On Sunday, February 27, 2022, our world was reeling from the news from Eastern Europe. The preceding Thursday, the armed forces of the Russian Federation had attacked neighboring Ukraine from land, sea, and air. Our congregation has seen wars before, but never – it seems – in a country so much like our own and … Continue reading Sunday: A Play-by-Play of the Process
At the Intersection of Current Events and Worship
This is Part One of a two-part series. Click to read Part Two: Sunday: A Play-by-Play of the Process. In our Wednesday night Bible study (2/23/22), we prayed for peace across Eastern Europe. Within three hours, missiles began to strike at targets in Ukraine and we awoke the next morning to the news that ground … Continue reading At the Intersection of Current Events and Worship
Two Books from England
The Book of Common Prayer is a devotional guide (and so much more) for those of the Anglican (Episcopalian) faith, developed by the key historical figure in Anglicanism, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. My own introduction to The Book of Common Prayer was through a textbook assigned in graduate school, Worship by the Book. Worship by the Book was … Continue reading Two Books from England
The Christian Minstrel: Preface (J.B. Aikin, 1846)
The number of sacred music books has been greatly multiplied within the last few years. Mason's publications alone have furnished the churches with a rich variety of music, arranged and harmonized in a style of unequaled beauty and sublimity, and characterized by a chasteness, simplicity, and facility of expression, and all that is adapted to … Continue reading The Christian Minstrel: Preface (J.B. Aikin, 1846)
Of Preachers and Money
Read this article before continuing: USA TODAY: "Heath Care Costs," 6/8/2018 Why I’m Writing Today This is NOT an “angry post” or rant; this is an informational post. The topic may be subject to discussion, but it’s not presented to be inflammatory. This is information that church leaders need to hear about the business end … Continue reading Of Preachers and Money
Jesus Paid it All
Some names we encounter just seem to strike us as humorous. I went to elementary school with Snodgrasses and Butkuses – and I confess, like all the other school-age kids, we chuckled at the names. My own last name was subject to a few taunts and jeers, so I suppose that I at least … Continue reading Jesus Paid it All
The Rock that Is Higher than I
The Scripture is rich with lithic pictures of God, depicting Him as “the Rock.” The Rock is not a pebble, not even a stone, but a great lithological edifice which dominates the horizon. It has roots that dig deep into the earth and a peak that stretches to the heavens. It was there when men … Continue reading The Rock that Is Higher than I
He Leadeth Me
In terms of tune, this is quite different what I grew up singing. Furthermore, it may strike some as unusual for a hymnal published by the gospel advocate in 1889 for an a capella-singing church to have a piano reduction in its pages. Oh, the interesting things we find when we look into our own … Continue reading He Leadeth Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
These words and this tune have been wedded together for generations of believers, bringing comfort and peace through reassurance that Jesus listens and the perspective that he can bear the burdens of our heart. This particular copy in the picture claims no ownership for the lyrics, but other sources tell us that they were written … Continue reading What a Friend We Have in Jesus
All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’ Name
"Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'" … Continue reading All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’ Name
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