Music for Sunday, Feb. 1

I really missed choir last night. I want to make sure everyone knows that we WILL sing Sunday morning even though we couldn't rehearse last night. We'll sing Breathe from our 30 minute book.

Here's Sunday's music

Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy

Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord

Prayer – Bro. Lyndel Littleton

Choir Anthem - Breathe

Welcome to Worship – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Welcome song – Rock of Ages

Children’s Message – Bro. Tim Muñoz

At the Cross
The Wonderful Cross

Special Music – Steven Tucker

Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Invitation – Just As I Am

Offertory – Allison Thomas

Baptism – Emily Barnett (9AM) Bro. Tony Lewis

Announcements & Benediction – Bro. Tim Muñoz

Lord Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise

That used to be the saying...

My creek is up!

Now I guess we have to change it to "Lord willin' and CMCSS doesn't call off school."

There's no choir or Wind and Fire rehearsal tonight, but we WILL have services Sunday morning and the choir WILL sing. I'll see you then! (Lord willin' and the creek don't rise any further.)

Save Someone's Life - Maybe Your Own

A friend of mine is battling colon cancer. My doctor told me that colon cancer is a horrible disease. My friend has had chemo and radiation and surgeries to remove parts of her colon.

Her original prognosis was that she had no hope for survival - that she was at stage 4. God stepped in and she is cancer free right now, but she still has to go back for another round of chemo after a quick vacation.

The thing about colon cancer is that it is easy to detect and VERY easy to treat in the early stages. The problem is that no one wants to take the test. I've found that the test really isn't so bad. I blogged about it last year. If you or your friends are over 50 you need to read about my Big Adventure!

It's fun reading and might save someone's life - maybe your own.

A New Adventure
Preparations for the Adventure
The Adventure Continues
The Adventures Exciting Ending Hahaha - no pun intended

Friends Are Friends Forever

No, I'm not going to sing Michael W. Smith's song, but I do want to mention again the wonderful bond we have as followers of Jesus Christ. Last May I posted about this.

http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2008/05/blest-be-tie-that-binds.html

Now these friends that I blogged about last year are in town! They are headed over to my house even as I type. It will be fun catching up with each other and laughing together again.

One of the things this reminds me of is that we are making these kinds of friendships now at Hilldale. As we share times of worship and rehearsal and big productions like "the Tree" and the Passion Play, and as we invest in each others' lives - spending time together through the joys of new babies and the sorrows of funerals - we strengthen those bonds of Christian love.

Many of you do that with your LifeGroups. That is a wonderful thing. If you're not in a LifeGroup you need to find one. You can also do this through other groups - singing in choir, playing on a ball team, etc.

Well, I could probably go on about this, but they will be here soon and I need to put some dishes in the dishwasher.

Call up a friend today and tell them how much you love them.

The Power of the Cross

The Gettys write incredibly beautiful and theological deep hymns. We already sing some of their songs. We'll be learning this one next. Wow! What a powerful song.

My Savior My God - Offertory on Jan. 18

Some of you wanted to hear this again, so I thought I'd put it here where you can find it. I think it could use a little reverb on the violin and as Randy Jackson would say on American Idol, "Hey Dawg, not bad, but a little pitchy on the high notes."

NOT a Good Thing

I know of a lady who lives in a hotel room in a run-down part of town with her three children and a man who sometimes beats her. He threatens to take her children from her if she even thinks about leaving him.

The lady became pregnant with another man's child and knew that he would not be safe living with this abusive man since the man was not the father.

The father of the child has seven children of his own but only has four of them living with him because he cannot afford to feed and clothe all of them.

Those who support a "woman's right to choose" would say this African-American woman is a prime candidate for an abortion.


I often thank God that this woman had the moral character to carry her baby boy to term and the grace and love to give him away: to place him with an agency who would find him a loving home.


I don't know this woman, but I know her son. His name is Benjamin and he is now my grandson!



Last Tuesday, on inauguration day, I posted on my Papa Lyndel blog how it was a good thing that we had a president of African-American descent. I put that post on that blog because it seemed a bit political and it fit with my grandchildren thoughts - mainly because of Benjamin.
http://papalyndel.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-thing.html


I must say now, however, that being an African-American is not good enough. He must also be a man of character who protects life. Our president was wrong this week and if he continues making decisions like the one this week then he will not be a person of color that I can recommend for anyone to look up to - especially my grandchildren.


OK, Lyndel, you're starting to get political. What about separation of church and state?


Well, that is a whole other post and it is something the liberal courts of the mid 1900s came up with, not what our founding fathers said at all. Long story short, I don't check my citizenship at the church door and it is not only legal, but my responsibility as a pastor to speak out on moral issues.


I don't know if the stimulus package is a good idea or not. I'll let the economists debate that and I won't blog about it here.

I don't know if Guantanamo should be closed. (Good luck figuring that one out.)


But I DO know that President Obama was wrong to have the federal government begin funding abortions around the world again. He should know that black mothers (in the United States)abort their children at a rate almost three times that of white women. Our President should be protecting all children - black and white. (and that includes unborn children)

Where is the outrage from black leaders? Where are the black pastors speaking out against the slaughter of unborn black children? (I guess that's another post.)


