tapestry September 2018

A Worship Magazine

Easley Presbyterian Church

Easley, SC

September 2018 Vol. 4 Issue 5

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

The Church Community Christians are formed in community and thrive as members of a community. This is one of the ways in which the Christian church can be countercultural. Our culture has become powerfully individualistic and self-indulgent. In many ways the churches were carried along into that rise of individuality in the culture and began placing greater importance upon personal experience than on the presence of Christ in the gathered assembly. From studying the early church and through reading Scripture, we have learned how powerfully the community aspects of the

Chronos and kairos are both Greek words referring to kinds of time. Chronos is the ordinary, measured time in which we live: the passing of days and years, the human division of time into hours and minutes. Kairos, on the other hand, stands outside ordinary time. Kairos is the fullness of time, decisive time, or God’s time. The earliest portions of the New Testament are full of this kairos—time. “The time (kairos) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come

first Christians affected the growth of the church. Then church of Christ was a community of equals, where all of the baptized were valued as members of Christ’s body.

We have an opportunity to recover that early principle of community in our worship.

We are called to be one body in Christ. We are called to be a community of believers.

It is in community with other Christians that we learn to pray. By listening to the voice of prayer. Private worship and private prayer is an outgrowth of communal worship.

Let us join together as one body and one voice as we worship our one Lord.

near.” (Mark 1:15) This week, let us enter into God’s space, and God’s time, and worship with our whole heart and mind.

The more of our lives we bring into our worship, and the more our faith spreads into all areas of our lives, then the more vital our worship becomes.

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Sunday, September 2 “Fear Not” Revelation 1:1-20

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 1The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[ of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Hymn Meditation: “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” click on title to listen Written for Ascension Day, this hymn was originally entitled "Redemption by the Precious Blood". It was inspired by the "Song to Christ" found in Revelation 5:9: “…You were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…”

Though it may seem odd, the death of Jesus (coupled with His resurrection) was the most important aspect of his life. Many biographers make only brief mention of the death of their subject, but the Gospel writers make the events of Jesus' last days—His trial, torture and crucifixion—a major part of their account. And for His followers, Christians, Jesus gave them a "supper" that they would be sure to remember His death: This is my body which is for you…This cup is the

3 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus; His the scepter, his the throne; Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone!

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion Thunder like a mighty flood: “Jesus out of every nation Has redeemed us by his blood.”

Alleluia! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! He is near us; Faith believes nor questions how.

Though the cloud from sight received him, When the forty days were o’er Shall our hearts forget his promise: “I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! Bread of angels, Here on earth our food, our stay; Alleluia! Here the sinful flee to you From day to day.

Intercessor, friend of sinners, Earth’s redeemer, hear our plea Where the songs of all the sinless Sweep across the crystal sea.

new covenant in My blood which is poured out for many…1 Corinthians 11:24,25) What is the reason for this emphasis on Jesus’ death? Let an illustration from James Denney answer that question: Suppose two men are standing on a pier that juts out into the ocean. Presently one to his friend, ‘I love you very much and to prove it I am going to jump off this pier and drown myself. ‘ He does so and next day, the papers tell the story of this strange, senseless suicide. Let us imagine, however, that these two men are there again and one inadvertently trips and falls into the water. His friend, though a poor swimmer, plunges to his rescue and manages to push him to a ladder of safety. But in saving his friend, he himself sinks and loses his life. Next day, the papers will tell the story of a hero who gave his life to save his friend.

The Bible says that The wages of sin (that is, yours and mine) is death--a spiritual death that separates a person from God. But the Bible also says that God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us. That is spiritual life—forever!

Believe it: Rejoice in it: Live gratefully because of it!

William Dix wrote "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" as a communion hymn for Ascension Sunday. This hymn was originally called "Redemption through the Precious Blood" and was inspired Alleluia! King eternal,

by Revelation 5:9, "And they sang a new song, saying, You Lord omnipotent we own; are worthy . . . for you were slain, and have redeemed us to Alleluia! Born of Mary, God by your blood." Our hymns proclaims "His the triumph, Earth you footstool, heaven your throne.

His the victory alone." "Jesus . . . hath redeemed us by His As within the veil you enter, blood."

Robed in flesh, our great high priest; "Though the cloud from sight received Him," sings of Here on earth both priest and victim in the Eucharistic feast.

Christ's ascension. Even as He assured us he would not leave — William C. Dix, 1866 us as orphans, this hymn also reminds us of His faithful promise, "I am with you evermore."

—from “Center for Church Music” website

Hymn: “The Days Are Surely Coming” click on title to listen

[The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 I was sitting with a group of passengers on an airport shuttle heading to our connecting flight when the bus driver was told to “hold in place.” It looked like we would miss our flight, and this was more than one passenger could handle. He exploded at the driver, insisting he ignore his orders or “risk the wrath of a lawsuit.” Just then an airline employee came dashing up carrying a briefcase. Looking at the angry man, the airline employee triumphantly held up

4 the briefcase. When he had caught his breath, he said, “You left your briefcase. I heard you mention how important your meeting was, and I figured you would need this.”

