Updated schedule

I hope everyone had a wonderful time at Christmas and have a blessed new year!
I would like to give thanks to God first for His faithfulness and blessings upon our ministry throughout 2012! Also, I want to thank to everyone who has prayed, participated, and helped throughout the year.

I am not ready to have a new year yet but working on it.
We will start the rehearsals on the first week of Jan. The Sanctuary choir will start their rehearsal on 2nd, The Sonrise singers will sing on 6th at 8:00 o'clock service, The Strings will meet at 1:00 on the first Sunday, the chamber choir at 2:00, and the Viva voce will meet at 4:00 PM on 6th. The following Wed. 9th, the children's choirs will start their rehearsals at their regular hours.

Looking forward to moving forward with you all 2013 to Praise and Worship God with our gifts of music from the Lord!

May the Lord bless you and your families~!

Glory to God in the Highest!

I would like to share my gratitude upon the Christmas cantata 2012.
First of all, I would like to give thanks to God who has led people to sing, play, read, serve, and worship together on last Sunday, and answered our prayers. His love and faithfulness are forever.
Second, for the choir, orchestra, and a narrator who participated in the cantata; Thank you all so much for your patience, effort, prayers, and beautiful gift of music. It has been a privilege and blessing to work with you all!
Third, for those who were in behind the scenes; AV people, ushers, staff, and people of prayers; for your help, it went so smoothly, and nicely. Thank you so much all!

It's a true honor to be part of God's ministry especially through worship and music. I am truly blessed.
I pray for continuing anointing of God's Holy Spirit and blessings upon the ministry!

Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on Earth!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As you heard from Rev. Tom’s sermon last week, Thanksgiving is one of most favorite holidays for those who work at churches, including me. I love Thanksgiving because I could get to have a pause from work and stay at home.

When we lived in Bloomington, IN, we were invited at least three different places to have the Thanksgiving meal. People knew that we were international students who didn’t have family around us. So, I didn’t have to cook anything but just plan to hop around the friends’ houses to enjoy fellowship long with great food. However, when we moved down to GA, no one invited us. So, we invited our friends to our home to have Thanksgiving meal together. I didn’t have to cook again the main “Turkey” because there were always friends who were experts upon thanksgiving meal.

When we moved to Virginia two years ago, my in laws’ moved into our home to live with us from Korea. So, I decided to make the Thanksgiving tradition of my own. I have started plan the dinner and cook by myself for my family members. This was my second Thanksgiving dinner meal that I prepared. I don’t know why but I have enjoyed a lot cooking, baking, and setting the tables without any stresses. While preparing the Thanksgiving meal, I remembered all kinds of thanksgiving that we have got through in the United States and gave deep thanks to God for those friends who embraced us as one of them in those years. I called their names on my prayer on the Thanksgiving morning. What a blessing I have had!

I have prayed that I can invite friends who don’t have many family members nearby like me for next year Thanksgiving. I don’t know why there is always more love when we share meal together but I do believe that it always works 100%. I remember Jesus who often had meals with friends, and even sinners. There is always love when we share food and have real fellowship.  I hope that you all have had that love experience in this Thanksgiving.

This Sunday, there will be no choirs but have a special music at worship services. Call to Harmony will lift up at 9:15 and 11:00 o’clock services, and there will be a special dance at all services by Anna. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to have an experience of God’s presence in the worship.

Advent starts on Dec. 2^nd. Let’s prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts so we can share “Emmanuel” to those who haven’t had a chance to have relationship with Him yet.

 

Grateful Praise

It is hard to believe that we are in the middle of November already. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American holidays so I love November. I love the idea of sharing what we are thankful for each day during this month. Even though I should always be thankful, I am easily caught in moments where I forget to be thankful. It has been a useful exercise for me to bring my focus back to the grateful heart. It has been not only helping me to give thanks, but also helping me to have a moment to look around with grateful eyes.
I am very excited for this Sunday’s worship service because we will think about the word of Hope through Psalm 40, and celebrate Veteran’s Day. David praises beautifully in the Psalm and is full of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness. I have focused on grateful hearts for our music selections.
We will have the children’s choirs at the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services. The JaM Choir will lift up “Grateful Praise” at 9:15, and The Little Praisers will sing, “I Love to Praise Him.”  The Sonrise Singers will lift up a song, “I Will Give Jubilant Thanks” as an offertory at the  8:00 AM service, and the Chamber Choir will sing, “Song for the Unsung Hero” as a Veteran’s Day anthem with a beautiful trumpet played by Mark Cooke. We will have a beautiful a capella piece, “Set Me as a Seal” as an offertory at the 11:00 AM  service.
May the Lord open our hearts and eyes to see how faithful He has been to us! Let’s give Him our grateful praise!
Here are the words to some of this Sunday’s songs.

Song for the Unsung Hero
Let us sing for unsung heroes, those who lay their dreams aside. Choosing honor more than glory, pledging faith with quiet pride. Those whose uniform is courage, yet are unashamed of tears. Finding in their love of freedom power stronger than their fears.
Refrain: Sing a song for unsung heroes, sing from sea to shining sea. As the faithful sang before you, sing the song of liberty.
Let us sing for unsung heroes, those who answer freedom’s call. Those united by one purpose, all for one and one for all. We will sing and not be silenced, we will keep our voices strong, for as long as we keep singing, freedom’s cry will still live on!
My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty. Of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrims’ pride, from every mountainside, let freedom  ring. Let us sing the song of freedom, sing the song of liberty, America.
Grateful Praise
Hearts ever grateful, hearts giving thanks to the Lord.  Hearts ever faithful, now sing their thanks to the Lord.  Grateful for each tree and flower, for the wonder of each hour.
Hearts ever grateful, hearts giving thanks to the Lord. Hearts ever faithful, now sing their thanks to the Lord. Grateful for the joy of love, friends on earth and friends above.
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower.
Sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

My Wordless Prayer

Welcome November! Can you believe that we are in already November? I love months of fall and December even though I get busier than before. I am very excited also about our new sermon series upon Psalms. This Sunday is the first one “a Word of Anguish” based on Psalm 6. A couple of years ago, I had a chance to recite Psalms each day for several months in my prayer time. I was looking for getting some helps to pray in English without hesitations. Even though I have lived in more than a decade in the States, still English is a main challenge especially praying in English is not easy. So, I intentionally put myself to read out loud for that reason for several months. Amazingly, not only it helped me in praying in English, but also restored me in deeper in prayers. After that period of time, I use often Psalms as my prayer, especially when I could not pray with overwhelming situations like David in Psalm 6.