When was it decided that if you are a democrat you have to support abortion? Why can't there be democrats who are pro-life? and if they are out there why don't they speak up? (again, another post)


Money spent on abortions would be much better spent reducing the cost of adoptions or in pre-natal care.


The President was wrong to use our tax dollars to pay for abortions.



If you need to know more about adoption, there are many wonderful adoption agencies. A friend of mine, who is the Connections Pastor at FBC, Columbia, is on the board of directors of Bethany Christian Services http://www.bethany.org/ Check them out.

Here's an article titled "A Dangerous Time to Be a Black Baby."
http://thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.28.001.pdart

Sunday's Music 1-25

January 25, 2009 AM

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
God of Wonders
(Wind and Fire will play on both of these)

Prayer – Bro. Lyndel Littleton

Choir Anthem – My Savior, My God

Welcome – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Welcome song – Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)

Children’s Sermon – Bro. Tim Munoz

Wonderful Words of Life
Ancient Words (look at a post earlier this week to hear this one if you don't know it)
Thy Word

Special music – Brenda Radford

Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Invitation song – Softly and Tenderly

Offertory – Gena Tate

Blogging About the New President

You might be interested in seeing how a conservative white boy from the South could see today as a "good thing."

http://papalyndel.blogspot.com/2009/01/good-thing.html

I posted this on my Papa Lyndel blog because it fit better there.

Ancient Words

There's a song we've sung a few times during our Sunday evening worship called "Ancient Words." We're going to sing it this Sunday on Sunday morning. So if you don't know it, you can click on this link to an earlier post and hear it (and sing along with it to learn it).



http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2008/08/ancient-words.html


Please study - there will be a test. lol

Just found this BEAUTIFUL violin solo of Ancient Words


And here's one with words to help you learn it.

Only it's in G and we'll sing it in F. (If you keep up with such things.)

Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin does NOT have an "H" in his last name. So please overlook that on our little poll going on - right over there - on your left. But do vote.

If you want to leave a comment about Chris Tomlin's wonderful worship songs, feel free to do so.

A Good Day - Again

I had to add "again" because I've used the title "A Good Day" before.

So ... yesterday was a good day. We had a BIG choir in both services, the congregation sang well, the choir was great (it was even mentioned to me how well everyone was watching and how they were right with me on cutoffs and all) and then I figured the youth would all be alseep Sunday afternoon after D-now weekend, but we had a big grop in youth choir too and even decided that we are going to sing for the evening worship next Sunday!

I hope you all have a great week. I'll be looking for our adult choir and Wind and Fire Wednesday night! See you then.

An Experiment

I received one of those funny forwards today. It was titled "Kids in Church...Funny." (This , by the way, does not mean I want you to start sending me all of your favorite forwards.) It had all of these really cute things that kids have said. This one reminded me of what Bro. Larry will be preaching about this Sunday - "When Your Family Isn't Perfect."

After the baby dedication of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,

and I wanted to stay with you guys.'

I've met people over the years who were totally different at home than they were at church. People at church didn't necessarily know that, but the children did! It really messes them up too.

I've thought of an easy way to help fix this problem for any of you who may have that. Don't try to act like a Christian on Sundays when you are at church. Instead, make sure you are truly a follower of Jesus Christ and then live that way every day.

The fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life EVERY day when you walk by the Spirit,

Ga 5:16 - Show Context
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Ga 5:25 - Show Context
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

So why would I blog about how you are on Monday through Saturday when I'm supposed to lead you in worship on Sunday? Well, because worship isn't just a Sunday thing. It is an every day thing. And just think... if all of us - or at least a bunch of us - are walking and living by the Spirit day by day, when we get together on Sundays for worship our worship will be - wow, I don't know, I think it would be bigger and grander and more powerful and we wouldn't be putting on a Sunday frame of mind, we'd just be celebrating together what God was doing in our lives all week long. (I suppose my writing professors would not be happy with that last sentence, but I'm just typing as it's popping in my head.)

I've thought of an experiment for us to try.

OK, I guess it's too late for this week, but let's all give it a try starting next Monday. We'll all walk in the Spirit and put Jesus' words to action in our lives for a week and see what happens. (It may scare your children at first if you are a lot different, but that's OK.)

Mt 16:24 - Show Context
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

At the end of that week, Jan. 19-25, we'll see how worship is on the 25th. I think it's going to be great!

I'd love to know what you think about such things. Send me a note or post a comment here.

American Idol

The 8th season of American Idol begins tonight. I'll probably watch it, but then again, maybe not. It bothers me that there are times when they are obviously making fun of the singing or even the person of some of the contestants. We all know that some of the people who are chosen to sing for the judges are chosen for their total lack of singing ability. It would be much kinder if someone had told them up front that they should NEVER sing in public.




Some people use their lack of singing ability as an excuse to not only skip out of American Idol auditions, but also as an excuse to not sing at church.