Sometimes I find myself impatient with God, especially about His return. I wonder, What can He be waiting on? The tragedies around us, the suffering of people we love, and even the stresses of daily life all seem bigger than the fixes on the horizon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

—David Gambrell, 2009

Then someone tells their story of having just met Jesus, or I discover God is still at work in the messes. It reminds me of what I learned that day on the shuttle. There are stories and details God knows that I don’t. It reminds me to trust Him and to remember that the story isn’t about me.

It’s about God’s plan to give time to others who don’t yet know His Son (2 Peter 3:9).

“Our Daily Bread” July 3, 2016

Anthem Meditation: “Lord, I Stretch My Hands to You” click on title to listen

I

ronically the cross, the means of executing Jesus, has become a symbol of hope for many in our world. In this piece the crown of thorns is shown transfigured into something of real beauty. The message is Lord, I stretch my hands to you; clear – what defeats us, No other help I know. what weighs us down, what If you should leave me all alone, crucifies us, can become Where then shall I go?

Oh, Lord. the source of renewed life.

How? By making ourselves Lord, I give my soul to you; vulnerable to God’s generI seek your care and love. ous grace, by tuning into No other blessings do I need But those from you above.

God’s ways of creativity and love.

Lord, I ask you give me faith, As we move deeper into And help me understand.

And Lord, when I this life shall leave, the Autumn, and the days Just hold me in your hand. shorten and grow colder, we are made aware once Lord, I stretch my hands to you; again of the temporary nature of things in this life. Plants which No other help I know.

If you should leave me all alone, sprung up so strongly in the Spring are now dying back; their Where, then, shall I go? fresh, uncurling leaves are now yellowing and brittle. We are reOh, Lord. minded by everything around us that we, too, are mortal, and —Jay Althouse, 1992 our time here is really quite short.

5 Much of our dread of death comes from a deeply held belief that this life is good, and it will only last as long as our bodies hold out. The fact of the Resurrection changes that. Jesus passed through death into fullness of life, and if we are one with him, he takes us with him, through our physical death and on into the fullness of life in heaven.

We pray for vision to see the possibilities of new life. We pray for your grace to touch us and inspire us .

God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in my eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at my end, and at my departing. Amen.

Hymn Meditation: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“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 Love divine, all loves excelling, let us all thy life receive; joy of heaven, to earth come down; suddenly return and never, cards, he would often compose a fix in us thy humble dwelling; nevermore thy temples leave. hymn in short hand. Not infrequently all thy faithful mercies crown!

Thee we would be always blessing, he had come to our house crying, Jesus thou art all compassion, serve thee as thy hosts above, ‘Pen and ink! Pen and ink!’ These bepure, unbounded love thou art; pray and praise thee without ceasing, ing supplied he wrote the hymn he visit us with thy salvation; glory in thy perfect love. had been composing in his head.” enter every trembling heart.

Finish, then, thy new creation; How many hymns did Wesley comBreathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit pure and spotless let us be. pose?

No one has been able to count into every troubled breast!

Let us see thy great salvation them all.

Experts put the number beLet us all in thee inherit; perfectly restored in thee; tween three and six thousand. “Love let us find that second rest. changed from glory into glory, Take away our bent to sinning; till in heaven we take our place, Divine, All Loves Excelling” is certainly Alpha and Omega be; till we cast our crowns before thee, a favorite of many. It continues to enend of faith, as its beginning, lost in wonder, love, and praise. rich and inspire.

— Charles Wesley set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,

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Sunday, September 9 “Ephesus” Revelation 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Hymn Meditation: “Soon and Very Soon” (click title to listen) When I think of God’s kingdom coming in its fullness, I am reminded of the gospel hymn Soon and Very Soon. The opening stanza expresses an undeniable joy. One day, we will see our King Jesus.

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King!

Imagine seeing the King of Glory as the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. The trials and temptations of earthly life give way to the peace of Christ and the joy of salvation. The old fades away and God’s promise of eternal life becomes the present reality for all who know Christ as Lord and Savior.

The vision afforded John the seer is one of wholeness, Soon and very soon we are going to see the King. restoration of a fallen world and reconciliation of a sinHallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King! ful humanity. No longer is there sickness; no longer is there suffering among God’s beloved children. With No more crying there: we are going to see the King. the day and hour known only by the Father, the new Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King! city of God descends from heaven, adorned as a bride awaiting her groom. The assurance is given; the No more dying there: we are going to see the King.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King! one who conquers will have this heritage (Revelation 21:7) Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King!

Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King!

— Andrae Crouch, 1976 Prayer: O Lord our God, your mercy endures forever.

Hallelujah! Amen.

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Anthem Meditation: “Draw the Circle Wide” (click title to listen)

Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by side.

Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

Let this be our song: No one stands alone.

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the Standing side by side, draw the circle Draw the circle wide. circle wide.

