Courage to change

We will keep focusing on our serious of courage, and this Sunday will be about "courage of change". This Sunday will be also the first Sunday of the month April, so there will be a communion. The chamber choir will sing "Ubi Caritas" as an offertory at 11:00 service. This song was composed based on a chant "Ubi Caritas" which was sung during washing their feet at a communion service near the table on Maundy Thursday especially. It is beautifully arranged with mystical harmony with other parts. I hope that everyone has an experience of "real communion" with our Christ on this Sunday. Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. :Where there is charity and love, God is there. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.: The love of Christ has gathered us as one. Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur. :Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum.: Let us honor and love the living God. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.:And from a sincere heart let us love one another.

Courage to face the future

It will be 3rd Sunday of Lent on 27th. Our focus will be "courage to face the future" based on Jesus' story in Luke 21:5-19. Jesus told his disciples what future will be. We could imagine how the disciple would feel to hear them.
The Sanctuary choir will sing "What wondrous love is this" as our anthem at 11:00, the sonrise singers will sing "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" as an offertory at 8:00. Also, excitingly, the new barber shop quartet will sing an offertory with the Lord's prayer and postlude at 11:00 service.
The Lenten cantata is getting near and praying that God sends people needed to meet Him, and cured by His grace and love to the concert. Please keep in our concert in your prayers that God uses us completely in His purpose.

Here is the lyric for "What wondrous love is this" and " Beneath the Cross of Jesus".
What Wondrous Love is This
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul; what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
When I was sinking down , sinking down; when I was sinking down beneath God's righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb I will sing! To God and to the Lamb, who is the great "I am," while millions join the theme, I will sing!
When from death I'm free, I'll sing on, and when from death I'm free, I'll sing on!
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I'll sing on!

Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
Up on that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess: the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding places; I ask no other sunshine than the Sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross; my glory all the cross.

Profile of Courage

During this Lent, the sermon will be serious of "Profile of Courage". This coming Sunday will be about The courage of conviction. When Jesus entered Jerusalem in the temple, he cleaned all the clutters and wept. Reflecting on his weeping, the sanctuary choir will sing " When Jesus Wept" as an anthem at 11:00. The children's choir will sing special songs at 9:15 and 11:00.

I pray that we all humble ourselves more in front of Jesus and see ourselves through His cross.

May the Lord be with you all!

Here is the text of the anthem.

When Jesus wept, the falling tear, in mercy flow'd beyond all bound. When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the guilty world around, around.

O come, and mourn with me awhile. And linger here beside; O come together, let us mourn; O Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

Lent

Lent will start on this Wednesday March 9th. There will be Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 at our Floris UMC. Due to the service, there will be a short Sanctuary choir rehearsal for 30 min from 8:30-9:00 in the music room.

This Sunday is first Sunday in Lent. The chamber choir will sing " Jesu, Jesu" as an anthem, and "the Lord bless you and keep you" as a benediction response.
The student choir will sing an offertory "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord".

Here is the lyric of two beautiful songs. May the Grace of God shine upon us during this week!
Jesu, Jesu
Jesu, the very thought is sweet. In that dear Name all heartjoys meet, No word is sung more sweet than this, No sound is heard more full of bliss than Jesus Son of God most high.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord!
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord! open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you.
See You high and lifted up. Shining in the light of Your glory! O Lord, pour out Your power and love, as we sing holy, holy, holy!
Holy, Holy, holy! Lord, God almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!