Sunday's Song--I Sing the Mighty Power of God

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

1. I sing the mighty pow’r of God, that made the mountains rise,
   That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
   I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
   The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.
2. I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
   Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
   Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
   If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
3. There’s not a plant or flow’r below, but makes Thy glories known,
   And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
   While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
   And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.
4. --Isaac Watts 1715

Ronald Reagan's Veterans Day Prayer

Thank you, Veterans--past, present, and future--for your selfless sacrifices to this country.  And, thank you, families of these men and women--sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, uncles and aunts--for the interruptions in your lives as your loved ones serve our great nation.  May the Lord richly bless you all!  --LKR

Sunday's Song--What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus, 

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge,

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing 

all to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded 

there will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship

will be our sweet portion there.

--Joseph Scriven (1857)

Sunday's Song--God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

--Unknown

 

This video was made from one of the songs on Annie Lennox's  2010 album, A Christmas Cornucopia.  Hope you enjoy!  --LKR 

 

Sunday's Song--Matchless

• Matchless

Son of a man, great I am, King of Heaven

Son of God, You hold the measure of my days

Holy Lamb, spotless Lamb, You are worthy, I am not

Before Your throne I stand amazed

Every tongue confess and every knee will bow

To Jesus Christ the Lord forever, hear our praises now

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless

Your name means more than I could know

You're so far above me, the way that You love me

Goes further than any love could go

Wonderful counselor, root of David, morning star

You are the way, the truth, the life

Lion of the tribe of Judah, mighty God is who You are

The only perfect sacrifice

Every tongue confess and every knee will bow

To Jesus Christ the Lord forever, hear our praises now

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless

Your name means more than I could know

You're so far above me, the way that You love me

Goes further than any love could go

In Your name You took the blind man and You gave him back his sight

In Your name You took the dead man and You brought him back to life

In Your name You took this prisoner and You opened up the doors

And I will sing before Your throne forevermore

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless

Your name means more than I could know

You're so far above me, the way that You love me

Goes further than any love could go

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless

Your name means more than I could know

You're so far above me, the way that You love me

Goes further than any love could go.

--Aaron Shust, 2005

Sunday's Song--The Power of Your Love

Power Of Your Love

Lord I come to You

Let my heart be changed, renewed

Flowing from the grace

That I found in You.

And Lord I've come to know

The weaknesses I see in me

Will be stripped away

By the power of Your love.

Hold me close

Let Your love surround me

Bring me near

Draw me to Your side.

And as I wait

I'll rise up like the eagle

And I will soar with You

Your Spirit leads me on

In the power of Your love.

Lord unveil my eyes

Let me see You face to face

The knowledge of Your love

As You live in me.

Lord renew my mind

As Your will unfolds in my eyes

In living every day

by the power of Your love.

--Geoff Bullock, 1992

A Word From One of Or Founding Fathers

Happy Thanksgiving! A word from one of our founding fathers:

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;- and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; - to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

--George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789

Terrific Tuesdays

How God Works The Ant and the Contact Lens A true story Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb.. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knock ed out her contact lens. 'Great', she thought. 'Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.' She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying.. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.' She thought, 'Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.' Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, 'Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?' Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it! The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist.. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, 'Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.' I think it would do all of us some good to say, 'God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.' God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) --Keep A Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Sunday's Song--I'm Not Religious I Just Love The Lord

Well there's no doubt about it
I really, really want to shout it now
Singing I'm not religious
I just love the Lord

Well you can go to church every Sunday
And think it's kinda neat
But the good Lord wants your love full-time
Seven days a week
And you can give away everything you own
And even give it to the poor
but listen, my friend, in the end
You gotta love the Lord.

No doubt about it
I really, really want to shout it now
Singing I'm not religious anymore
There's no doubt about it
I really, really want to shout it
Singing I'm not religious
I just love the Lord

Well you can look real pious, even spiritual
Dressed up in your pride
but religion's just a mask you wear
And God sees who you hide
Acting like a Pharisee
Pretending you're a saint
Foolin' everyone you know
But God don't need your stain-glass faith
He just wants your soul

Don't go to church
Before you go to Jesus
Don't go to church
Before you go to Jesus.

--Scott Wesley Brown

Sunday's Song-- Never Alone

Never Alone

I waited for you today
But you didn't show
No no no
I needed You today
So where did You go?
You told me to call
Said You'd be there
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I"m never alone

And though I cannot see You
And I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life

We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I"m never alone

We cannot separate
You're part of me
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I"m never alone.

