March

A Worship Magazine

Easley Presbyterian Church

Easley, SC

March 2018

Vol. 4 Issue 2

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

Saint Patrick The Story of St. Patrick Some 1,500 years ago a teenage boy from what is now Great Britain was kidnapped and enslaved by marauders from a neighboring country. Not since Paris absconded with Helen of Troy has a kidnapping so changed the course of history.

The invading marauders came from fifthcentury Ireland. The teenager they captured eventually escaped, but returned voluntarily some years later. In the meantime, he had become convinced that he was handpicked

by God to convert the entire country to Christianity.

Apparently, he was right.

In the process of converting the people of Ireland, however, the former slave experienced a conversion, too. In the years that followed, he not only shared God with the people of Ireland, but also grew in his understanding of God through them.

Of course, the symbol of St. Patrick is the Shamrock, and it has become the symbol of Ireland as well. Patrick used this humble weed to teach a fundamental principle of Theology. Thus, the shamrock is also a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

And so it was that a young Briton named Patricius died an Irishman named Patrick. And neither Ireland nor Christianity was ever quite the same.

Prayer of St. Patrick Christ be with me; Christ before me; Christ behind me; Christ in me; Christ beneath me; Christ above me; Christ on my right; Christ on my left; Christ where I lie; Christ where I sit; Christ where I arise; Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me; Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me; Christ in every eye that sees me; Christ in every ear that hears me; Salvation is of the Lord.

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Sunday, March 4,

“The Lord Sees” Third Sunday of Lent

Genesis 16:1-16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son.

You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him,

“Hagar and the Angel” Carel Fabritius,1622-1654, a student of Rembrandt

and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. Abram was eighty -six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

“Hymn Meditation: “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” (click title to listen)

Translators are hymn writers too, and they contribute significantly to Christian hymnody. Translating hymns for singing is even more challenging than translating prose. The translator must honor the content of the original poetry, while writing a version that fits the meter and word accent of a pre-existing tune. Then the words should sing as naturally as possible in the new language. In many ways, translating a hymn for singing is like writing a new hymn.

Clarence Augustus Walworth (1820-1900) studied for the ministry at Union College (1838), considering a vocation as an Episcopal priest. Then, following his father’s bidding, he studied law, passed

3 the bar, and became an attorney in 1841. Abandoning law, he continued his study at General TheologiHark! The glad celestial hymn cal Seminary, New Angel choirs above are raising; York City. AccordCherubim and seraphim. ing to his obituary, In unceasing chorus praising, Walworth decided Fill the heavens with sweet accord: to become a Ro“Holy, holy, holy Lord!” man Catholic All apostles join the strain priest while in New As your sacred name the hallow; York. Following a Prophets swell the glad refrain, And the blessed martyrs follow, severe bout with And from morn to set of sun, malaria, he beThrough the church the song goes on. came a pastor of Holy Father, Holy Son, St. Mary’s Church, Holy Spirit, three we name you, Albany, New York, While in essence only one; from 1866Undivided God we claim you, 1892. He died in And adoring, bend the knee While we own the mystery.

Albany in 1900. In —Ignaz Franz addition to publishing a number of works, he was an amateur geologist, developing an extensive knowledge of the geological topography of New York State.

Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all we bow before you.

All on earth your scepter claim; All in heaven above adore you.

Infinite your vast domain, Everlasting is your reign.

Turning to the author of the German text, Ignaz Franz (1719-1790), born in Poland, was a German Roman Catholic priest and hymnologist who compiled song collections. Franz edited several hymnbooks, one of which was the source of the melody. The original German “Grosser Gott, wir loben dich” is a paraphrase of the important fourth- or fifth-century canticle, Te Deum Laudamus (“We praise you God”), a Trinitarian hymn The original Latin text follows within 200 years of the important Council of Nicea (325 C.E.), where the nature of the Trinity was the topic, and out of which the Nicene Creed was formed. It is no wonder that Walworth wanted to translate this important historical text into metrical English.

