August 10, 2008

How Firm a Foundation
Words by K., 1787
Arrangement by @V21Church

This hymn first appeared in the church hymnal A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix to Dr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns, published in 1787. The author is unknown, as the only clue is the letter “K.”, which many attribute to Robert Keene, who was the Minister of Music that assisted in the writing of the Hymn Selection. The author of this hymn wrote from a beautiful formula- the first stanza is about the foundation of God’s word in our life, and each subsequent stanza is based on a promise of God found in the Bible.
We added in a part after each stanza, that brings our focus around to Jesus Christ. For many followers, it’s easy to read the words to this hymn and equate it with Jesus, but we are seeking to always set our minds on Christ - our mediator, Savior, the Author and Perfector of our faith. Songs that sing simply of “God” don’t always turn people to Jesus, but for people that have wide-open beliefs, they are able to sing to just a higher spirit or being, even bringing in their own thoughts about God or the beliefs of other religions. We have been blessed with Jesus, who enables us to see God (John 14:9) so it’s essential that we keep him at the center of every service, every song.
This isn’t to say that the author of this hymn did not honor Jesus with his song- just the contrary! It’s more to say that in this time of rampant pluralism, we do well to take a deliberate and clear stand on Jesus.

Rescue Me
Words by Holly Dwan and @MattStevensNC
Music by @MattStevensNC

This song is based on Psalm 143, and written during our 2006 Psalm Series. Psalm 143 and Rescue Me are both cries of desperation. Such a song would seem to be specific to a small number of people in the congregation. However, in our hearts, there are many who need to sing this song, and during the song I pray that people would pour out their pain and loneliness to God through Jesus Christ. We don’t do this song often, and it always amazes me how loud they sing the chorus.

Rescue me
From this mess that surrounds every day
Rescue me
Only you put me on solid ground

Sermon: John 19:38-42
This was the last Sunday in our series “Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest and King”. It’s been a challenging series as we’ve studied parts of John, for Jesus Christ did not leave a lot of room about his role or allegiance. His claims are the boldest anyone has ever made, and it’s always amazing to me that we would water those claims down in what we say and do. Not this summer, though, and our hope is that people have been challenged and given in to Jesus. There’s nothing better!

No Eye Has Seen
Words and Music by Holly Dwan

It’s nothing short of amazing- God consistently guides our worship of Him. Even with all the prayer and planning that goes into choosing songs, it’s impossible to foresee the way God speaks through Pastor Tyler, and how that lines up with what we end up singing in response.
He spoke of the fear that we live in, and we responded in this song,
“I should not fear, You’ve given me Your promise”
He spoke of following Jesus out in the open, and the amazing things God will do through us, and we responded in this song,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Thanks, Father. You know just what we need!

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Words and Music by Stuart Townend

Twenty bucks says most people think this is an old hymn. I certainly forget that it’s a modern hymn, because it’s that beautiful. We used a deep synth sound underneath everything, and sought to let this song breathe with every other instrument, giving space and letting people sing out.

Jesus, Risen Lord
Music by Matt X.
Words by @MattStevensNC

This song is based on 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul makes a strong point in verses 17 and 19:

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

My hope with this song is that we’d all be challenged, and realize where we stand in this belief. There is no riding the fence, really- what a dumb concept when it comes to following Christ! Either we believe that Jesus Christ was killed and died, period- in which case this is all a waste of time. Or, he rose from the dead, is God as he said he was, and our entire existence is based in Him.

Hope is wholly in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
If this isn’t true; if Christ is dead,
Our faith is nothing; our sin is everything.

How Great Thou Art
Words by Carl Gustav Boberg, translated by Stuart K. Hine
Arrangement by @V21Church

This song is a “closer” in lyrics, but usually so slow. But not yesterday- we rocked it out with a new version, bringing in a bit of soul and allowing everyone to let loose a little bit. My hope is that we’d let loose more and more- the one place we should not be uptight is at a worship service of God. Slowly, it’s happening at @V21Church, and I pray continually that God would awaken our souls a the sedated suburban existence to the glory of knowing the Father through the Son.

This week’s recap of songs is posted in collaboration with other worship leaders on the “Sunday Setlists” blog carnival at fredmckinnon.com.