Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Stories Behind the Songs - Sunday August 5, 2007

"God, Great God"
We'll be called to worship Sunday by the worship choir singing this great gospel song by Kurt Carr. As gifted a songwriter as Kurt Carr is an artist, instrumentalist, producer, arranger and conductor, Kurt has twice written the Stellar Songs of the Year; Byron Cage’s smash, “The Presence of the Lord Is Here,” as well as his own group’s classic, “In the Sanctuary.” So broad in fact is the reach of Kurt’s music that “In the Sanctuary” has, to date, been translated into nine different languages and recorded by more than 20 different groups the world over.
Click here to hear the song "God, Great God" www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php

"All My Life" by the Parachute Band
John 8:36 says: 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'. All My Life was written in response to the freedom found in Jesus. It's a simple song, but it's a simple message. Jesus is my freedom and my reason and I love Him with all my life.

"In the Sanctuary"
We'll be led in worship by the Crossroads youth choir. This song is also on the worship choir recording "Songs in the Key of Life"
Click here to worship along with the Hope Baptist church choir.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd-wZS0VenA

"Again I say Rejoice"
The Crossroads youth choir will share this song by Israel Houghton. We'll also get to see a video recap of their trip to St. Louis. Click here to hear Israels' recording.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmzygXtbSSI

"You Give Me Joy"
Jonathan Stockstill is the worship leader for Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Also a songwriter, he has written or co-written over 50 songs for the body of Christ. Stockstill has played the piano and guitar for over 20 years. Son of Bethany’s current pastor Larry Stockstill and grandson of church founder Roy Stockstill, Jonathan has attended Bethany his entire life. Jonathan has a heart to train and equip worship leaders and further believes this is the generation that will usher in the return of Jesus. His music emphasizes both the necessity for holiness before God but also the urgency of speaking out for Jesus. He and his wife Angie have been married since February 2005 and together they are a fresh voice for God’s kingdom.

"Still"
… the challenge of the Church is to keep worship accessible to all people - Rueben Morgan
Rueben wrote the song "Still" as a reminder to "be still and know that I am God"
click here to read more about Rueben
www.christianity.ca/entertainment/music/2005/10.000.html
Click here to worship along with the Hillsong version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPC5S81h7Zo



"Blessed Assurance"
The story behind the writing of "Blessed assurance" is simple, yet interesting. One day Miss Crosby was in the home of her friend Mrs Joseph F. Knapp. In the Knapp home was installed what was believed to be the largest pipe organ ever placed in a private dwelling. However, on this particular day Mrs Knapp called her guest over to the piano to listen to a new melody she had just composed. After playing the tune a few times she asked, 'What do you think the tune says?'"Blessed assurance Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby, and then, drawing from her vast storehouse of Scripture knowledge, continued with Oh what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of GodBorn of His Spirit, washed in His blood.In a very short time a new sacred song was born with words by Fanny Crosby and music by Mrs J. F. Knapp.Although written as far back as 1873 Blessed Assurance still remains a firm favourite with Christians everywhere.

Click here to read more about Fanny Crosby
www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=blessedassurance#history
Click here for a sing-along version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXh-loC8Ans


"Famous One"
Click here to listen to Chris talk about how he wrote the song in an effort to reclaim the word famous for God
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-196-FamousOne-Tomlin.mp3
Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCMaOyeR9hM&mode=related&search=

"Something More"
Tami McLallen will minister this song and Kristi King will minister to the Lord through dance
click here to read Kristi Starlings' amazing story
www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/kristystarling.html

"Everything's changed, and I want to believe There must be a reason, there just has to be Cause my faith is strong, till it all hits home And it's not enough for me to trust When it hurts too much On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I need to praise You For I am Yours, I'm Yours Where is the power, to give what I gave Give back the strength Give back the faith I had yesterday Cause you are my God You are my Great I Am And I know I have fallen but..I have landed in healing hands On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I need to praise You For I am Yours, I'm Yours and in my fraility, you lead me to something more So I close my eyes, cause inside my heart I believe, that I'm not alone You'll always be there for me On the days I feel like I've failed you The days I feel I've been failed I know that I need to praise You For I am yours, still yours Cause I believe you lead me to something more Something more, something more..."

