By Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner Brandon Lake was born in 1990 in South Carolina. His career as a Christian worship singer and songwriter began in 2015, and since then he has been a member of Bethel Music and Maverick City Music prior to striking out as a solo artist. He has garnered either individually or with one of his previous groups 25 awards from ASCAP, Billboard, Grammy, and GMA Dove, including the 2023 Billboard “Top Christian Song” for this cut: “Gratitude”. His soothing and pitch-perfect vocals are complemented with his accomplished guitar instrumentals. We have heard Mr. Lake on past presentations that he collaborated with Elevation Worship and Bethel Music. RE: “There Is A King”. “Gratitude” has a simple yet worthwhile message for all of us. Cut: “Gratitude” Artist: Brandon Lake
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Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. Some time after Easter Sunday (traditionally 40 days), our Savior ascended into heaven having walked among his disciples to ratify his rising on the third day, and to bless and dispatch them to spread His message to the ends of the earth. This year Ascension is May 29th . The Grace Memorial youth enjoyed Casting Crowns performing “Hallelujah” at the Lafayette Cajun Dome in April, 2017, and the impact that performance had on all of us was significant. Cut: “Hallelujah” Artist: Casting Crowns CD/Album: The Very Next Thing Hallelujah…Hallelujah…Hallelujah…Hallelujah.
On the morning of creation, Father, Son, and Spirit rise. As They set the world in motion the morning of the first sunrise. A symphony of golden sunlight dancing in the Father’s eyes. He gazes at His masterpiece as all creation cries, “Hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah.” Man shakes a fist at heaven, the breath of God still in his lungs. A brokenhearted Father grieves, in love He sends his only Son. He was bruised for our transgressions, crushed and buried in the ground. As the sunrise finds and empty tomb, the redeemed of God resound, “Hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah.” A holy quiet grips the night, the morning of the last sunrise. Broken slumber, blinding light, nations tremble at the sight. The Son of Man just split the sky! Every saint and every scoffer…every king and every pauper at the name of Jesus all fall face down. From Holy ground we’ll rise to meet the bridegroom in the sky, from earth to heaven reigns the Son, “Hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah.” Hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah…hallelujah! By Chuck SpanglerO Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. ~Psalm 104:24 Grace Memorial Parishioner As a follow up to our traditional hymns shared last week, we offer below two (2) versions of “How Great Thou Art”. The first cut is performed by Selah. Selah embarked on an international tour in the early 2000’s, including performances in the Congo on the continent of Africa. They discovered a surprisingly large and dedicated African audience filled with the Holy Spirit. As a result, Selah recorded a portion of “How Great Thou Art” in the native Kituba dialect. Cut: “How Great Thou Art” Artist: Selah CD/Album: Greatest Hymns The second version is performed by Home Free. They are a five person acapella ensemble that produced their interpretation of “How Great Thou Art” in a spectacular setting with impeccable harmonies. Tim Foust (who opens this song) is considered one of the two or three finest bass voices in the world. It is worth listening to for the sheer comfort and empowerment of the soul. Cut: “How Great Thou Art” Artist: Home Free CD/Album: Land of the Free O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds thy hands hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Kituba Dialect O Mfumu Nzambi bu mono yindula, Bima yonso ya Nge me salaka. Ba mbwetete ntangu ti ngonda songa, Ngolo ya Nge mu nsi ya mvimba Buna mono zitisa Nge Nzambi: Nge ikele nene mingi Buna mono zitisa Nge Nzambi: Nge ikele nene mingi Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! By Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner "After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints I cease not to give thanks for you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe… far above all principality and power and might and dominion…not only in this age but also in that which is to come." ~Ephesians 1:15-21 As we approach Holy Week, the vision of Christ’s suffering on the cross and the ultimate victory of His resurrection on Easter Sunday, this compilation of several century old hymns mixes the beauty, suffering, and miraculous fulfillment of ancient scripture. Jesus alerted the disciples of the inevitability of this event…but the disciples were either blind or in denial as they did not want their teacher and rabbi to depart under such painful circumstances. Note the lyrics “…sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Anthem Lights is a quartet of talented “Twenty-something” men from Nashville that combine impeccable harmony with inspirational music, founded in 2007 by Chad Graham (tenor). They were awarded K-Love “Song of the Year” three consecutive years (2014, 2015, 2016). This cut was released on Easter Sunday, 2018. They rarely tour, but concentrate on social media (YouTube, Instagram, etc) for their popularity. Cut: “Cross Medley (Jesus Paid It All/The Old Rugged Cross)” Artist: Anthem Lights CD/Album: Hymns Vol. 2 I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small,
“child of weakness watch and pray, “find in Me thine all in all.” Jesus paid it all…all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown. And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete. Jesus died, my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat, Jesus paid it all…all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. By Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner This first cut (“acoustic”) is a rare acoustic recording by Elevation Worship, led by Elevation Worship's lead singer, Chris Brown. No heavy metal band backup…no throngs of worshippers listening…no light show…just a simple, pure message. The second cut (“worship version”) features Brandon Lake as lead with Elevation Worship. A somewhat different interpretation of a moving message. Cut: “There Is A King” Artist: Elevation Worship CD/Album: Graves Into Gardens There is a King seated amongst us. Let every heart receive Him now.
Where there is praise, He will inhabit, and there will be grace and mercy all around. Every burden will be lifted in His presence. Every trophy will be laid down at His feet. There is a name that reigns above all others: Jesus Christ, the King above all kings. Unto the Lamb honor and glory. Worthy is He who overcame. Buried in shame, risen in power. He is alive and the stone is rolled away. All our worship will belong to Him forever. Death is conquered and our Savior holds the keys. There is a name that reigns above all others: Jesus Christ, the King above all kings. It won’t be long, we will behold Him. And every tear He’ll wipe away. We’ll be at home, the war will be over. Soon we will meet our Saviour face to face. And every burden will be lifted in His presence. Every trophy will be laid down at His feet. There is a name that reigns above all others: Jesus Christ, the King above all kings. And all our worship will belong to You forever. Holy, holy, for all eternity. Yours is the name that reigns above all others: Jesus Christ, the King above all kings. Jesus Christ, the King above all kings. |
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