I have chosen a song “My wordless prayer” for an offertory in 8 and 11:00 o’clock worship services. The song is carefully written as a musical prayer, related to Psalm 6. I pray that it might be lifted up as our prayers through the worship services this week.

The Viva voce ensemble will lift up a communion song called “Remember me” at 11:00 o’clock service. 

I pray that we might be able to go closer to God with our sincere prayers and praise through Psalms in a month of Thanksgiving. May the Lord help us to bear His Spiritual gifts through this time of year!

These are the wonderful lyrics of the two songs.

My Wordless Prayer

My words lie still and lifeless as dust upon the sand, I can no longer voice one request or one demand. My cup of tears is empty, I can no longer cry. My lips have fallen silent, my prayer is but a sigh.

Spirit, come and rest Your ear upon my heart, O come and hear my wordless prayer, my silent plea and take them far away from me. Take them from this heart of mine to the Father’s heart divine. Speak in tones unknown to man that God may hear and understand.

My voice is weak from calling to You both night and day. How long will You be silent? Why do You turn away? 

Spirit, come and rest Your ear upon my heart, O come and hear my wordless prayer, my silent plea and take them far away from me. Take them from this heart of mine to the Father’s heart divine. Speak in tones unknown to man that God may hear and understand.

Remember Me

At the close of the day in an upper room the Lord sat down with the twelve. It was then that he took the bread, broke it and blessed it and said: “Take, eat and remember me. This is my body I give for you. Take, eat and remember me.”

The disciples ate with their Lord that night, not knowing this was the last. It was then that he took the cup, raised it and blessed it and said: “Take, drink and remember me. This is my lifeblood I give for you. Take, drink and remember me.” 

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

I have tried hard to apply what we got challenged on last Sunday to live “Simple” life each day; found out that living a simple life requires many things to be organized with my priorities. Amazingly, when I put those things on my list and pray to lift them up to God to help me to do wisely, there has been a deep peace in my daily life. Even though there is still heavy traffic, and tons of works, somehow God has given me the peace with faith that He is the Lord! I have been still learning more how to surrender completely more in my daily life.

Both choirs- the Sonrise singers for 8:00 o’clock service, and the Sanctuary choir for 11:00- will greatly proclaim how great our God, the King of all is. 

The Sanctuary choir will lift up “Rejoice, the Lord is the King!” as an anthem at 11:00. This song is setting with a famous hymn “Rejoice, the Lord is the King” written by Charles Wesley. The handbell will praise with the anthem. At 8:00 o’clock, the Sonrise singers will sing “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent Thy name.” We pray that we proclaim and praise God more often to realize that God is the Lord and the King in our lives, and believe that it will help on us to live simpler lives which God wants us to live in this world.

From this new semester, the children’s choirs have been greatly enlarged and they are wonderful. You will get to hear them praising God on this Sunday.  The little praiser will sing “We are the church” at 9:15 and the JAM choir will sing “Come all ye people” at 11:00 o’clock service. We still need to have a director for the JAM choir. We have many children in the group, but no director. If you are called to serve in children’s music ministry, please join us. They meet on Wed. night 6:00-7:00. I am looking forward to sharing this beautiful music to be praise and lifted up to our Lord with our sincere hearts.

Let’s proclaim God together that He is the King and the Lord of all!

Here is the text of the anthem at 11:00. Enjoy!

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing and triumph evermore: Lift up your heart, life up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Lift up your voice, let all creation sing, rejoice, the Lord is King!

Our savior, Jesus, reigns; the God of truth and love; When he had purged our Savior took his seat above.

His Kingdom can not fail; he rules both earth and heaven: the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope for Christ the Judge shall come to gather all his saints to their eternal home. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice!

Coming week prayer request

I have decided not only sharing music and announcement in this blog but also sharing prayer requests among us as well as in general.
Prayer is not an option if we are Christians. We are easily compromising with our circumstances so that we make reasonable excuses for less praying life. I do too all the time. However, I believe that we need to encourage each other to keep on praying without ceasing.

These are prayer requests for this week.
1.For Debbie Swartz's thyroid cancer surgery on Oct. 1st (Mon).
2. For the community of Herndon who are friends and relatives with the Peterson's.
3. For our church that we kneel down to God for seeking His mercy and grace upon those people especially who don't believe Jesus as their Savior.
4. For our music ministry to glorify God fully through our ministry with our best.
5. For our JAM choir director who God will lead to them quickly.
6. Yoon's safe trip to Indiana, and God's help upon her writing the dissertation.

May the Lord hear our prayers! Amen

Living Water, Guiding Spirit

Do you like water? Not only is it an essential element for life, but it is also a gift from God have I loved since I was a child. I enjoy drinking water (either cold or hot), swimming in it, touching its freshness or warmth, watching oceans, rivers, lakes, or even water fountains. And I love using water to wash things clean. I think water is a mysterious gift from God.  If we look at the Bible, it is amazing to see how often water was used as an important prop—the parting of the Red Sea, drawing water from the rock,  water becoming wine,  and Jesus walking on the water, and so on.

Whenever I sit down in our sanctuary, I hear the sound of flowing water from the fountain underneath the cross. For me, I feel that the sound is representing the love pouring down from God through the cross to us. It sometimes soothes me with deep peace, and tells me that the life given to us through the cross is still flowing upon us.

