Tapestry March 2016

A Worship Magazine

Easley Presbyterian Church

Easley, SC

March 2016

Vol. 2 Issue 2

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

The Season of Easter Easter or Resurrection Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead. Even before theologians explained the death of Jesus in terms of various atonement theories, the early church saw his resurrection as the central witness to a new act of God in history and the victory of God in vindicating Jesus as the Messiah. This event marks the central faith confession of the early church and was the focal point for Christian worship, observed on the first day of each week since the first century.

“The Morning of the Resurrection” Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1882 Easter as an annual celebration of the Resurrection that lies at the cenThe Colors of Easter: ter of a liturgical year has been observed at least White and Gold since the fourth century.

Easter, like Passover, is a movable feast. That is, Color used in worship is especially important the date of Easter (and Passover) is not fixed but during the season of Easter. The changing colors is determined by a system based on a lunar calof the sanctuary from the purple of Lent to the endar adapted from a formula decided by the black of Good Friday provide graphic visual symCouncil of Nicaea in AD 325. In this system, Easter bols for the Lenten journey. The change of colors is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first for Easter and the following Sundays helps comfull moon after the Spring equinox, which means municate the movement of sacred time as well the date of Easter can range between March 22 as personal faith journeys. and April 25 depending on the lunar cycle. Since The Sanctuary colors for Easter Sunday and Jewish Passover is calculated differently, the Ascension Day are white and gold, the colors of dates for Passover and Easter do not correspond, sacred days throughout the church year. For the although often the first Day of Passover falls durEaster season, white symbolizes the hope of the ing Holy Week. Much of the calendar of the resurrection, as well as the purity and newness Church year is determined by the date of Easter that comes from victory over sin and death. The Like Christmas, Easter itself is a period of time gold (or yellow) symbolizes the light of the world rather than just a day. It is actually a seven-week brought by the risen Christ that enlightens the season of the church year called Eastertide, the world, as well as the exaltation of Jesus as Lord Great Fifty Days that begins at sundown the and King. The sanctuary color for the other five evening before Easter Sunday (the Easter Vigil) Sundays of Easter is usually also white and gold. and lasts for six more Sundays until Pentecost SunSymbols and Themes of Easter day.

——Dennis Bratcher, The Christian Resource Institute New life is the central theme of Easter. Appropriate symbols include the lily and the butterfly.

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Sunday, March 6 Fourth Sunday of Lent “Life Instructions” Matthew 5:21-37

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Hymn Meditation: “The Mighty God with Power Speaks”

“What Are the Moments that Shape Our Lives?”

There are moments that change us. That quickly — one moment we are one person, the 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not next, we are a different person. commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who There are moments in history that change this looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye caus- country, change our world, change us as a peres you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is son. Pearl Harbor, was one such moment. Perhaps the assassination of President John Kennebetter for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your dy was another. right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw My first such world changing event was the it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your Challenger accident. We were all stunned in body than for your whole body to go into hell. disbelief and as witness to that moment, it 31 changed me.

“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife More recently were the events of September must give her a certificate of divorce.’32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual 11th when the world stopped in that moment immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and any- and when the world breathed again, it had one who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. been changed.

But there are other life-changing moments 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people for us all. That moment when we say, “I do.” The long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’34 But I tell you, do not sound of your baby’s first crying breath — these moments also change us. swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s We live our lives from moment to moment, throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And from hour to hour, and day to day. How many do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even moments have we missed or wasted or let slip one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simp- away? ly ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the What do we do with 24 hours? Truth be told, evil one. 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?

3 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 God comes not with a silent form, but riding on the winds; hours has altered history and changed Before God’s face, the ragging storm its blast of thunder sends. lives in ways we cannot begin to comAll hail the Judge, in bold array, whose promise is to bless; prehend. The change continues to Who sees our sins, yet also feels our thirst for righteousness. progress toward the completion of the The heavens declare your justice, Lord, as endless as the sky; Kingdom. And we are called to bear Against the taunts of disbelief, our God will testify. witness. We are called to share in the Receive my heartfelt gift of thanks, as honor to your might; Refresh my faith with each new day; protect me through the night. process of change. We are called to — Michael Morgan, 1999 from Psalm 50 build the Kingdom. And we are united in purpose and direction because God took a moment to change the world. Amen. —Robert

The Mighty God with power speaks, and all the world obeys; From dawn until the setting sun, God’s wonder earth displays.

The perfect beauty all around from Zion’s height shines forth; And stars across the firmament so brightly beams their worth.