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Stories behind the songs - Sunday July 29, 2007

"Testify"
We'll begin our worship Sunday with choir singing "Testify".
This song was popularized by the Crabb family.
click here to listen our worship choirs' recording from "Songs in the Key of Life" www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php

"Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King"
This arrangement is by Thomas Miller, Worship Pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. I had the opportunity to visit with Thomas during my sabbatical, he said the added chorus came to him on a Saturday morning watching college football. He was singing through the order for that evenings service and wanted to have some kind of transition to the next song and the following simple chorus came to him.
"Come Thou fount, come Thou King,
Come Thou precious Prince of Peace;
Hear Your bride, to you we sing,
come Thou fount of our blessing."
The original hymn was composed by the 18th century Methodist pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. The hymn is set to an American folk tune known as Nettleton, by attribution to the evangelist Asahel Nettleton who composed it early in the nineteenth century. Robinson penned the words at age the of 22 in the year 1757.

Click here to watch and sing along with the Gateway church version
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BFNvhbuNg4&mode=related&search=
If you like more of a traditional arrangement check out this choir arrangement here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94&mode=related&search=

"That's Why we Praise Him"
Check out Tommy Walker here http://www.tommywalker.net/
Click here to listen to the song:
http://wordmusicnow.com/Song.asp?SongID=100

"I'd Rather Have Jesus" The Priddy family will share this great song.
At the age of 23 George Beverly Shea (1909 - ) had a hard decision to make. He could accept a job offer in a secular singing position in New York City with a great salary and wide respect; or he could continue singing in churches and for Christian radio programs. While sitting at the family piano, he started to prepare a special hymn for the Sunday service. On the piano he found a poem by Mr. Rhea F. Miller. He immediately began to compose the music for the poem and used the song that same morning in his father's church service. He also used those words to direct his life and has shared his song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus" with audiences around the world.

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand:
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin's dread sway!
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame;
I'd rather be true to His holy name
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb
He's all that my hungering spirit needs
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead


Here is a great clip of the Crabb family singing this great song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT4DkKjfJGE
Here is a clip from one of the Gaither Videos
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34lUGEmv10

"Everyday with Jesus"
Words by Robert C. Loveless & music by Wendell P. Loveless written in 1936.
Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
Every day with Jesus, I love Him more and more;
Jesus saves and keeps me, and He's the One I'm waiting for.
Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.


"Break Through"
This is another great song by Tommy Walker, you'll want to listen to this one you can find the song here
www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php


Break through, break through all my doubts
Break through, break through all my fears
Break through that I may worship You
Break through, break through all my pain
Break through, all my guilt and my shame
Break through like only You can do

You are brighter than my darkest night
Stronger than my toughest fi ght
Just one touch from You my King, my friend
And I’ll never be the same again
Break through, break through
Billy Guy will share a Ralph Manuel arrangement of "Give me Jesus"
click here to learn more about Ralph
"Revelation Song"
This song by Jennie Riddle is a great worship song. Jennie is a homemaker in McMinney, Texas. This song is sweeping the country and literally being sung around the world.
Click here to listen to the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FObjd5wrgZ8



Brad Horn will bring the message Sunday.
Click here to find out more about Brads ministry in the Ukraine.
www.reachukraine.org/
Click here to read Brads' testimony.
www.firsthurst.com/images/BH%20Testimony.pdf
Even better send Brad an encouraging note his email is listed here
www.firsthurst.com/HURST_missions_ukraine.php

Monday, July 23, 2007

The great Alligator hunt of 1976

John Mark with a 5 1/2 foot gator.

Some of the Longhorn players with little Al.
John Mark and his World Series championship teammates made a visit one afternoon in Beaumont to Alligator Island. Alligator Island is the largest gator breeding farm in Texas. The farm offers guided tours, including a visit with Big Al, the largest living alligator in captivity. They didn't get to hold Big Al, but probably one of his grandsons. I'm putting a picture of Big Al below. My brother Charles and I once killed a four foot gator on our lake in Florida. Each year the legend of the kill has grown. I was probably twelve and Charles was probably nine. We were paddling a canoe when one of Charles' friends stabbed the gator with a three prong gig. (To this day we're not sure of where Charles' friend is serving time). We were fortunate that the prong went through the head and served to clamp the mouth shut. The little, I mean ten foot gator kicked and splashed for a good hour before he gave up the ghost. This was around 1976, during the time when there were stiff fines for killing gators. We cut off the tail and buried little Al, I mean big Al in the brush near a drain. We had plans on eating the tail as we had been told it had been declared a delicacy by restaurants in the area. The next day Big Al floated to the top and out into the lake. There was a four foot, I mean ten foot tail-less gator. Rumors abounded of a bigger gator that had also heard the reports of the restaurants. Fortunate for us we were never caught, but again Charles and I were just paddling the canoe.
BIG AL

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Stories behind the songs - Sunday July 22, 2007

This Sundays theme is "Battling the Enemy"
read the scripture for Sunday by clicking here:
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20samuel%2017%20&version=31
* you can actually listen to the whole passage by clicking on the sound button.