The Sanctuary Choir will lift up a beautiful anthem, “Living Water, Guiding Spirit” accompanied by flute, cello, and percussion. There are many rhetorical gestures in the song to represent the wind of the Holy Spirit, rushing waters, or soaring eagles to express God’s love among us. The song is inspired by Psalm 42. The Floris Strings will praise, “Love Divine, All Love Excelling” as an offertory at the service too.

The Sonrise Singers will lift up, “Take My Life” based on an old hymn at the 8:00 AM service.

I pray that we have a chance to be touched by God’s presence –His presence that quenches our soul and restores our faith in Him throughout  the worship services.

Here are the lyrics to, “Living Water, Guiding Spirit”.

Living Water, Guiding Spirit

Just as the deer longs for the water, my spirit longs for You, my God. 

Living water flow in me. Refresh my soul with Your truth and grace. Make in me Your vessel pure, a heart to hold Your praise, a heart to hold Your praise.

Just as the wind blows through the forest, move through my life today.  O Lord, I pray.

Guiding Spirit blow through me. Refresh my soul with Your truth and grace. Lift me up where eagles fly. Teach me a higher way, teach me a higher way. Teach me O Lord, I pray.

 

If you are Happy, Say Amen!

After thinking about last week’s sermon message about bitterness, I have tried to practice applying wisdom, purity, peace-loving qualities, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, the bounty of good fruits, impartiality and sincerity in my daily life. I can tell you that it has been very hard for me to not be bitter at bitter situations and people. However, I have learned that a physical smile helps to remind me to refocus into godly reactions. I intentionally make myself smile when I am in difficult situations and it has been working 99 percent of the time. There must be a connection between our facial muscles and our hearts. We find in Proverbs, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” I think that it is true that the joyful heart makes our heart thankful in any circumstance.
I have chosen an anthem for this Sunday’s 11:00 AM service with the thought in mind to share a smile and some happiness with you all. The anthem is called, “If You’re Happy, Say Amen!” It not only makes us feel joyful but it helps us to think about the root of happiness in our hearts–Jesus. Mario Gonzales and Jason Richards will praise with the choir through their instruments of double bass and drums.
Also, at the 8:00 AM service, I will sing an old hymn, “Thank You God” as an offertory. I used to sing this song in Korean during difficult times to remind myself how faithful my God has been. I pray that we all lift our joyful hearts up to the Lord through the worship services. Come let us sing together joyful songs to the Lord!
These are the lyrics of the songs.
If you’re happy, say Amen! By André J. Thomas
If you’re happy and you know it, say, “Amen!” say, “Amen!” Amen! Amen! Look in the manger! See the little baby! See him at the temple, talking to the elders. See Him at the seaside, preaching to the people. See Him on the cross bearing all our sins. Died to save us! Rose on Easter! Amen!
Thanks to God
Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, Thanks through all eternity!

Do Unto Others

Are you excited for the new semester?  Even though my kids already started their school last Monday, I am so excited to jump into September.  As I shared with you last week, all music ministry groups will start this week and next.  Please visit our website to see their schedules. And particularly if you have kids in kindergarten through 6^th grade, please come and join us at the Open House on September 12 from 6-7:00 PM in the music room.

There will be a new student vocal ensemble called “Viva Voce” (living voice or the word of mouth) for students from 7 through 12^th grade. There will be a simple audition for members. They will sing new and various music in different  languages. If your students would like to try this new vocal ensemble, please bring them on September 9  at 4:00 PM to the music room.  One of reasons I decided to start this new ensemble is to give students an opportunity to explore and experience God’s calling through music.

 I started having my own voice lessons at the age of 13. Right after I joined the middle school choir at my home church, I started having confidence in my calling to be a singer. So, I asked my parents for voice lessons.  My church was an hour away by bus, but after I joined the choir, I went to the rehearsals on Saturday afternoon by myself, and woke up early on Sundays for the rehearsal before the 10:00 AM service. Believe or not, I hardly missed these rehearsals whether rain or snow. I still clearly remember those days and how important it was for my faith and calling. If we don’t try new things, we might miss an opportunity to find out our callings. I believe that it is very important especially for our children who will find out, cultivate, and grow in their callings.  I am truly looking forward to sharing my gifts with them!  

I picked a beautiful children’s song for the offertory this Sunday related to our new sermon series, “Stung by the Tongue.” The song is called “Do Unto Others” -- the golden rule! A few children from our children’s choirs will lift it up on Sunday morning at the 11:00 AM service. Also, there will be a special music during communion at the 11:00 AM service. The student ensemble will share a song “God is calling us” incorporated with a song “Kum ba yah”.

Both songs have meaningful reminders to us as Christians. I pray that our worship and praise may grow deeper and more powerful as we become restored to enter  a coming season.

Do Unto Others

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be kind to others, be good to others, be fair to others as you would have them do unto you.

Try to be patient, and forgiving, a friend in all you say and do. God will guide you to love others as God has shown love to you.

God Is Calling Us

If the song’s to be sung, we must sing it! If the love’s to be shared, we must bring it! For God is calling us now, in deed, to go where there is need! If the Word’s to be heard, we must speak it! If you the peace is to come, we must seek it! For God is calling us now, indeed, to go where there is need!

Someone’s crying Lord, Kum ba yah! Someone’s dying, Lord, Kum ba yah! Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah!  

Is it Your Best Effort?

I recently watched a DVD of a Korean TV drama and one of lead roles was the head of a department store. Whenever he gave approval for the launch of new events or programs, he always asked “Is this your best effort?” to make sure his employees were offering their best effort to the preparations.  Somehow, the phrase “Is this your best effort?” has been in my head ever since. “AM I giving my best effort in the ministry to which I have been called? How about you? I am very excited to invite you to be a part of Floris’ music ministry as we offer our best efforts to God.

