CHOIRS IN HEAVEN & EARTH
I hope you are excited for this week, but if you aren’t quite as excited as I am, then let me give you a few extra reasons. For one, this Sunday our choir (led by Tim Durand) will be singing in our service! Woohoo!! What a privilege to have a choir that loves Jesus sing together in harmony.
As I thought about our choir I was reminded of Revelation 5, which tells of a scene in heaven I’d like for us to reflect on:
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (Rev 5:11-12)
What an amazing scene, isn’t it? One day, as we are in His presence we will be part of this heavenly choir singing and declaring the praises of Jesus together with millions of voices! That is fun to think about. But we don’t have to wait till then to start singing together – we can enjoy the choirs on earth too, as we get to hear voices from our own congregation sing praises to Christ this Sunday.
My hope is that this excites you and builds you up this week as you pursue a sincere devotion to Christ!
OUR SONGS FOR SUNDAY
Below are the songs that we will be singing together this upcoming Sunday. My hope is that you will worship with me this week as you hear these songs, and prepare your heart for our time together on Sunday.
[Link to Youtube]
[Link to Spotify]
Songs this Sunday (3/5)
- Hallelujah, What a Savior!
- Blessed Be Your Name
- How Great Is Our God
- Crown Him With Many Crowns
- Christ Be Magnified
Hallelujah, What A Savior!
This hymn that the choir will be singing on Sunday was penned by Phillip Bliss. He was a prominent hymn writer also known for the tune of Horatio Spafford’s “It is Well With My Soul.”
He worked with the famous evangelist, D.L. Moody, and was encouraged by Moody to become a music evangelist. This hymn was published in 1874, a year before his tragic death from a train wreck.
A few weeks before his death, he visited a prison in Jackson, Michigan. While he was there he played this hymn and many prisoners came to faith in Christ that very day.
Verse 1
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!Verse 2
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!Verse 3
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!Verse 4
Lifted up was He to die;
It is finished! was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!Verse 5
When He comes, our glorious king,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
As we consider our own sin, our lostness, our rebelliousness, our wretchedness–how can we not also cry out, “Hallelujah, what a Savior!” Oh, how deep is God’s love for us. “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7) I encourage all of us to spend some time reflecting on Christ’s love for us, his sacrifice, and his forgiveness. May you be filled up, encouraged, and amazed by God this week.
Can’t wait for Sunday!