We’ve recently introduced the song “God of This City” as part of our current series Improving Our Serve. We’ve already started receiving some great feedback on the message of this song. Check out the video below of the Chris Tomlin version of the song from the Passion “God of This City” album, and then listen to the story behind the song.
The core of a biblical theology of worship is the worthiness of God. Christian worship is only possible as our response to the glory, power and love of God as revealed most clearly in and through Jesus Christ.
The gift of God’s revelation enables humanity to worship….but our human tendency is for our vision of God to be small and petty rather than stretched to the heights and magnificence that he deserves.
From Mark Labberton in
The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice
I’ve been kind of lax in creating worship re-cap posts lately. Things have been very busy, and sometimes some stuff has to be set aside for a while. For those who have missed, I’m sorry. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back into rhythm in the next few weeks.
This week we started a new series called “Improving Our Serve.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 says, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” The theme of serving others is something that has been growing in the heart of our congregation for some time now. Each year we take time to look at this important topic.
The choosing of this title was very intentional. The clear teaching of Scripture is that the world will know the glory of God and that Christians are, well, Christians is by how we love one another, and then others. The thing is this: it needs to happen in community, not a bunch of individuals doing spiritual things. So this year, we want to not just help people grow in serving others individually, but to do so together. Continue Reading…
There are lots of groups re-doing older songs we call hymns in new formats these days. Many recognize the value and content of these songs that have been sung for generations and the value of recasting them in new wrappers for a new generation of Christians.
One such group doing this is Page CXVI. They are a group of artists working to help the church re-engage with some of her musical history. In their own words, “Page CXVI is a project started with the idea of making hymns accessible and known again. They are some of the richest, most meaningful, and moving pieces of music ever written.”
Their first project, Hymns I, was released a while back and included selections such as
Come Thou Fount,
In Christ Alone,
My Jesus I Love Thee,
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,
Nothing But the Blood,
Solid Rock, and
Joy.
They’ve recently released their second album, Hymns II. This new album is now available. Selections on this new album include:
How Great Thou Art,
Praise to the Lord,
Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting,
Rock of Ages,
Abide with Me,
Battle Hymn of the Republic, and
Doxology.
To help people get familiar with what they are doing, PageCXVI is giving away the first album completely free for one week only. Head here to receive the Hymns I album completely free. It will be available until midnight on May 4, 2010.
If you’re looking for some new music, then check these folks out. They’re doing some great work. And you can find out what they’re doing for free this week.
If you’ve never stood before God and been afraid, then you’ve probably never stood before the real God. (It doesn’t end there–with fear–but that’s where it starts.) I used to think that God was nice and safe. Now I know that he is scary… …God is scary…really scary. So be afraid…be very afraid. Why do you think the Scriptures say no one has ever seen the face of God? Why do you think prophets hid their faces from God? Why do you think Elijah ran and Jeremiah wept? Why do you think Paul said he was talking like a fool when he bragged? Why do you think most folks don’t read the book of Revelation or, if they do, feel the need to soften it? Because one does not trifle with a God who is big and scary. In my saner moments I’m glad he’s that way. Little gods do little things. They speak silly words, and while they might be less threatening, little gods don’t give us meaning, demand anything of us, or inspire us.
From What Was I Thinking?: Things I’ve Learned Since I Knew It All by Steve Brown
As we gathered on this morning in culmination of a week of remembering, reflecting, and celebrating, we again took time to praise the Lord for His mightiness. After walking through the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the vigil of Easter Saturday, it was good to be able to gather and celebrate something that is worth celebrating every single week – the resurrection of Jesus Christ who defeated death, sin, and the grave.
This morning was a part of our ongoing series “Do You Believe?” as we again looking at the truth of the resurrection of Jesus through some of the encounters in John 20 and asked if people believed.
For the full service experience, click for more. Continue Reading…