"When I Don't Know what to Do"
We'll begin with this song by Tommy Walker, interestingly enough Tommy was four years old before he spoke a word.
www.tommywalker.net/bio.php
Click here to listen to the song - look under new worship songs
www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
Here are the lyrics


When I don’t know what to do
I’ll lift my hands
When I don’t know what to say
I’ll speak Your praise
When I don’t know where to go
I’ll run to Your throne
When I don’t know what to think
I’ll stand on Your truth
When I don’t know what to do

"I will Boast"
Read more about Paul Baloches' ministry here www.leadworship.com/paul/about.html

This song is based on the verse Jeremiah 9:24
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

The Apostle Paul, writes this in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31:"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written(in Jeremiah 9:24): "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."


"The Lord is My Strength"
This song was written by Dennis Jernigan. It is a song of proclamation song, a battle song declaring the power of the Lord. You can listen to the song here
www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
You can learn more about Dennis' amazing journey here -
www.dennisjernigan.com/about.htm
You can also listen to some great songs by Dennis on his myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/dennisjernigan - the song "Passionate Obession" is an unforgetable song

"Give Thanks to the Lord"
This song was written by Jon Essen, Stew & Karin Essens' son. The song is a great reminder of all that we have to be thankful for.

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is the reigning King
Thanks to the Lord the ruler of everything
Thanks to the Lord for He is the reigning King
Thanks to the Lord the Ruler of everything
Verse two
"Lift your eyes, fix your gaze on the One who took our shame
Lift your heart to the Lord He is holy and adored
Jesus is all that we need, His power and presence bring peace.

"You are my All in All"
This song also by Dennis Jernigan says it all, prepare for Sunday by singing through this classic www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC617kE1maU

"Adonia"
Marissa Sasmita will share this song by Avalon. Marissa is an incredible 17 year old with a special God given voice. At 17, she is only 3 ft 11 in tall. She was born with metaphyseal dysphasia and that she can even walk is a miracle. She says “God gave some people legs but gave me my voice” It has been exactly one year since her sister Ayu, was born with only a slight chance for life. She will be one year old this Sunday July 22nd. She now weighs 12 ½ pounds (a long way from 1 ¼ pounds at birth) with no known health problems. Her family considers this a miracle of God, and an example of answered prayer by many believers. The response of our First Hurst family was overwhelming, especially following Jeff’s appeal for prayer from the pulpit last year.

Here are some links to Marissa singing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhfow5cx_5M
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TlBjyJLDks www.youtube.com/user/gultekdi

"O Worship the King"
This great hymn was written by Sir Robert Grant. Who would later become the Governor or Bombay. He wrote a hymn which is considered one of the greatest in the English language. Reading William Kethe's translation of Psalm 104 in a 1561 psalm book prompted Robert to write his own version of the psalm, familiar to millions of church-goers.


O Worship the King all glorious above!
O gratefully sing his power and his love,
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
Read more about this hymn writer here:
http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/07/daily-07-09-2003.shtml

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Mid-Cities Longhorns - Win WORLD SERIES