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

Hymn Meditation: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” “Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the skull. Here they crucified Him.” John 19:17,18 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, While prepareing for a Save in the death of Christ, my God; communion service in 1707, All the vain things that charm me most, Isaac Watts wrote this deeply I sacrifice them to his blood. moving and very personal See, from his head, his hands, his feet, expression of gratitude for the Sorrow and love flow mingled down. amazing love that the death Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown. of Christ on the cross revealed. The hymn was Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; originally titled, “Crucifixion to Love so amazing, so divine, the World by the Cross of Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Christ.” The noted theologian — Isaac Watts Matthew Arnold called this the greatest hymn in the english language. The unique thought presented by Watts in these lines certainly must have pointed the 18th century Christians to a view of the dying Savior in a vivid and memorable way that led them to a deeper worship experience, even as it does for us today.

When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died; My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

Crucifixion, William Morris

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Anthem Meditation: “Mercy” “Hesed” is one of my favorite words. I first learned the word in my Old Testament class back in semiKyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, nary. It is a Hebrew Have mercy. word often used in In mercy cover me with grace the Psalms. It is not And blot out my iniquity. easy to define, but its Renew my heart and wash me clean; Grant with your pardon, purity. meaning is clear. In fact, a whole new In equal measure of your love, You promise mercy, word was created Tender compassion to the one, just to translate Who seeks your face, “hesed” into English A broken heart, a fainting soul, — Lovingkindness. If A contrite spirit, Together cry for your forgiveness you come across that and your grace. word in scripture it is Against you only have I sinned. “hesed”. Sometimes it My deeds are evil in your sight, is also translated as Of your forgiveness let me sing, mercy or faithful merAnd in my singing take delight. cies. It is God’s unKyrie eleison, kyrie eleison, ending , faithful mercy and love, and grace, lavishly bestowed on Have mercy. Have mercy.

—Susan Bentall Boersma, 2015 his children.

I love that this extraordinary expression of grace is not easily defined, or easily explained, but once you’ve experienced it, it is simply understood. So many times in my life I have felt that powerful and gentle embrace of the Father’s forgiving arms, now I have a word for it — Hesed.

When the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus for condemnation, she looked into his eyes and saw it — Hesed. When the prodigal returned to a robe, a ring, a calf, and the arms of his father — Hesed. When God’s time was right, he chose to show the world how deep his love really is, how wide his mercies really are, and he raised a cross for an enduring image of grace — Hesed! The writer of Lamentations new that every morning God gives new mercies because every morning we are in need of that mercy — Hesed. Before I knew the word, I know what it meant; I had felt it, I had seen it. How can a little word mean so much? I don’t know, but I am grateful for it.

“Hesed” is definitely one of my favorite words. -- Robert Norrris I dare not lift my guilty eyes.

I hide my lips in trembling shame.

And in the darkness of my soul, I shrink from your rekindling flame.

Hymn Meditation: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is nor variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22.

Of the many gospel hymns written in recent times on the theme of God’s goodness and faithfulness, this hymn stands out like a beacon of light. This hymn was not born of some great tragedy of

5 experience, it was simply the result of the author’s “morning by morning realization of God’s personal faithfulness.”

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born in Franklin Kentucky, on July 29, 1866. Without the benefit of Great is thy faithfulness. Great is thy faithfulness. high school or advanced training, he began his Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed thy hand hath provided. career as a school teacher at the age of sixteen in Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. the same country school house where he had received his elementary training. He went on to beSummer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above come an editor in the local newspaper and evenJoin with all nature in manifold witness tually an editor for a paper in Louisville. He also To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. served a short while as a Methodist minister and an insurance agent. But it is as a poet that he has Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, made his greatest contribution.

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow: Mr. Chisholm wrote more than 1200 poems, apBlessings all mine with ten thousand beside! pearing in religious periodicals. In a letter dated — Thomas O. Chisholm 1941, Mr. Chisholm writes: “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health … but I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God, who has given me many wonderful displays of His care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”

Mr. Chisholm sent this hymn text to Rev. W. M. Runyan, a noted musician of the time. Mr. Runyan set the text to the tune FAITHFULNESS and it was first published in 1923.

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not.

As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

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A Study of Art for the Lenten Season: Artwork Inspired by the Final Days of Christ Week Four: “Pilate Washing His Hands� by Mattia Preti Although Mattia Preti (1613-1699) spent much of his life elsewhere, he is traditionally associated with the city of Naples. He extended the reputation of Neapolitan painting throughout Italy and internationally.

Originally from Calabria in southern Italy, Preti went to Rome around 1630, sharing a room with his brother Gregorio who had arrived about two years earlier. Gregorio may have been Mattia's principal teacher, although they both also studied at the Accademia di San Luca.

