May 27, 2012 - 10:45am Worship Songs

Pentecost Sunday

Click on the songs below for an iTunes link, where you can purchase the artist's original recording.

• Where the Spirit of the Lord Is (Chris Tomlin/Christy Nockels)
• You'll Come (Hillsong United)
• Breathe (Marie Barnett)
• Bones (Hillsong United)
• Spirit Fall (Chris Tomlin/Passion)

May 27, 2012 - Hymn Spotlight

Filled With the Spirit's Power

     British hymnist John R. Peacey (1896-1971) wrote Filled With the Spirit’s Power in 1967, to fill a gap in Pentecost hymnody.  Peacey felt that too many hymns focused on the Holy Spirit and the individual believer, rather than the work of the Holy Spirit in community.  This text was penned after Peacey’s retirement from serving as headmaster at Bishop Cotton School in Simla, India.

     Filled With the Spirit’s Power connects the movement of the Holy Spirit in today’s Christian community with the work of the Spirit in New Testament church described in Act 2. Verse 1 reminds us of the powerful fellowship of the Holy Spirit, while Verse 2 calls us to unite in servanthood to the Spirit’s call. The final verse is a prayer for the Holy Spirit to move in our church and give us an authentic love to “embrace the people of lands and every race.”

May 20, 2012 - 10:45am Worship Songs

Change the World Sunday

Click on the songs below for an iTunes link, where you can purchase the artist's original recording.

• We Could Change the World (Matt Redman)
• God of Justice (Tim Hughes)
• God of this City (Chris Tomlin)
• Break our Hearts (Vicky Beeching)
• Send Me Out (Fee)

May 13, 2012 - 10:45am Worship Songs

Graduation Sunday

Click on the songs below for an iTunes link, where you can purchase the artist's original recording.

• Rise (Robbie Seay Band)
• Made to Worship (Chris Tomlin)
• Find Your Wings (Mark Harris)
• God of Justice (Tim Hughes)

May 13, 2012 - Hymn Spotlight

There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian Wren)

     British minister and hymnist Brian Wren (b. 1936) wrote There’s a Spirit in the Air in 1969, at the church where he served as minister.  About the hymn, he writes: “Our hymnal had several hymns about the Holy Spirit’s gifts to the believer...but almost none speaking of the Spirit’s work in the world or in creation....All the churches felt a reawakening sense of God’s work in society, and needed to connect Sunday worship with Monday morning.”
     The text speaks of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our world, where we are called to show Christ’s love through care of the hungry and homeless.  Unusually, the hymn employs two alternating refrains, instead of the customary single refrain:

• “Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.”
• “God in Christ has come to stay.  Live tomorrow’s life today.”

May 6, 2012 - Hymn Spotlight

A Triune Prayer (Anderson/Ijames)

     American pastor Chris Anderson and composer Molly Ijames wrote the hymn A Triune Prayer in 2010.  Through the four verses, the text considers God in Three Persons.
     Verse 1 echoes the prayers of David in Psalm 51, asking the Heavenly Father to cast out our sin, while still drawing us near.  Verse 2 appeals to the grace of Jesus Christ, to plead our case. Verse 3 calls out to the Holy Spirit to intercede for the broken and the weak. The final verse culminates in a prayer to the whole Trinity in longing for God’s perfect Kingdom:

Triune God, please grant our prayer as Your glory we declare.

May Your promised kingdom come; may Your will on earth be done.

May 6, 2012 - 10:45am Worship Songs

Click on the songs below for an iTunes link, where you can purchase the artist's original recording.

• The Power of Your Name (Lincoln Brewster/Mia Fieldes)
• The King Has Come (Eoghan Heaslip)
• Carried to the Table (Leeland)
• God of Justice (Tim Hughes)