Happy Friday everyone!
Sun is shining – spring on the way – God is with us!
I urge everyone, especially those who are in quarantine, self imposed or otherwise, to stay in touch with others – by phone/e-mail/other social media. Thanks be to God, the virus can’t be transmitted electronically! But your concern and love for others can. Give each other a “virtual hug”! Try to think of someone you haven’t talked with in a long time and make a contact. They, and you will be blessed.
We will be presenting another video worship to everyone this Sunday, 10 am. If you miss it, you can still see it on line by going to our Grace Facebook page. Let me or Nathan Reed know if you are having problems accessing it.
My message for this Sunday will be: “Can These Bones Live?” Ezekiel 37: 1-3″ (Read the whole chapter for context.)
MESSAGES OF THE HYMNS
Hearing the Words We Sing
“How Great Thou Art”
Who of us has not been stirred to the depths of our soul by this favorite hymn. For me, I recall George Beverly Shea singing it during the great televised revivals of the Billy Graham Crusades during the late 1900’s. Elvis Presley recorded it as well – whenever I hear it, I can’t help but stand “in awesome wonder” in the very presence of His Majesty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The lyrics began as a Swedish poem and melody written by Carl Boberg in 1885. A British Methodist missionary, Stuart Hine, heard it sung in Russian while serving on a mission trip to Ukraine in 1931. He translated it to English, adding several verses based on the power of its effect when villagers heard it and gave their lives to Christ.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
It goes without saying, for most of us, life has slowed to a crawl. Some are able to continue to work, but for so many, we are cooped up at home, kids are restless, boredom has a tendency to set in. Here’s a thought. As the nights become warmer, look for a clear night well after the sun has gone down. Go outside – with your family if possible – or just by yourself if necessary. Maybe take a chair – sit quietly somewhere where the full expanse of the universe is on display. Look up and quietly, to yourself or together, sing or say out loud all the verses of this great hymn. See if it doesn’t calm your soul. And welcome the peace that washes over you.
Shalom (Peace of God)
Pastor Bruce