While in Rome during the 1630s and 1640s, Preti achieved his first success. His easel paintings, particularly his early ones, are painted in the style of Caravaggio. His mature style, which reached its epitome in Naples from 1653 to 1660, is intensely dramatic, uniting realism and expressive grandeur and theatricality of Venetian artists. In 1661 Preti went to the island of Malta, where he remained for the rest of his life. While receiving most of the island's church commissions, he also worked for patrons from across Europe. Preti's contributions to the late Baroque style in Naples greatly inspired later painters.

The popularity and success of the Baroque style was encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church, which had decided at the time of the Council of Trent, in response to the Protestant Reformation, that the arts should communicate religious themes in direct and emotional involvement. The aristocracy also saw the dramatic style of Baroque architecture and art as a means of impressing visitors and expressing triumphant power and control.

7 In the Baroque style, this painting is “busy” with a background full of architecture, and “theatrical” as the scene plays out before its audience. The drama is emphasized by the use of light and shadow. The central character is Pilate and there seems to be a spot light shinning on him. He stares directly at the audience and seems to ask “What would you have me do?”

The forward, right side of the painting seems almost serene. Pilate is passive and calm. And elderly soldier nonchalantly leans against the dais. Two serving boys attend Pilate, one holding a basin, and the other holding a water pitcher.

Pilate washes his hands, refusing to take any blame for the farce of a trial that has played out before him. Nevertheless, he willingly sends an innocent man to his death.

(This act of hand washing lies in stark contrast to the foot washing administered by Christ only a few hours earlier — an act of selfishness verses and act of selflessness.)

The shadowy background tells a very different story. The serene scene is broken as your attention is moved to the angry mob, soldiers binding Christ and leading him away with a rope around his neck, like an animal being sent to slaughter.

The cross is raised before Jesus, taunting him with what is about to happen to him. This part of the “Theater” in this painting is dark and dirty and “loud” with images.

The eyes return to Pilate and his quiet stare, oblivious to the scene playing out before him. His face is turned away. He ignores the sounds, and like Lady McBeth, tries to wash the unseen blood from his hands.

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Sunday, March 13 Fifth Sunday of Lent “Love Your Enemies” Matthew 5:1-12

38

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a]39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Hymn Meditation: “Love Divine”

“His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3 After their marriage, Charles and Sally Wesley set up housekeeping in Bristol, England, heading up the Methodist activities there. Later they moved to London so Charles could work more closely with his brother, John. All the while, however, he was writing hymns. There aren’t many stories behind specific hymn, because Charles was constantly writing hymns. He didn’t need special events to inspire him, he just continually wrote. He had within him a treasury of poetry. He constantly experienced the emotions of a true poet, his mind instinctively invested words with harmony, and hymn after hymn flowed from his pen.

Henry Moore, one of his friends, described Charles like this: “Even when he was nearly eighty, he rode around on a little gray horse.

He wore winter clothes even in the height of summer. He kept a card in his pocket so he could jot down any thought that struck him.

On these cards, he would often compose a hymn in short hand. Not infrequently he had come to our house crying, ‘Pen and ink! Pen and ink!’ These being supplied he wrote the hymn he had been composing in his head.”

How many hymns did Wesley compose? No one has been able

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

— Charles Wesley

9 to count them all. Experts put the number between three and six thousand. “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” is certainly a favorite of many. It continues to enrich and inspire.

Anthem Meditation: “Let us Love One Another” This anthem is by Dr. Robert C. Lau. Dr. Lau is from Lebanon PA. He has served on staff at several universities in the North East. He is currently an adjunct member of the Humanities Division of Penn State-Harrisburg. In addiBeloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God, tion to his work in education, Dr. Lau And all who know and call upon his name are children of our Lord.

Beloved, this is what love is; not that we love God, serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Mt. But that he loves us and sent his only Son to free us from our sin.

Calvary Episcopal Church in Camp Hill, PA, and maintains a private studio How can we not know our God? How can we not love our God? He sent his only Son to die for all our sins. in Camp Hill, teaching composition, Is there greater love than this? Is there greater love than this? violin and viola.

Beloved, if this is how God loves, then we should love all men, “Let Us Love One another” echoes And live in perfect harmony with all, and God will live in us. the ideas set in Romans 12 — “Be deLet us love one another. Let us love one another. voted to one another in brotherly — Arnold B. Sherman love. Honor one another above yourselves...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It also answers the question of the sermon “What to Do When Others Make You Sick? — Let us Love One Another!

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Hymn Meditation: “The Gift of Love” “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one Though I may speak with bravest fire, another.” John And have the gift to all inspire, And have not love, my words are vain, 13:34 As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mounOur spirits long to be made whole. tains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my posLet inward love guide every deed; sessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do By this we worship, and are freed.

—Hal Hopson not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. — I Cor. 13 Though I may give all I possess, And striving so my love profess, But not be given by love within, The profit soon turns strangely thin.

