Following the most significant week of the Christian year (Holy Week/Easter), we now follow the church calendar into a season of celebration and recommitment.
Where are we going as followers of Christ?
Do we share that lifestyle with others (directly or indirectly)?
Who am I:

• Part time Christian…maybe Sundays only?
• Struggling Christian…my efforts are erratic; my mindset wanders?
• Weakling…not committed enough to stand up for what is “right”?

​                        …looking the other way or remaining silent when I see injustice or hatred?

     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, 2017.
     They rarely tour, but concentrate on social media (YouTube, Instagram, etc) for their
popularity.

​Cut: “Easter Medley”
Artist: Anthem Lights
CD/Album: Hymns Vol. 2

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know my Redeemer lives, I know my Redeemer lives.
All of creation testifies, this life within me cries: I know …
He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.

The very same God that spins things in orbit, runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak.
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken, they conquer death to bring me victory.

Arise, my love. Arise, my love, the grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death’s sting, no more suffering, arise…arise.
​
Well I know, my Redeemer lives, I know my Redeemer lives.
All of creation testifies, this life within me cries: I know my Redeemer lives.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Grace Memorial Parishoner

 Another selection from Selah (Todd Smith, Allan Hall, & Amy Perry). 
As we experience the Passion of Christ, this music focuses on the dichotomy of “the Cross”:  so inhuman and cruel, yet so life-giving and redemptive to us sinners.
Cut:              “Beautiful Terrible Cross”
Artist:           Selah
CD/Album:     You Deliver Messians, chapter 2; v. 15:Colossians, chapter 2; v. 15:

As you may have surmised by now, Selah is one of my favorite Christian Praise music vocal groups, lead by Amy Perry whose beautiful voice is complimented seamlessly by Todd’s tenor and Allan’s keyboards.  Their music is characterized by beautiful harmonies and not by heavy metal arrangements. This offering seems appropriate for Holy Week.

Cut:             “O the Blood”
Artist:          Selah
CD/Album:    You Amaze Us

Grace Memorial Parishoner

This particular passage from John’s gospel is perhaps one of the most commonly repeated of Jesus’ quotes, recorded during a conversation with Nicodemus.  Simple and impossible to misinterpret.
We The Kingdom is a contemporary Christian music band consists of multiple generations of the Cash family.  Ed Cash, the recognized leader, is well known for his songwriting abilities.  Prior to the formation of WTK, Ed penned music for the likes of Chris Tomlin.
The lone female vocalist, Franni Rae Cash, is Ed’s daughter; the drummer is Ed’s son; the lead guitarist is Ed’s brother; the keyboards are played by Ed’s nephew.
The youth of Grace Memorial attended a We The Kingdom concert in Hattiesburg, MS, in March, 2022.

Cut: “God So Loved”
Artist: We The Kingdom
CD/Album: Live at the Wheelhouse

Come all you weary, Come all you thirsty, Come to the well That never runs dry
Drink of the Water, Come and thirst no more
 
Come all you sinners, Come find His mercy, Come to the table, He will satisfy.
Taste of His goodness, Find what you’re looking for.
 
For God so loved The world that He gave us, His one and only Son to save us.
Whoever believes in Him Will live forever.
Bring all your failures, Bring your addictions, Come lay them down At the foot of the cross.
Jesus is waiting there With open arms.
 
The power of hell forever defeated, Now it is well, I’m walking in freedom
For God so loved…God so loved the world.
 
Praise God, Praise God, From whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, Praise Him, For the wonders of His love.
 
Bring all your failures, Bring your addictions, Come lay them down At the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting, God so loved the world.

I was the Director of the Youth Service Bureau for 30 years. One of our several programs was Discovery/ Renew, which now greatly benefits from the GMEC Pumpkin Patch and Grace Baskets Ministries.

Our Grace Basket Ministry at Grace was born many years ago when one of the families served by Discovery/Renew was in crisis. Their children were in danger of being removed by the state because they were not able to provide a clean and safe home environment for them. The case worker was coming soon, and they needed help.  Since I had a few hours available, I went to their home to see if I could help them with the cleaning. When I arrived, I asked if they had a broom. They showed me a handle with a plastic cap on the bottom, which had once held the bristles. There were tiny nubs where the bristles belonged. So I asked if they had a mop, or sponges, or paper towels, or disinfectant, or dishwashing soap - or any kind of soap! Sadly, they had none of those things.  I looked under the kitchen sink, and it was bare. All they had were rags, which were old clothes with holes in them. The only thing I could do at the time was to help them straighten up the house. The staff then purchased the needed supplies and helped the family clean the home. The children were not removed.