In this case, the trek to the hymn that appears in hymnals begins with the original Latin in the fourth century, through the translation in the Book of Common Prayer (1662) in the seventeenth century, to the German versification by Franz in the eighteenth century, and finally to Walworth’s translation in the nineteenth century. Actually, there is one more stop along the way, but I fear that I am asking a lot of all but the most dedicated reader! This is the journey of one of the oldest and most historically important Christian hymn.

— C. Michael Hawn, Perkins School of Theology

Hymn Meditation: “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”

“Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle — true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my hus-band commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the se-

4 Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender words I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him; from care he sets me free: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

cret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this sim-ple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.”

The Doolittles were able to rise above the problems in their lives because they remained strong in their faith. They believed I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, that if God cared for a lowly sparrow, surely For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

He must also care for them as well. Jesus — Civilla Durfree Martin, 1905, saidMatthew 10:29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 Don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Hymn Meditation: “Lord, Speak to me that I May Speak”

Frances Ridley Havergal came by her love of hynology naturally. Her father, Rev. William Henry Havergal, was an Anglican clergyman who devoted his life to improving the music of the Church of England, writing over 100 hymns himself.

Frances, born December 14, 1836, was a delightful child who began reading and memorizing the Bible at age four. By age seven, she was already writing poems.

Through joys and sorrows, Lord, speak to me, that I may speak in living echoes of your tone.

Frances remembered all the words As you have sought, so let me speak your erring children, lost and lone. her parents taught her about the O lead me, Lord, that I may lead the wandering and the wavering feet.

Loving Savior. She went on to be- O feed me, Lord, that I may feed your hungering ones with manna sweet. come a deeply spiritual writer of hymns and devotional books. This O teach me, Lord, that I may teach the precious truths which you impart.

And wing my words that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart. hymn, originally titled “A Workers Prayer” was written on April 28, O fill me with your fullness, Lord, until my very heart o’er flow In kindling thought and glowing word, your love to tell, your praise to show.

1872, for the use of lay helpers in O use me, Lord, use even me, just as you will, and when, and where the church.

Until your blessed face I see, your rest, your joy, your glory share.

— Frances Ridley Havergal, 1872

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Sunday, March Fourth Sunday of Lent “Covenant of Flesh” Genesis 17

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be “Abraham” circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlastHarry Anderson, 1902-1996 ing covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

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Hymn Meditation: “O Lord, Our God, How Excellent” Imagine the scene. Here is O Lord, our God, how excellent, how glorious is your name. young David out under the stars at Your majesty surrounds the earth, and children sing your fame. night watching his sheep. The air at The heavens shout your handiwork; we stand beneath in awe, that time and place was not dark- To think the One who made all things should care for us at all. ened with smog or polluted with Yet you have made us less than gods, surpassing all but you, the irritants that fill the atmosphere With heart and mind, with strength and will, to search for what is true. today. The stars were brilliant, and Into our hands you’ve placed all things: the earth, the sea, each place the moon, in its full phase, was We’re called to probe for secret gifts and venture into space. crossing the heavens. He felt, as we O Lord, our God, how excellent, how glorious is your name, have all felt as we have stood unMajestic in your holiness. We sing and praise your name. der the stars at night, something of — Fred R. Anderson, 1986 mingled mystery and awe as he looked up into the star-spangled heavens. He considered the beauty of nature and its silent witness to the wisdom of God. All the breath-taking beauty of this scene broke upon his eyes as the sun set. He was astonished at the greatness of a God who could create such things.

Thirty centuries after David wrote these words, we feel the same awe when we consider the starry heavens. Astronauts have been physically able to walk on the same moon that David could observe only from a distance, yet all the knowledge that has been gained about the universe in which we live only serves to deepen our impression of the tremendous wisdom and power of God. How vast is the universe in which we live! These billions of galaxies whirl in their silent courses through the deepness of space. How tremendous is the power that sustains it all and keeps it operating as one harmonious unit! That is what impressed this psalmist.