The familiar words of this hymn are a paraphrase of I Corinthians 13. The haunting melody is a traditional English tune: O WALY WALY. This pairing of text and tune were arranged by Hal Hopson, a well -known arranger of church music. Mr. Hopson lives in Dallas Texas, and currently has over 1000 published arrangements for church music.

Hymn Meditation: “More Love to Thee, O Christ”

More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!

Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.

This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee!

“And this is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Phil. 1:9-11 To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, … the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!

These were the words of Elizabeth Prentiss, wife of a Presbyterian minister and author of this hymn text. She was often described by her many

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; Now thee alone I seek, give what is best.

This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee!

Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain; Sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain, When they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee!

Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise; This be the parting cry my heart shall raise; This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee; More love to thee, more love to thee!

— Elizabeth Prentiss

11 friends as “a very bright-eyed little woman with a keen sense of humor, who cared more to shine in her own happy household than a wide circle of society.” Although Elizabeth was strong in spirit, she was frail in body. Throughout her life, she was almost an invalid, scarcely knowing a moment free of pain.

“More Love to Thee” was written by Mrs. Prentiss during a time of great personal sorrow, following the loss of two children in a short period of time. During this period of grief, Mrs. Prentiss began meditating upon the story of Jacob in the Old Testament. She noted how God met him in a very special way during his moments of sorrow. Elizabeth prayed earnestly that she too might have a similar experience.

While she was meditating and praying one evening, these four stanzas were born — words that have since become a universal prayer for devout believers everywhere: “This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ to Thee, more love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Love One Another

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.

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.”

—RN 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.

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A Study of Art for the Lenten Season: Artwork Inspired by the Final Days of Christ Week Five: “Christ Mocked by a Soldier” by Carl Bloch, Carl Heinrich Bloch (May 23, 1834 – February 22, 1890) was a Danish painter.

He was born in Copenhagen and studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Art (Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi) there. Bloch's parents wanted their son to enter a respectable profession - an officer in the Navy.

This, however, was not what Carl wanted. His only interest was drawing and painting, and he was consumed by the idea of becoming an artist. He went to Italy to study art, passing through the Netherlands, where he became acquainted with the work of Rembrandt, which became a major influence on him.

Carl Bloch met his beloved wife, Alma Trepka, in Rome, where he married her in May 1868. They had a very happy and prosperous life together until her early death in January 1886. The sorrow over losing his wife weighed heavily on Bloch, and being left alone with their eight children after her death was very difficult for him.

His early work featured rural scenes from everyday life. From 1859 to 1866, Bloch lived in Italy, and this period was important for the development of his historical style.

He was commissioned to produce 23 paintings for the Chapel at Frederiksborg Palace. These were all scenes from the life of Christ which have become very popular as illustrations. The originals, painted between 1865 and 1879, are still at Frederiksborg Palace.

Carl Bloch died of cancer on February 22, 1890. His death came as "an abrupt blow for Nordic art" according to an article by Sophus Michaelis. Michaelis stated that "Denmark has lost the artist that indisputably was the greatest among the living." (from Wikipedia)

13 When I first came across this painting, I thought, “This can’t be a painting; it must be a photograph!” The details are simply amazing and captivating. The scene is set simply — just two characters. The background is dark and shadowy, isolating these two characters as the drama of the scene unfolds.

The soldier screams and taunts Christ. He is seen with a cruel snarl. If you listen carefully, you can hear the belittling words — words to humiliate a “would-be-king”: “So you think you’re the Messiah? Where is your God now? Do you see this stick? I will show you just how human you are, holy man! How do like that bloody crown, king of the Jews? Look at me when I’m talking to you, Hebrew dog!”

But Christ’s attention is elsewhere. And you realize there is a third character in the scene. And I am standing, looking into the eyes of the Savior. The Man of Sorrows silently, tenderly acknowledges my presence in the scene. “This is for you. Remember me. I forgive you.”

To mock your reign, O dearest Lord, They made a crown of thorns; Set you with taunts along the road From which no one returns.

They could not know, as we do now, How glorious is that crown; That thorns would flower upon your brow, Your sorrows heal our own.

In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord, They snatched a purple cloak; Your passion turned, for all they cared, Into a soldier’s joke.

They could not know, as we do now, That though we merit blame,

You will your robe of mercy throw Around our naked shame.

A sceptered reed, O patient Lord, They thrust into your hand, And acted out their grim charade To its appointed end.

They could not know, as we do now, Though empires rise and fall, Your kingdom shall not cease to grow Till love embraces all.

— Fred Pratt Green, 1972

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Sunday, march 20 Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday Mark 11:1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!

It was a good day. A day that Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he we had all been waiting for. A day had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to when the King was finally proclaimed Bethany with the twelve. 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 newly-stained cloaks would again be worn with the greatest honor — a badge of “Triumphal Entry” by Liz Lemon Swindel 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.

