He is risen. While every second of our lifetime is affected by this message, today is an opportunity, on this one Sunday out of the year, when “cultural Christians” attend church, especially in the South. My prayer for today is simply that we would worship God in Spirit and Truth, as Jesus himself said, and that the Spirit of God would move in people’s hearts. May we all be changed as a result of this day.
Into The Arms Of Jesus
Words and Music by @ThadCockrell
This has fast become the overall favorite here at @V21Church. Thad wrote a great melody, as he is wont to do, and these words will get stuck in your head after hearing this song:
“Hosanna in the highest! Your love will not fail us, no!”
I feel bad for those people who are late this morning – we’re running right out of the gate.
Be Thou My Vision
Words by Dallan Forgaill
Arrangement by @V21Church
Today, Alyn Love, a pedal steel player and friend of Thad, joined us. Wow. This should be a regular instrument in the church. It’s all I can do not to turn and listen, mouth agape. Alyn is an amazing, tasteful player that adds another dimension to this band.
Sermon: Matthew 28:1-10
Today, @PastorTyler Jones preached the resurrection from the angle of intellect. This message of the Resurrection cannot be separated from the heart, though. If you believe in your mind but it doesn’t penetrate your heart, you become mechanical. This message is valuable for everyone – I’ve heard the message of the Resurrection for years, but has it really sunk in? I need to hear the message of the Gospel – how foolish we are to think it’s the beginning of faith. It is everything.
How Great Thou Art
Words by Carl Gustav Boberg, translated by Stuart K. Hine
Arrangement by @V21Church
Mr. Hine, thank you for this song. As overdone as it has become, even gaining great popularity by Elvis Presley in the seventies, there is great truth in this song. Chris’ riff in this song creates a beautiful backdrop, and makes it easy to follow suit and fill out. Perhaps my favorite part is John Bass dropping to the minor 6 on the 4. Man, that guy knows how to stick a note in for impact.
When You Are Not Enough
Words and Music by @ThadCockrell and @MattStevensNC
It’s been a few months since we’ve sang this song, but it made a strong comeback on Holy Week. We sang it at the Maundy Thursday service, and again today. The message is the same both days -
“When you are not enough, I seek the pleasures of this world.
When you are not enough, please Lord; break my heart.”
Joy To The World
Words by Isaac Watts, 1719
Music by Lowell Mason, 1836
Arrangement by @V21Church, 2008
A Christmas song? Nay, a celebration of Jesus the King. My hope is that people aren’t so tied to tradition that they can’t praise God through these words of truth and this powerful arrangement.
Band
Bass: John Bass
Drums: J.M. Huret
Sound: Josh Bain
Band Leader: @ThadCockrell
Pedal Steel: Alyn Love
Keys, Backing Vocals: Elizabeth Boyette
Guitar: Chris Boyette
Guitar, Backing Vocals: @MattStevensNC
Today’s Sunday Review is posted in collaboration with other church music ministries at Fred McKinnon’s Sunday Setlists.
Matt Stevens is the Worship Pastor for Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact him via Twitter: @MattStevensNC
Love how you break down each song! Thanks for sharing!
That arrangement for Be Thou My Vision sounds great. It all sounds great! Glad to hear you had a great Easter!
Hey–love the creative twist on JTW.. I bet that confused the “cultural christians” ( I thought it was Easter and I hear Christmas music).. love it!
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for these out of the box Easter Sunday song choices- I love the Joy to the World idea, wish I had the guts to try something like that
Joy to the World did catch me off guard, but you are so right about those words of truth and not getting so caught up in tradition that we can’t worship. Sounds like a great day
I look forward to hearing “Into The Arms Of Jesus” – you guys keep mentioning it and I keep searching the web. I appreciate what you guys are doing in Raleigh.
Really, only the first vs. of Joy to the World is Christmasy. The rest of it is a powerful anthem celebrating the risen Christ.