Then he faces the inevitable question that comes to those who contemplate God's greatness. 'What is man, he asks, in the sight of a God who could make a universe like this? You will recognize that this is the question that cries for an answer in our day. What are humans? Where did they come from?

What is their purpose here? Why do they exist on this small planet in this vast universe? These are the questions that are being asked more and more.

The psalmist goes on to answer his own question: You made humans a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned

7 them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Humanity has a unique relationship to God. We were made to be a little less than God. What is included in that remarkable expression is the revelation of God's purpose for us. According to the Bible, God made us to be the expression of God's life, the human vehicle of the divine life, the means by which the invisible God would be made visible to His creatures. Humanity was to be the instrument by which God would do His work in the world and the expression of the character and being of God. We is the creature nearest to God. There is none other nearer, for God Himself was to live in us. That is the revelation of the Bible. We are such a unique beings, Such remarkable beings, that God Himself intends to live in us to be the glory of His creation. — R. Stedman, “Authentic Christianity”

Anthem Meditation: “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments” Love One Another

If ye love me, keep my commandments, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, That he may bide with you forever, Ev’n the Spirit of truth.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is[a]born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested [b] in us, that God has sent His [c]only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 4:7-14 In Christ, we are given a new name — Beloved, loved of God. Christ called us to love one another, but he also came to show us how to love one another.

Several years ago, I heard a sermon that has really stuck with me. The idea was not new, but it was eloquently expressed: “Hurt people hurt other people; but loved people love other people.” When we are hurt it is very easy and natural to respond with hurt — to lash out at others and hurt them as well (even when they are not the ones who have caused us hurt) — the feeling fills us up and flows out of us.

Unfortunately, this truth is found not only in the workplace and schools and communities, but in our churches as well. We will not name names, although we all probably could. We all know that person who is always negative about everything — who always seems angry about something or at someone. They are hurt and filled with hurt and overflow with hurt. Sometimes we are even that person so consumed with hurt.

They/we have forgotten who we are! In Christ we are “Beloved”. In Christ we are a deeply and dearly loved person. And loved people love other people. That is what Christ did. He loved us so that we could love each other.

8 It’s easy to forget who we are. That is why scripture reminds us over and over again — and we should remind each other over and over again: Beloved (deeply loved child of God) because you have been loved and know love, we have been freed to show love and give love.

Let’s turn to our neighbor and tell them: “Beloved, deeply loved child of God, let us love one another.”

Prayer: Holy Father, you have called us your beloved child. But I have known hurt and felt the deep burn of pain. Because of you, I have also been loved and know love. Forgive me when I hurt others. Help me to forgive when I am hurt by others. Remind us of who we are and teach us to love in you name. Amen.

“Hymn Meditation:“Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated”

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God..” 1 Corinthians 10:31 In this day of self-centered living and pleasureoriented lifestyle, the total commitment of God of body, mind, and possessions portrayed in this text is difficult for many Christians to achieve. Even though we realize that we have nothing we have not received and that we are only stewards of the Take my life, and let it be good gifts God has enConsecrated, Lord, to thee. trusted to us, we often fail Take my moments and my days; to apply this basic truth to Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move our daily lives.

At the impulse of thy love.

It was said of Frances Take my feet, and let them be Ridley Havergal, author of Swift and beautiful for thee. this text, that the beauty Take my voice, and let me sing of a consecrated life was Always, only, for my King. never more perfectly reTake my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from thee. vealed than in her daily Take my silver and my gold; living. She has rightfully Not a mite would I withhold. been called “The ConseTake my intellect, and use Every power as thou shalt choose. cration Poet.”

“These little couplets Take my will, and make it thine; It shall be no longer mine. that chimed in my heart one after another” were for Mrs. Take my heart, it is thine own; Havergal the result of an evening in 1874 passed in pursuIt shall be thy royal throne. ing a deeper consecration of herself to God. “Take my Take my love, my Lord, I pour voice and let me sing always only for my King” was personAt thy feet its treasure-store.

