Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs: Sojourn's Worship Liturgy For March 1, 2009

You can read the worship music set lists from many other churches by following the links at the Blog Carnival of fredmckinnon.com. Photos by Dan Canales.

1. Sing Alleluia, by Steve Hindalong and Marc Byrd.  This “call to worship” song followed a Call To Worship reading from Exodus 19:3-6 and a corporate prayer.  This song, from the City On A Hill: Sing Alleluia compilation, is a well done remake of an old hymn (in this case, “All Creatures Of Our God And King”).

Following this our liturgical reader shared some words on what it means to be set apart for God, and read from Psalm 139 before inviting us to pray individually during a time of silence.

2. Sanctify, by Martin Smith.  This is a great song of petition — a cry out to God:

Here I am in that old place again,

down on my face again,

crying out, I want you to hear my plea,

come down and rescue me.

Following this we read words of assurance from Hebrews 6:18-20 (you can browse through many of our readings, and the readings of other churches, at theopensourcebook.org.  All the readings listed there are free for use by churches and ministries).

3. Living Faith, by Bobby Gilles and Brooks Ritter, based on the Isaac Watts Hymn 140.  You’ll be able to hear this one soon, as part of our upcoming Over The Grave: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, Volume One. Brooks and I have written a couple other songs together, including “Lead Us Back” from Before The Throne.

We liked Isaac Watts’ Hymn 140 (otherwise known as “A Living And A Dead Faith”) because of its comprehensive biblical treatment on the subject of faith, and the strong assertion that true faith will be reflected in the life of the believer, so we decided to use his text for this “re-imagining” worship album.  From the second verse and chorus:

True faith will purify the soul
And faith will work by love
It forces sinful thoughts to go
And lifts our minds above
This faith will conquer earth and hell
By God’s celestial power
This is the grace that will prevail
In the decisive hour.

Pray for a living faith
That leads us to trust this grace
We cannot come to God on our own.
A faith that truly sees
That drives us to bended knee
Looking for hope in the cross of Christ alone.

Following this and the Passing Of The Peace, Sojourn Lead Pastor Daniel taught on the subject of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, Christ our High Priest, and the “priesthood of all believers.”  From Pastor Chad Lewis’s sermon recap (sent to members of the Sojourn email list):

This week, the message bridges the gap between Exodus and Leviticus. At the end of Exodus, we read the instructions of God regarding establishing priests and the design of their clothing. In Leviticus, we read of Aaron’s ordination and clothing in priestly robes. Priests were regular people, but were also righteous and they were called to be Israel’s representatives before God. It is important for us to wade through these details, because they are our instructions as the new priesthood, the people of God in Christ, who minister to each other and to those outside the church as regular people, righteous in Christ. We also are representing others before God and representing God before others. Let’s examine just what it means for us to be new priests in God’s kingdom.

Keep up with further reflections and resources provided by Sojourn’s pastors in the “B.C. Blog” portion of Sojourn’s online magazine, TravelBlog, updated daily.

4. Be Thou My Vision, traditional Irish hymn at­trib­ut­ed to Dal­lan For­gaill, 8th Cen­tu­ry (Rob tu mo bhoile, a Com­di cri­de); trans­lat­ed from an­cient Ir­ish to Eng­lish by Ma­ry E. Byrne, in “Eriú,” Jour­nal of the School of Ir­ish Learn­ing, 1905, and versed by El­ea­nor H. Hull, 1912.

This is a strong hymn of petition, which also expresses the assurance that belongs to those who have made Christ their “vision” and “wisdom.”

High King of Heaven,

my victory won,

may I reach heaven’s joys,

O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart,

whatever befall,

still be my Vision,

O ruler of all.

5. Cling To The Crucified, hymn text anonymously authored. Music by Kevin Twit of Indelible Grace.  You can find this one on their fifth album, Wake Thy Slumbering Children.  We’ve been doing this one for months at Sojourn Gathered, in a variety of places in the worship service.  I’ve talked here before about how well the verses are constructed.  Another great thing about the song, though, is the simplicity of the refrain:

Cling to the Crucified — Jesus the Lamb who died

Cling to the Crucified — Jesus the king

Then we read a confession of truth together, based on 1 Peter 2:9-10.

6. Lord, Let Your Glory Fall, by Matt Redman.  We’ve done this song at many worship services here in Louisville, but I believe it has been a couple of years since we sang it last. It’s a great, triumphant tune for the sending, however:

You are good, You are good,

and Your love endures

You are good, You are good,

and Your love endures

You are good, You are good

and Your love endures today

Worship band for the 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services:

Jeremy Quillo — vocals and guitar

Rebecca Dennison — vocals

Mike Cosper — lead guitar

Michael Butterworth — keys

Brian Meurer — bass

Paul Turner — drums

Jamie Barnes — liturgy

Worship band for the 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. services:

Brooks Ritter — vocals and guitar

Lindsey Lewis — vocals

Mike Cosper — lead guitar

Daniel LeChance — keys

Eddy Morris — bass guitar

Ryan Harvey — drums

Dave Richards — liturgy