— Gordon Light God the still point of the circle, ‘round whom all creation turns; nothing lost but held forever in God’s gracious arms.

Let our hearts touch far horizons so encompass great and small; let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call.

Let the dreams we dream be larger, than we’ve ever dreamed before; let the dream of Christ be in us, open every door.

Amen.

Intertwining Arms Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2 The biologist led us through the wetlands. He pointed out the tree roots that had spread along the surface of the forest. Then he said, "Look at the canopy overhead. If one of these trees stood alone, a fierce wind could fell it. Because the branches overhead intertwine, the trees protect and hold up one another." The canopy is one. Though each tree has its own trunk and shallow roots, together they form one canopy.

Christian unity is like the supporting canopy of the forest wetlands. Each of us is an individual with unique gifts; but we are joined together to become the church, which supports, protects, and encourages us. Together we form a canopy, the arms of Christ that intertwine to form the community of faith and that keep each of us from falling.

—Grace M. Frounfelker (Ohio, U.S.A.) Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that in you we are one. Help us to hold one another in arms of love so we all may stand strong in faith. Amen

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Hymn Meditation: “Jesus Calls Us”

God’s call for discipleship comes to every believer, not just a special few. Whether or not we hear God’s call depends on our spiritual sensitivity.

The last Sunday in November is known as St. Andrew’s Day. It has traditionally been an important day in the liturgical Jesus calls us o’er the tumult worship of the Of our life’s wild, restless sea; Anglican church.

Day by day his sweet voice soundeth, It commemoSaying, “Christian, follow me!” rates the calling As of old the apostles heard it of Andrew by By the Galilean lake, Jesus as recordTurned from home and toil and kindred, ed in Matthew Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

4:18-20 and Mark Jesus calls us from the worship 1:16-18. “At once Of the vain world’s golden store, they [Simon and From each idol that would keep us, his brother AnSaying, “Christian, love me more!” drew] left their In our joys and in our sorrows, nets and followed Him.” Andrew became the patron saint of Days of toil and hours of ease, Scotland, and the oblique cross on which tradition says he was Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, crucified is part of the Union Jack of the British flag.

“Christian, love me more than these!”

This is another of the quality hymns written by Cecil Frances Jesus calls us! Ny thy mercies, Alexander, recognized as one of England’s finest woman Savior may we hear thy call, hymn writers. It is one of the few of Mrs. Alexander’s hymns not Give our hearts to thine obedience, specifically written for children.; nearly all of her more than 400 Serve and love thee best of all. poems and hymn texts were intended for reaching and teach— Cecil Frances Alexander ing children with the gospel.

One fall day, her husband, Rev. William Alexander asked her to write a poem for a sermon he was planning to preach the following Sunday for St. Andrew’s Sunday. The pastor closed his sermon with the new poem written by his wife. These words have since been widely used in all churches to challenge God’s people to hear Christ’s call as Andrew did and then to follow, serve, and love Him “best of all.”

— Kenneth W. Osbeck, “Amazing Grace

Hymn Meditation: “The Church’s One Foundation” "Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.” Ephesians 5:23 During an especially heated period of theological controversy in England, when liberalism threatened to detroy the the doctrins of the church, this hymn was written by Pastor Samuel Stone. In 1866, Stone desired to write a hymn that would reaffirm the Lordship of Christ as the foundaiton of the church. Stone was described as the poor man’s pastor. He demonstrated his firm belief that the church was the instrument of Christ for meeting the needs of people. The “church” is a group of people who are called out from the world by God Himself. The church

9 consists of people who meet regulalrly for worship, inspiration, instruction, and fellowship. After that, Christ our Head sends His own back into the world to represent Him and to model His love for mankind. Give thanks to God for your local church as well as for fellowbelievers of the Church universal throughout the world. let us reaffirm our conviction in Christ as the head of the church as we sing this musical truth — “The church’s one foundaiton is Jesus Christ her Lord; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life he died.”

all

The church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is his new creation By water and the Word.

From heaven he came and sought her To be his holy bride; With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.

Elect from every nation, Yet one o'er all the earth; Her charter of salvation, One Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder We see her sore oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping;

Their cry goes up, "How long?"

And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.

Mid toil and tribulation, And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore; Till, with the vision glorious, Her longing eyes are blest, And the great church victorious Shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union With God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.

O happy ones and holy!

Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with thee.

—Samuel J. Stone, 1866

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Sunday, September 16 “Smyrna” Revelation 2:8-11

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Hymn Meditation: “Shall We Gather at the River” “They have forsaken Me, the Spring of Living Water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13 Jeremiah speaks to a sinful Judah with powerful imagery. Precious water meant life to ancient peoples in the dry Near East. Attacking military forces laid siege to walled cities and tried to cut them off from their water supply. Now Jeremiah suggests Judah’s twofold foolishness. First, they have forsaken Him, their “Spring of Living Water.” Second, they have dug their own cisterns, which turn out to be broken and unable to hold water. Their own efforts have failed miserably.

