we read in Acts, that fledgling community, following the resurrection of Jesus, centered its worship around the temple. They found their strength and devotion as they gathered as a community for study, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). Everything centered around the resurrection of Jesus. The focus was on remembering what Jesus had taught them. Those, then, were the beginnings of what we now know as the Christian Year.

Even though that early Christian community was maintained by a discipline tied to the temple, it very soon began to note the importance of the first day of the week or ‘the Lord’s Day' (Rev. 1:10).

In similar fashion, the various seasons began to take form, each with its own particular function in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must remember that the focus of all that took place when the people gathered to celebrate, was the resurrection of the Lord.

The Christian Year is divided into two cycles: Easter and Christmas. The first to surface was Resurrection or Easter. It is worthwhile to note that the

crucifixion of Jesus coincided with the Jewish Passover, a time for remembering God’s act of liberation of God’s people, from Egypt. Although every Lord’s Day the Christian community celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, every year as the Jewish Passover rolled around, it seemed proper and fitting to celebrate in a special way the resurrection of Jesus. As time went on, a time of preparation was added and extended to what we now know as Lent. Pentecost, the beginning of the Church, brought this season to an end.

The second cycle revolves around the birth of Jesus or Christmas. This appeared much later. It is interesting to note that the event of Epiphany was celebrated even before the birth event. As with Resurrection, there developed a time of preparation prior to the Nativity, which we know as Advent. The Chr istian Year begins with Advent, in anticipation of the coming of the Word made flesh.

Two blocks of time, one following Epiphany and the other following Pentecost are known as "ordinary time." In the weekly designations they are referred to as "Sunday after Epiphany...or Pentecost."

During these "ordinary times," the lectionary readings strive to cover the entire Scripture.

Making use of the Christian Year offers us an opportunity to address the "whole" in the proclamation of the gospel. It affirms and offers ample evidence that we are indeed one Church. No matter where we go or where we worship, we will always be at home. Indeed this is real celebration!

—Dr. Noé E. Gonzales is a Rio Gr ande Confer ence r etir ed clergyperson. He resides in San Antonio, TX.

fought great odds to follow God's word and keep their faith, often losing their lives in the process..

All Saints' Day began as a day to honor 4. Spend the day with your family watching Christians who were martyred in the Roman movies or documentaries about saints. You persecutions. Over time, it has been trans- can find them at the library, or even online. formed into an opportunity to honor all de- 5. Help to continue the work started by a saint. Look for a charity that parted Christians. In speaks to you or reminds you The Presbyterian of a loved one and contact Church, it is a day of the coordinator. Ask if there remembrance for are any volunteer opportunithe saints, with the ties or any other way in New Testament which you can help. meaning of all Chris6. Donate to charities in hontians of every time or of the person who has had and place. In many the most positive influence in local churches, All your life. You can donate Saints' Day serves as money, food or goods. the congregation's 7. Pass the lesson on. Teach "memorial day," others what you have where the names learned from the people and lives of departwho have touched your life. ed members and The stories will be especially friends who died in helpful for children who need the past year are rerole models. membered.

8. Light candles in honor of Honor Saints on All someone who was a positive Saints Day. Here are force in your life. Prepare a some ideas for hontable in a safe corner of your oring those Saints in house, place a few pictures you own life: of your loved one on the ta1.Attend a church ble and light some candles service. The readings This tapestry from the Cathedral of Our Lady of and hymns are spe- the Angels was woven in Belgium using Egyptian and quietly reflect on their lives, how they have touched cially chosen for this cotton and digital files from the artist, John Nava.

What's so lovely about the tapestry is that recog- you, and how you can touch day and they focus nized, canonized saints are side by side with some others in the name of Christ. on those in the Bible unknown saints, ordinary people.

9. Spend the day in reflecwho have shown tion. Think about the lives of faith in God. 2.Read books about saints. Before they the saints you know, the problems they enwere called saints, they were regular peo- countered and how they solved them. Also ple dealing with everyday life. Many books think about what effects their achievehave been written to show the kind of ments may have had on your walk with Christ, and how you may like to apply their struggles they had to deal with.

3. Read sections of the Bible containing sto- life lessons to your own life. ries of saints. The books of the Old and New Testament contain stories of people who

All Saints Day