Psalm 133 - Unity - Good and Pleasant

When Aaron was anointed as Israel's High Priest they poured oil on his head. Anointing with oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It was a high and holy occasion - not only for Aaron, but for all of Israel.

When God's people dwell together in unity it is good and pleasant, but it's as wonderful as when Aaron was anointed as the High Priest.

Here are some verses about "unity" from the New Testament.

John 17:23 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/john/17-23.html

23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Ephesians 4:3 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/4-3.html

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:13 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/ephesians/4-13.html

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Colossians 3:14 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/colossians/3-14.html

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Unity doesn't come naturally, but it is good and pleasant when God's people are living in unity. It is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is something we have to work at. It is possible when we love each other. It shows maturity in our faith. 

I suppose I should have some connecting sentences and a conclusion and all.... 

On a related thought.

I am so glad to be a part of a church that shows a lot of unity. It is evident in a lot of ways at Hilldale, but of course I see it most in worship. We have people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, income levels.... and we have a lot of different preferences when it comes to music. But when we gather together on Sunday mornings we sing a lot of different kinds of music together. We join our voices in old songs, new songs, fast songs, slow songs.... and it's because we care about each other. We aren't selfish in our music. Every song might not be our favorite style,, but some of them are. But it doesn't matter because our focus isn't the music, it's Jesus. I would say that's how we can find unity in everything - by focusing on Jesus, caring about each other and not being selfish in what we want. 

There... a conclusion...and all... lol....

Kids Singing Project

 

We have a fun project your child can be a part of (grades 1-5) (well, if you have a 6^th or 7^th grader that really wants to sing, bring them too).

 

Our adult choir is making a CD. Two of the songs need children singing on them. This Sunday afternoon at 2:00 we’re going to learn the two songs and then record them – a one afternoon project. We should be finished before 3:30.

 

The CD has several purposes.

1.      It’s fun to make a CD and get to hear yourself (your choir) singing on it for years to come.

2.      Our church family will enjoy listening to our music, but more importantly

3.      Our CD will be something people can use to tell others about Hilldale and give them a chance to share their testimony.

4.      Proceeds from the sale of this CD will help a mission team going on an international mission trip next summer.

So as you can see, besides being a fun project for a Sunday afternoon, the message and ministry of the CD has the potential to reach many people for Christ for many years to come.

 

If you have any questions, call the church office and ask for Donna.

Branded a Spammer Again

Last year I had to blog about Charter thinking I was spam.

http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2008/02/charter-thinks-im-spam.html

I included this picture.

So I wanted a different picture this year.

I gagged several times scrolling through the Spam pictures.

Did you know Spam comes in special flavors. (just gagged again)

All this as an introduction to the e-mail I sent out today that many of you did not get.

Here it is for you.

Many of you won't get this. We've been put on a few SPAM lists and can't convince one or two that we aren't spammers. So you'll need to check our worship blog to see what you missed. http://www.hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/
If you know someone who works for the State of TN (like Shannon) you might forward this to her because I already know form earlier this morning that she can't get e-mail from me right now.

Open mic night THIS Sunday night at the Labor Day picnic.

Some of the bands we thought we had lined up can't come this weekend. (Three bands and a quartet all had different reasons for not being able to bring a little entertainment to our Labor Day picnic.)
So… I want YOU to bring a CD and sing something. Maybe even two songs. Don't be shy. Sing a duet if you want. Get your kids to sing too. This will be a fun family night where everyone needs to sing something.

Welcome new choir members (and some returnees)

Lena (Song) Page - S
Lois Ann Gassdorf - S
Lil Smith - S
Jasmine Chong - S
Michelle Wilson - S2
Brittney Brake - A
Melissa Woodling - A
Rick Stephenson - T
John Woodcock - B
Tim Baggett - B

A High Calling

(a week of Thanksgiving - day 4)

I went to my favorite Bible study and search program. http://www.crosswalk.com/ (I like the classic view better than the new one.) and I did a search for "thank*" (with the asterisk allowing it to find any word that begins with thank but maybe ends with and "s" or "ful" or whatever) and found 140 verses. Sounds like being thankful is an important thing.

Here's on that caught my eye.

2Ch 31:2 - Show Context
Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions--each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites--to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord's dwelling

You figure if there were whole divisions of priests and Levites (a whole tribe of Israel) assigned to these things that they must be important to God. I'll just focus on the last two. "to give thanks and to sing praises."

If you are involved in the worship ministry of your church (Hilldale or one of our many readers from around the world) you are following the high calling of the priests and Levites to give thanks and sing praises. How cool is that? It was a full-time job for those who led in worship - even those in the choir.

One of the things I am thankful for is a great group of committed musicians, singers, tech and sound crew, media crew, instrumentalists - did I leave anyone out? - who week by week help us lead in worship as we give thanks and sing praises. THANK YOU for being a part of our worship ministry at Hilldale.

God Loves Choirs

I know you think I'm just saying that 'cause this is our Worship Ministry/Music blog and I'm supposed to say things like that... but it's really true! God loves choirs. Here's how I know.
You see a choir first when the Morning Stars sang at creation Job 38:7. (I'm sure there was singing in heaven before that.) The singers in the temple were full-time employees paid like the priests with the tithes and offerings of the people. How cool is that? And of course there is singing going on now around the Lamb's throne where someday we will join in the singing.

In the mean time, what we do here week by week on Sundays is just a great preview of what is to come. For those of you who sing in our choir - THANK YOU! To those just passing through reading blogs - find a choir and join in.

"But I can't sing", you may say. Then sing with the congregation during worship. Those in the pews are our biggest choir. (and there's safety in numbers!) God loves to hear you sing. Just remember Ps 98:4 "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."

I'll be looking for you Sunday. Let's make a joyful noise together!