Merry Christmas!

Emmanuel~ !

I wish you all have a Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

I am sorry that I haven't had a chance to update much in this site. It sounds like an excuse but true that our church Internet was not good for couple of weeks. There were two services last night for Christmas Eve, and there will be a regular service on Sunday. The chancel choir will sing " Walk in the Light" as this week anthem.

I pray that everyone has had a chancel to feel and content with His deep peace and love during this wonderful season.

A festival of Lessons and Carols and beyond~!!

A Festival of Lessons and Carols will be tomorrow at 5:00 in our Sanctuary. Please come and join in adoring the Lord, Jesus with us! There will be eight different groups will play, praise, and dance to praise Him who came to us as Emmanuel!

The chancel choir will sing " Come and Adore" as our anthem tomorrow morning with a trumpet and handbells.

I pray that May the Lord be with us in our worship services, and send people to worship Him with their whole heart!

Come, and Adore Him

Come and adore Jesus the newborn King!Glory and praise let voices be raised! Praise to the newborn King! Sing gloria, sing gloria! Sing glory to God on high!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O Come, Let us adore Him, Chris the Lord!For He alone is worthy, for He alone is worthy, for He alone is worthy, Christ the Lord!

Sing gloria! sing gloria! Sing glory to God on high!

Waiting for a King

It is our second Advent Sunday this week.

The chancel choir will lift up "Waiting for a King" as our anthem and the youth choir will sing "Ave Verum" at 11:00 service. The anthem is a rather simple but beautiful meaningful song for Advent. Ave Verum is a well known song by Mozart. I pray that we all get to have a intimate moment with the Lord during this Advent.

Here are text of two songs.

Waiting for a king; when will he come? Waiting for a king; God's holy One.
Will the world be ready? Is His advent near? Waiting for a king when will he appear?
Waiting for a king, when will he come? Waiting for a king, God's only Son.
Will the world receive him? Will He stand alone? Waiting for a king to come and take his throne.
In the fullness of time the Prince of Peace will come, the promised Messiah, God;s chosen One. For those who are righteous, hope will be restore.
Their eyes will be opened, eyes will be opened, eyes will be opened,
they will know the Lord.
Waiting for a king, ruling in might. Waiting for a king to shine in our night.
Will the world be ready? When he comes to stay?
Waiting for a king; will this be the day?

Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine,
vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine,
cuius latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine:
esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.
O Iesu dulcis, O Iesu pie, O Iesu, fili Mariae. Miserere mei. Amen.

Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for humankind,
whose pierced side flowed with water and blood:
May it be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet] in the trial of death.
Oh dear Jesus, Oh merciful Jesus, Oh Jesus, son of Mary,
have mercy on me. Amen.

Emmanuel!

Wishing you all have a blessed Thanksiving this week!

This coming Sunday is first Advent Sunday. It is such a blessed time to think about Jesus who came to us as "Emmanuel", His salvation, God's grace toward us, and to have a heart for also coming Jesus again.

Our chancel choir will lift up "Born to set Thy people free" as our anthem, and I will lift up " We shall behold Him". Praying that we all worship Him with our desire and thirst for presence of God in truth and heart.

Here is the lyric of two songs. May the Lord bless you all with His Holy Spirit!

Born to set Thy people Free

O Come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until our God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child a yet a king, born reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free.

We shall behold Him

1. The sky shall unfold preparing His entrance. The starts will applaud Him with thunders of praise. The sweet light of His eyes shall enhance those awaiting, and we shall behold Him then face to face.

refrain: We shall behold Him, we shall behold Him. Face to face in all of His glory. We shall behold Him, we shall behold Him, face to face our Savior and Lord.

2. The angel shall sound the shout of His coming. The sleeping will rise from their slumbering place; and those who remain shall be changed in a moment, and we shall behold Him then face to face.

Thanks to God for My Redeemer

This Saturday is our 58th annual BBQ in our church. People have been cooking, making baked apples, and sauces. I have been praying that God's presence at our BBQ even though it is our fellowship and service to the community.

Also, on this Sunday, we all will get together for our community annual Thanksgiving service at 7:00 in the St. Anne Catholic Church. Eight churches get together to lift up our grateful hearts as one family to our Father.

The chancel choir will lift up a thanksgiving anthem "Thanks to God for My Redeemer" as our anthem on Sunday morning and a combined choir will also sing the same one at that night. The anthem has rather simple melody but good lyrics that makes us to think about what to give thanks to the Lord.

