OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th September 2009

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th September 2009

This day belongs to the LORD!
Let's celebrate
and be glad today.
(Psalm 118:24 Contemporary English Version)

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.
So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25. The Message)


How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is!
He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.
Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. (Ephesians 1:3-6 The Message)

Psalm 124 (The Message)

A Pilgrim Song of David

1-5 If GOD hadn't been for us —
all together now, Israel, sing out!—
If GOD hadn't been for us
when everyone went against us,
We would have been swallowed alive
by their violent anger,
Swept away by the flood of rage,
drowned in the torrent;
We would have lost our lives
in the wild, raging water.

6 Oh, blessed be GOD!
He didn't go off and leave us.
He didn't abandon us defenseless,
helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.

7 We've flown free from their fangs,
free of their traps, free as a bird.
Their grip is broken;
we're free as a bird in flight.

8 GOD's strong name is our help,
the same GOD who made heaven and earth.


The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 158
Authors: Walter John Mathams (1853-1931),alt

God is with us, God is with us,
So our brave forefathers sang,
Far across the field of battle
Loud their holy war cry rang;
Though at times they feared and faltered,
Never once they ceased to sing:

Chorus
God is with us, God is with us,
Christ our Lord shall reign as King!

2.
Great the heritage they left us,
Great the conquests to be won,
Armed hosts to meet and scatter,
Larger duties to be done.
Raise the song they nobly taught us,
Round the wide world let it ring:

3.
Speed the cross through all the nations,
Speed the victories of love,
Preach the gospel of redemption
Wheresoever men may move;
Make the future in the present,
Strong of heart, toil on and sing:


Psalm 99 (The Message)

1-3 God rules. On your toes, everybody!
He rules from his angel throne—take notice!
God looms majestic in Zion,
He towers in splendor over all the big names.
Great and terrible your beauty: let everyone praise you!
Holy. Yes, holy.

4-5 Strong King, lover of justice,
You laid things out fair and square;
You set down the foundations in Jacob,
Foundation stones of just and right ways.
Honor God, our God; worship his rule!
Holy. Yes, holy.

6-9 Moses and Aaron were his priests,
Samuel among those who prayed to him.
They prayed to God and he answered them;
He spoke from the pillar of cloud.
And they did what he said; they kept the law he gave them.
And then God, our God, answered them
(But you were never soft on their sins).
Lift high God, our God; worship at his holy mountain.
Holy. Yes, holy is God our God.


The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 220
Authors: Reginald Heber (1783-1826)

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2.
Holy, holy, holy; all the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be!

3.
Holy, holy, holy; though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity!

4.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!




Prayer:

Gracious God and Father, we give you thanks
for the cross of Christ at the heart of creation,
the presence of Christ in our weakness and strength,
the power of Christ to transform our suffering . . .
for all ministries of healing,
all agencies of relief,
all that sets men free from pain, fear and distress . . .
for the assurance that your mercy knows no limit,
and for the privilege of sharing
your work of renewal through prayer. Amen.

Holy God, through your beloved Son you reconciled all things to yourself, making peace by the blood of his cross, fill us and those for whom we pray with your peace and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(http://www.belfastcathedral.org/resources/prayer-source/item/35 )

Meditation:

Birmingham Songsters: O Disclose Thy Lovely Face http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_497.mp3

[If you have enjoyed this OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms – please pass it to others who may enjoy it. It is prepared particularly for those who cannot get to Sunday Worship as they loved to do.]

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