Worship Notes (Page 2)

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7 Economists describe the cost of any choice we make as “opportunity cost”, or the loss of an opportunity to do something different with whatever time or resources we committed to a particular choice. If I spend a dollar on a candy bar, the cost of the candy bar is whatever else I could have spent the dollar on. If I spend an hour watching television, even if it is free there is still a cost- namely, whatever else I could have spent the hour on. Coming to worship always incurs a cost- the costRead More →

Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all, we bow before you; all on earth your scepter claim, all in heav’n above adore you. Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign. Hark, the glad celestial hymn angel choirs above are raising; cherubim and seraphim in unceasing chorus praising, fill the heav’ns with sweet accord: “Holy, holy, holy Lord.” Lo! the apostolic train join your sacred name to hallow; prophets swell the glad refrain, and the white-robed martyrs follow; and from morn to set of sun, through the church the song goes on. Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, Three we name you; whileRead More →

1 Abide with me: fast falls the eventide: the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide: when other helpers fail, and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me. 2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me. 3 I need thy presence every passing hour; what but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me. 4 I fear no foe, with theeRead More →

1 All that I am I owe to thee; thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me. I give my Maker thankful praise, whose wondrous works my soul amaze. 2 Ere into being I was brought, thine eye did see, and in thy thought my life in all its perfect plan was ordered ere my days began. 3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold, more precious unto me than gold! I muse on their infinity, awaking I am still with thee. 4 The wicked thou wilt surely slay; from me let sinners turn away. They speak against the name divine; I count God’s enemies as mine. 5Read More →

1 “Wake, awake, for night is flying,” the watchmen on the heights are crying; “awake, Jerusalem, at last!” Midnight hears the welcome voices, and at the thrilling cry rejoices: “Come forth, ye virgins, night is past! The Bridegroom comes; awake, your lamps with gladness take; alleluia! And for his marriage feast prepare, for you must go to meet him there.” 2 Zion hears the watchmen singing, and all her heart with joy is springing; she wakes, she rises from her gloom: for her Lord comes down all-glorious, the strong in grace, in truth victorious; her Star is ris’n, her Light is come! Ah, come, thouRead More →

Galatians 3:9-10: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?  You observe days and months and seasons and years.” The New Testament does not permit the observance of holy days.  The early Reformers generally put an end to special worship services on days such as Christmas and Easter, because of the unbiblical elevation of such days in the medieval church.  The Lord’s Day was the only day that most of them would view as a mandated day forRead More →

Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah We are singing hymn #598 (from the 1990 Trinity Hymnal) this Sunday, a hymn that picks up on the theme of the Exodus as a way of talking about the Christian life.  “No other Old Testament motif is as crucial to understand.  No other event is so basic to the fabric of both Testaments.” (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, ed. Leland Ryken et al.) The New Testament continuously presents this life as essentially a pilgrimage, a journey from deliverance out of bondage on our way to our promised home.  This theme is one of the primary themes of the Lord’sRead More →

“Be Thou My Vision” is an adaptation of an ancient Irish poem called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.”  Patrick was the evangelist of pagan Ireland, and while there was often in danger of his life from bandits and from lords and rulers who did not want the Christian faith spread in that land.  He expressed his firm conviction that the Lord would protect him and keep him safe.  It is not certain that Patrick actually wrote “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” which may have been written somewhat later, but it certainly reflects the spirit of Patrick’s faith.  He says, in part: “I arise today, through God’s strength to pilotRead More →