The children’s music team will have an open house on Sept. 12^th at 6:00 PM in the music room. Please plan to come to find out about programs for kids from Kindergarten to 6^th grade. You will have a chance to meet directors and other families, and see what is new in children’s music this year. I can’t wait to share this new program with you all!

We are excited about some new ideas for the children’s music ministry at Floris. We will now have a “Children’s Music Team” consisting of volunteers who are willing to share great ideas and serve the children with a variety of music. If you have thought about being a part of this ministry, or if you feel God calling you to serve children in this way, please contact me at ynam@florisumc.org.  We will teach children not only songs but also various forms of music!   

One of my visions for the new season is having a full sanctuary choir each week. I want to literally see the seats of the choir loft full of people who are responding to their call to lead worship with through music and song. We need seven more sopranos, seven more altos, five more tenors, and six more basses for the sanctuary choir. If you have been saying to me “oh~ Yoon, you have plenty of people up there” when I asked you to join the choir, I’d like to say that we are always looking for more singers.  The good news is that there is no audition for the sanctuary choir! SO if God has been calling you to the music ministry, now is the time to join us! We are open to 6^th graders to 120 year olds. Please contact me right away!

The chamber choir, that sings once a month at the 11:00 o’clock service, needs three altos, two tenors, and two basses. The chamber choir is an audition-only choir that sings various forms of music from baroque to modern. They meet on every other Sunday at 2:00 pm in the music room! If you want to explore more challenging music, please contact me for these openings!

The Sonrise Singers, that sing every other Sunday at the 8:00 o’clock service, needs more than two sopranos, three altos, three tenors, and three basses. They sing simple but delightful hymn arrangements or anthems for the early service. If you are early birds, this will be your perfect opportunity to join a choir. The sonrise singers meet every other Sunday at 2:00 pm.

The Floris Strings are urgently looking for viola and cello players. We had two seniors in the viola section graduate and are looking for replacements. Also, we have only one cello so far. We are open to any strings but particularly violas and cellos!

Do you have children who are in middle school and high school? We have a new ensemble called “Viva Voce”!  Viva Voce is an audition-only group that will meet at 4:00 PM on Sundays. They will have vocal coaching and rehearsals, and perform regularly during worship services! Send me an e-mail if your kids are interested in Viva Voce.

We also have handbell choirs! Yes, we have openings in our adult, student and children’s handbell choirs. For more information about handbells contact Laura Shelton at handbellhog@gmail.com.

Are you excited to give your best effort to Him? I am! My heart has been beating faster thinking about this lately. God has everything; He must have beautiful choirs that we can’t imagine. However, He still wants us to worship Him with all of our gifts that He has given us. I can promise that your hearts will be filled with thanksgiving when you give your best to Him.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!  ynam@florisumc.org

 

 

 

Built on a rock

Summer is one of my favorite seasons even though humidity is not my favorite.  Somehow, summer gives me some energy to do exciting things such as the summer choir! If we look around our church, you can feel how exciting this summer is – just in this week alone -- Camp Hutchison, the service camp, the Music Man rehearsals, movie night, and of course, summer choir.

As I shared last week, it is an exciting opportunity for people who could not commit to come in for regular choir rehearsals. It also gives me a chance to meet various people and make music together for our beautiful Savoir! You don’t want to miss this chance! If you haven’t signed up for the summer choir but still want to join, please come on Sunday at  8:20 AM to the music room. The door is always open to people who desire to praise God.

We will sing “Built on a Rock” by Jay Althouse as our anthem this Sunday at the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services. This anthem’s  theme is Jesus, the Rock of our Salvation. Because our new sanctuary’s second year anniversary is this summer, I intentionally chose this song which is  full of prayers. My prayer is that our church --  not only the building but also all of us are built strongly in the Rock, our Savior Jesus -- will share His grace and salvation with others around us.

At the 8:00 AM service, one of our members, Maryann Williams, will share her beautiful violin solo, “Gavotte en Rondeu”  by J. S. Bach as the offertory.

In addition, there will be special communion music at the 5:00 PM service by CCS (Christian Classical Singers). The group consists of Christian, professional classical singers and they will share their musical gifts with us.

See, how many exciting things are happening at Floris? I am looking forward to having you all sing and worship our God together this Sunday. Here are the lyrics for the anthem. Enjoy.

Built on a Rock

Built on a rock, the Church will stand, even when steeples are falling. Built on a rock, in every land. Christ, the Lord, is calling. Calling to the young and the old to rest. Calling to the souls of those oppressed. Built on a rock, the Church will stand. Christ, our Lord, is calling.

This is a house of living stone, built for God’s habitation. He is a rock, on humble throne granting us salvation. Whenever two or more come to see His face, God will be among them to show His grace. He is a rock, and this His place, granting us salvation.

Built on a rock, the Church will stand firmly on one foundation. Built on a rock in every land, this God’s new creation. Together we have come for to give and receive. In Christ, our Lord, we do believe. Built on a rock, the Church will stand. This, God’s new creation. This, God’s new creation.

Come and praise God Together!

This summer it seems that time is passing by faster than in any other year.  Does it seem like that to you? It is already July!

My second anniversary at Floris UMC is coming up soon. It is hard to believe that I have been here for two years. I have been grateful that God has led me to be a part of His ministry at Floris UMC. I still have some hesitation when I need to drive into Washington, D.C., but except for the driving part I have been enjoying my life in Virginia a lot.

As you know, there will be summer choir for two Sundays --on July 15 and August 19.  I have met people who were sharing that they would love to join the choirs but don’t have time on Wednesday night to come for the rehearsals.  This summer choir will be a perfect opportunity for those people.  We will meet at 8:20 AM on that Sunday morning for a rehearsal.  If you have been thinking about joining the choir, please come early in the morning on Sunday July 15 and August 19 to the music room. If you haven’t thought about singing with us, but would love to try, this is a great chance. We will sing a simple anthem together to the Lord! I have had a few people say that they are not great singers. I would like to tell you for sure, God does not require great singers. He already has perfect ones in His throne at heaven. However, He wants us to praise and worship Him with all our hearts.