Take myself, and I will be ally significant for Frances. She was naturally very musical Ever, only, all for thee. and had been trained as a concert soloist with an unusual— Frances R. Havergal, 1873 ly pleasant voice. Her musical talents could have brought her much worldly fame. However, she determined that her life’s mission was to sing and work only for Jesus. Frances also sent over 50 pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms to the church missionary house to be sold and used for the work of Christ.

Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise! Amen.

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Sunday, March 10 Hymn Meditation: “Discipline LeadsUp to Exaltation” “My Faith Looks to Thee” (click title to listen) Fourth Sunday of Lent

But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13 In the early 1830s, Lowell Mason moved to Boston from Savannah, where he had worked in a bank while directing church choirs on the side. In relocating to Boston, he wanted to focus exclusively on his mu- My faith looks up to thee, And griefs around me spread, Be thou my guide; sical interests. Soon Thou Lamb of Calvary, Bid darkness turn to day; he was directing Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray; Wipe sorrow’s tears away; three choirs, publishTake all my guilt away; Nor let me ever stray ing hymns, compiling O let me from this day be wholly thine!

From thee aside. a songbook, and tryMay thy rich grace impart When ends life’s transient dream, ing to get music edu- Strength to my fainting heart, When death’s cold sullen stream cation in the Boston My zeal inspire; Shall o’er me roll; As thou hast died for me, Blest Savior, then, in love, public schools.

Fear and distrust remove; While in Boston, he O may my love to thee Pure, warm, and changless be, O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul! met Ray Palmer, a —Ray Palmer, 1830 A living fire! young ministerial student. Palmer shared While life’s dark maze I tread a personal devotional poem he had written. “The words for these stanzas were born out of my own soul with very little effort.” I recall that I wrote the verses with tender emotion. There was not the slightest thought of writing for another eye, least of all writing a hymn for Christian worship.”

After reading the poem, Mason quickly copied down the text, went home, poured over this poem, and hammered out the perfect tune for it.

Mr. Palmer went on to do many great things and write many more hymns, but this text will forever be known as his greatest gift to the church.

—-Robert J. Morgan “Then Sings My Soul.”

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Sunday, March18

Fifth Sunday of Lent God’s Preposterous Promise Genesis 17:15-18:15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

“Hymn Meditation: “Christ Be Beside Me”

Christ be beside me; Christ be before me; Christ be behind me, King of my heart.

Christ be within me; Christ be below me; This is part of a much larger hymn attributed to St. Patrick in Christ be above me, never to part. the 5th century.

Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” has been sung and prayed for cen- Christ all around me, shield in the strife, turies as a reminder of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, Light of my life. as guide and protector through our daily lives.

Christ be in all hearts thinking about me; Christ be on all tongues telling of me.

Christ be the vision in eyes that see me; In ears that hear me Christ ever be.

— St. Patrick, adapt. By James Quinn

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I bind unto myself today The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom;* I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power Of the great love of the cherubim; The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour, The service of the seraphim, Confessors' faith, Apostles' word, The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls, All good deeds done unto the Lord, I bind unto myself today The virtues of the starlit heaven, The glorious sun's life-giving ray, The whiteness of the moon at even,

Anthem Meditation: “I Been in De Storm So Long”

The flashing of the lightning free, The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, The stable earth, the deep salt sea, Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today The power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, The word of God to give me speech, Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity; By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three, Of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

This African-American spiritual offers religious testimony along with lightly veiled notes of protest. It sees life as a long storm through which one travels yearning for a little time to oneself (always in short supply to the slaves)--time for the peace of prayer and reflection upon deliverance into a just and quiescent, comforting realm of God. Such "escapist" songs offered slaves the consoling promise of a better world from which escape was a powerful motive.

