Archive for March, 2010
Psalm 25
One of the songs we are going to be singing tonight comes from Psalm 25. Psalm 25 shows us shows us many of the characteristics of God that David praised. We should praise his faithfulness (v. 1-3), his guidance (v. 4-5), his mercy (v. 6-7), his goodness (v. 8-11), his friendship (v.12-15), his grace (v. 16-18) and finally his protection (v.19-21). These seven characteristics of God show up throughout the Bible, but are picked out especially for us in this passage. Keeping these things in mind, we invite you to learn the words below so we can meditate on them and praise God more fully as we gather this evening.
Psalm 25 (ESV)
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. Remember you mercy, O Lord, and you steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring out of my distress. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with that violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his trouble
As we sing we will focus on verses 8-10. We realize that this song will be new for many and so we are posting the lyrics and flow of it below.
Psalm 25
Verse 1
Good and upright are you Lord,
You teach us sinners in your ways.
Good and upright are you Lord,
You teach us sinners in your ways.
Chorus 1
You guide the humble in what is right
And instruct them in your ways.
You guide the humble in what is right
And instruct them in your ways.
Verse 2
All your ways are loving, faithful
Lord, to those who seek your face
All your ways are loving, faithful
Lord, to those who seek your face
Chorus 2
You give grace to the humble hearted
And instruct them in your ways
You give grace to the humble hearted
And instruct them in your ways
Verse 1
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
Whiteboard Reminder – TONIGHT
As a reminder, we will be gathering for worship tonight instead of a regular Whiteboard Session. We will not be having a meal this time, so come ready to worship at 6pm. We will be in the main level of The 815 and will have stuff for the little ones downstairs. This will be our first time worshiping together as a developing body. I hope you join us.
The Doxology
As we gather this Sunday evening for worship one of the songs that we will sing is The Doxology, a hymn over three hundred years old. First published in 1709, it was written by Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken in 1674. This was a time in the history of the established church in which it was not uncommon to hold that only Scripture should be sung as hymns. In fact, it was even considered sinful by some to create new church music as it was accounted similar to adding to the Scriptures.
Ken, one of the fathers of modern English hymnology, was connected with Winchester College in England and originally wrote several hymns (including what we now know as The Doxology) for the boys of Winchester College. He was careful to give strict instruction that the hymns be used only in their rooms for private devotions. Ironic as it is, it is now possibly the most commonly used piece of music in public worship consistently finding its way into worship services for the last three centuries.
As a church we seek to take old hymns and make them new. We will also seek to create our own as we reflect the fact that we are created in God’s image and as image bearers of God, we ourselves are creative. As we do so, we desire only to bring glory to God.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above the heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The 815: A New Stop on the First Friday Art Walk
Very excited to make this formal announcement which went out in a press release today:
Beginning Friday, April 2nd, The 815 will play host as a gallery stop on the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Lincoln from 6pm to 9pm.
In this opening month the main level of The 815 will host the local organization, Artists on the Edge. Artists on the Edge is a group of artists with a passion to create and a desire to further the discussion of outsider art. The lower level of The 815 will spotlight work by local photographers Rob Liliedahl and Keri Hess as well as the live music of local guitarist Luke Sticka.
This is open to the public and we’d love it if you would come and support some local artists with us next Friday, April 2nd.