“Palm Sunday”

15 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! Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang, Hallelujah! Amen! —Robert Norris Through pillared court and temple The lovely anthem rang.

To Jesus, who had blessed them Close folded to his breast, The Gospel of Mark tells us that on this day people cut branches The children sang their praises, and spread them and their cloaks in Jesus' path as he entered Jeru- The simplest and the best. salem, making a highway for the Messiah. They shouted, "Hosanna!

From Olivet they followed Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Mid an exultant crowd, As a teenager I thought the triumphal entry was the most excit- The victor palm branch waving, ing story in the Gospel narratives, more wonderful than the angels' And chanting clear and loud. singing at Jesus' birth or the dove's descent at his baptism. I The Lord of earth and heaven viewed those affirmations of Jesus' messianic role as somehow ex- Rode on in lowly state, Nor scorned that little children ternal to him. The angels and the dove were given, but Jesus Should on his bidding wait. earned those hosannas. They proved that he had done his job "Hosanna in the highest!" well.

That ancient song we sing, Following the sponta- For Christ is our Redeemer, neous parade of cel- The Lord of heaven our King. ebration, the Gospel O may we ever praise him of Mark tells us that With heart and life and voice, Jesus "went into the And in his blissful presence temple; and when he Eternally rejoice!

— Jeannette Threlfall had looked around at everything, ... he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

This verse seems to imply that the crowd's acclaim was just another piece of Jesus' job. Now that I am older, I have learned that he was right and that keeping our attention on the kingdom rather than on the crowd is the most Christ-like -- and one of the most demanding -- of the spiritual disciplines. —Phyllis A. Tickle (Tennessee, U.S.A.) From Upper Room April 13, 2003

Hymn Meditation: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

Prayer: Giver of all grace, fix our hearts not on the crowd's acclaim but on doing your most beautiful and eternal will. Amen.

“Ride One King Jesus!”

In the song’s lyrics, Jesus is clearly heralded not only as a guardian and a conquering hero, but also as a king as he crosses the Jordan River astride a white horse en route to the “promised land.” As typical of the spirituals as a musical genre, "Ride On, King Jesus" contains a powerful and authentic word of faith to the people of God. True to form, spirituals were used by the enslaved to express not just the trials and tribulations, but also the hope of a better day. As important as that was in the era of chattel slavery in America, to sing a song such as "Ride On, King Jesus" and take its meaning to heart is most desperately needed in this present era of our history. We can take solace and strength in the belief that, as the song’s lyrics suggests, no one can hinder them with God on their side.

16 The Gospel of Mark records that the triumphant Christ entered Jerusalem on a colt. But, with spiritual vision, let's consider a more timeless scene that points to the coming Passion. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords enters the Holy City on a majestic milky-white horse. King Jesus rides on by the cheering crowds who shout with one voice, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Palm branches and beautiful flowers of every description and color are strewn in His path.

From the mighty to those of lowest rank, the entire people stand at attention as the King rides by through the vaulted archway of every time and place. King Jesus rides on by — soon to take up His royal throne. It is made of simple, rough wood with a gibbet for a seat. A sign is written on it in Greek, Hebrew, and Latin: Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews. Some protest the writing, but Pilate declares, "What I have written, I have writ-

Ride on, King Jesus!

No man can hinder me.

Ride on, Ling Jesus, ride on!

No man can hinder me.

For he is King of kings, and he is Lord of lords.

O Jesus Christ, the first and last, No man works like him.

King Jesus rides a milk-white horse No man works like him!

The river of Jordan he did cross, No man works like him.

King Jesus rides in the middle of the air, No man works like him.

He calls the saints from everywhere, No man works like him.

Ride on, ride on, ride on Jesus!

— Traditional Spiritual

ten" (Jn 19:22).

As the reality of the cross looms, we see the Roman soldiers preparing Jesus' crown of glory, woven from thorns and thistles. All of humanity is watching with great gratitude and astonishment at the depths of their great King's love. The cheers grow louder and louder, as all heaven and earth join in praising the King who has come to save His people and gather them from every race, tongue, and nation into His Church.

The cross and the soldiers remind us that the drama of Holy Week lies ahead — the consummation of Jesus' kingship as He en“Christ’s Entrance to Jeruesalem” by Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin ters into His glory. Yet, today is for rejoicing.

Jesus is revealed as our triumphant King and the joy of our hearts. Let us offer King Jesus palm branches of praise as He rides on. With lives of loving and devoted service, let us join all of our brothers and sisters in singing, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mk 11:10).

Come, Lord Jesus. Take up Your throne at the center of my heart. Grant me the courage and love to follow You during the time of Your Passion and death. Amen.