Let’s come together and praise our awesome God together during this summer!

a Memorable Day

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)

Whenever I read the story of Pentecost, it seems a story with vivid pictures: violent winds, tongues of fire, speaking tongues etc. That day was not normal but truly memorable to those people. Their lives were never the same after that day. Pentecost was the birth day of churches.

When I was young, I was truly expecting to see and feel the Holy Spirit as fire or strong wind at the worship service on Pentecost. How about you?

This Sunday is Pentecost. And as you know it is Memorial Day weekend. We will celebrate both at our worship services. I pray that we all have a memorable experience throughout the services in God’s strong presence. At the 8 AM service the Sonrise Singers will lift up a beautiful anthem “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” as an offertory. At 11, the Sanctuary Choir will praise “Every time I feel the Spirit” as an anthem with two soloists, Mark Krueger and Linda Scott. Our men’s quartet group, Call to Harmony, will share a medley of songs from armed services as an offertory. The Grace Notes will sing, “Jesus and Mommy love me” as a call to worship. What a blessing to have all these talented people to lift up their talents to the Lord!

Sadly, it will be the last Sunday at Floris for our accompanist, Billie Whittaker. She is moving to Florida soon due to her husband’s new job. Please pray for God’s blessings on her and her husband and their new adventure in a new area.

At last, I am back to the States safely. Thanks all for your prayers. I did have a wonderful time even though it was hard to leave my mom. I appreciate for your continuing prayers for my mom. She is well but alone.

Here are the lyrics of our anthem at 11:00. May the Spirit of God fill us fully!

Every time I fell the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray, every time I fell the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.

1. On the mountain, my Lord spoke, out His mouth came fire and smoke. Down in the valley, on my knees, asked my Lord have mercy please.
2. Jordan River, chilly and cold, chills the body not the soul, All around me looked so fine, asked my Lord if all was mine.
3. Ain’t but one train on this track, runs to heaven and right back. St. Peter waiting at the gate, said come on sinner, don’t be late.

Every time I fell the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray, every time I fell the Spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.

what makes people pray?

I would like to share with you the special music to be offered during our worship services for the next two weeks. All of this inspired music will be happening in my absence as I am currently in Korea visiting my family.

The Oakton High School Madrigal Choir will visit to share their glorious music at 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM this Sunday. They will lift up several songs in various forms of music. I am sure that it will be a musical offering, not only to the Lord, but also to Mothers!  At the 8:00 AM service the SonriseSingers will share, “Great Are You Lord” as an offertory.

Then, on Sunday May 20, it is confirmation Sunday, and there will be special music offered by a student trio, including Hannah Berlin, Sarah Smiths, and Christine Cox at the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services. And, Stephanie Introne will play a lovely flute piece for the offertory at 11:00 AM.

I pray that the Lord may enrich your spirit with beautiful music during these worship services.

On a personal note, I arrived in Korea on Tuesday. The last time I visited was in 2006, and I can see how much has changed during those six years. I am acclimating myself to new ways of using public transportation while I stay at my Mom’s place located outside of Seoul. Seoul is like downtown New York--full of people, cars, neon signs, and huge buildings.

I have noticed some major differences on this visit, particularly when I attended a dawn prayer service with my Mom at 5:00 AM. The church has two dawn prayer services from Monday to Saturday and it runs more than ten church buses. They were big tour buses to take people to the dawn services every morning. It came 4:40AM in my Mom’s neighborhood. All those buses were full of people. I found that other church buses were on the street at that time to take their members to their prayer services. When I went into my Mother’s church, I was surprised how many people were already in the sanctuary praying before the service started. They have about 10,000 members. The sanctuary holds 2,000 people at once and it is three stories tall. While hearing people’s prayers around me, I questioned myself and wondered what make people pray like this? Even though I pray almost every morning, I was deeply challenged when I witnessed this. And surprisingly, this church was not considered a big church in the town. There were several similarly large churches nearby. There are even more in downtown Seoul. I am not inspired by the size of these churches, but by their congregants’ willingness to get closer to the Lord. I don’t believe that only people who are praying in church are more faithful. However, I could tell you that their hearts are close to the Lord.

We studied and made new efforts with prayer during Lent this year at Floris UMC. I am not sure whether or not I prayed more during that time, but am sure that I did not pray like these people. Around 200 years ago missionaries from America came to Korea to spread the Good News, and several of them were persecuted and died in this land. I think those sacrificed lives helped make this happen in Korea now. Their prayers and their lives still run through the churches and people’s hearts in Korea.

I pray that the power of the Good News also restores people’s hearts in America. Who knows, we might have to run huge church buses every morning!

Geistliches Lied (Sacred Song)

Welcome May! Can you believe that it is already May? I have lately enjoyed fresh air after rain. It bring more various fragrant to me always. I hope that you all enjoy it too.

In May, there will be many special Sundays at our worship. On May 13^th, Mother’s day, you will hear wonderful music by Oakton high school Madrigal choir at 11:00 o’clock service, and on 20^th, confirmation Sunday, beautiful trio and flute solo from our students will lift up their music! And 27^th is Pentecost!

This Sunday is a Communion Sunday, and the chamber choir will lift up a beautiful song by Brahms called “Geistliches Lied” (Sacred Song) in German. Brahms used early baroque composition technique to bring more sacred sound along with the lyric. I hope you enjoy hearing this beautiful song, and feel God’s presence.  

At 8:00 o’clock, one of my daughter, Christine and I will sing a duet “Prayer for Humility” as an offertory. It has a beautiful prayerful lyric. I pray that the Lord refresh our souls with beautiful praise throughout the services.

May the Lord enrich our lives abundantly with His love and grace!

 Here is a translation of “Geistliches Lied”. Enjoy!