The Inspi-Ring(adult handbell group) will also praise " Rock a my soul" in both services.

Even though there are still bitter stuff in our lives, we need to grateful heart to our faithful Father.

Here is the text.

Thanks to God for my Redeemer, thanks for all that you provide. Thanks for times now but a memory, thanks for Jesus by my side. Thanks for pleasant balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall. Thanks for tears by now forgotten, thanks for peace within my soul.
Thanks for prayers that you have answered, thanks for what you have denied. Thanks for storms that we have weathered, thanks for all you have supplied. Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure, thanks for comfort in despair. Thanks for grace that none can measure, thanks for love beyond compare.
Thanks for roses by the wayside, thanks for thorns their stems contain. Thanks for homes and thanks for fireside, thanks for hope, that sweet refrain. Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, thanks for heaven’s peaceful shore. Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, thanks to God forever more. We thank you, God.

Built on a Rock

November is one of my favorite months of the year. Even though it is the busiest time of a year, I have a chance to think about God's blessings over the year, and give Him thanks. Also, the Advent starts right after Thanksgiving. I love those time. Mostly, I love my Lord who came down to earth to be with us, Emmanuel. I always get amazed and blessed to think about Jesus who came to save us in that lowly place as the King of kings. How nonsense! If you see this matter with worldly eyes, it totally does not make sense. That is a mystery of God's world!

The chancel choir will praise the Lord with a song " Built on a rock" by Althouse. It is a simple song but has a bold message.

The children's chimers will ring a song at the 11:00 service on this Sunday.

May the Lord shine upon His face to you!

Here is the text.

Built on A rock, the church will stand, even when steeples are falling.
Built on a rock, in every land. Christ, our Lord, is calling. Calling to the young and the old to rest.
Calling to the souls of those oppressed.
Built on a rock, the Church will stand. Christ our Lord is calling.
This is a house of living stone built for God's habitation. He is a rock, on humble throne granting us salvation.
Whenever two or more come to seek His face, God will be among them to show His grace.
He is a rock, and this His place, granting us salvation.
Built on a rock, the church will stand firmly on one foundation.
Built on a rock in every land, this, God's new creation.
Together we have come for to give and receive.
In Christ, our Lord, we do believe.
Built on a rock, the Church will stand. This, God's new creation.
Built on a rock, the Church will stand, built on a rock, the church will stand. Built on a rock. Built on a rock. Built on a rock.
Christ, our Lord, is calling. Christ, our Lord, is calling.

With all My heart

From Mark 12:28-33
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

The chancel choir will lift up a song " With all my heart" as our anthem on this Sunday. The song is related to what Jesus tells us. I pray that this song will be our tribute to the Lord.

The youth handbell and ensemble will praise God in both services with their songs. May the Lord be glorified by our hearts and music!

Here is the text of our anthem this week.

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus 'tis now.

In this quiet place with You, I bow before Your throne. I bare the deepest part of me to You and you alone. I keep no secrets for there is no thought You have not known. I bring my best and all the rest to You and lay them down.

Refrain:

With all my heart I want to love You, Lord, and live my life each day to know You more.

All that is in me is Your completely, I'll serve You only with all my heart.

You faithfully supply my needs according to Your plan, so help me Lord, to seek Your face before I see Your hand. And I trust You know what's best for me when I don't understand, then follow in obedience in every circumstance.

Come to me

We are having the Holy Communion and celebrating All Saints day on this Sunday. The chancel choir will sing "Come to me" as our anthem and the children's choir will praise "Bread of Life" that Jesus is the bread of life as our communion song.

The song "Come to me" gives warmth of God's arms of love with rocking motion.

I pray that May the Lord give His peace and comfort especially to our brothers and sisters who lost their loved ones lately throughout this worship service. Also, I pray that May the Lord fill our hearts with His Holy Spirit when we come to worship with thirst and desire toward Him.

Come to me

Come to me you who are in need of rest and are heavy laden, come, find comfort for your souls. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for my spirit is gentle, oh, come to me.

Come to me, Come to me, come find rest.

Bread of Life
You are the bread. (You are the bread) You are the bread (You are the bread).
Once we were hungry, (Whoa!) Now we are fed.
We bring our faith (we bring our faith) small as a seed (small as a seed)
Still You are faithful (Yeah, yeah, yeah) to fill every need.
Hands that are empty, hearts with a hole,
All who are starving in body and soul,
Be filled with the joy of a holy surprise;
All we are missing the master supplies.
You are the bread (You are the bread), You are the bread (You are the bread)
You are the bread of life! The bread of Life! The bread of life! The bread of life!