Anthem Meditation: “Crucified” “Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for our sins. -Hebrews 10:12

WHEN I opened the door to the church, I saw that the sanctuary was lighted by candles and there was a funereal black drape on the cross. A few worshipers wearing somber expressions sat quietly in their seats. I slid into a seat in the back so I could make a quick exit if I found the service too upsetting.

I had never been to a Good Friday worship service. I did not like thinking about the Crucifixion. I had been content to focus on the joy of Easter Sunday, skipping over the events of Good Friday because they made me feel uncomfortable. But as I matured in my faith, I realized that embracing

17 the reality of Good Friday would help me more fully Crucified on a tree of His own making. appreciate the gift of Easter Sunday.

Crucified by the ones He came to save.

So there I was in a dimly lit church, listening to the Crucified while His mother’s heart was breaking, Crucifixion story from the Gospel of Mark. At the end of Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified. the reading we were reminded that Christ made his In a world that He created, incredible sacrifice so that each one of us might have To His people lost in sin, eternal life. In that somber setting, the reality of what Jesus came, a tiny baby Christ had done suddenly became real and personal Born to die, our souls to win. for me. I left the church with a firmer hold on my faith It was planned from the beginning: and a deeper resolve to move closer to the One who Jesus Christ, the great I AM, loves me more than I deserve.

Would Himself die to redeem us, — Vicki Hines (Tennessee, U.S.A.) Upper Room, April 14, The Good Shepherd is the Lamb.

2006 Crucified on a tree of His own making.

Crucified by the ones He came to save.

Crucified while His mother’s heart was breaking, Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of eternal life that was bought with your blood. In your name Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified.

To the cross our sins He carried, There alone to bleed and die.

As His friends looked on in silence, “it is finished” was His cry.

He has purchased our redemption.

Satan’s power He has defied.

Son of God and Son of Mary crucified.

— Susan Bentall Boersma, 2011

we pray. Amen.

Hymn Meditation: “Were You There?”

More Than Remember

I am the youngest of three boys. When my brother Andy was born my parents bought the nice baby book to keep a record of all the important and mundane events of his early life. Three years later, my brother David was born. Once again they bought a nice baby book with his name on it with every intention of completing the book with important dates and events. After the first page, the book was empty. Again three years later I came along.

They didn't even bother to buy a book.

All of these baby books and scrapbooks and photo albums and year books are intended to help us remember the important dates in our lives. This call to remembrance is found throughout scripture. The New Testament Greek word for "remember" is anamnesis. (Now there is an English word that we use that sounds like "anamnesis", but I can't seem to remember it.) Anamnesis is deeper than just remember or recall -- it is to relive an event.

There is a Spiritual that expresses this idea of remembrance. "Were You There?" Where you there when they crucified my Lord? Where you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when He rose up from the dead?

Oh, sometimes... sometimes it causes me to tremble. The song is full of questions that beckon the singer to relive the story -- to make this their story -- to make the Christ-story their story and answer the question -- "Yes! I was there. I remember!" We add this story to our own scrap book. We turn the page... "See that's me. O I remember that day, There I am “Crucifixion” window, Sir Edward Burne-Jones standing beside Mary, weeping." Oh, and this picture -- it's hard to make out, but that's me over in the corner hiding

18 with Peter. After seeing what they had done to Jesus, I was terrified that they would come and find me. And this picture over here -- that's me and Thomas. I just couldn't wrap my little brain around the impossibilities of Jesus. But he loved me anyway. I remember. I was there.

The scripture tells us that on the night that Christ was betrayed, he gathered together in a quiet room with his very closest friends. And he told them: When you eat this bread, remember me; when you drink this wine, relive this moment with me. And now we are called as his friends to join that table and remember. Turn the page. See this picture. That's me between Philip and Andrew. And you see there at the head of the table, the One blessing the cup ... that's Jesus. I remember. I was there. And who is that there beside Bartholomew? Is that... is that you? Were you there? Oh... sometimes I remember, and it causes me to tremble.

Dear Jesus, you have shown us a better way to live. This Lenten season, open our doubting eyes to see you clearly and to make your story, our story. When we remember and relive your holy word, let us know and proclaim that yes, we were there.

May the wonders of your mystery continue to cause us to tremble. Amen.

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.” And he breathed his last.

It is finished. His task was completed. He showed us how to live. He taught us how to love. He showed us the consequences and benefits of choosing a higher way — a better way — a more difficult way. He even showed us how to die. And by that death, we are redeemed, sanctified. By that death, we are heirs of the Kingdom that Christ calls us to build. We are brothers and sisters to the very Son of God. It is finished. His task was completed. His final step was to bring us Hope of the resurrection. His task was over, but our has just begun. —RN

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Sunday, March 27 Resurrection Sunday John 20:11-18

“ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

“Hymn Meditation: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

“Women at the Tomb” Fra Angelico, 1441

I am the First and the Last, I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!”