--Barlow Girl

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

What is Christmas all about? Jesus is the reason for the season! Merry Christmas, Everyone!!! --LKR

Random Act Of Culture

How awesome is this?! I wish I was there to experience my most favorite piece of music ever, Handel's Messiah, which was part of a Random Acts of Culture in Philadelphia, PA!!! It's soooo majestic! Hallelujah! --LKR

Sunday's Song--Take You Back

Take You Back

The reason why I stand
The answer lies in You
You hung to make me strong
Though my praise was few
When I fall I bring Your name down
But I have found in You
A heart that bleeds forgiveness
replacing all these thoughts of painful memories
But I know that Your response will always be:

I`ll take you back always
Even when your fight is over now
Even when your fight is over now
I`ll take you back always
Even when the pain is coming through
Even when the pain is coming through
I`ll take you back.

You satisfy this cry
Of what I`m looking for
And I`ll take all I can
And lay it down before
The throne of endless grace now
That radiates what`s true
I`m in the only place that
erases all these faults
That have overtaken me
But I know that Your response will always be:

I`ll take you back always
Even when your fight is over now
Even when your fight is over now
I`ll take you back always
Even when the pain is coming through
Even when the pain is coming through
I`ll take you back.

I can only speak with a grateful heart
As I`m pierced by this gift of Your love
I will always bring an offering
I can never thank You enough

You take me back always
Even when my fight is over now
Even when my fight is over now
You take me back always
Even when my pain is coming through
Even when my pain is coming through
You take me back.

--Jeremy Camp

Sunday's Song--Jesus Messiah

Jesus Messiah

He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled Himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing
Love so amazing

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

All I hope is in You
All I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The Light of the world

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all.

--Chris Tomlin

National Day of Prayer

Tom Olson performed patriotic songs before and after prayer

A group of about 100 met at the flag poleDan Anderson was one of several pastors who led us in prayer

We also broke into small groups to pray for our nation

Heal Our Land

Forgive oh Lord - and heal our land
And give us eyes to seek Your face - and hearts to understand
That You alone - make all things new
And the blessing of the land we love - are really gifts from You

If My people - Will humbly pray
And seek My face and turn away - From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them - And move My hand
And freely then will I forgive - and I will heal their land.

Unite our hearts - in one accord
And make us hungry for Your peace - and burdened for the poor
And grant us hope - that we might see
The future for the land we love - our life, our liberty

If my people - Will humbly pray
And seek My face and turn away - From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them - And move My hand
And freely then will I forgive - And I will heal their land
And I will heal their land
Heal their land

--Michael Card

Sunday's Song--Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature
O Thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring
Jesus is Fairer, Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight
And all the Twinkling starry host
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of all nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
Now and forever more be Thine.

--Anon, 1677

Whence Comes My Help?

Thankfully, my help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth! (Psalm 121:2)

Sunday's Song--Battle Hymn of the Republic

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

--Julia Howe, 1861

Sunday's Song--All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall!
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Ye prophets who our freedom won,
Ye searchers, great and small,
By whom the work of truth is done,
Now crown Him Lord of all;
By whom the work of truth is done,
Now crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown him Lord of all;
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown him Lord of all!

O that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all;
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Edward Perronet, 1779

Rain, A Rainbow, and...Snow???

Riding home from swimming lessons with the kids, yesterday afternoon, was fun. We had all run--or walked quickly--through the rain to get to our van, and were close to being soaked. (it was a long walk!) As we were driving, the sky began to brighten. I urged the kids to search for a rainbow. "Where?" they asked? "Opposite the sun," I told them.

Turning onto our street, I instructed them to look toward our neighbor's house in the back yard. My son hopped out of the van and started searching the sky. "Over there!" he cried. Sure enough, one was beginning to form. All four of us watched as the rainbow became more vibrant right before our very eyes. I don't know about you, but I never tire from witnessing this phenomena, nor of remembering why the Lord put them there!

As my youngest daughter and I headed for the house, I turned around in time to see the raindrops glistening in the sunshine. It looked like a thousand little sparkling diamonds, and thankfully I still had my camera in hand to capture the moment before this disappeared!

Then this morning, Hubby broke the news that we had gotten snow over the wee hours of morning. My oldest daughter came in to say that it was still snowing before she and her brother headed out the door before 7AM. Monday, donned in tee shirts, refusing to wear their winter jackets, they stood waiting at the bus stop in 22F!!! They sure didn't do that this morning!!! --LKR