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!

In March, and beyond!

I can not believe how fast the time has been! It is almost March!
Yes, this coming Sunday is our first Sunday of March, and a communion Sunday.

The Sanctuary choir will praise a simple but beautiful hymn arrangement of "Be thou my vision" as an anthem.

The Floris Youth Band met this afternoon as their first rehearsal. There were only four people but they sounded good. They will meet again on March 13th. Please bring your children if they are playing at their school band to the group!!It will be a wonderful opportunity for the students who have talents to use them to worship our God!

Ash Wednesday will be on March 9th this year. There will be a communion prayer service on Wednesday during Lent with prayers, and simple hymns. It will be a wonderful intimate time to draw closer to Jesus during this meaningful time.

Looking forward to starting March!

Music this week

The weather has been telling us that Spring is coming on the way!

Even though the wind still is cold sometimes, we can smell the Spring in the air.

On 25th Friday, there will be "Sock Hop" with dances, and music at our fellowship hall. Several music band will be here to play music And, there will be real dance floor!! :) Wear crazy socks to win a prize for "crazy socks!" It will be lots of fun and great opportunity to invite non-believers to the church.

Due to the sock hop dress rehearsal on Wed. night at the music room, the sanctuary choir will have our rehearsal at the Sanctuary.

The sanctuary choir has been working on the Lenten Cantata " The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Dubois. If you are interested in singing with the choir, please come on Wednesday night at 7:30. It will be wonderful to have new members to sing to the Lord with beautiful music.

This week anthem will be "With a voice of singing". It is a classic anthem written many years ago. It is a joyful and praising song.

The offertory will be played by Mark Cooke with his beautiful trumpet! I wish you all come and lift your harts up to the Lord at the worship service!

Here is the text of the anthem, With a voice of singing.

With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia.

Declare ye this, and let it be heard, alleluia. Utter it even unto the ends of the earth. The Lord hath delivered His people, Alleluia.

O be joyful in God, all ye lands, O sing praises to the honor of His name, make His praise to be glorious.

Happy Valentine's day~!

Yes, today is Valentine's day! It is a great day to think about our love toward people and God, as well as thinking about God's greater love toward us! Wishing you all that your Valentine's day is filled with unlimited love!

We are at a sermon serious of "Speak Up". Rev. Berlin will talk about "injustice" on this Sunday. At 11:00 o'clock service, the Sanctuary choir will sing an anthem "Breathe" with the Jubilate Ringers. The anthem combines two beautiful songs; breathe on me breath of God and breathe. The prelude and offertory will be played by the Floris String Orchestra. They have been working on Bach and Charles Wesley's music.
I pray that you all have a blessed week with abundant God's love and enjoy the beautiful weather!
Here is the lyric of the anthem, Breathe.

Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life a new, that I may love what ever you love, and do what you would do.
This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe. Your holy presence living in me.
This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe, your very word spoken to me.
And I, I'm desperate for you, Jesus; and I, I'm lost without You, I'm lost without You.
Breathe on me , Breath of GOd, so shall I never die, but live with You the perfect life of Your eternity.
And I, I am desperate for you, Jesus; and I, I am lost without you, I'm lost without you.

Anthems and beyond~!

What a beautiful sunny day! I can smell springs on the air lately.
On this Sunday, at 11:00 o'clock service, the sanctuary choir will lift up a joyful anthem "Celebrate the Joy" by Joseph Martin and the student choir will sing "Adoramus Te" as an offertory. At 8:00 o'clock service, the sonrise singers will sing " The potter's hand".
The Sanctuary choir has been opening to invite new members as well as the sonrise singers. The Sanctuary choir meets on every Wednesday night for our rehearsal at 7:30 to 9:00. We already have started rehearsing a lenten Cantata " The Seven last words of Christ" by Dubois. Please come and join us to praise the Lord together! The sonrise singers meets on every other Sunday afternoon at 2:00 for an hour. The sonrise singers will also join singing the cantata on April.
It is a true blessing to serve and worship the Lord through music for sure! Come~!
Here are lyrics of the songs on this Sunday. Enjoy!
Celebrate the Joy
Celebrate the joy of the Lord with glad singing. Magnify the Lord on high. Celebrate the joy of the Lord with glad music. Lift up your voice to the sky. Let every alleluia be raised. Give to the Lord the honor and praise. Shout to the world His glorious name, for great are the works of the Lord, our God. Gloria, Deo. Alleluia!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The Potter's Hand
Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior, I know for sure all of my days are held in Your hand, crafted into Your perfect plan.
You gently call me into Your presence, guiding me by Your Holy Spirit; teach me dear Lord, to live all of my life through Your eyes.
I'm captured by Your holy calling, set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself; Lead me, Lord I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me, I give my life to the Potter's hand. Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me; I give my life to the Potter's hand.