These were not lazy people nor neglectful parents- they deeply loved their children. The problem was extreme poverty.

I was the Outreach Ministries Coordinator for Grace at that time, so I brought the problem to Father Paul. Soon thereafter, the Grace Basket Ministry was hatched! Initially, we filled actual laundry baskets full of a wide assortment of cleaning supplies to give to families in this kind of crisis. After many years of trying to carry 20 to 30 heavy, filled laundry baskets, we decided to collect funds and donate them to the program to use as needed for the purchase of cleaning supplies for families in need. It has been a powerful program that has helped many families, giving them the resources, encouragement, and morale boost they needed to tackle the many challenges in their lives with the help of the Renew/Discovery staff.

​In Tangipahoa Parish, 19% of our residents live below the federal poverty line- that’s almost 1 in 5! Those of us who are blessed to have a broom and some soap can deeply bless those who do not, through this powerful ministry.

Grace Memorial Parishioner

Selah is an internationally acclaimed Christian music trio (Todd Smith, Allan Hall, & Amy Perry) formed in 1997.
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: “Wonderful, Merciful Saviour”
Artist: Selah
CD/Album: Press On

​Wonderful merciful Savior, precious Redeemer and Friend,
Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men…
O, You rescue the souls of men.
 
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper, Spirit we long to embrace,
You offer hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost our way…
O, we’ve hopelessly lost the way.
 
You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore,
You give the healing and grace our, hearts always hunger for…
O, our hearts always hunger for.
 
Almighty infinite Father, faithfully loving Your own,
Here in our weakness You find us, falling before Your throne…
O, we’re falling before Your throne.
 
You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore,
You give the healing and grace our, hearts always hunger for…
O, our hearts always hunger for.
 
You are the One that we praise, You are the One we adore,
You give the healing and grace our, hearts always hunger for…
O, our hearts always hunger for.

Grace Memorial Parishioner

We The Kingdom is a contemporary Christian music band consisting of multiple generations of the Cash family. Ed Cash, the recognized leader, is well known for his songwriting abilities. Prior to the formation of WTK, Ed penned music for the likes of Chris Tomlin.
The lone female vocalist, Franni Rae Cash, is Ed’s daughter. “Arrows” was written by Ed Cash and recorded in 2021. It is simply a meditation reminding us during this Lenten season that we are embraced and protected by the Savior.

Cut: “Arrows”
Artist: We The Kingdom [with Bethel Music]
CD/Album: Peace

Grace Memorial Parishioner 

Saul was a leader of the fundamental Jewish faith at the time of Jesus.  He was apparently well-educated (fluent in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic), and probably a man of significant wealth (evidenced by his Roman citizenship…an “honor” bestowed upon him by the occupying Roman government).  He was devoted to Jewish law and bitterly opposed Christianity until his miraculous conversion shortly after Christ’s resurrection.  
“Saul” became Paul, and set out to travel around the Mediterranean basin preaching the gospel and helping to establish and nurture the early Christian church.
St. Paul was a prolific and gifted writer, having authored more New Testament books than any other (16 books of the New Testament are attributed at least in part to St. Paul).  He also was instrumental in breaking down the barrier to allowing “Gentiles” to become Christians, as many of the early followers of Christ (most notably St. Peter and St. James, the brother of Jesus) were initially reluctant to allow non-Jews to follow Christ.
One of arguably the most inspirational passages authored by St. Paul is found in the book of Romans.  Paul wrote his letter to the infant Christian church in Rome during his third visit to the new Christian church in Corinth.

During Lent, some invariably are embarrassed by their shortcomings and unworthiness:  a natural result of inward reflection and honesty. 

​The message of the following music is that God accepts us as we are, warts and all!
 
Ryan Stevenson is Christian musician and songwriter from Oregon.  His formative years were spent in the Navy (as a Corpsman) followed by a 7 year civilian career as a paramedic.  Since he launched his music career in 2003, he has placed 6 songs on the Billboard charts, including “No Matter What” in 2018.
 
