An Impossible Dream…June 30th
One of my favorite, secular songs was sung by Jim Nabors in November, 1967 on the TV sitcom ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ The song, ‘The Quest’ was originally written and sung in 1965 for the musical, Man of LaMancha. You might remember it better by the title of our lesson this Sunday morning at Waterview, ‘Impossible Dream’. But what is the Impossible Dream?
Sunday morning, June 30th, we’ll consider how the New Testament is a pattern of God’s thinking. We look into the mind of God as we read His word. But how can we duplicate that message today. What should we focus on as we strive to follow His commands, or is that…an impossible dream?
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, June 30, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“In Moments Like These” – 239
If we are honest with ourselves, there times when you feel closer to God than other times. What causes that feeling of euphoria? What gives us that emotional lift as opposed to the times when we are feeling down. Circumstances can change in our life, and like the ocean tide, our days will ebb and flow. But when you find yourself lifted up and feeling God’s love and strength, sing a song of praise. “In moments like these, I sing out a song, I sing out a love song to Jesus…”
“Faith is the Victory” – 469
This spiritual songs recalls the armor of God and the battle we Christians should be preparing for. First, we sing to admonish the congregation to join in the spiritual battle against forces of darkness. The message is poetically clear in the first verse; as soldiers we are camped next to the hills of light (heaven), but we must be ready to go to war. Our fight is against the ‘night’ lest it should overcome the glowing skies (which seems to be the current situation in our society). How should we be fighting? John Yates wrote, “…let all our strength be hurled.” Not a timid approach in this spiritual battle. But note verse 3 (missing from many of our hymnals)… “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array. Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray. Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble neath our tread, and echo with our shout…” With our faith in God, we have victory!
“O Sacred Head” – 318
An old hymn remembering Christ’s death. Poetically and musically it may be a challenge, but don’t lose the message in the old English. The video (below) adds an extra verse that is not in most hymnals, but is striking none the less. Christ’s sacrifice leaves us all speechless as we consider His love. Perhaps, the second verse says it best; “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend, for this Thy dying sorrow; Thy pity without end…”
“Boundless Love” – 325
The love of God, as we sing in this song, is ‘boundless.’ Defined, boundless would mean without limits. God’s love for us cannot be measured, and as we sing the second verse we’ll transition from boundless love to boundless grace. Boundless grace…because of Calvary.
“Savior, Thy Dying Love” – 667
Following the Lord’s Supper and during the passing of the collection plate we’ll sing this hymn from the 1860’s. It serves as a good reminder of the sacrifice (our Savior’s dying love). Notice the last line from the first three verses; “…some offering bring Thee now, something for Thee.”, “…some song to raise or prayer, something for Thee.” “…some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee.” But now read the last line of the fourth verse. “And when Thy face I see, my ransomed soul will be, through all eternity, something for Thee.” You give a few dollars when the collection plate comes around, but what will you give when Monday morning comes around?
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm” – 589
We’ll sing this spiritual song of encouragement before this morning’s lesson. How can we find fellowship and joy in Christ? According to E.A. Hoffman (1887) we find fellowship while ‘leaning on the everlasting arm.’ We have peace of mind while leaning on the everlasting arm. Leaning on Jesus…safe and secure from all fear (alarms).
“Nearer, My God, to Thee” – 684
On occasion we’ll sing a non-typical ‘invitation’ song following our lesson. But this hymn to our Father is a clear call for us to draw nearer to Him. In the second verse of this hymn, notice the reference Genesis 28:11; “When he (Jacob) reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.” We’ll sing, “Tho like a wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee…” Perhaps this is more of an invitation song than we have thought…to be nearer to our God is the call we should all be responding to.
“Surround Us, Lord” – no book
Taken from Psalm 125:2, this ‘psalm’ serves as a great ‘spiritual song’ of encouragement. The singer and the listener are called to hear and understand that, “…we need to be in Your (God’s) presence.” As the mountains provide security and protection to the city of Jerusalem, so the Lord provides and protects His people. We are truly blessed to be called child of God.
A 50 Year Journey…Feb. 24th
Sunday morning, February 24th, Waterview church of Christ celebrates 50 years with Robert & Willora Oglesby. Since the spring of 1963, Robert has been the pulpit preacher for this congregation of God’s people. For that longevity of faithfulness we give God the glory. As we sing today, our songs are intended to admonish and encourage the family as we bring before God our sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). Thanks be to God for working through Robert these past 50 years!
The following ‘order of worship’ is designed to focus our mind toward our worship to Him. Think about the songs you sing in praise to God…
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, February 24, 2013
You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Step By Step”, “Here We Are But Straying Pilgrims” & “He Has Made Me Glad” – 15, 537 & 103 respectively
This three song medley is a strong, upbeat blend using a hymn, spiritual song and psalm (can you tell which one is which…yes, I know there is some gray in the definition of each, but you get the idea). We begin this morning proclaiming our faith in God and announcing that, ‘…I will follow You all of my days’. Our second song in this medley encourages the saints to focus on heaven. With the verses sung in unison, we sense the oneness of our journey home. Finally, the last song in this medley is a quote from Psalm 100. We come together with thanksgiving in our hearts…I’m glad to be worshiping with the saints!
“Til My Faith Becomes Sight” – 836
The second verse provides us the reminder of our reason for coming together this morning…“Lamb of God, dear hope of glory, Savior crucified, by Your blood I am redeemed my debt now satisfied…” We must ‘keep our eyes’ on Jesus as we meet, communion and worship our King.