Consecration Sunday

This week is our consecration Sunday. It is such a privilege that we get a chance to give and surrender all to our Lord, the Source of all.

The chancel choir will lift up "Many gifts One Spirit" and the adult handbell will play "No Greater Love" as joyful praise. May the Lord bless us with His endless love and peace and be presence with us!

Here is the text of our anthem.

Many gifts, one spirit, many songs, one voice. Many reasons, one promise, many questions, one choice. O God, we pray for unity, give guidance from above. In our differences unite us in the circle of Your love. O God, remind us we are not alone. Though we move on different path ways, we are walking to Your throne. Help us learn to love each other, show us ways to understand. We are members of one family, growing strong by joining hands. Take our many ways of working, blend the colors of each soul into the beauty of a rainbow, give us life, Lord, make us whole.

The Potter's Hand

Dear friends,

We are going to lift up "the Potter's hand" as an anthem on this Sunday. It gives lots of thought about our attitude toward the Lord. I hope you all enjoy it.

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior, I know for sure all of my days are held in your hand, crafted into your perfect plan.
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by your Holy Spirit. Teach me, dear Lord, to live all of my life through your eyes.
I 'm captured by your Holy calling. Set me a part, I know you're drawing me to yourself. Lead me, Lord, I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me. I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the Potter's hand, the Potter's hand.

You gently call me into your presence, guiding me by your Holy Spirit. Teach me, dear Lord, to live all of my life through your eyes.
I 'm captured by your Holy calling. Set me a part, I know you're drawing me to yourself. Lead me, Lord, I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me. I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me. I give my life to the Potter's hand, the Potter's hand.

Do you believe in Jesus?

I had a chance to attend revival services over the last weekend at a Korean Church in Savannah. There were five services with three hour long each time from Friday night to Sunday night. A main focus was about the evangelism why and how we need to spread the Gospel. The speaker also focused on “seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness”. I was fully challenged and encouraged with the speaker’s messages. One of suggestions about how to spread the Gospel got my attention. It was a simple phrase “do you believe in Jesus?” to find out whether they are Christians or not when we try to spread the Gospel. I asked the question to myself. “Do you believe in Jesus, Yoon?” of course, I said “Yes”. And after I heard a sermon at the second service on last Sunday, I asked further questions based on “believing in Jesus” to myself. If I believe in Jesus that He redeemed me with His precious blood on the cross, do I believe in Jesus that He answers our prayer every single one? I said “yes” to myself that I do believe in Jesus and believe that He answers our every single prayer especially when I seek His kingdom and righteousness. Then why not I pray more? It is just so simple. Why not? If we say that we believe in Jesus, then why not we pray? Isn’t it so simple?
So, I would like to invite to you all for our prayer time in the sanctuary. I know that you pray at home but it will be more powerful when we get together in one Spirit. We will meet at 11:00 on Thursday morning at the sanctuary. I know some of you who want to come but have to go to work, please join us with in the Spirit in that hour. We will just simply pray and seek His Kingdom and righteousness. You might say “prayer is not enough”. Then I would like to ask “what can be enough?” and “have you prayed enough?” Also, it is written “my house will be a house of prayer” in the bible.
God is the living God whether we want to believe the truth only when we want or not. I can’t wait to see how God answers our prayer! Let’s get together to seek His Kingdom!!
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jeremiah 33:3)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

What a beautiful day! It is still little bit hot and humid, but the sky tells that it is autumn! When I drove out from the dawn service at the Korean church, I was amazed how beautiful the sunrise was this morning. I started praising God with a song"Bless the Lord who reigns with beauty; bless the Lord who reigns with wisdom and with power. Bless the Lord who reigns my life with so much love, He can make a perfect heart." I am just so thankful for our awesome Creator!

The chancel choir will bless the Lord with a joyful song "Bless the Lord, O My soul." We sang in the beginning of Feb. this year. This song is full with joy from above. We have been praying that May the Lord pour out His love and blessings in our worship. Let's praise and bless the LORD!