Revelation 1:17-18 What a glorious truth to ponder — Jesus is not the “Great Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

I WAS” but rather the “Great I AM!” He is not only a historiUnto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! cal fact but a present-day, living reality. The whole system Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! of Christianity rests upon the truth that Jesus Christ rose Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! from the grave and is now seated at the Father’s right hand.

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured. Alleluia!

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today” has been one of the Now above the sky he’s King, Alleluia! church’s most popular Easter hymns since it was first writWhere the angels ever sing. Alleluia! ten by Charles Wesley just one year after his Aldersgate experience. It was written for the first service in the first Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Wesleyan Chapel in London in 1738.

Praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia!

Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns. It has been said Praise our God, ye heavenly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! that the hymns of Charles Wesley clothed Christ in flesh —Lyra Davidica, and Charles Wesley and blood and gave converts a belief they could easily

20 grasp, embrace with personal faith, and if necessary, even die for.

The power of the resurrection makes it possible to live joyfully today, regardless of life’s circumstances.

Anthem Meditation: “Joy in the Morning”

For some, Easter will be a great day, spent surrounded by family and friends. But for others, it will be a sad day, because Easter is a reminder of a loved one who has died and is now desperately missed.

Death seems so cruel, so harsh, and so final. That is what the disciples were feeling when they saw their Lord, whom they had left everything to follow, hanging on the

“Peter and John Running to the Tomb”

by Eugene Burnard, 1898

cross. They were devastated. Death had crushed them. But if they would have gone back in their memories, they would have recalled an important event and statement Jesus had made. They would have remembered Jesus standing at the tomb of his close friend Lazarus. They would have There’ll be peace and contentment evermore, remembered that Jesus did something completely Every heart, every voice on that day will rejoice, unexpected: He wept (see John 11:35). Jesus There’ll be peace and contentment evermore. wept, because it broke His heart. But standing there at Lazarus' tomb, Jesus also delivered these And the glory of the Lord will shine.

And the glory of the Lord will bring the truth divine. hope-filled words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he There’ll be love and forgiveness everywhere shall live" (John 11:25).

And the way of the Lord will that day be restored.

The resurrection of Jesus brought life in the face There’ll be love, sweet love everywhere. of death; it brought hope in the face of despair.

— Natalie Sleeth The Hope of Easter is My God, I love Thee; what we celebrate. And in that hope, we can firmly say: “I Not because I hope for heaven therby, Nor yet because who love Thee not know that my Redeemer lives. And we too can find joy in the Must die eternally. morning.

Joy, there’ll be joy.

There’ll be joy, joy, joy, joy, joy!

There’ll be joy in the morning on that day With the light of dawn, the darkness is gone.

There’ll be joy in the morning on that day.

Anthem Meditation: “My Eternal King”

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -- To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25 This eternity is to be used for a four-fold praise of God; it is not possible for all of creation to praise God enough.

God is to be given all glory and honor; to be praised for majesty and greatness; to be acknowledged as the

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace; Why , then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, Should I not love Thee well?

Not for the hope of winning heaven Or of escaping hell; Not with the hope of gaining aught, Not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me, O ever-loving Lord!

E’en so I love Thee, and will love, And in Thy praise will sing; Solely because Thou art my God, And my Eternal King (St. Francis Xavier ,1552)

21 source of all power and strength; and obeyed as the One with dominion and authority over everything. These are marvelous reasons to praise God, but the best reason comes first: because God, through Jesus Christ, is our Savior and our Lord. Jane Marshall's magnificent choral anthem describes all the reasons why we might love God, and concludes that the best reason is "solely because Thou art my God and my eternal King!" Full of prayerful intensity, the devotional anthem "My Eternal King" expresses our love for Jesus as a reflec“He Is Not Here”, Walter Rane tion of His undying love for us.

The day of resurrection!

Earth, tell it out abroad; The passover of gladness, The passover of God. From death to life eternal, From earth unto the sky, Our Christ hath brought us over, With hymns of victory.

Hymn Meditation: “The Day of Resurrection”

This hymn from the early eighth century is one of the oldest expressions found in most hymnals. Its origin is rooted in the liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church. It Our hearts be pure from evil, was written by one of the That we may see aright The Lord in rays eternal famous monks of that Of resurrection light; church, John of DamasAnd listening to his accents, cus, c. 676-780.

May hear, so calm and plain, The celebration of Easter His own "All hail!" and, hearing, has always been a spectaMay raise the victor strain. cle of ecclesiastical pomp Now let the heavens be joyful! in the Greek Orthodox Let earth the song begin!

Let the round world keep triumph, Church. Even today, as a vital part of the ceremony, And all that is therein!