Don’t we often try to construct our own cisterns to hold the water of this world? We want wealth, pleasure, success, happiness, recognition. But these cisterns don’t hold water. All the while we have forShall we gather at the river, where bright angels feet have trod, saken the never-ending Spring With its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? of Living Water provided by a On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, loving God. Confession time.

We will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day.

Jesus refers to Himself as Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down; Living Water which will forever Grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe abd crown. quench our thirst. Our selfish Soon we’ll reach the shinning river; soon our pilgrimage will cease; attempts to trap water for ourSoon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. selves fail in broken cisterns.

But He offers us Himself. He Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; lived, died, and rose again for Gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God. — Robert Lowry, 1864 us. In the waters of Baptism we receive Him as our Spring of

11 Living Water. The Spirit flows forth from us as we regularly use His Word and sacraments.

Broken cisterns abandoned, we come in faith to God’s Spring of Living Water, where we invite others to drink as well.

PRAYER: Thank You, dear Jesus, for being the Spring of Living Water which quenches my thirst and revives my soul.

Amen.

—- from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter

Anthem Meditation: “The Morning Trumpet” (click title to listen)

Shape-note singing, a musical practice and tradition of social singing from music books printed in shape notes. Shape notes are a variant system of Western musical notation whereby the note heads are printed in distinct shapes to indicate their scale degree and solmization syllable (fa, sol, la, etc.). Since 1801 shape notes have been associated with American sacred music, specifically with singing schools, with musical conventions, Oh, when shall I see Jesus and reign with him above, And shall hear the trumpet sound in the morning, and with all-day gatherings known as And from the flowing fountain drink everlasting love, “singings.” Denounced by critics as unAnd shall hear the trumpet sound in that morning? couth, the simplified notation has persisted Shout, “Oh, glory!” for I shall mount above the skies in the rural South, where it continues to When I hear the trumpet sound in that morning. form the basis of strong traditions of Gird on the gospel armor of faith and hope and love, church and community singing.

And you’ll hear the trumpet sound in that morning, The solmization system used in shapeAnd when the struggle’s ended He’ll carry you above, note singing can be traced to Guido And you’ll hear the trumpet sound in that morning. d’Arezzo, an 11th-century Italian monk who Through grace I feel determined to conquer, though I die, assigned the syllables do, re, mi, fa, sol, And I’ll hear the trumpet sound in that morning. and la to the six-note series— And then away to Jesus on wings of love I’ll fly, or hexachord—that corresponds to what And I’ll hear the trumpet sound in that morning. are now recognized as the first six degrees Our ears shall hear with gladness the host of heaven sing, of the major scale. Use of these syllables and shall hear the trumpet sound in that morning. helped singers keep track of their place Our tongues shall speak the glories of our immortal King, within a melody, especially when sightAnd shall hear the trumpet sound in that morning.

Shout, “Oh, glory!” for I shall mount above the skies reading. In 16th-century England, singers When I hear the trumpet sound in that morning. discovered they could operate effectively — John Leland with only four syllables (mi, fa, sol, and la).

English colonists carried the four-syllable system to North America. Meanwhile, on

12 the European continent, the hexachord was expanded to seven syllables, one for each note in the major scale (in Italy, do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and si). The seven-syllable system ultimately prevailed during the 19th century in England and America. Shape notation has been adapted to both the four-note fasola and the seven-note doremi system.

Shape notes, also called character notes or patent notes, are one of many notational innovations that, like solmization syllables, attempted to make sight reading easier. The four shaped notes—a right triangle for fa, an oval for sol, a rectangle for la, and a diamond for mi— were invented by Philadelphia shopkeeper John Connelly about 1790 and made their first appearance in The Easy Instructor (1801), by William Little and William Smith. Over 200 different shape-note tunebooks were printed in the United States between 1801 and 1861. Many shapenote books included “folk hymns” (tunes drawn from oral tradition, harmonized by the compilers or other local singing teachers, and underlaid with sacred texts).

Hymn Meditation: “Lord, Make Us More Holy” click on title to listen

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness. Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God. Do I believe I need to be holy? Do I believe that God can come into me and make me holy? If through your preaching you convince me that I am unholy, I then resent your preaching. The preaching of the gospel awakens an intense resentment because it is designed to reveal my unholiness, but it also awakens an intense yearning and deLord, make us more holy; Lord, make us more holy; sire within me. God has only one intended destiny for Lord, make us more holy, until we meet again: mankind— holiness. His only goal is to produce saints.

Holy, holy, holy, until we meet again.

God is not some eternal blessing-machine for people to Lord, make us more loving;... use, and He did not come to save us out of pity— He Lord, make us more patient; ... came to save us because He created us to be holy.

Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God Lord, make us more faithful;... can put me back into perfect oneness with Himself — traditional Spiritual through the death of Jesus Christ, without a trace of any-

13 thing coming between us any longer.

Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind— placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself. Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life.

