He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. —1 Thessalonians 5:24 This morning, the Scriptures we read and the psalms and hymns we sing point us to the reliability of God’s promises— we can trust that He is faithful to do what He says. The service opens with a Call to Worship from Psalm 111 that declares,…
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… —1 Corinthians 15:51 In this morning’s sermon text, Paul continues his theme of comfort by recounting some of his trials, trials so burdensome that he “despaired of life itself.” But he urges the Corinthians to set their hope on “God who raises the…
Much like last week, the emphasis in this morning’s service can really be captured in a single word—where last Sunday it was “salvation,” this week it is “comfort.” The two readings from Psalm 46, which refer to God as a “fortress” and “a very present help,” promise that He will make wars to cease and assure us that we have…
This morning’s service focuses on a simple, foundational theme: Jesus Christ comes to save His people, and to save them completely. Each of our Scripture readings is taken from the book of Isaiah, where the Lord promises to save “all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45) and to clothe us with the garments of salvation (Isaiah 61). He becomes…
The feast of Epiphany (literally “appearance,” or “manifestation”) commemorates the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus, and more broadly the revelation of Christ as “the true light” (John 1:9) and “a light for revelation to the gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Light is a consistent theme in traditional celebrations of Epiphany, and you’ll find that this morning’s service follows…
December 28 (or in our case, the Sunday closest to it) has traditionally marked the observance of Childermas. Also called the Feast of the Holy Innocents, this is a day of remembrance and mourning for the children of Bethlehem murdered by the order of King Herod. Along with Stephen, whose feast day (December 26) is also observed during the week…
A quick live tutorial for the Clovercroft Sanctus, which we’ll be singing this summer at Parish Presbyterian Church. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of Your glory, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Text: Traditional, based…
Psalm of the Month for March, 2017. Henry Haffner has written a wonderful new tune for Psalm 11. Here’s a video and lyrics. Since we were recording we thought we’d add a little banjo and piano. Enjoy! Lyrics: My trust is in the Lord; how can you say to me, “Away with speed, and like a bird to your high mountain…
Psalm of the Month for September, 2016. Text: From Psalm 144, Psalter 1912, Alt. 2016 Music: POLK COUNTY, Henry C. Haffner 2016
Psalm of the Month for August, 2015. The text is taken from The Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church, 1887 (modified in 2015). The tune, called WINSTEAD HILL, was written by Henry C. Haffner in 2015. It’s named for a hill just south of Franklin that played an important role in the Battle of Franklin in 1864.