Bless the Lord, o my soul, let all that is within me bless God's Holy Name. Bless the Lord, o my soul; and remember God's great mercy. Bless the Lord, o my soul; let earth and sky and heaven bless God's Holy Name. Bless the Lord, o my soul; and sing God's praise for ever. Bless the Lord whose almighty power renews our strength when hope is gone. Bless the Lord, whose abounding love can take an empty hear and fill it with a song! Bless the Lord, o my soul; let all that is within me bless God's Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and remember God's great mercy. God from whom all blessings flow and sing God's praise for ever and ever. Bless the Lord, o my soul!!

God of Grace

Today is October 1st already and this Sunday is our communion Sunday and it is "world communion Sunday". It is amazing to imagine that all churches in the world is having a communion on this Sunday. In one Spirit as a family in Christ, we are having all the communion!

We will praise and remind God' grace throughout the service, and the chancel choir will sing "God of grace"as the anthem. Also, the youth ensemble will praise "Blessed Assurance" at the second service. I would like to share a prayer from GBOD website for the world communion Sunday.

"Jesus prayed that we might be one.One in spirit One in mission In union and communion with each other and with You.
Today, God, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task.On this World Communion Sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of Christians everywhere. Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences.Give us a heart big enough to love your children everywhere.We thank you for setting a table with space enough for us all! Amen."

Here is the text of our anthem this week. May the Lord have mercy upon us and pour His spirit to us throughout the worship.

God of Grace
God of grace, amazing wonder, irresistible and free. O the miracle of mercy, Jesus reaches down to me. God of grace, I stand in wonder as my God restores my soul; His blood has paid my ransom, awesome cost to make me whole.
God of grace who loved and knew me long before the world began, sent my Savior down from heaven, perfect God and perfect man. God of grace, I trust in Jesus, I am accepted as His own; everyday new grace sustains me as I lean on Him alone.
God of grace, I stand astounded, cleansed, forgiven and secure. All my fears confounded and my hope is ever sure. God of grace, now crowned in glory where one day I’ll see Your face; and forever I’ll adore You in Your everlasting grace. And forever I ‘ll adore You, in Your everlasting grace.

Children's choir

Our children's choir will sing at 11:00 service on this Sunday with two songs. It has been a wonderful year with new kids among them, exciting that we will have a chance to share the songs at the service. Two songs have very meaningful text that make me think about my Christian life. I have prayed that people also have a chance to think about ourselves as so called christians. I also pray that the children will praise the Lord with their hearts and focus on God throughout their lives.

The chancel choir will sing " Blessed is the One" as our anthem also. May the Lord bless these music that glorify Him and use as His instruments delivering His words and love toward people.

Here are text of three songs.

With One Heart
With one heart and one voice we will glorify the Lord as we learn to gether to sing with one accord. Though each one hear is different in so many ways, we can all join together in one song of praise. With one heart and one voice come now to sing, raising one alleluiah to Christ, our King.
Lord, You have shown us Your mercy, you’ve shown us forgiveness each day. Now help us to love obe another and show the world Your spirit of Grace.

Do Unto Others
Do unto others, do unto others, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Be kind to others, be good to others, be fair to others as you would have them do unto you.
Try to be patient, and forgiving, a friend in all you say and do. God will guide you to love others as Good has shown love to you. Do unto others, do unto others, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.Be kind to others, be good to others, be fair to others as you would have then do unto you, as you would have them do unto you.

Blessed is the One

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven. Blessed is the one whose sins are covered, the one to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity in whose spirit is no guile. You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble, surrounding me with songs of deliverance.
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven. Blessed is the one whose sins are covered,
The one in whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, in whose spirit is no guile.
You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. When mighty waters rise, they will not reach me. Blessed is the one, blessed is the one, blessed is the one, O Lord.

Psalm 47

Our Chancel choir will lift up Psalm 47 as our anthem this week and adult handbell will play two songs; Jesus loves me, & Let there peace on earth in both services.

Psalm 47 is a uplifting praise and worship poem. And a composer made the text more uplifting by using many percussion and a cappella. (no key board accompaniment)

Let's praise the Lord!!

Clap your hands, Oh shout all you people, praise the Lord for His victory. For the Lord most high is the ruler over all the land and the sea. God has triumphed over the nations, Praise the Lord and shout joyfully! Praise the Lord with sound, Sound of trumpets! Come, sing praise to God shout all people!

If we truly believe

This Sunday is the first Sunday of September, and there will be a communion. The chancel choir will lift up a communion anthem " If we truly believe". Even though it will be a long weekend of Labor day, we will lift up our hearts to the Lord in worship service.

Here is the text.

Let us come to the table of our Lord, He bids us pause and leave our troubles here. As we bow in prayer, the comfort of these words gives us strength to lay aside our fears.