Geistliches Lied (Sacred Song) by J. Brahms

Let no sad thought oppress thee, distress thee;

Fear nothing, trust God's own will, and be thou still, my spirit, my spirit.

Heed not with care and sorrow the morrow, the morrow, our Father who all doth see shall give to thee thy portion.

From righteous paths then range not, and change not; be steadfast, for God is just; give Him thy trust forever, forever.

Amen 

THe Majesty and Glory of Your name

One of things that I love about living in Virginia is having four seasons with lots of trees and flowers around. I cannot believe how fast the green leaves have been growing on trees! I love to watch them tirelessly. I also love to watch the sky--especially the night sky on a cold winter night or a really early morning.  Whenever I read Psalm 8, I remember the cold winter night sky with bright twinkly stars.

The Sanctuary Choir will sing one of my favorite anthems, “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” based on Psalm 8 at the 11:00 AM service this Sunday. It always leads me to meditate on His glorious creation that was created for us. The Floris Strings will play, “On to Victory” as an offertory at the same service.

The Sonrise Singers will also sing a beautiful hymn, “All Creatures of our God and King” as an offertory at the 8:00 AM service. I pray that you will join us to praise His awesomeness in the worship services.

The Majesty and Glory of Your Name

When I gaze into the night skies and see the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars suspended in space. Oh, what is man that You are mindful of Him?

You have given man a crown of glory and honor, and have made him a little lower than the angels. You have put him in charge of all creation, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea. But what is man, Oh, what is man that You are mindful of him?

O Lord, our God, the majesty and glory of Your name transcends the earth and fills the heavens. O Lord, our God, little children praise You perfectly, and so would we, and so would we. Alleluia!

The majesty and glory of Your name. Alleluia!

Joy in the Morning!

First of all, I would like to share my grateful heart with all who participated in and prayed for the Holy Week at our church, especially our choir members and orchestra players. As you all know, even though it was the week of Spring break for many area families, none of these participants complained about having to be present at all rehearsals, the Good Friday worship service,  and all three Easter morning worship services. I deeply appreciate all of them for their efforts and prayers. I prayed that the experience of the worship services would remain in everyone’s hearts as God’s inspiration.  My heart almost burst with indescribable joy when we sang “Hallelujah” on Easter morning. I hope you all had similar experiences.
This Sunday will be the first Sunday after Easter and we will continue to praise and worship the risen Christ.  At the 8:00 AM  service, the Sonrise Singers will sing, “Here I Am to Worship” as an offertory.  At the 11:00 AM service, the Sanctuary Choir will lift up, “Joy in the Morning” as the anthem, and the Celebration Choir will sing, “The Mission Song.”  The Little Praisers will share,  “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” at the 9:15 AM service.
May the joy of God through the risen Christ be upon you and your family always.
Here are the lyrics to “Joy in the Morning.”
Joy, there’ll be joy, there’ll be joy, joy, joy, joy, joy in the morning.
There’ll be joy on that day, with the light of dawn, the dark is gone, there’ll be joy,joy, joy.
There’ll be peace, there’ll be peace ever more, every heart and voice will then rejoice, there will be peace. And the glory, glory, glory of the Lord will shine, will shine. And the glory, glory, glory of the Lord will bring the truth divine.
There’ll be love, there’ll be love and forgiveness everywhere, there’ll be love everywhere, and the way of the Lord will that day be restored, there’ll be love, sweet, love everywhere.

Praise the Risen Lord!

As you can guess, the Holy week and Easter are the most exciting week of the year in churches: of course, at Floris! Have you had a chance to see “Holy week and Easter” announcement? What a week we will have! I am very excited about sharing this with you all.

From Palm Sunday (April 1^st), we enter the Holy week that last week of Lent. I could tell you that you don’t want to miss the opportunities to walk through the journey on the Holy week because it leads you to celebrate true Easter. It gives indescribable joy on Easter morning that I could promise. We will start praising Jesus by children’s praising “Hosanna!” on the Palm Sunday. As you all know, there will be Lenten Cantata called “The Lenten Sketches” on Good Friday night service. The Floris Orchestra and choir will lift up deeply worshipful cantata. This cantata will lead us to have a portrait of God’s grace that showed on the Holy week thoroughly with meditative words and beautiful music. We have been working hard and praying deeply not only may the Lord be glorified through the worship service but also may we have experience of His presence to transform us throughout the service. Please invite your friends and neighbors who especially need to meet our Savior, Jesus. You never know how God will work through your invitations to others. He works miraculously through our actions. 

On Easter morning, we will start from “Sunrise” service at 6:15, and Hallelujah chorus will be lifted up throughout all morning services at 8:00, 9:15, and 11:00. There will be a fanfare of brass that will lead us to the Easter hymn “Christ, the Lord is risen today”. Also a special Easter anthem “Risen today” will be sung by the Easter choir.

Now, you can guess how we praise and worship Him! We will use all our talents and breath to proclaim “He is Risen, indeed!” Are you ready? I am surely ready.

May the Spirit of the Lord be upon you and your family through this incredible experience of Praise and worship on the Holy week and Easter!

Here is lyric of Palm Sunday anthem.  Enjoy!

Behold, The King of Zion Comes

Behold, the King of Zion comes, the promise is fulfilled.

The visions seen by prophet eyes, to all is now in truth, revealed, to all is now revealed.

From age to age the people prayed and searched the Eastern sky. Rejoice! Rejoice! The time has come. Redemption draweth nigh. Redemption draweth nigh.

Hosanna, hosanna! Hosanna to the King! O blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Lift up your heads, ye ancient doors. Fling open wide, ye gates. Open ye gates neath chapels made of palms and praise. Your King rides humbly on to reign.

Behold, the King of Zion comes. The promise is fulfilled.

Panis Angelicus

Have you had a chance to look at the gorgeous cherry blossoms in our church parking lot? Looking at the trees makes me smile and be happy. I hope you all have a chance to smile.