When you read through the Psalms, you can really get a sense of honesty with God. The prayers are earnest and heartfelt, whether they are songs of praise or songs of lament. You

12 soon learn that it’s OK to be honest with God — after all, He already knows how we feel.

The spirituals are often written in the form of a Lament similar to the Psalms of Lament. In these Oh, let me tell you, brother, Psalms, we hear the strong, emotional words of sufHow I cam long, ferers. These are words written by real people, in Oh, gimme little time to pray; very difficult situations. These Godly sufferers know With a hung down head and a achin’ heart, that God will not be angry with their honesty, for Oh, gimme little time to pray. even when they scream at God, it is a scream of Now when I get to heaven, I’ll take my seat, faith. They were written for singing. They were inOh, gimme little time to pray, tended for public worship in the temple, in Israel, Ana cast my crown at my Jesus feet, and for us. They are not, merely, poems, but are lyrOh, gimme little time to pray; ics. They contain musical conventions, peculiar to I been in de storm so long, music and worship during ancient time. Written in I been in de storm so long, children, the language of the human spirit, they reflect the I been in de storm so long, feelings of a person at a certain time, or the utterOh, gimme little time to pray.

— Traditional Spiritual ances of the soul. They are not cool, reasoned prose, but rather, deeply emotional works, which use wrenching language, dramatic exaggeration, and figurative speech.

Individual Psalms, were written for different purposes. Some began as works of private devotion, while others were designed for the purpose of public worship. Ultimately, they became the treasures of all the people, in temple worship, for no matter what subject the Psalms addressed, they always lead the people to the worship of the Living God. Written in the language of response, the Psalms record, in powerful, poetic language, one individual's response to God. From a desperate cry, to an ecstatic shout of joy, each Psalm is a response to God, in the middle of a particular situation.

This Spiritual brings to my mind a Contemporary Christian song that I like called “Sometimes He Calms the Storm.” This song is a reference to Christ calming both the storm on the lake in Galilee as well as calming the storm of inner turmoil in His children.

I been in de storm so long, I been in de storm so long, children, I been in de storm so long, Oh, gimme little time to pray.

Sometimes He calms the storm With a whispered "Peace be still" He can settle any sea But it doesn't mean He will Sometimes He holds us close And lets the wind and waves go wild Sometimes He calms the storm And other times He calms His child “May the God of hope Fill you with all joy and peace in believing, So that you may abound in hope By the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed

“Jesus in the Wilderness” Ivan Kramskoi, 1872

13 you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. “

Hymn Meditation: “To Abraham and Sarah”

Sarah was ninety years old when she became the mother of Isaac (see Genesis To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear: 17:17). When the Lord visited Abra-ham a “Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.

You need not fear the journey, for I have pledged my word year earlier and said they would have a That you shall be my people and I will be your God.” son, Sarah laughed to herself (Genesis 18:10 -12). She likely thought it was impossible— From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race, and perhaps even ridiculous.

Dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace; Yet later as she held her newborn son in And in their heart was written by God this saving word, her arms, Sarah understood that God was “That you shall be my people and I will be your God.” laughing with her. So she laughed again We of this generation on whom God’s hand is laid and urged others to laugh with her—not Can journey to the future secure and unafraid, because the situation was funny or ridicuRejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word, lous, but because it was so wondrous. She “That you shall be my people and I will be your God.” — Judith A. Fetter, 1984 even named the child Isaac, which means “laughter.”

Abraham and Sarah’s long years of disappointment at not being able to have a child ended as the joy of welcoming this baby boy filled their hearts. God had indeed brought laughter and hope, the beginning of the fulfillment of his promise to make them a great nation (Genesis 12:2).

God’s faithfulness to Sarah and Abraham is one example of how God is faithful to us.

God wants to bring all of us laughter and joy.

—-Thea Lunk, “Devotions Today”

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Hymn Meditation: “My Song Forever Shall Record” My song forever shall record You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I The tender mercies of the Lord; Your faithful love will I proclaim, have sworn to David my servant, And every age shall know your name.