Hymn Meditation: “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” click on title to listen Lesbia Lesley Scott (1898-1986) wrote pedagogical and inspirational hymns for her three children during the 1920s. Many were written in response to the children’s suggestions: “Mum, make a hymn for a picnic,” or “Mum, make a hymn for a foggy day.” Though these domestic expressions of family faith were never intended for publication, at least one of them appears to have had a life all its own.

“I sing a song of the saints of God” was composed for All Saints’ Day. It stresses that saints not only lived in the distant past but also may live and work today as they carry out the everyday activities of their lives. Scott’s hymns were first published in England in Everyday Hymns for Little Children (1929) and in the United States in the Episcopal Hymnal 1940. Given the song’s humble and domestic origins, the author was “a little disconcerted by its popularity,” since this was neither her favorite hymn nor the favorite of her children. Evidently this was a concern held more broadly, according to British hymnologist Richard Watson, since the seemingly irreverent hymn “has disconcerted others too.”

Born in Willesden in 1898 and educated at Raven’s Croft School in Sussex, Lesbia Lesley Locket married John Mortimer Scott, a naval officer who served in two world wars, who later became an Anglican vicar (deacon, 1952; priest, 1953) and served a parish near Dartmoor.

Lesbia Scott was active in amateur theater and wrote religious dramas. She died in 1986 at Pershore.

The hymn comes from the cultural context of rural England and captures some of these images. Stanza one notes that “one [saint] was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green.” Stanza three originally read: You can meet them [saints] in school, or in lanes, or at sea, In a church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea.

For the saints of God are just folks like me….

The United Methodist Hym-

14 I sing a song of the saints of God, Patient and brave and true, Who toiled and fought and lived and died or the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green: They we all of them saints of God, And I mean, God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, And God’s love made them strong; And they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake, The whole of their good lives long.

And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast: And there’s not any reason, no, not the least, Why I shouldn’t be one too.

They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still; The world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus’ will.

You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea; For the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.

—Lesbia Scott, 1929

nal contextualized the language written three quarters of a century ago in England for the North American hymn singer: You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store, In church, by the sea, in the house next door, They are saints of God, whether rich or poor….

“I sing a song of the saints of God” is a particular favorite among Episcopal parishioners in the United States. David Hurlbert, a middle-aged Episcopalian notes, “The music we sing during our services is nicely sophisticated: some Anglican chant, some Bach, a bit of Purcell, and many hymns recently written in a spare, modern or postmodern style. I love the piety, the purity, and the craftsmanship of these hymns, but I’m disappointed that there isn’t much that’s just plain fun to sing. It’s true that we often sing hymns that inspire joy or hope – Christmas carols, for example – but they seldom inspire smiles or laughter

John Henry Hopkins (1861-1945), a member of the Hymnal 1940 hymnal committee, composed the tune Grand Isle. It captures the child-like cadences of the text. Composed in 1940, the words and music first appeared in The Layman’s Magazine of the Living Church, November 1940. Hopkins, an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church in the USA in 1891 and talented organist, named the tune after Grand Isle, Vermont, where he lived after his retirement in 1929. John Henry Hopkins is not to be confused with his grandfather, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1820-1891), an ecclesiologist and rector in New York, who was a hymnwriter of some note including his most famous hymn, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Recently Judith Gwyn Brown has illustrated this hymn as a children’s book.

Once hymnwriters release their hymns to the world, even ones written only for their children, they can never know the impact the hymns may have on individual lives or the breadth of places they may travel.

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Sunday, September 23 “Pergamum” Revelation 2:12-17 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

Sing glory to the name of God, Whose holy splendor shines abroad.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Enthroned above the crashing waves, The God of grace and glory saves.

Alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is full of might: Resounding thunder, flashing light.

Alleluia, alleluia!

The wilderness cannot contain The echoes of the great refrain: Alleluia, alleluia!

The name of God is wild and free, Awhirl in holy mystery.

Alleluia, alleluia!

A secret wrapped in smoke and fire, Still chanted by the temple choir: Alleluia, alleluia!

May God forever be our peace; May hymns of glory never cease: Alleluia, alleluia!

Let all the faithful people come; Sing praise to God, the Three-in-One: Alleluia, alleluia!

—David Gambrell, 2009

Hymn Meditation: “Sing Glory to the Name of God”

“The first will be last and the last will be first.” That is a theme that ran throughout Christ’s ministry. He came to earth to show us the better way — a way of putting others before ourselves—-a way of loving others and loving God more than loving ourselves.

Philippians chapter 2 includes a beautiful hymn of praise encouraging us to imitate the life of Christ.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient even unto death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the Glory of God the Father.

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Anthem Meditation: “Pacem”

Dona, dona nobis pacem.

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Are you a peace maker or a peace lover? Perhaps you “Lord, grant your peace are wondering, “What’s the difference?”

And on earth peace to all of good will.”

A “peacemaker” is someone who works for peace, even when it is unpopular and costly. On the other hand, a “peace lover” is someone who wants, “peace at any price”. Peacemakers look beyond the presenting conflict. They want to know what is causing the war or fight. They are looking for ways to achieve lasting friendship and harmony. Often, this involves addressing issues of injustice and oppression.