We are already at the fifth Sunday in Lent this Sunday. The following Sunday, April 1, will be Palm Sunday. Then, yes, there will be Easter!  I can tell you the time has been flying !

The Chamber Choir will lift up an anthem, “Panis Angelicus” at the 11:00 AM service this Sunday. This well-known song has been loved by many people throughout the world. In fact, I used to sing this in Korean quite often when I was in a student choir. We will praise Christ who came to us as our sacrament.  Also, The Call to Harmony men’s quartet group, will share, “Savior, Like a Shepherd” as an offertory. What a blessing that we have many musical groups and people to praise and worship in our church. I pray that we all have an experience of God’s presence through the musical worship services on Sundays.

Here is one more invitation to our Lenten Cantata that will be at the Good Friday evening service April 6 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary. As I have shared with you before, the orchestra and Cantata Choir will lift up the beautiful portrait of grace through this cantata that tells of the last week of Christ’s life on earth. Please invite your friends and neighbors to the worship service. If they are not familiar with churches, please try to introduce them to the church through the Cantata performance. I believe that God will use the music to reveal His amazing grace and indescribable love to His people, especially to those who have been lost. If we don’t invite people, they will miss the opportunity to restore a relationship with their Savior. It will be a great gift to others.  I am very excited about it! I can’t wait to see how God will work through it.

Here is a translation of the lyrics for “Panis Angelicus.” May the love of Christ embrace each of us in an immeasurable way.

Bread of the angel host sent down from God above;

Body of Christ our Lord in token of His love:

O Gift most wonderful! Christ as our sacrament: Humble, lowly, all share His sacred feasts.

Songs of Prayers

Since the spring time forward, I have noticed two things clearly: beautiful blooming flowers, and really early chirping birds. How beautiful the blooming flowers are! Some of them are incredibly beautiful that I have to touch to make sure they are real flowers not fake ones. Have you had that experience? And how early the birds have started chirping! They are truly diligent! I have to response to both flowers and birds sometimes saying “ok, ok, Good morning~ to you all~!” They all give their responses with their beautiful smiles or endless chirping. I know that I am kind of strange in this way. However, I am amazed always how artistic our Creator is through the natures!

Have you had an experience looking at a tree praying? I have. As you noticed, most of trees stretch their branches toward the sky. Some of them are just too gorgeous to describe. Whenever I see those trees, I could hear that they are praying and praising to the Creator.

This Sunday, we will have a great experience to praise and pray through our music at worship services.  The Sonrise singers will lift up “Open our eyes” as an offertory at 8 o’clock service, and the Sanctuary choir will lift up a prayerful song “ Let me hide myself in Thee” as an anthem at 11:00. Also, the student choir will sing two beautiful prayers in songs called “Prayer litany” with a beautiful oboe played by our member, Nikki Buermeyer, and “A Prayer for Humility”; the students have been diligently working hard and I am very excited to share with you all on this Sunday. At last, the Floris Strings will play “the Lord’s Prayer” at 11:00 as our prelude. What a blessing to have all those talents to be lifted to the Lord, and glorify Him!

If you would like to be a part of the blessings, please visit our new wonderful website and let me know! We currently need some more string players in our Floris Strings, as well as other choir members.

I pray that May the Lord answer our prayers throughout those musical prayers and worship on this Sunday!

Enjoy lyrics of some songs will be lifted up on Sunday at 11:00 o’ clock service.

Let me Hide Myself in Thee

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace; foul; I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

A Prayer for Humility

Mighty God and gentle Lamb, Lord of all creation, how we long to know you, how we strive to serve you, help us now to love you even more.

Refrain: Give us humble hearts to praise you and listening ears to hear your voice, willing hands to serve you, thankful spirits to rejoice.

Lord of all, we adore you, and we bring this prayer before you: Create in us humble hearts.

When our thoughts turn proud, remind us of the grace you freely give. When we lose our way, Lord, find us, draw us close to you again.

Prayer Litany

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, day by day.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love, and where there is despair, may I sow hope, hope.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, day by day.

Where there is darkness, let me sow light, and where there is sadness, I sow joy, joy.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, day by day.

And Lord, of thee three things I pray, day by day; To see the more clearly, love thee more clearly, and follow thee more nearly day by day.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, day by day. Let me sow love, hope, light, Joy!

The Lord's Prayer

Even though we learned The Lord’s Prayer when we were little, it is amazing to see how much more meaningful the prayer is when we have learned about it. When Jesus gave his disciples this prayer, I think He must have wanted to give them everything so they could pray fully. We recite this prayer together every Sunday, but it has gotten more of my careful attention because of our Lenten series. I hope you all feel the same way. 

There will be several opportunities to hear The Lord’s Prayer, in various forms, during this Sunday’s worship services. At the 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM services, Mark Cooke will play The Lord’s Prayer on his trumpet. In addition, the Sanctuary Choir will sing, “The Lord’s Prayer” right after we say The Lord’s Prayer in unison at 11:00 o’clock service.   Our youngest member of the Sanctuary Choir, Linda Scott, will praise, “Precious Jesus” as an offertory.  Linda graduated from George Mason University last December with a major in music education. She has been with us for several years and it is a true pleasure to have her in the choir.

God has given special power to music. Music can help us to focus on Him and feel His presence mysteriously.  I would like to strongly recommend that you try using the power of music with your prayers. When you are praying at home, try to sing your favorite hymns to begin. Or, sing The Lord’s Prayer instead of reciting it. I pray that we can have an experience of God’s presence through music everywhere and at any time. I am sure it will give you power and strength.

One more note, if you want to proclaim, “Christ is risen! Halleluiah!,” please join our Easter choir. Two rehearsals are on March 28 and April 4 from 7:30-9:00 PM. I believe you will find a special joy through this participation.

Here are the words to the offertory, “Precious Jesus” by Jay Althouse.

All that I am and all that I can be, all that I know and all that I can see: These are the things my Jesus gave to me, Jesus, my Lord and friend.