The Mid-Cities Longhorns won the National USSSA 11 under AA World Series title in Beaumont, Texas this last weekend. After dropping the second game in the tournament, the Longhorns played their way back through the losers bracket to make it to the title game. The Longhorns would have to beat the undefeated West Brazos Sox twice to capture the title. They handled them easy in the first game, forcing the final determining game. In the championship game the Longhorns found themselves down 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning, rumors abounded that the fat lady was tuning up, but these cardiac kids who had no quit in them mounted a thrilling come back scoring 6 runs in the top of the fourth. Holding the number one team in the nation scoreless the rest of the game, the Longhorns finished the task adding 4 more runs to capture the title 10-6. When you see both teams offer up a prayer at the beginning of the game, does it make you wonder which team God is pulling for? I keep reminding myself that youth sports is really about character development and learning the lessons of life. Baseball is one of those sports where each kids accomplishments or errors are exposed. In football, basketball or soccer a kid can be in the game and somewhat go unnoticed, but in baseball there is always the potential that you might make a costly error that is highlighted for all to see. So it makes us more proned to pray. Since I can't always make the Sunday games as some are on Sunday morning when I'm leading worship, John Mark and I have an agreement.
The team always prays before the game, but I try and make a point to call him and pray on the phone when possible. I can always listen to the sermon online! If for some reason I can't John Mark will walk to where ever he's playing during the first inning and take his hat off as a reminder that win or loose we'll give God the glory. I think the movie "Facing the Giants" reminded us all to praise him in defeat as well as victory. I was blessed Saturday during the last game I'd get to watch when as the home team we had come back to carry a 6-5 lead into the top of the 6th and final inning. All we needed were 3 outs to put us playing on Sunday. You can tell by the picture that John Mark isn't the biggest kid, he's probably the smallest. He enjoys pitching, playing second, some third, and has been an asset in the outfield throughout the season We knew if we made it to Sunday we'd need our big pitchers to compete with the last two teams. I was curious as to whether we'd stay with the same kid or who would we go to. John Mark had been having a decent game playing left field. As the team took the field for the top of the 6th I saw him walking toward the infield. I thought he might be going to second or third, but was surprised when he walked to the mound and started warming up. For this tournament, I'd been sitting on the back row with my father-in-law Virgil. Ginger (a former cheerleader) had been sitting on the front row leading cheer after cheer. From six rows up I noticed Ginger had stopped the cheering and buried her head in her hands, she'd gone to praying. There is something about your kid pitching that makes you a little more nervous than if he's playing left field. Sure they might hit it out there, but you're a little more relaxed. I turned to Virgil who looked like he needed a cigarette or something stronger. I found out later that when the coach told John Mark to go to the mound to finish it out, he said ok. After he threw his last warm-up pitch he did something he'd never done before. As the team was throwing it around the horn, he knelt down to pray. I asked him later what did you pray and he said, "I just needed the Lord to help me and I was a little nervous." The cry throughout the crowd was "keep it low", I don't know if any of the opposing team players had hit a home run, but it was our greatest fear. First batter 2 pitches and a long fly to left field, left field parent sits up takes notice, left fielder catches the ball for out one. Second batter 1 pitch fly to right field, right field parent gasps, right fielder back peddles to warning track and snags it for the second out. Third batter, big hitter, crowd unusually quiet. First pitch ball, parent of pitcher, are we losing our groove? Light cheering as ball is thrown back to pitcher, crowd quiets, batter (big batter) steps in for the pitch.


Pitcher, calm cool and collective pitches ball,

parent of pitcher thinks to himself that seems a little high,

parent of batter - my son will tie the game,

coach - that seems a little high,

pitcher - the pitch i wanted to pitch, thank you Lord

batter - I'm going to swing

concession stand attendant, that will be six twenty five

mother of pitcher with eyes closed, what's happening

batter hits the ball - grounder to short

fans - slowly stand and point to short stop

short stop - I'm going to get the jumbo dog after this game

short stop - picks up the ball,

first basemen - i think I'm going to get the cherry apple snow cone

short stop - throws the ball

first basemen - or will I get the pinacolade snow cone

first basemen - catches the ball -

GAME OVER - Longhorns headed to games on Sunday

Pitcher - thank you Lord.






(I realize some people have a problem playing on Sunday mornings, and Ginger and I struggled early on with this, but we felt the experiences John Mark was getting on the team were invaluable. I've stressed that I must put God before John Mark, but not the church so Sunday mornings is really about God and if John Mark can honor the Lord on Sundays on a baseball field then we're fine with that)

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Stories behind the songs Sunday July 15, 2007

We'll begin Sunday with a new song by Tommy Walker.
"When I Don't know what to do"
Click here to learn more about Tommy Walker
www.tommywalker.net/bio.php
Click here to listen to the song - look under new worship songs www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
Here are the lyrics


When I don’t know what to do
I’ll lift my hands
When I don’t know what to say
I’ll speak Your praise
When I don’t know where to go
I’ll run to Your throne
When I don’t know what to think
I’ll stand on Your truth
When I don’t know what to do


"Hallelujah, Your Love is Amazing"
Listen to Brian Doerkson tell about the writing of the song
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-219-YourLoveisAmazing-Doerksen.mp3
Listen to Brenton Brown tell about writing the song with Brian
www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-316-YourLoveisAmazing-Brown.mp3
Prepare your heart for Sunday by singing along and reading some great sayings by children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTaSVXMtoZs


"Your Grace is Enough" Click here to listen to how the song was written www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIgGHA27nG4

"My Life is in Your Hands" This is one of our choirs favorites click here to sing along www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spg71EBj8U0

"Send the Light" This song was written by Charles H. Gabriel. Click here to learn more about his life http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Gabriel Click here to read through the words www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/e/sendlite.htm
"Softly and Tenderly" I came across this podcast on the life of Will L. Thompson the composer of this great hymn. The podcast runs for about three minutes and has a recording of the song at the end, it is well worth the listen like some podcasts you have to listen to a commercial at the beginning http://hymns.lifespringonline.com/?p=24
At this point in the service we'll observe the Lord's supper. During the passing of the bread we'll watch "The Hall Closet" you can preview the video here http://www.sermonspice.com/search?fpage=1&q=the%20hall%20closet During the passing of the cup we'll sing the song "He Knows My Name" This song is also by Tommy Walker, here is a great video of the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60
"Everlasting" This is a song by Brenton Brown, check him out here. www.brentonbrownmusic.com/
You can listen to "Everlasting" here: www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_resources.php
The message Sunday is entitled "A Desert Dweller"
Matthew 3:1-6, 11:7-11