Refrain: "Take and eat, this is His body, take and drink, this is His blood; Freely given for you and for me. Take and eat, this is the promise; take and drink, this is the love; This is the hope that can set our spirits free, if we truly believe."

As we rise to go in different ways, Although we all have separate lives to live, we are joined as one in communion with our Lord by this gift which He alone can give.

This weekend and beyond

The chancel choir annual retreat will be held on this Friday and Saturday at our church. There will be three rehearsals, meals, a lecture, and games. We will have time to glimpse with a number of songs which can cover until next Spring. On Friday night, we start at 6:00 for our dinner, 7:15 for our first rehearsal. On Saturday, the breakfast will be served at 7:30.

It is exciting that we will have our time together for a weekend.

Our choirs have started rehearsals last week. I was very thankful that there were a few new members in each choirs: three for the children's choir, two for the adult handbells, two for the youth handbells, one for the chancel choir, two for the youth ensemble, two for the youth choir.

Please keep our music ministries in your prayer. I would like to focus more in true worshipping the Lord.

May the Lord bless our music ministries that we worship the Lord with our hearts, mind, and spirits and share our gifts to others to remind God's love.

Music for Sat. & Sunday

The chancel choir will sing at Matt Freeman's funeral on Sat. We will meet at 9:30 for a rehearsal. Please be early and ready. We will sing several songs; "In Christ alone", Lord of the dance, and Eternal Father(navy hymn).

On this Sunday, we lift up "Many gifts, One Spirit" as our anthem. There will be "Ministry Fair" at 10:00 this Sunday in the Gill. It is a very lovely song with great text.

Many gifts, one spirit, many songs, one voice. Many reasons, one promise, many questions, one choice. O God, we pray for unity, give guidance from above. In our differences unite us in the circle of Your love. O God, remind us we are not alone. Though we move on different path ways, we are walking to Your throne. Help us learn to love each other, show us ways to understand. We are members of one family, growing strong by joining hands. Take our many ways of working, blend the colors of each soul into the beauty of a rainbow, give us life, Lord, make us whole.

changed plan

We will lift up something other than And the Father will dance. We will lift the song on 23rd of this month instead. One of our church member's son got killed in Afghanistan yesterday and many people have been sad deeply. Even though I didn't have time to get to know the family well, we are still a family in God. I don't want to sing and dance with our grief. I know that we can celebrate his brave life but still it is time to pray and embrace each other with God's love and comfort. We will meet a little bit earlier than usual so, please come earlier than 8:20 tomorrow morning.

May the Lord give His comfort and peace to the Freeman family and friends.

And the Father will dance

Our schools start on this Friday. All students start a new semester. I would like share a joyful song as our anthem as remembering God's love toward us. The song is based on Zephaniah 3:14, 17 and Psalm 34:2, 4. Those verses are truly encouraging for all of us. Our Father will be rejoicing over us with singing and dancing. How amazing His love is! Let's praise the Lord with the song!

And the Father will dance over you in joy~! He will take delight in whom He loves. Is that a choir I hear singing the praises of God? No, the Lord God Himself is exulting over you in song! And He will joy over you in song; and He will joy over you in song!

My soul will make its boast in God, For He has answered all my cries. His faithfulness to me is as sure as the dawn of a new day.

Awake, my soul! Awake, my soul! Awake, my soul! and Sing!!Let my spirit rejoice in God!

Sing, O daughter of Zion, with all of your heart! Cast away fear for you have been restored! Put on the garment of praise as on a festival day. Join with the Father in glorious, jubilant song. And He will joy over you in song!

VBS and this Sunday

Our VBS has been wonderful. There have been more than 200 kids every day. They all have been excited to being there. While I was teaching and lifting songs with the kids, I realized that how beautiful they are! Especially, when they worship in their hearts, I could feel their faith and love toward God. As I was facing them, I blessed each of them in my heart that they will keep their faith and love in their lives and may the Lord be with them always.

On this Sunday, they will sing three songs from VBS. They already asked which songs we will sing. You will see how beautiful they are.

The Chancel choir will praise the Lord with " Seek to serve". It is a simple but a very intimate song written like a Gregorian chant. The text lays beautifully with the chanting melody. Here is the text.

May I live in the world as one who always seeks to serve. May I live as one who knows the love of God. Lord, teach me how to live and how to serve. With my ears may I hear, with my eyes may I see. With my lips may I speak. May Your word be heard through me. Thus as I live each day may love sustain the will to serve. Amen, Amen.