Once I was alone and day seemed dark as night. Once I was blind, but I’ve been given sight.

Jesus, my redeemer, led me to the light, Jesus, my lord and friend.

Precious Jesus, blessed Jesus, You’re my life, my joy, my friend.

Precious Jesus, blessed Jesus, Your love is a love without end.

Now, like a shepherd, He guides me on my way. Now I will follow, I cannot go astray.

Jesus, keep me near You; this I humbly pray. Jesus, my Lord and friend.  

What Wondrous Love is this

One of my favorite hymns is, “What Wondrous Love Is This.” I also know this hymn as number 292 in The Methodist Hymnal.  Not only does it give deep thoughts about our God’s love through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, but it also gives me strong hope and faith in the last verse. I love the boldness of that line, “And when from death I am free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on…When from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on.” What a strong testimony! The Sanctuary Choir will lift up a song based on this hymn during communion at the 11:00 AM service this Sunday.  Also, there will be a guest musician, Zenas Kim, for an offertory at the service. She is a professional trombone player who studied in Europe and just came back to the States.  At our 8:00 AM service, the Sonrise Singers will lift up a heartfelt song, “Surely the Presence of the Lord” during the offering time.  I pray that we all feel God’s wondrous love this Lent, especially during our worship. May the Love of the Lord be with you all.

Here are the lyrics to, “What Wondrous Love Is This.” Let’s praise Him together!

1.       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!

2.       When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down; when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul!

3.       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!

4.       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!

Jesus At Your Name

Yes, Lent has started. When I sat and watched you all coming down to the front to get ashes, my heart was filled with indescribable warmth and excitement. I can’t describe it well enough, but I could feel deep joy and expectation from the Lord. Even though Lent is the most solemn and reflective time, I am very excited for the journey that takes us deeper to taste and see how the Lord is good.

This year’s Lenten series is on the Lord’s Prayer. I have prayed and chosen music to be prayerful along with the series. You will hear, “The Lord’s Prayer” in various forms and languages during Lent in our worship services.  For this first Sunday of Lent, our men’s quartet group, “Call to Harmony” will lift up “The Lord’s Prayer” as an offertory at the 11:00 AM service, and the Sanctuary Choir will lift up, “Jesus, at Your Name” as an anthem at 11:00 AM. Through Jesus’ name we restore our relationship with Abba, our Heavenly Father, and the anthem proclaims the promise given by Jesus.

At the 8:00 AM service, I will share a song as an offertory based on Micah 6:6-8:  “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

In addition, before I share the lyrics for this week’s  anthem, I would like to remind you all that the Lenten Cantata Choir’s Sunday rehearsal starts this Sunday right after the 11:00 AM service in the music room on the second floor. If you haven’t been able to join our Wednesday night rehearsal, this is a great chance to join. Please come without hesitation!

Here are the lyrics to this week’s anthem. I pray that we all experience of power of Jesus’ name, especially this Lent.

Jesus, at Your Name

1.       Over all the heaven’s bliss Jesus chose birth like this, laid aside a royal crown, the Son of mercy traveled down. No feather bed on which to lie, instead this Christ born to die.

Refrain: Jesus at Your name every knee will bow, Jesus at Your name every tongue confess, Jesus at Your name every voice proclaim that You are Lord of all! O Jesus, at Your name.

2.       Pilate set Barabbas free, but You, they hung for all to see. A cross, a spear, a thorny crown became Your emblems of renown. Faithful to Your final breath, obedient even unto death.

Let this mind be now in you that though Christ owned the earth, He laid aside His very life to embrace this humble birth!

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Praise the Lord

This Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent starts.  Long ago, churches limited using “Alleluia” or “Gloria” during the Lenten  season to be more solemn. I respect this idea, so you may not be able to hear or sing joyful songs during Lent in our worship services. However, there are many other beautiful hymns and songs to praise God during our special time of Lent.

Our Sonrise Singers will sing, “Jesus, Name Above All Names” as an offertory at the 8:00 AM service. The Sonrsie singers meet every other Sunday at 2:00 PM in the music room for rehearsals and need new members,  particularly  tenors and basses. They sing every other Sunday at the 8:00 AM service. Please join us if you are interested in singing with us.

The Sanctuary Choir will lift up, “Praise the Lord” by Handel. It proclaims that God is the only name that worthy of praise. You will hear Baroque articulations in Handel’s style.

As the offertory at the 11:00 AM service, our student singers will share a beautiful song, “You Raise Me up.” The student singers meet every Sunday at 4:00 PM, and we do learn how to sing and breathe properly and rehearse beautiful songs for an hour. All young people from 6^th grade through 12^th grade are welcome to join us

This year Lent starts on February 22 (Ash Wednesday),and there will be an Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary. We will lift up our hearts prayerfully with songs from Taizé, and the Sanctuary Choir will sing, “Lenten Meditation” as an anthem on Wednesday night. I pray that our Lent is filled with sincere prayers and the reflection of God’s grace.  Let us come together on our knees.

I would like to share two lyrics today—the lyrics to this week anthem at 11:00, and the lyrics to, “Lenten Meditation” on Ash Wednesday. These two songs lead us into totally different areas of worship, but I pray that the Lord will be glorified and that His love is revealed to us within our worship.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord. Let songs of joy break forth.

Sing alleluia. Praise His name forevermore.

Shout, sing and dance. Come dance and celebrate.

Rejoice; let all within us praise His name. 

Lenten Meditation

1.       Jesus Christ, my Savior lived for me and died.

Source of my salvation, yet was crucified. 

Peace that knows no measure: This by faith I see.

Love that knows no ending: Jesus died for me.

2.       Hear me now, Lord Jesus: I will never stray.

I will never wander. Hear me, as I pray.

Free me now from darkness. Cleanse me now from sin.

Pardon my transgressions. Make me pure within. 

Refrain: Lord, we renew our commitment these forty nights and days.

And Lord, by your grace help us change our sinful ways. Amen.