Offertory Sunday is will be shared by Karin Essen "Guide me O Thy Great Jehovah" what a great text click here to read the words. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/u/guideme.htm

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Stories Behind the songs - Sunday July 8, 2007

We'll begin worship with the song by Billy James Foote
"Sing to the King"
I visited with Billy about this song during my sabbatical, he said the song is based upon the hymn by Charles S. Horne. Here are the original words penned in 1910. Notice the similarity between the Horne's words and Billy's adaptation of the song.

Sing we the King Who is coming to reign,
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain.
Life and salvation His empire shall bring,
Joy to the nations when Jesus is King.
Refrain
Come let us sing, praise to our King,
Jesus our King, Jesus our King,
This is our song, who to Jesus belong:
Glory to Jesus, to Jesus our King.
Learn more about Billy's ministry here

"All My Life" by the Parachute Band
John 8:36 says: 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'. All My Life was written in response to the freedom found in Jesus. It's a simple song, but it's a simple message. Jesus is my freedom and my reason and I love Him with all my life.

"Keep on making a Way"
This song was written by Carol Cymbala, choir director for the Brooklyn Tabernacle. This song was written as a message of testimony of how God always provides a way.

"We're Marching to Zion"
Isaac Watts wrote this song because of the controversy between singing of Psalms and the singing of hymns, the church decided to sing Psalms at the beginning of their service and then after the preaching, they would sing hymns. Many people who were still against the hymns would get up and leave the service at this time. Isaac Watts wrote the hymn to refute this practice of people walking out during the hymn singing. Just reads the words especially stanza two.

Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God,
But children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King,
May speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad.
Click here to hear the song

"God will make a Way"
Don Moen wrote this song after recieving word of a death in the family. Click here to read the inspiring story. The song is based on Isaiah 43:19 'Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.’
Oh God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way.....He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today

"In the Secret"
This song was written by Andy Park. I found this interesting page on Andy's website where he interviewed his eight children. Andy was a part of the Vineyard worship movement, the answers from his children give great insight into this man of worship

"The Solid Rock"

One morn­ing it came into my mind as I went to la­bour, to write an hymn on the ‘Gra­cious Ex­per­i­ence of a Christ­ian.’ As I went up Hol­born I had the chor­us,
‘On Christ the solid Rock I stand,All other ground is sinking sand.’
In the day I had four first vers­es com­plete, and wrote them off. On the Sab­bath fol­low­ing I met bro­ther King as I came out of Lisle Street Meet­ing…who in­formed me that his wife was ve­ry ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an ear­ly tea, and called af­ter­wards. He said that it was his usu­al custom to sing a hymn, read a por­tion, and en­gage in pray­er, be­fore he went to meet­ing. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it no­where. I said, ‘I have some vers­es in my pock­et; if he liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife en­joyed them so much, that af­ter ser­vice he asked me, as a fa­vour, to leave a co­py of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fire­side com­posed the last two vers­es, wrote the whole off, and took them to sis­ter King…As these vers­es so met the dy­ing wo­man’s case, my at­ten­tion to them was the more ar­rest­ed, and I had a thou­sand print­ed for dis­tr­ibu­tion. I sent one to the Spir­it­u­al Mag­a­zine, with­out my ini­tials, which ap­peared some time af­ter this. Bro­ther Rees, of Crown Street, So­ho, brought out an edi­tion of hymns [1836], and this hymn was in it. Da­vid Den­ham in­tro­duced it [1837] with Rees’ name, and others af­ter…Your in­sert­ing this brief out­line may in fu­ture shield me from the charge of stealth, and be a vin­di­ca­tion of truth­ful­ness in my con­nect­ion with the Church of God.
Edward MoteLet­ter to the Gos­pel Herald

Offertory Sunday will be Tara Campbell singing "My Chains Are Gone". Tara is the grand-daughter of Bill & Patsy Campbell.

Monday, July 2, 2007

St. Louis - A Brighter Day Choir tour

I just returned from St. Louis where our Crossroads youth choir spent the week ministering in the inner-city. If you have time we have a video diary of the trip located here
http://www.firsthurst.com/HURST_worship_crossroads.php