Sunday Hymns - See What a Morning

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music

Music and more 

 

Good Friday Hymn - The Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

The Power of the Cross
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

Music and more

Beauty from Ashes

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3) 

I had the privilege of visiting Gospel of Grace Fellowship this morning, and as the first song began I was overwhelmed with thankfulness to our great and mighty God who has brought about this new church. As I stood there and saw kids serving the body, people rejoicing in their Savior, and the joy of the Lord shining on their faces I couldn't stop the tears of joy. 

In the last two and half years my brothers and sisters in Christ have been through the fall and repentance of their pastor and then a church split. And yet God has preserved and protected them, and brought out of these fiery trials a beautiful new church....beauty from ashes.

My sweet friend Sherry happened to have her camera out as I turned to my Mom in tears, and she captured the moment so well.

They congregation was singing Hosanna, and it was just so perfect.

"Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest
Lord we lift up Your name
With hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord our God
Hosanna in the highest" 

This was a group of people who truly did have "hearts full of praise" and it was such a beautiful reminder that whatever our circumstances are, God is sovereign over them and is working all things for our good and His glory. 

"Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name: 

worship Yahweh in the splendor of His holiness... 

The Lord gives His people strength; 

the Lord blesses His people with peace."  

(Psalm 29:2,11)

Sunday Hymns - Crown Him with Many Crowns

1.    Crown him with many crowns,
    the Lamb upon his throne,
    Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
    all music but its own.
    Awake, my soul, and sing
    of him who died for thee,
    and hail him as thy matchless King
    through all eternity.

2.    Crown him the Lord of life,
    who triumphed o'er the grave,
    and rose victorious in the strife
    for those he came to save.
    His glories now we sing,
    who died, and rose on high,
    who died, eternal life to bring,
    and lives that death may die.

3.    Crown him the Lord of peace,
    whose power a scepter sways
    from pole to pole, that wars may cease,
    and all be prayer and praise.
    His reign shall know no end,
    and round his pierced feet
    fair flowers of paradise extend
    their fragrance ever sweet.

4.    Crown him the Lord of love;
    behold his hands and side,
    those wounds, yet visible above,
    in beauty glorified.
    All hail, Redeemer, hail!
    For thou hast died for me;
    thy praise and glory shall not fail
    throughout eternity.

Text: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894, and Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903
Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893

Music and more 

Saturday Snapshots 3.23.13

 

 

Watching Daddy play hockey