In contrast, peace lovers don’t like confrontation. They don’t want to address awkward or difficult issues. They especially don’t like feeling uncomfortable or challenging others. The risk for them in pursuing real peace is that it might be costly. They might even get involved with people and feel their pain. They may get hurt in the process of seeking lasting solutions. They prefer to cover over problems and hope that they will go away.

James describes “peacemakers” as being like farmers who are sowing seed for a harvest. This requires time and patience. But the outcome is a “harvest of righteousness”. This describes a life of peace and justice for both individuals and society. The Hebrew word for this is “shalom”. It is more than the absence of conflict. It is a deep seated connection and harmony between people, the creation and the Creator. The prophet Isaiah describes it as a setting in which, “the wolf and the lamb will feed together” (Isaiah 65:25) The theologian, William Barclay is a preacher and writer of some note in the Church of Scotland.

In part, here is what he said about this beatitude: "The blessing is on the peace-makers not necessarily on the peace-lovers. It very often happens that if a person loves peace in the wrong way, he succeeds in making trouble and not peace. We may, for instance, allow a threatening and dangerous situation to develop and our defense is that for peace's sake we do not want to take any action. There is many a person who thinks he is loving peace, when in fact he is piling up trouble for the future, because he refuses to face the situation and to take the action which the situation demands. The peace which the bible calls blessed does not come from the evasion of issues; it comes from facing them, dealing with them and conquering them. What this beatitude demands is not the passive acceptance of things because we are afraid of the trouble of doing anything about them, but the active facing of things and the making of peace even when the way to peace is through struggle" (Daily Bible Study, Matthew, I, Westminster Press).

“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

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Hymn Meditation: “We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom

This beautiful text about the peace of God’s kingdom comes from Isaiah 11 and is considered one of the Messianic propheWe wait the peaceful kingdom, when wolf and lamb shall lie cies found in Isaiah. There is a faIn gentleness and friendship without a fear or sigh, mous series of paintings by the When lion shall be grazing, when snake shall never strike; American artist Edward Hicks titled A little child shall lead us both strong and weak alike.

“The Peaceable Kingdom.”

Hicks painted over a hundred verWhere is the peaceful kingdom? When will this new day start?

We long for peace and comfort to reign within each heart. sions of his now-famous Peaceable Yet not in our lives only, nor simply in our home: Kingdom between 1820 and his We pray that all creation will one day find shalom. death. His artistic endeavors provided modest support for his activities as When wars of desolation and hate come to an end, a Quaker preacher in Bucks County, When nation meets with nation and calls the other “friend,” Pennsylvania. The theme of this paint- Still peace in all its fullness will only have begun: ing, drawn from chapter 11 of Isaiah, Shalom for all creation begins with justice done. was undoubtedly attractive to Hicks That little child shall lead us to walk the chosen way, and fellow Quakers not only for its To share the peaceful kingdom, to greet God’s newborn day. appealing imagery but also for its The child born in a stable is sent to break our chains, message of peace: "The wolf also To bring through word and table the day when justice reigns. shall dwell with the lamb, and the —Kathleen R. Moore, 2010 leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." Into many versions, including the Worcester painting, Hicks incorporated a vignette of William Penn's treaty with the Indians, an image he adapted from a popular painting by Benjamin West (q.v.). Hicks may have viewed parallels in the two parts of the composition, inasmuch as Penn, who had introduced Quakerism into Pennsylvania, had also brought about a measure of the peaceable kingdom on earth.

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Hymn Meditation: “We Are One in the Spirit” We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love , by our love Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love We will walk with each other We will walk hand in hand We will walk with each other We will walk hand in hand And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land And they'll know we are Christians by our love , by our love Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love We will work with each other we will work side by side We will work with each other we will work side by side And we'll guard human dignity and save human pride And they'll know we are Christians by our love , by our love Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love All praise to the Father from whom all things come And all praise to Christ Jesus his only Son And all praise to the spirit Who makes all things one.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love , by our love Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love

—Peter Scholtes, 1966

Jesus prayed, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." -John 17:23 (NIV) “THE wooded slope was ablaze with autumn colors - fiery reds and oranges, vivid yellows and golds. Occasional splashes of green added to the chorus of color. God's masterpiece! I thought. Only God could create individual colors and blend them together to produce a landscape of breathtaking beauty like this.

The Body of Christ is like that multicolored forest. God has created individuals with unique personalities and expects us to work together, portraying unity for the world to see. Some people are visionaries, while others possess the ability to fulfill plans. Some folks are bubbly and impulsive while others are quiet by nature, proceeding only after careful thought and prayer. Some people are gifted leaders, while others prefer to serve behind the scenes. Our response to people's differences can strengthen unity or destroy it.

Does the world see unity when it looks at our churches? If not, what can we do to change that? Just as the hillside's colors combined to create a beautiful picture, so the Body of Christ is most glorious when we work together in unity.