Gloria!

The chancel choir will praise the Lord with "Gloria!" by Jay Althouse on this Sunday. Gloria is one of doxology during Mass service. However, it has been composed as a piece and performed separately. Gloria is usually very angelic and joyful, praising music. I pray that we all praise the Lord when our choir lift the song on this Sunday.

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo. (Glory be to God on high)

We sing out this song to all people on earth. We sing out this song of good cheer. We sing with one heart and with one solemn voice. We sing so all people may hear.

Let us now rejoice with a song in our heart. In music our voices we riase. Let us now consider that life here on earth is ever deservicng of praise, of praise.

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Psalm 86

The anthem of this week will be Psalm 86 by Carl J. Nygard, Jr. As we know, it has prayer and praise by David. I pray that we all praise and pray to the Lord with this beautiful music in the worship service on Sunday. Here is the text.

Hear my voice, o Lord, when I pray.
Hear my prayer when I cry from the lowly place;
in your mercy, Lord, let me stay; hear my voice, o Lord, when I pray.

Hear my voice, o Lord, when I cry;
Hear my words when I call from the lowly place; I will pray, O Lord, lest I die:
hear my voice, o Lord, When I cry.
From the grave's descent You have taken me, when the men of the world have forsaken me.
In my day of need and my time of grief, hear the prayer for my body and soul's relief.
In the morning , Lord, I will sing with a song that will rise from the holy place,
And my praises, Lord, it will bring: in the morning, Lord, I will sing.
Alleluia~
Amen.

Lake Junalusak III

One of special events in the music and liturgical art week was the children's musical. Older elementary children practiced for four full day and performed the musical on Thursday morning service. My Christine sang with them. What a wonderful opportunity!

Lake Junaluska II

Here are more pictures from Lake Junalusak!

We had a worship service in every morning. The alter was decorated new every morning. After the service, we had our regular rehearsals. Most of us attended for the handbell choir. I sang with the chamber choir, Dawn sang with the adult choir with 300 people. Enjoy!

Let us break bread together on our knees~!

Oh~ yes! This Sunday will be our first Sunday of July, it means there will be the communion which is one of my favorite services. The chancel choir lift up a popular hymn "Let us break bread together" as our anthem. It is a simple melody but whenever I sing the song, I feel God's warmth like rising sun. Let's fall on our knees in front of the Lord's table. What an amazing blessing!

Let us break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Music and Liturgical Art week at Lake Junaluska in 2009

Oh~ yes! It was amazing again. All services, rehearsals, seminars, performances, scenaries, and even food were great and unforgetable. I wish I could share every moment with you all. I will put some pictures in here so you can at least imagine. From Sunday to Friday, the weather was gorgeous. We all did our best to participate in rehearsals, seminars, and performances from 7:00 in the morning to 9:30 at night. It was certainly tight schedule but worthy.

First night, we arrived around 6:30 and started with our first rehearsal for an hour and half. Five youth and Barb were in one of handbell teams, Dawn was in the big adult choir, and I was in the chamber choir. My Joanne was in the children's choir, Christine was in the musical group who performed the premier of Allen Pote musical on Thursday morning.

Here are some pictures of the first day!

How deep the Father's love for us!

We will lift up "How deep the Father's love for us!" as our anthem this Sunday. As we know, it will be Father's day. I would like to remember and celebrate our heavenly Father and His love through this music. 12 people will leave right after the second service to Lake Junaluska to attend "Music and liturgical Arts week". Please pray for our trip!

Here is the lyric of the text.

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure that he should give his only Son to make a wretch his treasure. How great the pain pf searing loss. The Father turns his face away as wounds which mar to Chosen One bring many sons to glory. How high, how wide, how deep the Father's love for us. Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished; his dying breath has brought me life. I know it is finished. How pure, how strong, how deep the Father's love for us. I will not boast of anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ: His death and Resurrection. Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart:his wounds have paid my Ransom. How high, how wide, how pure, how strong, How deep the Father's love for us!

It has been an year already!

