Sunday, October 27th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)


Opening Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past H-680

The Old Testament scriptures this week both mention God providing rain. I love this because we've gotten more rain this year than we have in a long time. It's nice to walk outside and see how green and alive everything is.

Speaking of bounty and restoration, the opening hymn is "O God, Our Help in Ages Past." This hymn always comes to my mind when I think of God's provision. 

"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home!"

Sequence Hymn: Lord Jesus, Think on Me H-641

At first glance (first listen?) this hymn seems like kind of a downer. It also seems somewhat Lent-esque. But the Gospel reading this week is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector praying in the synagogue. The Pharisee turned his prayer into a show, giving thanks for not being a horrible sinner like the Tax Collector, but the Tax Collector's prayer was humble and contrite. Jesus ends his story by saying, "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted" (something he had said at least once before)

I wanted to go with a hymn that was either about prayer or prayer-like - something full of humility. Before looking for hymns for this Sunday, I had never heard "Lord Jesus, Think on Me" before but in preparation for this week, I've come to really love it. One of the things I like about it (apart from it being beautiful) is that it is a petition not for any kind of gain other than to be a servant of Christ.

"Lord Jesus, think on me, and purge away my sin
From harmful passions set me free and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me, with care and woe oppressed
Let me thy loving servant be and taste thy promised rest."

Offertory anthem: Blest Are They

This is where practicality comes in to play in what I do. This song will be the sequence hymn next week. By having the choir sing it this week, the congregation gets a chance to hear it and hopefully be ready to sing it in a week.

Recessional: O All Ye Works of God, Now Come H-428

I selected "O All Ye Works of God, Now Come" to bring the service full circle. The Old Testament passages this week talk of the Lord's provisions and things that the Lord has made, so what better way to end than to call all creation to praise the Lord? And the last verse says:

"O let his people bless the Lord like righteous souls of yore
Let those of holy, humble heart come praise him evermore."

This ties in to the Gospel passage about humility as well. 

I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. See you there!