“‘Tis Set the Feast Divine” – no book
Not in many of our hymnals, this song by L. O. Sanderson serves to prepare our minds (keep our minds) focused on the Savior and His death on the cross. “May we the Lord discern…” As we sing we’re asking that we all recognize and realize the death of Jesus is the only thing we need to concern ourselves with. When we eat of the bread and drink of the cup…what are you thinking about?
“In Memory of the Savior’s Love” – 335
Following the passing of the fruit of the vine, we’ll sing this old hymn by Thomas Cotterill written in 1805. Notice the call for us to remember His love, and come before Him with a contrite heart. How contrite (full of remorse) is your heart when you take of the Lord’s Supper? We take the bread of life and the token cup of blood as we anticipate the ‘heavenly feast above’.
“This World is Not My Home” – 957
Do you ‘feel right at home’ when it comes to this world? If you do I would recommend you reconsider your comfort zone. We’ll sing here about our treasures being stored in heaven (Matthew 6:19) and not feeling at home in this world anymore. The chorus is so strong; “…if heaven’s not my home, then Lord, what will I do?” Remember this, without the hope of heaven we’re lost in an unfriendly world.
“Higher Ground” (Ken Young version) – no book
This revised, old song has become a Waterview favorite during the last 8-10 years. The words haven’t changed, but the music has. Same tune, but the 2nd verse brings a solid foundation of male voices singing, “Heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay. Some may dwell where these abound my prayer my aim is higher ground…” Notice what you just read/sang; My heart doesn’t want to stay here (this world is not my home) where there are doubts and fears that destroy our courage (dismay). But even though some people seem to dwell in this type of circumstance ( where doubts and fears abound), my prayer and my aim is HIGHER GROUND!
“Let Me Live Close to Thee” – 831
Not a typical invitation song, but since we’re talking and thinking about our journey, this seems to fit our call for repentance, change and renewing. How willing are you to ‘work and never shirk’ for your God. Let’s all say (sing) we want to live close to Him each day.
“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” – no book
A contemporary song that proclaims the victory belongs to God. We’ll close this morning’s worship service with a song of victory. Will you go out into the world and take on the full armor (panoply) of God? In the chorus, as we sing, let’s give all our 1) glory, 2) honor, 3) power and 4) strength to the Lord.
That’s All I Want…Jan 20th
A friend of mine shared a GREAT idea about posting the order of worship for members of the congregation and prospective worship leaders. This simple use of the world wide web will allow those interested to get a glimpse of what’s coming up for Sunday morning. Nice idea, and one I think will benefit those who what to learn about the songs we’ll be singing on Sunday. This post will reflect this past Sunday morning (January 20th). Be looking for the next few weeks as we’ll be posting the order of worship by Friday or Saturday before Sunday…
Sunday morning, January 20, 2013
Robert Oglesby has been the pulpit preacher at Waterview church of Christ since February, 1963. Yes, in a few short days he and his family will be celebrating 50 years as the preacher for this solid congregation in the Kingdom of God. Our sermon topic on Sunday was titled, “That’s All I Want”. Our scripture basis was the 23rd Psalm, so our hymn selection was almost a given. The following is an account of our order of worship and all song numbers are from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“We Will Glorify” – 578
A great song that praises our God and King; beautiful way to set our minds on worship.
“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134
The music for this popular arrangement dates back to 1854. All six verse of the 23rd Psalm can be sung in this song. This is a perfect example of Ephesians 5:19 “…speaking to one another in PSALMS and hymns and spiritual songs”
“Hear Me When I Call” – no book
This has become perhaps my favorite of all Tillit S. Teddlie songs. Certainly one that asks for our God to hear our call and ‘attend unto my prayer.’ What better way to describe my weakness than to request that our Lord, ‘…hold my trembling hand, lest helpless I should fall.”
“We Have an Anchor” – 467
The question is asked by those who sing, “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?” In other words, how are you doing in your relationship with God? We echo in response…”We HAVE AN ANCHOR!”
“I Need Thee Every Hour” – 837
This song of prayer serves as our invitation on Sunday morning. Would that we all come to understand and truly say, “I need Thee, O I need Thee…”
“I’d Rather Have Jesus” – 581
Singing the first verse this song you are stating that you prefer (would rather have) Jesus over the riches of this world. More than houses or lands…do you really? Would your wallet agree? Take a look at your bank statement if you want to see if you really believe this song.
“I Love the Lord” – 359
Penned in my life time (1970), this song by Tommy Wheeler makes the statement that proclaims our love for God. We sing “I love the Lord”, but why? You know and you sing, “…on Calvary His dear life He freely gave…that I might live some day with Him on high.”
“The Lord My Shepherd Is” -126
Like song #134, the music for this arrangement was in the mid 1800’s, but when Isaac Watt’s penned this psalm, he followed the poetry in the message from the shepherd/king David. An affirmation of who my Shepherd is…the Lord. And knowing that…what else could I want?
At Waterview church of Christ we use a screen to project all our songs. This allows faces to be up (out of the book) and voices to be projected forward. All songs on the screen are accompanied with the sheet music for those who will sing 4-part harmony. In a world that seems to be getting faster and faster, and schedules that we tend to pack to over flow, let me admonish you to be careful and not push Jesus out of your life. You and I both know that with Him in our life and when Christ is first, we can honestly say…That’s all I need!