What wondrous love is this

I feel that time is flying by faster than before. It’s March already! And the third Sunday of Lent is coming. I have been blessed having my mom with me for two and a half months since December. She is heading home tomorrow, Wednesday. We didn’t do much, but I have spent time with her as much as I could. We have watched TV, talked, walked, and we have attended  a dawn prayer service together. I have thought about the time that I have had with her. Even though we had some exciting trips and events, “staying” with her was the most precious gift. I am sure that I will miss her more than before. It has led me to think about “abiding” in Christ, as we have heard the word through Tom’s sermons. Somehow, I feel that abiding is more like living 24-7 together-- not only during worship service or prayer time, but also in each moment of my daily activities. It is my lifetime goal that I abide in Christ 24-7.

On this third Sunday of Lent, the Sonrise Singers will praise God with a song called, “On Holy Ground” at the 8:00 AM service. I have chosen the song and imagine that we are all surrounded with angels to praise and worship God together at the service.  At the 11:00 AM service, the Sanctuary Choir will sing one of my favorite anthems,“ What Wondrous Love is This” as an offertory and the Viva Voce vocal ensemble will sing a beautiful song, “Pie Jesu” in Latin during communion.  I pray that we truly learn how to abide in Christ 24-7 by having tuneful hearts and endless thirst toward our Savior during this Lent.

These are the texts of these two beautiful songs. Shalom!

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, sinking down; 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, 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!

Pie Jesu (Merciful  Jesus)

Merciful Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant them eternal rest. 

Arise, my soul, arise!

I have realized that seeking God all the time is a hard task. My daily life routine is already trained to run without stopping and asking, “What is God’s will” each moment.  Even though I do have moments to pray and read God’s word, I find that I naturally live without seeking Him every moment.  So, during this week, I have intentionally put my antennae higher to alert myself to hear God’s voice more often. I have sent memos and emails to several friends I haven’t talked with in awhile, and I did use my time more productively than before. However, without His help, my body goes back to the routine quickly without a doubt. Apostle Paul in Ephesians strongly urges to us to,“ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” I pray that we all make the most of every opportunity to understand what the Lord’s will is and to obey Him in our actions especially this Lent.

On this second Sunday of Lent our worship service is filled with beautiful music. The Sanctuary Choir’s anthem at the 11:00 AM service will be a recently composed song for a choir and violin called, “Arise, My Soul,  Arise.” Maryann Williams will play the violin solo with the choir. Call to Harmony will lift up an offertory. At the 8:00 AM service, you will have a chance to hear one Bach’s famous violin partitas with Maryann on the violin.

The lyrics of the anthem, “Arise, My Soul, Arise” are like a poem.

Arise, my soul, arise. Shake off thy guilty fears. The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears. Before the Throne, my Surety stands. My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary, they pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me: “Forgive him, O forgive, “they cry. “Nor let that ransomed sinner die. “

My God is reconciled, His voice I hear, He owns His child, I can no longer fear. With confidence I know draw nigh. And “Abba, Father” cry.

Arise, my soul, arise! And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry. Arise, my soul, arise.

First week of Lent

As I shared with you in last week’s post, Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday. Some of us already have started our Lenten study and others will start soon and look at six decisions that will change our lives. I have thought about how hard it is to be transformed or changed particularly after a certain age. We have our own thoughts and strong wills about how to live in this world. As I have thought about two questions from last Sunday’s sermon—“What are you looking for?” and “Where are you abiding?”-- I have to add for myself, “Do I really want to be transformed by God?” I have found that I can say “yes” on the outside, but I always have excuses and reasons that hinder me from being completely surrendered.  Above all, I do have as an ultimate life goal to be fully surrendered to God and I pray for His help to press on especially during this Lent. Yes, with God’s help!

This Sunday the Sonrise Singers will lift up, “Beneath the Cross” as an offertory at the 8:00 AM service. “Many Gifts, One Spirit” will be offered as an anthem at the 11:00 AM service by the Sanctuary Choir. Both songs are two of my favorite anthems and the lyrics are like prayers. These may seem to be on a different topic from the sermon series, but they show us that though we all have different callings to live in this world as children of God, we all are called to be a whole-- a family in Christ.

May the Lord help us each day to surrender more and more to Him until we are completely surrendered!

Here are the lyrics to “Many Gifts, One Spirit.”

Many gifts, one spirit, many songs, one voice. Many reasons, one promise. Many questions, one choice.

O God, we pray for unity, give guidance from above. In our differences unite us in the circle of Your love.

O God, remind us, we are not alone. Though we move on different pathways, we are walking to your throne.

Help us learn to love each other, show us ways to understand. We are members of one family, growing strong by joining hands.

O God, remind us, we are not alone. Though we move on different pathways, we are walking to Your throne.

Take our many ways of working, blend the colors of each soul into the beauty of a rainbow.

Give us life, Lord, make us whole.  

Music During Lent

As we all know, Lent is near. In the early churches and still in some Catholic Church traditions, the “Gloria” sections in music are omitted during worship services for Lent. Psalms are used instead. I follow this tradition and look for music that is more calm, meditative, prayerful, and intimate during the Lenten season.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday –February 13 this year. Even though Lent may not be as exciting as Advent, it is certainly one of my favorite seasons. I have thought that one similariity between Advent and Lent is “preparation.”  Even though preparations are totally different in Advent and Lent, our hearts prepare in similar ways. We anticipate and prepare with excitement during Advent for the birth of Jesus and we prepare with prayers and repentance for resurrection through the Cross during Lent. Many people give up one or two things for Lent to remind themselves to be more aware of the meaning of Lent. How about you? Are you planning to do something special during this Lenten season?

I have decided to participate in our Lenten study, along with reciting Psalms to myself each day. I am excited and I pray that I will grow more mature in my faith in Him during this time.

This Sunday, you will be offered a moment to think about the coming season of Lent through the song, “Kyrie” at the 11:00 AM service. This Kyrie is from a cantata titled, “Memorial” that was composed in memory of the victims of the September 11 tragedy. This particular song is written in Latin, “Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison (Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy). “ A Kyrie has been sung as an opening prayer for years. It pleads for God’s mercy first before we offer anything to God during worship. I have chosen this song intentionally for this Sunday to prepare our hearts for Lent . We can humbly ask that God’s  mercy and grace be upon us so that we are healed and cleansed.

Children’s voices of praise will be offered at the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services and the Floris Strings will share a prelude, “Just a Closer Walk ”as a prelude at the 11:00 AM service.

Let’s lift up together, “Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison” with our hearts.