— Grace Fox (British Columbia, Canada)

Prayer: Dear God, help us to appreciate the uniqueness of others.

May those around us see unity when they look at the Body of Christ.

Amen.

—- Upper Room Devotions, September 8, 2003

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Sunday, September 30 “Thyatira” Revelation 2:18-29 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s socalled deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’[a]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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

The apostle Paul’s favorite name for fellow believers was “brethren”. He used this term at least sixty times throughout his various epistles. Pul’s concept of the local church was a worshiping family — the family of Sisters, will you come and help us? Moses’ sister aided him.

God. While we need to worship God daily Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin? in our individual devotional lives, every beTell them all about the Savior. Tell them that he will be found. liever also needs the enriching experience Sisters, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around. of worshiping and serving God with others on a weekly basis. Only a church of faithful Is there here a trembling jailer, seeking grace and filled with fears?

Is there here a weeping Mary pouring forth a flood of tears? worshiping members is prepared to do its Brethren, join your cries to help them; sisters, let your prayers abound! work and fulfill its witness in the world.

Pray, O pray, that holy manna will be scattered all around.

Our worship of God, both personally and corporately, should reflect these five Let us love our God supremely; let us love each other, too. elements from Isaiah’s call, found in Isaiah Let us love and pray for sinners till our God makes all things new.

6: Recognition (vs 1), Praise (vs 3), ConfesChrist will call us home to heaven; at his table we’ll sit down.

Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around. sion (vs 5), Pardon (vs 7), and Dedication — George Atkins, 1819 (vs 8).

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God. Will you pray with all your power while we try to preach the word?

All is vain unless the Spirit of the holy One come down.

Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

20 This hymn tune: HOLY MANNA has been a favorite tune since it first appeared in 1825.

—Osbeck “Amazing Grace 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories”

With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, Shall I come before Him with yearling calves? click on title to listen Do you notthe know those who run Will Lordthat be pleased with thousands of rams, ten but thousand rivers of oil? in a raceWith all run, one receives the Shall I giveaHim first-born for my transgresprize? Run in such waymy that you may obtain it.sions, —1 Corinthians 9:24 fruitisn’t of my body for thearound sin of my soul?

SpiridonThe Louis well known He has shown you, O man; the world, but he is in Greece. That’s He has shown you what is good. because of what whatdoes happened in 1896 And the Lord require of you when the Olympic Games were reBut to do justice vived inAnd Athens. to love kindness, And to walk humbly, During the competition that year, the Walkquite humbly with your God? Greeks did well—winning the most medals of any nation. But the event that became a source of true Greek pride was the first-ever marathon. Seventeen athletes competed in this race of 40 kilometers (24.8 miles), but it was won by Louis—a common laborer. For his efforts, Louis was honored by king and country, and he became a national hero.

The apostle Paul used running a race as a picture of the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he challenged us Guide my feet while I run this race; Guide my feet while I run this race; not just to run but to run to win, saying, “Do you not Guide my feet while I run this race, know that those who run in a race all run, but one reFor I don’t want to run this race in vain! ceives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Not only did Paul teach this but he lived it out. In Hold my hand… his final epistle, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I Stand by me… have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. I’m your child…

4:7). Having finished his race, Paul joyfully anticipated Search my heart…

Guide my feet... receiving the victory crown from the King of heaven.

—Traditional Spiritual Like Paul, run your earthly race to win—and to please your King.

Hymn Meditation: “Guide My Feet”

Bill, Crowder, “Our Daily Bread” January 29, 2010

Anthem Meditation: “O Glorious Word” click on title to listen In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

—John 1:1-2 — Many people know that the first three words of the Bible are “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1).

So after hearing the first three words of the book of John, many listeners would be reminded of Genesis and think they knew the rest of the sentence: “… God created the heavens and

21 the earth.” But John had spent time with Jesus, the Son of God, and he knew Jesus was one with God and was with God there at the beginning.

So he wanted his readers to know Jesus that way too. Before telling what Jesus said and did, even before writing about creation, John wanted his readers first of all to reflect deeply on Jesus himself.

To understand the stunning and breathtaking extent of God’s love for the world, we must understand who Jesus is.

If you are a follower of Jesus, you have already recognized that he is God. Write down what that means to you. Then worship him who forever “was with God” and is Not on my merit do I stand, God. It’s a mystery we can’t fully understand, but we know it’s not on the things which I have done; true!

Another’s worth, another’s blood, If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, know that you are about On them I rest and them alone; to meet and be challenged by someone out of this world, The love and life God’s word has shone, and yet part of it.

On them I rest and them alone.

Prayer Upon a life I have not lived, Upon a death I did not die; Dear Jesus, impress on us the truth that you have always been Upon another’s sacrifice God, enjoying full life with the Father and the Holy Spirit. You I place my hopes for endless life; didn’t have to take on our humanity and be criticized and reO Word of hope and love of Christ, I trust the glorious Word of life! jected and killed. But you did that because you love us. May your love amaze and humble us today. Amen.