Often on Sunday nights I'll talk to people in the congregation just before the evening service. (It's more difficult to have time for this on a Sunday morning.) I'll look at a group of people and I'll say, "I want to hear some good singing from this section tonight." And more often than not at least one person says, "You don't want to hear me sing!"



But actually, I do! Singing in worship isn't so much about the notes you sing, it's about your heart and expressing your faith and love and devotion and worship to the Lord.


A quick glance through the Psalms will show you many, many verses that instruct us to praise the Lord.


for example:


Ps 47:6 - Show Context
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our King, sing praise!



Oh, one more thing - speaking of auditions...

I'm often asked if there are auditions to be in our adult choir. The answer is NO! If you want to sing a solo - yes, but to sing Sunday by Sunday all you have to do is come to rehearsals. We meet on Wednesday nights at 6:30 at the Family Life Center. You don't have to be able to read music either. Many in our choir don't read. What is important is dedication and a heart for the Lord. We can help you with your singing.

Come join us THIS Wednesday night!

Returning Choir Members and Sunday's Music

We had a great first-night-back-from-Christmas-break rehearsal last night. We had two new basses, 2 returning basses, a returning alto, a new alto and a returning soprano! Yeah! It's not exactly the swallows returning to Cappuccino (or wherever that is) but it is still great to see choir members back.

Sunday's music:

January 11, 2009

Lord Most High
Crown Him with Many Crowns

Prayer – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Choir Anthem – The Solid Rock

Welcome to Worship – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Welcome Song – Sing to the King

Children’s Message – Bro. Tim Munoz

How Great Thou Art

No Higher Calling
To God Be the Glory

Special Music – Lynn Brake & Angie Thomas

Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Invitation - Just As I Am

Offertory – Michelle Dickerson

Announcements & Benediction – Bro. Tony Lewis

Wednesdays Are Going Again

Having Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve on Wednesdays kind of messed up our rehearsal times. And even though it was nice taking a couple of weeks off, I'm ready to go! I miss you when we don't get together.

Wind and Fire - our instrumental ensemble - will meet tonight at the FLC at 5:35. This is a great time for new players to join us. We currently have (if we all show up on the same night) 3 flutes, 1 clarinet, 1 alto or soprano sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 trumpet, 2 trombones and a drummer. This is a great start! Tonight we'll work on some things to play on Sunday mornings.

Our adult choir meets at 6:30. I've already had four men and one lady tell me they are going to join choir tonight. Woohoo! I'd like to see us back up close to 100 enrolled in the next few weeks. Bring someone with you to choir tonight.

God with Us sung by Lyndel

The congregation at Hilldale has already heard this, so you all can skip this post. But some of my old friends (old as in known them for a long time) haven't heard me sing in 20 or 25 years. I guess I could pretend I was only 12 years old then... hahaha.

Monday, Monday

da daaa, da, da da daaaaaa.

The mommas and the papas sang that one way back when. I'm not sure what the other lyrics are in that song. The da daaaas were so loud they kind of drowned out the rest of the song.

I think we sometimes get like that in life. We have a message to get out - one of hope and love and redemption and forgiveness... but we can easily get caught up in the da daaaaas and the message gets covered up.

Let Paul's words in Philippians 3 be an encouragement to you to forget all the da daaaas of 2008 and strive for making 2009 a great year of advancing the Kingdom.

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Read This Chapter

Side note - if you are in the recording studio, mixing your latest greatest new hit, make sure your background vocals don't cover up your main lyrics. (Free advice that won't cost you anything.)

The First Post of a New Year

So what do you say on the first post of a new year?

SING!

I don't mean you have to join a choir - although that's a great idea! - I mean live your life in such a way that you can't help but sing. That's a life that is trusting God, looking for His leading, His presence. Fanny Crosby said it this way, "I sing for I cannot be silent, His love is the theme of my song."

I suppose we could all sing a hymn to start the year. One I always thought was funny or clever to sing was "I Am Resolved", but no one ever seemed to get the play on words I was going for - or rather they never connected the word "resolved" with New Year's "Resolution." I've never been one who wants to explain the obvious...

You know, this hymn actually is a great song for the new year. Palmer Hartsough (1844-1932) wrote “I Am Resolved” to be published in The Praise Hymn­al of 1896. Perhaps the words of this old hymn will inspire you to reach for grander, nobler, higher, more spiritual things in 2009.

I am resolved no longer to linger,

Charmed by the world’s delight,

Things that are higher, things that are nobler,

These have allured my sight.

Refrain
I will hasten to Him,

hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One,

He hath the words of life.
Refrain

Years ago - for some reason - congregations got tired of singing all the verses of a hymn, so the music guys would sing the first, second and last verses. But so many times that third verse had some great things to say. (for example the third verses of It Is Well, and How Great Thou Art are the most important verses of those hymns - but I guess that's another post...) This third verse is a good one too.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,

He is the living Way.

Refrain

There are two more verses and a short story about the hymn here http://www.gospelpiano.com/articles/i-am-resolved-28.htm

I pray you all have a wonderful year in 2009 and that you do something for the Kingdom. Don't just sit there - SING!