By Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Luke 1:26-33 Selah is an internationally acclaimed Christian music trio (Todd Smith, Allan Hall, & Amy Perry) formed in 1997. Amy Perry’s remarkable voice fills this song with emotion and depth. The group took their name from the ancient Hebrew word “selah”, the exact meaning of which has been lost in antiquity. The word “selah” appears over 70 times in the Psalms…it is surmised by some theologians that its meaning is similar to “amen” in that no viable English synonym exists. Selah has sold more than 4 million albums resulting in 8 Gospel Music Association “Dove Awards”, and 8 #1 singles. Cut: “Mary Sweet Mary” Artist: Selah Mary, sweet Mary, your heart overflows
Deep in the night, child, a babe is born. Sacred and holy, blameless and pure, Mary, sweet Mary, tonight your child is born. Mary, sweet Mary, so strong, yet so frail Carried a baby sent to save the world. Wise men still seek Him and find in Him peace. Mary, sweet Mary, tonight your King is born. All of the angels danced as heaven sang All of the earth stood so still and so peacefully. Mary, sweet Mary, God's precious child Blessed redemption is found in His eyes. All creatures great and small, He came for all. Mary, sweet Mary, tonight your Savior's born . . . Mary, sweet Mary, tonight our Savior is born . . .
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Chuck SpanglerGrace Memorial Parishioner “Messiah” is universally acknowledged as one of the finest musical pieces ever composed. The work was accomplished by Handel with assistance from Charles Jenners (an 18th century lyricist). The combination of a strong Christian theme, four part voice harmonies and solos, orchestral compositions (running the gamut of strings, percussion, and horns), and at times a unique and majestic harmonious blend of voice, instrument, and verse, “Messiah” is indeed worth listening to and reflecting on over many “takes”. If ever one could conclude that “Divine Inspiration” exists, this work offers convincing evidence: Handel commenced the “Messiah” on August 22, 1741, in response to a competition for a new work of music to be performed in Dublin on Easter, 1742. The work was somehow completed by Handel on September 14, 1741…a miraculous feat accomplished in twenty-three days! The Dublin audience was understandably in awe of the superb music. The Dublin debut was followed over the next few years by concerts in London and throughout Europe. Over the centuries a number of changes to the work have been made; however, the basic composition has stood the test of time. The seven YouTube videos highlighted below represent a portion of “Part I” which concentrates on the birth of Jesus. Each Advent season, our youth would be “exposed” to this classic which might be alternately labeled as the “First Christian Praise Music” composition! “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout! O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.” Luke 1:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.” LUKE 2:14 “There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo! the Angel of the Lord ca me u po n them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.” LUKE 2: 8-9 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ISAIAH 9:6 “Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain.” ISAIAH 40:4 "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: - prepare ye the way of the Lord: make straight in the desert a highway for our God." ISAIAH 40: 1-3 Chuck SpanglerThey said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ The sinners in Zion are afraid; We love because he first loved us. Stars Go Dim is a four piece Christian rock band formed in 2007 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They began focusing exclusively on Christian Praise music with the release of the “Stars Go Dim” CD/EP in 2015. In 2016, they were nominated for a Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year”. Their music is characterized by excellent vocals (headlined by lead singer Chris Cleveland, who also writes a majority of their music) and upbeat, up-tempo arrangements. The contemporary style and sound of SGD had a unique appeal to the teenagers in our Christian Formation group. The specific message in “You Are Loved” was received by the kids as both uplifting and encouraging. “Never Burn Out” Album: Stars Go Dim Artist: Stars Go Dim I know I’ve said a thousand times, “I’ll follow You, leave it all behind”.
But here I am on my knees again. Just a broken soul tryin to stand, with a beggar’s heart, reachin out my hands. God I need one more chance…God I need one more chance. Take my hopes take my dreams, align them up with You, Until I see the world everything from a different view, Take the fear in me and fade it to the background. Light a fire…light a fire…that will never burn out…that will never burn out. I wanna lose myself in Your great design, of a selfless love that Your Son defined. I wanna be the spark glowin in the night. My past is gone, my future’s Yours, I only get one life, I wanna live for more. I don’t wanna waste another moment, yeah I don’t wanna waste another moment. Take my hopes take my dreams, align them up with You, Until I see the world everything from a different view, Take the fear in me and fade it to the background. Light a fire…light a fire…that will never burn out…that will never burn out. That will never burn out…that will never burn out. All I am, all I have for You, for You. All I am, all I have for You, for You. Take my hopes take my dreams, align them up with You, Until I see the world everything from a different view, Take the fear in me and fade it to the background. Light a fire…light a fire…that will never burn out…that will never burn out. That will never burn out…that will never burn out. That will never burn out…that will never burn out. |
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