Let all things seen and unseen the worshipers bury a cross Their notes in gladness blend, under the high altar on For Christ the Lord hath risen, Good Friday and dramatiOur joy that hath no end.

— John of Damascus, 8th Century cally resurrect it with shouts of “Christ is risen!” on Easter Sunday. With this announcement begins a time of joyous celebration. Torches are lit, bells and trumpets peel.

This hymn was translated by John M. Neale, one of the leading translators of ancient hymns. Is was one of the

“Thomas”, Carl Bloch, c. 1870

22 most learned hymnologists and had a fluent knowledge of twenty languages.

Determine to make this Easter a spiritual highpoint celebration in your life and in the lives of your family members.

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. —RN

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord all the earth ... tell of his salvation from day to day" (Psalm 96:1-3; cf. Psalm 47:6).

The Bible contains over 400 references to singing and 50 direct commands to sing. We're commanded twice in the New Testament to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

Why does God command us not only to praise him, but to sing praises to him?

We can begin by realizing that God himself sings (Zephaniah 3:17). Jesus sang hymns with his disciples. Ephesians 5 tells us that one of the fruits of being filled with the Spirit is singing. So we worship a triune God who sings, and he wants us to be like him.

How does music relate to words?

Three Ways Singing Serves the Word 1) Singing can help us remember words.

Ever notice how easy it is to recall the words of songs you haven't heard for 20 years? Music has an unusual mnemonic power. We remember patterns in music much better than patterns in words alone. Rhyme, meter and song are the most powerful mnemonic devices. Notice in Deuteronomy 31 that God uses music to help his people remember his words.

2) Singing can help us engage the words emotionally.

Music is a language of emotion in every culture of every age. It is capable of effecting us in profound and subtle ways (like when Saul's spirit was calmed by David's harp).

Why does music affect us deeply?

The sound of the music—the tempo (speed) and even the key can provide an emotional background to a deeper understanding of the emotions presented in the text. The repetition of words and phrases help to give us time to reflect on the words we sing. We need a broad emotional range in the songs we sing: reverence, awe, repentance, grief, joy, celebration, etc.

Know that there is a difference between being emotional moved and spiritually enlightened. Music has a voice but we're not always sure what that voice is saying. It can make us feel peaceful, but it can't tell us that the Lord is our shepherd or that Jesus endured God's wrath in our place to bring us eternal peace with God. Singing should be an emotional event. And they should be religious affections. God is worthy of our highest, purest, and strongest emotions. Singing helps express and unite them. Singing without emotion is an oxymoron. Vibrant singing enables us to connect truth about God with passion for that truth. We can sing theologically profound truths and not be affected. But none of that changes the fact that God wants to use music to help break through the apathy and hardness of our heart and engage him emotion-

ally.

3) Singing can help us use words to demonstrate and express our unity.

The first two points can be accomplished when we sing by ourselves, but this point needs other people.

People sing together in the strangest places: rock concerts, sporting events, birthdays, weddings, funerals. Singing together tends to bind us together. It enables us to spend extended periods of times expressing the same thoughts and passions. And when it comes to the church, it has significant implications.

God can be honored when we sing alone or when soloists sing in the church. But it is clear that the dominant theme of Scripture is believers singing together. Jesus died to redeem a universal choir, and every individual voice matters. We are not called to listen to others sing or to sing by ourselves. We are called to sing together. The question is not, "Do you have a voice?" The question is, "Do you have a song?" If you're redeemed by Christ's cross then you do have a song.

1.We should sing songs that unite rather than divide the church. We can appreciate the diverse musical styles and genres, but we shouldn't try and make church worship "something for everybody." There should be a unifying musical center that focuses on the sound of the people themselves.

2.We must be clear that it is the gospel and not music that unites us. We should guard against gathering together in churches based upon our musical preferences rather than according to our unity in the gospel. The gospel is what unites us. Ephesians 2:14 - Jesus has united us, not our music.

3.The host of heaven is not united in their style of music but in the words of their song (Revelation 5:9-10). What kind of music do people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation sing? We don't know! But the Bible tells us what the focus should be: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. The Lamb must always be central to our corporate singing. Why? Because Jesus is the one who makes it possible. God doesn't hear us on account of our skill in singing. He hears it because it is in his Son. We shouldn't look for music to move us to sing. God has already done something worthy of moving us. How can we then keep from singing?

What are we doing to encourage our church in corporate singing? What are we doing to discourage it? Our singing should more and more resemble what we see in Revelation. Whatever we experience here in terms of the active presence of God, it is a mere glimmer of what is to come. And part of our singing here on earth is anticipation of what is to come. —Bob Kauflin, Director of Worship Development, Grace Ministries

Why do we Sing in Worship?