I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm I sing of mercies that endure, through all generations.’”

Forever firm, forever sure, Throughout time, the writer of Psalm 89 (Ethan the Ezrahite) A strong support that never dies, echos the covenant promise. This covenant was first spo- Established changeless in the skies. ken to Eve in the garden of Eden, then to Abraham, Issac Almighty God, your lofty throne and Jacob. Judah would receive the Messianic promise Has justice for its cornerstone; from his father. David and the other psalmists wrote about And shining bright before your face Are truth and love and boundless grace. this promise numerous times. Eventually, that promise would come to a Hebrew maiden named Elizabeth and to With blessing is the nation crowned Whose people know the joyful sound; her cousin Mary.

They in the light, O Lord, shall live, The light your face and favor give.

The Old Testament church knew a lot about covenants. — New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909 After the Israelites left Egypt, they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, trembling in fear as God made a covenant with them–follow everything I command, and I will bless you. Yet, the Israelites could not keep everything God had commanded them. They followed idols and chased after worldly security and the perversions of the people around them. In response to their sin, God handed them over to their enemies–the Midianites, the Edomites, the Babylonians and Persians, and the As-

15 syrians. Because of their sin, the Israelites did not receive the full measure of God’s blessing, but tasted pain and death.

This is not the covenant of Psalm 89. The covenant here is a “new” covenant–old as the garden of Eden, but just as fresh and relevant today. This covenant is not two-sided, but one-sided. In this promise, God says, “no matter what you do, I have loved you and will continue to bless you. This covenant is the promise fulfilled in the Christ-child at Christmas and at the cross and the empty tomb. This covenant makes us co-heirs of all of God’s blessings to his people. So in response to this covenant: I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for all of the promises you keep day after day. You protect me and you bless me–giving me more than I could ever earn. Most of all, you have given me salvation in Christ. I can never thank you enough for that gift, but let me live a life of thanks to you and declare your love to all those around me. Amen.

The Celtic Cross The Celtic Cross can be found in stone carvings all throughout the British isles. They can be dated back to as early as the fifth century A.D. It has even come to symbolize Ireland itself. The Celtic Cross has been ornamented and altered in a number of ways, but the basic structure is the traditional Latin Cross with a circle around the axis point. There are three main views of this cross’ symbolism. The first views the circle as a representation of the sun and thus Heaven itself. The cross becomes the world axis or the spiritual bridge between Heaven and earth. The second view sees the circle as a halo, representing Christ’s holiness and deity.

The final view sees the circle as a ring - a wedding ring as a pledge between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

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Sunday, March 25 Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday Luke 4:14-21

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.16When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Hymn Meditation: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” The Gospel of Mark tells us that on this day people cut branches and spread them and their cloaks in Jesus' path as he entered Jerusalem, making a highway for the Messiah. They shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"

As a teenager I thought the triumphal entry was the most exciting story in the Gospel narratives, more wonderful than the angels' singing at Jesus' Hosanna, loud hosanna, birth or the dove's descent at his baptism. I viewed those The little children sang, affirmations of Jesus' messianic role as somehow external to Through pillared court and temple him. The angels and the dove were given, but Jesus earned The lovely anthem rang. those hosannas. They proved that he had done his job well. To Jesus, who had blessed them Close folded to his breast, Following the spontaneous parade of celebration, the The children sang their praises, Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus "went into the temple; The simplest and the best. and when he had looked around at everything, ... he went From Olivet they followed out to Bethany with the twelve.

Mid an exultant crowd, This verse seems to imply that the crowd's acclaim was The victor palm branch waving, just another piece of Jesus' job. Now that I am older, I have And chanting clear and loud. learned that he was right and that keeping our attention The Lord of earth and heaven Rode on in lowly state, on the kingdom rather than on the crowd is the most Christ- Nor scorned that little children like -- and one of the most demanding -- of the spiritual dis- Should on his bidding wait. ciplines. —Phyllis A. Tickle (Tennessee, U.S.A.) From Upper "Hosanna in the highest!"