Cut:              “No Matter What”
Artist:           Ryan Stevenson

​A lot of us grew up believing, At any moment we could lose it all.
And at the drop of a hat, God might turn His back, and move on,
A lot of us feel like we blew it, Thinking that we're just too far gone.
But I want you to know…There's still a hope for you now.
No matter what you've done…You can't erase His love.
Nothing can change it, You're not separated, No matter what.
There's never been a better time to get honest…There's never been a better time to get clean.
So come as you are, Run to the cross and be free (oh, be free).
No matter what you've done (no matter what you've done)…You can't erase His love (you can't erase His love)
Nothing can change it, You're not separated
No matter where you run (no matter where you run)…He's always holding on (He's always holding on)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son, No matter what (no matter what)
Don't know what you've been taught, Don't know what you've been told
All I know is my God Will never let go of you, no
I don't know what you've seen, Don't know what you've been through
All I know is my God Will never let go of you…He'll never let go! He'll never, never, never let you go, oh
No matter what you've done (no matter what you've done)…You can't erase His love (you can't erase His love)
Nothing can change it, You're not separated
No matter where you run (no matter where you run)…He's always holding on (He's always holding on)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son, No matter what (oh, no matter what)
You're still a daughter, you're still a son…No matter what

Grace Memorial Parishioner

Cut: “Born Again”
Artist: Third Day
CD/Album: Revelation
 
Today I found myself, After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw, he wasn't at all who I'd thought he'd be.
I was lost when You found me here, And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and You sang Your song over me.
It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…For the very first time,
In my life.
 
Make a promise to me now, Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel, is so much more real than anything.
I've a feeling in my soul, And I pray that I'm not wrong, That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning.
It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing…It feels like I'm moving…For the very first time…For the very first time
 
Wasn't looking for something that was more, Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me, Then You gave to me, Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before
It feels like I'm born again…It feels like I'm living…For the very first time…I'm living for the first time
It feels like I'm breathing…It feels like I'm moving…For the very first time
I'm living for the first time, In my life.

Grace Memorial Parishioner 

Having recently shared Consecration Sunday, we all embrace a renewed awareness of the meaning of “offering”:  the unselfish giving of one’s talents and resources.  This cut is Mac Powell’s interpretation of “offering”.
           
Cut: “Offering”
Artist: Third Day
CD/Album: Lead Us Back:  Songs of Worship

​Magnificent, Holy Father, I stand in awe of all I see.
Of all the things You have created, still You choose to think of me.
Who am I that You should suffer, Your very life to set me free.
The only thing that I can give You is the life You gave to me.
This is my offering, dear Lord.  This is my offering, to You God.
Well I would give you my life for it’s all I have to give…
Because You gave Your life for me.
 
I stand before You at this altar, so many have given You more.
I may not have much I can offer, but what I have is truly Yours.
This is my offering, dear Lord.  This is my offering, to You God.
Well I would give you my life for it’s all I have to give…
Because You gave Your life for me.
 
This my offering…
This is my offering, dear Lord.  This is my offering, to You God.
Well I would give you my life for it’s all I have to give…
Because You gave Your life for me.
This is my offering, dear Lord.  This is my offering, to You God.
Well I would give you my life for it’s all I have to give…
Because You gave Your life for me…because You gave your life…for me.

Grace Memorial Parishioner 

Our youth (with chaperone/“bouncer” assistance of Chris Tucker) attended a Christian Music concert in November, 2019, at the Smoothie King Center featuring Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, and Casting Crowns.    On our way driving down to eat dinner at Camellia Grill, Mr. Chuck played a few preview cuts on the car ride from each of the 3 groups we were about to hear.  The consensus favorite of most of us was “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. 
            Two words closely identified with the song “Only Jesus” are “legacy” and “humility”
The meaning of “legacy” in the context of this song is “a gift of money or personal property handed down to an heir”.
            The meaning of “humility” is the state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; a modest estimate of one’s own worth; a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness.  It is not easy, but it IS IMPORTANT that we all have to work on personal humility, and we also think that is the message of “Only Jesus”.
            In the words of Mark Hall from Casting Crowns:  “Did I live the truth to the ones I love…was my life the proof that there is only One?” 

• The 1st video is Mark Hall’s explanation of the origin/inspiration of “Only Jesus”. 
• The 2nd video is the music.

​Cut: “Only Jesus”
Artist: Casting Crowns

​Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself, Dream your dreams, chase your heart,
Above all else make a name the world remembers.
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the lie that it was up to me to make a name the world remembers.
But Jesus is the only name to remember.

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus.
And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him…Only Jesus.

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won will crumble into dust when it’s said and done.
'Cause all that really matters “Did I live the truth to the ones I love?”
“Was my life the proof that there is only One whose name will last forever?”

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus
And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him…Only Jesus

[Interlude]

Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember, ooh
Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember

And I-I-I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I-I-I, I've only got one life to live…I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

I, I don't want to leave a legacy…I don't care if they remember me…Only Jesus.