It has been an year since I opened this blog. I opened it for sharing our trip to Lake Junaluska, and will attend again this year from next Sunday. Even though there will be half of youth members, total twelve people will attend this year including my mom. Most of our members will be in the handbell choir in the morning for two and half hour rehearsal, and most of youth will be in the orchestra in the afternoon. I will be in the chamber choir again in the morning and various different seminars in the afternoon. I am excited about especially the world premiere of a children's musical by Allen Pote who was a composer of the ninth hour from our Lenten cantata. He is coming for the musical and my Christine will join the group to perform. Also, we have two adult choir members going with us; Barbara Kirschner and Dawn Pape. I am glad that both of them can come with us. Especially for Barb, she is very interested in making stools and gowns for our church and there will be many seminars for that subject. I am looking forward to learning more new music and knowledge and want to get challenged by seeing and observing people who are eager to serve the Lord with their whole hearts and talents. Please join us in prayers that we will be filled by the Holy Spirit throughout the week, safe trip, and being nearer to the Lord through the week. Especially, I have been praying that our youth can open their eyes to see and learn how to serve the Lord with their whole hearts and having more love to the Lord. I will share every moment from next Sunday night.

The Gift of Love

Summer is hard to have full members in our choir. People need to have a time off for their summer vacation. I agree. Nevertheless, we are singing for every Sunday worship service. As a director, it is very hard to choose a anthem each week with unpredictable small number of singers. Thankfully, I have always a few people can come on Sunday. ^^ I believe that our hearts are the most important matter to worship the Lord.

We are lifting up " the gift of love" as our anthem this week. It has a wonderful text and melody to think about our Christian life with love and without love.

Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love; my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed. By this we worship and are freed.

There shall be shower of blessing

I take a walk with my dog, Angie, at least once a day. When I walked this morning, a hymn was from my heart. "There shall be shower of blessing~!" of course in Korean. As Korean version of the hymn has a different meaning of text. The first verse starts with "Like dried weary field, my soul is dried and weary. I am longing for the Holy Spirit to overflow and wet my soul." The refrain is also different: Like rain after the drought in the land, please pour your Holy Spirit to our soul, and give the new life!" I like the Korean version of the hymn. Whenever I hear or see raining out side, I remember the hymn and sing. So, I sang on the way home from the walk and at our sanctuary after I read the bible. I was praying that May the Lord pour His Spirit to all of us and fill the Spirit in this place so, we can get overflowed by His Spirit! Ah, How much I am thirsty for His Spirit! I have been praying that all people can feel their thirst for the Lord, and long for it with their hearts.

Come Holy Spirit

This week is the Pentecost Sunday. As I have been reading Acts from the New testament, I could feel how powerful and real the Holy Spirit is. I believe that the Holy Spirit still is powerful and real. I do desire to have that experience like early churches. I have been praying that we all get to have an experience of the Holy Spirit filling us during our services. As I shared with the choir last night, we, ourselves, have fear or are afraid of having real experience of the Holy Spirit. Amazingly, the Holy Spirit never forces people to accept Him, so it does not happen when people are afraid of. Let's open our hearts and mind to accept the Holy Spirit.

Here is the text of our anthem, "come, Holy Spirit."

1. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He came in mighty fulness then; His witness thru believers won the lost, And multitudes were born again. The early Christians scattered o'er the world, they preached the gospel fearlessly; those some were martyred and to lions hurled, they marched along in victory!

Refrain:

Come Holy Spirit, dark is the hour. We need Your filling, Your love and Your mighty power; Move now among us, stir us we pray, come Holy Spirit, revive the church today!

2. Then in an age when darkness gripped the earth, "The just shall live by faith" was learned the Holy Spirit gave the Church new birth as reformation fires burned. In later years the great revivals came, when saints would seek the Lord and pray; O once a again we need that Holy flame to meet the challenge of today!

We are the church

This Sunday will be our heritage Sunday. We will have a moment to think back our heritage and history of our church. The chancel choir will lift up "We are the church" as our anthem for this Sunday. I have prayed that we are one as church to serve the Lord and show the world God's love through our church!

Here is the text.

We can feel God's love around us in this warm, familiar place, where our friends in Christ surround us, joined as one within His grace. Let this fellowship which unites us be a gift for all to share. As we go forth, let us show the world God's love is everywhere.

Refrain: We are the church, we are God's people, and His word we faithfully proclaim. We will join our hearts and hands as one to see His work is done, and we will serve together in His name!

Let us join with one another, for we each have heard His call. Let us stand and work together as we reach beyond these walls. For we know the Lord will sustain us. He will be our constant guide as we go forth into all the world, our voices raised on high.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me

The chancel choir will lift up "Gracious Spirit dwell with me" as our anthem, and the youth handbell will play two songs for musical offering.