Room April 13, 2003 That ancient song we sing, For Christ is our Redeemer, Prayer: Giver of all grace, fix our hearts not on the crowd's The Lord of heaven our King. acclaim but on doing your most beautiful and eternal will. O may we ever praise him With heart and life and voice, Amen.

And in his blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

— Jeannette Threlfall

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Anthem Meditation: “Crucified”

Crucifixion: “Embracing Reality” “Christ had offered for all time a single Crucified on a tree of His own making. sacrifice for our sins. -Hebrews 10:12 Crucified by the ones He came to save.

WHEN I opened the door to the church, I Crucified while His mother’s heart was breaking, saw that the sanctuary was lighted by candles Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified. and there was a funereal black drape on the In a world that He created, cross. A few worshipers wearing somber ex- To His people lost in sin, pressions sat quietly in their seats. I slid into a Jesus came, a tiny baby seat in the back so I could make a quick exit if Born to die, our souls to win.

I found the ser- It was planned from the beginning: vice too upset- Jesus Christ, the great I AM, Would Himself die to redeem us, ting.

The Good Shepherd is the Lamb.

I had never been to a Crucified on a tree of His own making.

Good Friday Crucified by the ones He came to save.

Crucified while His mother’s heart was breaking, worship service. Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified.

I did not like thinking about To the cross our sins He carried, There alone to bleed and die. the Crucifixion. I As His friends looked on in silence, had been con- “it is finished” was His cry. tent to focus on He has purchased our redemption. the joy of Easter Satan’s power He has defied.

Sunday, skip- Son of God and Son of Mary crucified.

— Susan Bentall Boersma, 2011 ping over the events of Good Friday because they made me feel uncomfortable.

But as I matured in my faith, I realized that embracing the reality of Good Friday would help me more fully appreciate the gift of Easter Sunday.

So there I was in a dimly lit church, listening to the Crucifixion story from the Gospel of Mark. At the end of the reading we were reminded that Christ made his incredible sacrifice so that each one of us might have eternal life. In that somber setting, the reality of what Christ had done suddenly became real and personal for me. I left the church with a firmer hold on my faith and a deeper resolve to move closer to the One who loves me more than I deserve.

— Vicki Hines (Tennessee, U.S.A.) Upper Room, April 14, 2006 “Crucifixion” window, Sir Edward Burne-Jones Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of eternal life that was bought with your blood. In your name we pray. Amen.

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Hymn Meditation: “What Wondrous Love Is This”

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

'Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, that caused the lord of life This beloved hymn, with its plaintive modal To lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, sound, is one of the best known of our authentic To lay aside his crown for my soul.

American folk hymns. Like all true folk music, the To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing, origins of this text and music remain unknown. It is To God and to the Lamb, I will sing. simply the product of devout people who, when To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM, reflecting seriously on the sacrificial gift of God’s While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, Son, respond spontaneously with amazed While millions join the theme I will sing. adoration for the “wondrous love.” One typical And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on, folk hymn characteristic found in these words is And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on. the repetition of key phrases such as “o my soul” And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be, and I’ll sing on.” Since folk music is generally And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on, learned aurally without the assistance of the And through eternity I'll sing on.

— USA Folk Hymn printed page or music notation, such repetition was an effective learning tool. The hymn fist appeared in 1835 in a collection titled William Walker’s Southern Harmony. These simply stated words with their appealing music have since ministered to people everywhere, extolling the profound truth of Christ’s love for each of us. Reflect again on the wondrous love of Christ in your behalf.

The Cross that Transforms Us” I will have to admit that I am completely fascinated with crosses. I think that they are truly beautiful. Over the years, I have collected quite a number of crosses.

One of my best friends really hates crosses and cannot imagine why such a brutal and hateful thing has come to represent a loving and merciful Savior. He would much prefer using the symbol of a fish, or the trinity rings, or a chalice, etc… And we have had many debates on the topic over the years.

