Worship this Sunday

This Sunday we’ll be singing Blessed Be Your Name, In Christ Alone, Mighty to Save and How Great Thou Art; under the leadership of a guest music leader named David Lipp.

Blessed Be Your Name was written by Matt Redman and won Worship Song of the Year in 2005 at the GMA Music Awards. It is an expression of worship for both the good and bad times.

Every blessing you pour out I’ll
turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in Lord,
still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

In Christ Alone is a song we sang a lot in seminary chapel. I remember that huge sanctuary full of deep men’s voices belting this out. I mention the men’s voices because while churches are usually more full of women, seminaries are usually more full of men–and the difference that makes in the sound of congregational singing is striking. That strong, masculine sound matched with those strong lyrics made this song very powerful to me.

It was written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, “motivated by the idea of capturing biblical truth in songs and hymns that will not only cause people to express their worship in church, but will build them up in their Christian lives.” You can read the full story here.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm…

Mighty to Save proclaims that God is powerfully able to save people. This is a great song to sing in gratitude of your own salvation and in desire for the salvation of loved ones and the nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

How Great Thou Art is a classic.* It’s a Swedish poem written in 1885 later translated into English and set to music. Here’s a historian’s account of what happened:

Carl Boberg and some friends were returning home to Mönsterås from Kronobäck, where they had participated in an afternoon service. Nature was at its peak that radiant afternoon. Presently a thundercloud appeared on the horizon, and soon sharp lightning flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. The thunder pealed in loud claps. Then rain came in cool fresh showers. In a little while the storm was over, and a rainbow appeared.

When Boberg arrived home, he opened the window and saw the bay of Mönsterås like a mirror before him… From the woods on the other side of the bay, he heard the song of a [bird]…the church bells were tolling in the quiet evening. It was this series of sights, sounds, and experiences that inspired the writing of the song.

In preparation to worship together, take some time to listen to these songs this week and meditate on the truths therein.

Worshiping with you,
Pastor Matt

*I thought I’d link to Lee Jones’ friend, Vince Gill’s version of How Great Thou Art.