Worship is a way of life that takes place not just at 11:00 on Sunday morning, but every other hour of the week (John 4:20-24). Through this “Call to Worship,” we want to share some thoughts about worship, scripture verses, hymns, and songs to teach and encourage you as you seek His face daily and then hopefully together with us on Sunday!
Maria Currey, Assistant Director of Music – Traditional
Hymn Highlight – “It Is Well With My Soul”
lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford, music by Philip P. Bliss
Philippians 4:7
“…And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The heart-rending story…
The mind-mending song…
“It Is Well With My Soul” matches Martin Luther’s sentiments, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”
…Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Kerri Roberts, Assistant Director of Music – Contemporary
I Will Sing Praise
This week we will round out our Call to Worship series on the biblical words for worship and praise. The word “zamar” is a fitting finale.
Zamar, to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; hence to celebrate in song and music:—give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.
The command to “sing praise” or the declaration “I will sing praise” occurs 90 times in the Old Testament. Certainly we see the Lord’s heart for making music in praise to Him through the scriptures such as:
Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.
Psalm 21:13For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.
2 Samuel 22:50I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
Psalm 7:17I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 71:22A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Psalm 92:1
In all genres and forms, music has the ability to move us and influence us. It is often a means by which we make connections within our hearts. It is a powerful medium, created in all its complexities by our exquisite God, and by the importance that He places on music within His word, it is also a means by which we connect to the heart of God.
Ephesians 5:19 exhorts us to be filled with the Spirit, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” So praise (zamar) is not merely singing and making music, but singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. The music flows from our hearts filled with the Spirit, and the object of the music is the Lord.
“So teach my song to rise to you…Jesus, you’re my hope and stay”