Jesus Christ came , not only to save the world, but to transform it.

Water was changed to wine. The sick and blind were transformed into whole and healthy people. Even the dead were transformed into the living. Christ challenged the way we see creation. He challenged the way we though about widows and orphans and those trapped in poverty. He transformed fishermen into preachers, and transformed skeptics into true believers. You might even say that he was in the very business of transforming lives. And he is still in that business today.

So, the God who transforms also has the power to transform this image of hate and shame into an image of mercy, love, and grace — the cross.

“What you meant for evil, God intended for good.” Genesis 50:20 If God has the power to transform the cross, then what can he do with a life? I believe the cross is such a thing of beauty because it was once so very ugly, but touched by Loving Hands and transformed. And when we are touched by those same hands, we are never the same. We too are transformed.

—Robert Norris

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A Study of Art for the Lenten Season: Artwork Inspired by the Final Days of Christ “Triumphal Entry”

by Liz Lemon Swindle

It was a good day. A day that we had all been waiting for. A day when the King was finally proclaimed for who he really was — not just acknowledge by a few close friends, but acknowledge by the crowds of Jerusalem who had heard the name of “Jesus” and had heard all the things he had done. They wanted him to take the throne and bring them freedom.

The donkey was ready for him, the people were waiting to see him. The palm branches were cut and already waiving in anxious anticipation for his arrival. For some, the palm branches were simply not enough. They removed their cloaks and tossed them on the path, ready for the muddy, dusty, footprints of the donkey — but not just any donkey. This donkey carried a King. It carried all of their hopes. Hope is a powerful thing and those newlystained cloaks would again be worn with the greatest honor — a badge of hope and faith, a sign of redemption and salvation.

But Christ is very rarely who we expect him to be. He very rarely behaves the way we expect him to. His ways are not our ways — the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of humanity. Is there any doubt that he could have easily toppled the government and established a Kingdom right then and there? But his path took a different direction. He could have changed that city, but he chose to change the world for all eternity. He traded in the throne for a cross; he traded the palm branches for a whip and a rod; he traded the crown for thorns; he traded chanting hosannas for a ringing hammer and nails. And I am forever grateful for that choice. So I will lift my voice and cry “Holy is the Lord! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. My Redeemer has come! Hosanna! Hallelujah! Amen!

— Robert Norris

How could they understand that He loved them enough to allow Himself be taken, scourged, and killed?

How could they know that His death was for them? Yet with three simple words, "It is finished," the door to salvation was opened and His love was forever etched on the hearts of the believers.

“It is Finished”, Liz Lemon Swindle, artist

The sky is dark; the sun refuses to look upon the suffering of its Creator. The lightning strikes under an angry sky. The wind is whipping through the grass, but the breeze brings no comfort to the sweaty and bloody brow. The thorns are sharp and prominent on his bowed head. Signs of his beating and abuse are visible on his shoulders. His lips are still and faintly blue as the life blood leaves them. He has spoken his final words: “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Tis finished! The Messiah dies, And he breathed his last.

Cut off for sin, but not his own.

It is finished. His task was completed. He showed us Accomplished is the sacrifice, The great redeeming work is done. how to live. He taught us how to love. He showed us the consequences and benefits of choosing a higher The veil is rent; in Christ alone way — a better way — a more difficult way. He even The living way to heaven is seen; showed us how to die. And by that death, we are reThe middle wall is broken down, deemed, sanctified. By that death, we are heirs of And all the world may enter in. the Kingdom that Christ calls us to build. We are Tis finished! All my guilt and pain, brothers and sisters to the very Son of God. It is finI want no sacrifice beside; ished. His task was completed. His final step was to For me, for me the Lamb is slain; bring us Hope of the resurrection. His task was over, Tis finished! I am justified.

— Charles Wesley, 1762 but our has just begun. —RN