Stories behind the songs - Sunday May 6, 2007

Chris Tomlin Isaac Watts

We'll begin our worship with the great hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross". The original song was written by Isaac Watts, the new chorus was written by Chris Tomlin. Isaac was born in 1674 and Chris was born in 1972. Even though they are separated by three hundred years, there is no separation between their passion and commitment to leading God's people in worship. WOW! The past meets the present.

Click here to hear Chris Tomlin talk about how this new arrangement came about. http://www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-306-TheWonderfulCross-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to learn more about Chris Tomlin
http://www.christomlin.com/

You can listen to more of Chris Tomlins' music on his myspace website.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=94631118

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 – November 25, 1748) is recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.

Click here to read more about Isaac Watts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Watts

This is an interesting read on Isaac Watts.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm

Isaac is best known for his emphasizing the role of music in worship, where the congregation actually began to sing with the choir. Watts became the congregation's pastor in 1702. Just five feet tall, he was an unprepossessing figure in the pulpit. Health problems continued to plague him, and an assistant had to be appointed to fill in for him after a severe bout with illness in 1703. Despite these problems, Watts was a powerful preacher. The Mark Lane congregation outgrew its quarters and twice had to move to larger facilities, and Watts' sermons began to be collected and printed. Part of his success was due to his emphasis on the role of music in worship. A minister, he felt, should not only write sermons but should seek to involve his congregation in worship through music.

"In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Click here to read more about how the song was composed
http://www.crosswalk.com/1275127/

Click here to listen to the song
http://www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php

"I’m Amazed" - Worship choir anthem - we'll have a special guest soloist Cederick Johnson, former roommate of John Brewer.

Carol Cymbala says she wrote the song after speaking to a group of choir directors and sharing with them the story of a homeless man who came to hear the choir sing on Easter Sunday and ended up turning his life around. From that came the fitting lyrics, "I’m amazed that you love me, I’m amazed how you care."

Here are the lyrics

No one knew how alone I was feeling,

And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide

Though I laughed and said my life was fine without You,

I was covering up the secret tears I cried

Then one day someone told me of Your mercy

And the love You showed on a hill called Calvary

There you died and purchased my redemption

When you broke sin’s power and set my spirit free

I’m amazed that you love me

I’m amazed how you care

Through your precious blood,

I’ve found pardon And my sins are washed,

They’re all washed away All my sins are washed away

It’s true there have been days when I’ve failed You Lord,

you know the many times I’ve gone astray

But I’ve learned that Your love is stronger than my weakness

And your ear is open every time I pray.

No one else has ever cared for me like You, Lord

Other friends could never be as close to me

I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow

Knowing You are everything I’ll ever need

Carol Cymbala Copyright 2005 Carol Joy Music/ASCAP

"Your Grace is Enough" By Matt Maher -

This song was popularized by Chris Tomlin, here is a clip on youtube of Chris and Matt talking about the song meaning along with a performance of the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgGHA27nG4&mode=related&search=

Click here to listen to the song.
http://www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php

Click here to learn more about Matt Maher the composer.
http://www.mattmahermusic.com/

"Grace Greater than our Sins"
Sometimes the argument is advanced that since God's grace covers all our sings, then we are free to live as we please. God's grace does provide for our freedom, but it is meant to free us from a slavery to our selfish, sinful nature in order that we might pursue "every good work" - to become all that God intends us to be.
Julia Johnston was for many years involved in the work of Sunday schools at the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Illinois, and as a writer of lesson materials for primary age children for the David C. Cook Publishing Company. She also wrote approximately 500 hymn texts. The composer of this hymn, Daniel B. Towner, was for many years the director of the music department at Mood Bible Institute. "Grace Greater than Our Sin" first appeared in Towner's compilation, Hymns Tried and True, 1911.

After the ministry of prayer
John Brewer and Cederick Johnson will sing the song "Everything" by Lifehouse.

Click here to listen to the song

http://www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php

Click here to learn more about how this group was formed.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2001/006/22.28.html

Here is the bands website.
http://www.lifehousemusic.com/

Here is some more information on the group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifehouse_(band)

"Revelation Song"
I was at an Integrity music conference listening to Paul Baloche take some Q&A after a large group session. There were about 15 people standing around when I noticed the name tag on the lady beside me. Her name was Jennie Riddle, I turned and asked her "Your name sounds familiar, how do I know your name?" She said, "Well I did write the song "Revelation Song". Since then I've run into her at the Lamar Boschman worship pastor luncheons. She is housewife in from McKinney, Texas who simply heard what I would call a song from the "other side". You can listen to "Revelation song" on Jennie's myspace, the recording is by Karen Wheaton. Today's' trivia question is two fold "How tall was Isaac Watts and where is his tomb?" Email the correct answer to mark@firsthurst.com - first correct answer receives a $10.00 Blockbuster Video card.

Here is Jennie's myspace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=92675621

Jeff's Sermon Sunday

"Escape From Temptation in a Sinful Culture"
2 Peter 1:3-4 (Genesis 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13) 2 Timothy 2:26

Offertory this Sunday will include a preview of "Operation Back to School 2007"