Lift Every Voice and Sing!

Okay, I'm going to try this again...I've gone ahead and written new lyrics for the songs I'm singing in church this Sunday (tomorrow). I have it on very good authority (Pastor Ruth Ann herself) that the texts in the bulletin are indeed accurate (you can read about the previous Helmet incident here!), and that she is indeed going to preach on the texts found in Isaiah and Mark. :o) THUS, I have scripted the songs to match the lessons and gospels of the day. Here goes...

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This is the song I'll be singing during the Offertory. It's going to take a couple of people in the congregation by surprise, as I'm really letting loose once I get to the second verse. I LOVE this tune, and the words now reflect the themes and concepts of Isaiah and the witness of Peter in the book of Mark. I can't WAIT to sing this tomorrow!

Lift every voice and sing, Jesus be following.
Giving my all to sustain the Holy Word,
Voice of authority, "Take up your cross for me!"
Waken my ear to hear the Sovereign Lord.

Lift every voice and sing, Only our faith we bring,
For to be saved we must choose to lose our life,
We must ourselves deny, For us, He suffered and died,
We are disciples who reveal the Christ.

Lift my voice, Let me declare that my faith is unshaken.
Lift my voice, Trusting by faith that I'm never forsaken.
"Take up your cross for me!" Our sacrifice for thee,
Only through Christ will we find liberty!

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* * * Click here to listen to
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"! * * *

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The text below fits into the Hymn known as "In Remembrance". I loved the melody and is a bit calmer. I'll be playing and singing this during Holy Communion, so I really needed to keep in mind that breaking into song (like the previous piece) would not exactly be appropriate. This is more mellow, and written more as a prayer for the teachers, leaders, and students of Bethany Lutheran Church as we celebrate Rally Sunday!

As the children prepare to learn of God,
As they gather in circles to hear,
As their journey begins,
Pray for the time When God's own will be done.

Let the Spirit be part of fellowship,
Let the leaders inspire as they guide,
Let the stories of old nourish their souls,
And form deep their faith inside, their faith inside.

Come, learn what the Bible tells,
Hear, as the Word comes alive.
That this is message from God above,
Sent for you, sent for you.

Bless the students of faith, young and old.
Pray the worship will strengthen their soul,
That the wonder of God fills them with joy,
And lets their light shine to God, For this we pray.
Bless them on their journey of faith!

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* * * Click here to listen to the 3 minute
recording of the New Rally Day Song. * * *

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