The anthem is simple but very flowing and beautiful! I have prayed that we all get filled with the Holy Spirit!!

Here is the text.

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me, I would gracious be; Help me now thy grace to see, I would be like thee; And, with words that help and heal, thy life would mine reveal; And, with actions bold and meek, For Christ, my Savior, speak.

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me, I would truthful be; Help me now thy truth to see, I would be like thee; And, with wisdom kind and clear, thy life in mine appear;And, with actions brotherly, Speak Christ's sincerity.

Holy Spirit, dwell with me, I would holy be; Show thy mercy tenderly, Make me more like thee; Separate from sin, I would And cherish all things good, And whatever I can be give him who gave me thee.

Mighty Spirit, dwell with me, I would mighty be; Help me now thy power to see, I would be like thee; Gainst all weapons hell can wield, be thou my strength and shield; Let thy word my weapon be, Lord, Thine the victory.

There is no age limit to praise the Lord!

From an infant to the elders, there is no age limit to praise the Lord.
The chancel choir is visiting the Magnolia Manor on Thursday 7th to share our favorite songs with residence at the Manor. Also, the Magnolia chorus will have their first performance with five songs. It is amazing to see the old ladies, from 80 to 98 years old, and gentle men's ability. I honestly did not expect much when I started to have the chorus but they are truly blessing. I wish I could be that alert, active, and positive at that age.
This Sunday is Mother's day! Our children and youth choir will sing a special song at the second service. I have been blessed to have my mother and families but most of all, to have extended mothers. I have countless friends who are considered as my extended moms. I am just so thankful to have them in my life.
I have prayed that this Sunday is filled with love, joy, and peace abundantly.

Let us Talents and tongues employ~!

This is our communion Sunday. The chancel choir will lift up "Let us talents and tongues employ" as our anthem and the children's chimer will play "Brightly Sound the chimes" as a musical offering. Let's praise the Lord with joyful heart!

Let us Talents and Tongues Employ

Let us Talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of Joy: bread is broken, the wine is poured,Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Refrain:

Jesus lived again earth can breathe again pass the word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one. at the table he sets the tone. Teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express. Jesus lived again earth can breathe again, pass the word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, gives us love to tell, beard to share: God Immanuel everywhere!

Amazing Grace, My chains are gone~!

The chancel choir will lift up "Amazing grace, my chains are gone" as our anthem. Our old time favorite "Amazing grace" is arranged with a new song " my chains are gone" in this song. It is a beautiful and inspiring song for sure. I have prayed that we all lift up our hearts to the Lord with the music.

The youth handbell will play two uplifting songs also.

This week is our church picnic Sunday. I hope I can see you all at the service as well as the picnic. God calls us as "His family" and it will be a wonderful family picnic.

Here is the wonderful text of our anthem.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear; and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.

My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, my Savior ransomed me, and like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace.

The Lord has promised good to me; His Word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun will cease to shine. But God who called me here below, will be forever mine, will be forever mine.

He is Risen!

I know that Easter is passed already but I could not stop saying " He is risen!" He did give us the victory for us! He did not need to have the victory because He is the Son of God. However, he sacrificed himself to give us total victory. It seems hard to see visually the victory in our daily life but it is the truth that He won the battle and gave us the victory. Let's spread our hands to the Lord and shout "He is risen! Hallelujah!" Let's go forward and nearer to the Lord!

The Holy Week

We finally have entering the Holy week. We are easily distracted by too much to things to do during this week. However, we should remember that all we do is for Jesus. And remaining focus on Him is the most important matter during this week. I myself, have countless things to do during this week but have tried to be connected to Jesus in every moment.

On Wednesday night, the chancel choir and handbell choir will present the Lenten Cantata "At the Ninth Hour" at 6:30 in our church. We will hear the passion story from the gospel Mark and have time to think about Jesus' last week and what God is telling us to do. "Forgiveness" is our theme for the night. I have prayed that God will send people who especially have been hard time with their lives because they could not forgive themselves or others. God forgave us totally through Jesus. If He did it, we have to forgive. Please pray for the night that God be with us to leave the unforgiving minds in front of the Cross.

On Thursday night, we will have the Holy communion. We share the Lord with other as His family.

On Friday, we have seven services from 5:00 to 8:00 divided with seven last words on the cross. We will have a moment to deeply think about Jesus.

On Easter Sunday, the youth ensemble, the children's choir, and the chancel choir will lift various Easter music during Sunday services. Please join us with big "Hallelujah!!"