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!