O Word of grace, Harvey Stobb, “Today’s Devotions” O Word that long sustained our faith; O Word of grace, O word that long sustained our faith; Word of love and of sacrifice; O Word of hope and love of Christ, I trust the glorious Word of life!

O Jesus, Son of God, I lean On what Thy Word has given me, There both my death and life I read, My guilt and pardon there I see, O sacrifice that set us free, The Word of life I have believed.

Hymn Meditation: “Come Sing, O Church in Joy” click on title to listen

Meditation: “Let Everything That Has Breath”

Psalm 148, 149, and 150 all command creation to sing Not on the tears that I have shed, praise to the Creator. Psalm 148 begins: “Praise the Lord Not on the sorrows I have known, from the heavens. Praise him in the heights above. Praise Another’s tears, another’s wound, him, all his angles. Praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise Another’s blood and death gave us life! him, sun and moon. Praise him, all you shinning stars. Praise I place my hope for endless life him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. upon the glorious cross of Christ.

— Horatio Bonar Let them praise the name of the Lord.”

The psalm continues to command each tree and plant, each bird and fish and animal to praise the God, the Creator. Psalm 150 ends with: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

The heat of Summer is upon us. And it just seems like everything is bursting into glorious

22 songs of praise. The plants and trees and flowers and bursting into color (and pollen — do sneezes count as sounds of praise?) The birds are singing away, the tree frogs are chirping merrily. Even the rain and thunder have to join in the cacophony.

I have read that scientists have now catalogued approximately 5, 400 species of singing animals. Some creatures even show the capacity of learning and repeating musical lines, improvising melodies, and composing new tunes. Just sit in your backyard and listen to the varied music of creation around us.

God created this universe with a capacity for song, from the tiny cricket to the massive blue whale. All of creation is designed to sing his praises. I don’t want to be left out!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Come sing, O church, in joy!

Come join, O church, in sing!

For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!

In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Great Creator and Giver of every good and perfect gift, You have created us for praise. You have given us this glorious gift of music, and we now give it back to you. May each note, each song, each breath, each sigh be a gift of gratitude to you.

Amen —Robert Norris

Come sing, O church, in joy!

Come join, O church, in song!

For Christ the Lord has triumphed o’er The ages long!

In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Long years have come and gone, And still God reigns supreme, Empowering us to catch the vision, Dream the dream!

In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

Let courage be our friend; Let wisdom be our guide, As we in mission magnify The Crucified!

In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!

— Brian Dill, 1988

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“Trinity Chair” God the Father is represented by the symbol for Alpha and Omega.

The meaning of the words Alpha and Omega —terms that refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—is fairly easy to understand. Like A and Z, they simply mean “the beginning” and “the end.”

In life, we understand these concepts. Things begin . . . things end.

Jobs start . . . jobs stop. Decades come . . . decades go. Birth . . . death.

But there is something special and unique about the words Alpha and Omega as they appear in Revelation (1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). Jesus Christ used those terms to describe Himself—terms that refer to His deity.

When used in Scripture, the words have an almost unfathomable meaning. Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning. He existed before time, before the creation of the universe (John 1:1). As the first cause of all that exists (vv.2-3), Jesus cannot be limited by the word Alpha. And as the Omega, He is not the “end” as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future.

It’s mind-boggling and aweinspiring—this view of our Lord. He’s the one “who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8).

He’s the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty God. Not only that, He’s our Savior (Titus 2:13). As such, He deserves our praise, our lives, our all!

“Trinity Chair” God the Father — sanctuary, Easley Presbyterian Church

— Dave Brannon, “Our Daily Bread”

Architecture and Worship The pointed arch or Gothic arch is the most prominent architectural feature of our sanctuary. Look around and you will see it everywhere — from the front steps to the chancel area; the stained glass windows to the wood carvings in the pulpit and baptismal font. It is even in the lighting fixtures.

It is a beautiful element and gives a distinctly grand “churchy” look to our building. It harkens back to towering European cathedrals from the Renaissance era.

But have you ever thought about a deeper meaning for the arch and how it impacts our worship?

The arch has long been a symbol of Heaven and the celestial arching track of the sun and moon and stars as they travel across the sky.

The pointed arch places God, the Creator of heaven and earth, as the pinnacle of the celestial dome.

The columns beneath the arches are sturdy representations of the earth itself. The Pillars of the earth reaching up to touch the heavens.

In a very powerful and meaningful way, these arches and columns represent the place where heaven and earth meet — that is what worship truly is! Worship is the place were heaven and earth embrace each other. Christ took on flesh and walked among us so that we would have this opportunity — to reach up to embrace heaven!

So when you walk up the front steps this week, pause and look up at the pillars and arches and thank God for this moment when Heaven comes down to earth. When you are in the worship service, look over at the windows and notice the arches in the pulpit; look up and see the arches in the lights. Come expecting to catch a glimpse of celestial things; raise a hand and dare to caress a piece of heaven. That is worship. Amen.

—RN