As a young boy I can remember singing the old song, “Low Bridge.” The words of the chorus are still fresh in my mind, “Low bridge, everybody down. Low bridge cause we’re coming to a town. Where you’ll always know your neighbor, you’ll always know your pal, if ya ever navigate the Erie Canal.” Written at the turn of the century this song describes the work of an old mule as she pulls lumber, coal, passengers and hay from Albany to Buffalo, New York. But some of our younger generation might ask the question, what is a canal? The simplest definition would be a man-made water highway for navigation and transportation.

But what kind of ‘connection’ can we make between Christianity and a man-made canal? Sunday morning we’ll be listening to a report from Robert Taylor as he shares details from his recent mission trip to Nicaragua. From the wealth of Texas to the poverty of a third world country, we know there is more than just geography that separates our two cultures. Join us Sunday morning as we listen to the work being done to reach the lost in Nicaragua. In fact, let’s consider what goes into… Building a Canal.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, February 8, 2015

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“I Stand in Awe” – 96

“You are beautiful beyond description…too marvelous for words. Too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard. Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom, who can fathom the depth of Your love. You are beautiful beyond description, Majesty enthroned on high, and I stand in awe of You! Holy God to Whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You!” We know this hymn and we’ve sung it time and again, but are we processing what we’re saying? Are we in awe of God’s power and majesty? Is He more than we can fathom or comprehend? He is awesome, but are we willing to stand in awe of Him?

“O Worship the King” – 144

Continuing our praise to God this morning, we’ll sing a traditional hymn of praise that dates back more than 175 years! You’ll want to take note of the third verse, “Frail children of dust, (that would be you and me) and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail. (We trust God because He will never let us down…but do we behave like we believe that?) Thy mercies, how tender, how firm to the end! (God cares, He’s tender, but He’ll also judge us…) Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend!”

“Hallelujah! What a Savior” – 337

Breaking this hymn into two parts, we’ll sing verses 1-4 before the Lord’s Supper, then after the fruit of the vine we’ll close with verse 5. Yes, Jesus died on the cross, but he didn’t stay in the tomb. He rose from the dead and… “When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring. Then anew this song we’ll sing, Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

“The Gospel is for All” – no book

How could we talk about taking the gospel to a lost and dying world and not sing this old spiritual song. The blessed gospel is for all and we have a great opportunity to build a canal and take the message to Nicaragua.

“Will You Not Tell it Today” – 628

A fitting invitation song as we ask each other, “If the name of the Savior is precious to you, if His care has been constant and tender and true, if the light of His presence has brightened your way…O will you not tell of your gladness today?” Though we won’t be singing all three verses, you’ll want to notice how the second and third verse end, before the chorus. “…O will you not, brother, the story repeat?” (verse 2) and “…O will you not tell them the cheer bringing word?” (verse 3). We have a great chance to help build a canal to the hungry children in Nicaragua, so when it comes to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ we ask each other, will you not tell it today?

“Lord Take Control” – 790

We’ll provide an opportunity to give to the work at Waterview as we pass the collection plate after the sermon (separate and apart from the Lord’s Supper). But this simple, contemporary hymn seems to sum it all up…“My heart, my mind, my body, my soul, I give to You (God) take control…” How will you give God control of your heart? Do you know what it will look like when God takes control of your mind? If we are truly going to be “a living sacrifice,” we need to do more than just sing about it…we need to change the way we live.

“Hand in Hand with Jesus” – 397

One of those songs that seems to ‘sing itself,’ this spiritual song reminds us of our walk with Christ, hand in hand. No better way to build a canal than with the Master Builder. Let’s take His hand as we work together down the straight and narrow way.

“Into Our Hands the Gospel is Given” – no book

The closing song is a reminder of how quickly time flies. “Swiftly we’re turning life’s daily pages…” But not only are the hours ‘changing to years,’ but we need to think about how we’re using this time. Into OUR hands the gospel has been given…what are we doing with it? Are we wasting the years, or are we focused on sharing the gospel? We have a message to deliver, let’s transport the gospel by building a canal.