Are you excited for Sunday? I know I am. 

Every week we have the privilege to gather at 1241 W Ina Rd to make much of Christ by singing together, praying together, fellowshipping together, and sitting under the preaching of God’s word. Consider that for a moment… a group of sinners like us, often beaten up from the cares and sins of the week, have been welcomed into the family of God and given the privilege to gather in His name, for HIS glory and to our spiritual encouragement. 

If we’re honest, we don’t belong. But the work of Christ has covered us in His righteousness so that we would be welcomed in by God. What a privilege to be counted among the saints and to gather together to celebrate His Gospel. Where else do we get to take part in something like this? 

I hope you are excited for Sunday - the gathering of God’s people to make much of Him! My prayer is that we are all reminded of the high and holy privilege it is to gather in God’s name each week. May we never lose the sense of wonder and gratitude at God’s incredible plan to care for His people through the local church.

To help us see and savor this privilege, we will be introducing a new song this Sunday called “Oh What High and Holy Privilege”.

We hope you’ll take some time this week to listen to and learn it. As you do, may it remind you of the privilege it is to gather together on Sunday and worship our incredible Savior together!

I can’t wait to see you at The Gathering!

Lyrics

VERSE 1

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Once again to gather here
In the name of our Lord Jesus
As we see His Day draw near
May we join in joyful rev’rence 
With thanksgiving, faith and love
As He welcomes in His people
To the throne of grace above

VERSE 2

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Voices raised in prayer and praise
Boldly bringing great petitions 
Gladly singing hymns of faith
May His grace at work among us
Cleanse and heal us from our sin
That our prayers may not be hindered
And our praises honor Him

VERSE 3

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Hearing from the word of God
Heaven speaks in perfect wisdom
Earth responds and stands in awe
Do our hearts not burn within us
As we see God’s promises
Find their final yes in Jesus
Leading us to righteousness!

VERSE 4

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
This communion that we share
With the Father, Son, and Spirit
And His people everywhere
As we go with God’s great blessing
In the keeping of His grace
Go in peace to love and service
Till we join again in praise

~ The child in the hay is the Ancient of Days drawing near, do not fear ~

Each Christmas, we rejoice that the Ancient of Days has drawn near to us in the incarnation. In God’s wonderful plan of redemption, Jesus drew near to us by being born to us. There is so much more to the Gospel story, but it all begins in that little town of Bethlehem when the Ancient of Days drew near to a lost and fallen world.

This Sunday, join us as we sing a Christmas song written by Sovereign Grace Music called “Do Not Fear”. As we sing together, we will celebrate this incredible reality: We can draw near to Him, because He has drawn near to us. 

Lyrics

VERSE 1

Humble virgin, arise and take heart
You’ve been chosen to carry a son
Give no heed to the trembling inside
For the wonder has only begun

CHORUS

Do not fear, do not fear
The child you will hold is the Savior foretold drawing near
Do not fear

VERSE 2

Lowly shepherds, look up and take heart
See the glory of heaven burn bright
Hear the anthem of joy and good news
Hope has dawned in a stable tonight

CHORUS 2

Do not fear, do not fear
The child in the hay is the Ancient of Days drawing near
Do not fear

VERSE 3

Weary children, be still and take heart
Every longing you feel is a cry
For the rest He has offered to all
Come to Him, for His burden is light

CHORUS 3

Do not fear, do not fear
The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near
Do not fear

Church, join us this week as we sing a new song called “We Are Yours Forever” from Sovereign Grace Music. This song celebrates the incredible reality that we have not only been saved by God, but adopted into His family!

Here is an excerpt from Sovereign Grace Music on the message of this song:

It’s a source of inexpressible amazement, joy, and awe that God provided a way for us to be forgiven by offering his Son as a sacrifice to pay for our sins. But the story doesn't end there. We've not only been forgiven - we've been adopted. We're are no longer enemies of God, under his wrath. He has made us his dearly loved children. That's why J.I. Packer has written, "To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater.” This song helps us celebrate that reality with unbridled joy. 

We can’t wait to gather and worship our great Savior with unbridled joy together!

Lyrics

VERSE 1

O God, when You spoke into darkness
And said, “Let there be,” and it was
You made us the crown of creation
To share in Your love
And when we rejected Your goodness
To follow our foolish desires
You knew that one day You’d redeem us
Through one sacrifice

CHORUS

Oh, what a love You have lavished on us
To call us Your children, daughters and sons
One with the Savior, bought by His blood
We are Yours forever

VERSE 2

By grace You have made us Your family
We’re kept in Your kindness and care
With boldness we know we can bring You
Each burden we bear
And though we are longing to see You
Your Spirit within testifies
That we are adopted and treasured
Til faith becomes sight

BRIDGE

What now can separate us
From the hope You gave us
We will be like Christ our King
We are Yours forever

This past Sunday, we were reminded from Psalm 96 that every time we gather together, we are invited to do something precious as we sing: join with all of creation to praise God’s majestic name. 

What a gift that we can do this openly and freely! What a privilege to join in with all of creation in celebrating His glory… and even more… celebrating His grace towards us in Christ!

We invite you to join us in singing a new song this week that calls on all of heaven and earth to Praise His Name. We can’t wait to sing with you!

Lyrics

VERSE 1
Reaches of heaven, starry heights
Lights of the evening dancing in silent skies
Brilliance of morning, breaking day
O let them praise Him, praise His name

CHORUS
O praise His name, O praise His name
Let all His wondrous works declare His praise

VERSE 2
Mightiest mountains, peaceful plains
Snowfall and fire, thundering ocean waves
Kings and their kingdoms, age to age
O let them praise Him, praise His name

BRIDGE
King enthroned in majesty, all things made by His decree
Hear creation’s melody, “Praise Him! Praise Him!”
Everything with life and breath, everywhere from east to west
Every heart raised from the dead, praise Him, praise Him
Angels echo the refrain, “Jesus, Lamb for sinners slain!”
Name above all other names, praise Him

Join us this Sunday as we sing a new song that reminds us of our daily dependence on God and cries out for Him to sanctify us. 

As the song says, “Let every effort of our life, display the matchless worth of Christ!” Church, may this be our daily prayer!

Song: A Christian’s Daily Prayer
Album: Prayers of the Saints (Live)
Artist: Sovereign Grace Music. 

Listen & Learn: https://sovereigngracemusic.com/music/songs/christians-daily-prayer/

LYRICS
Verse 1
As morning dawns and day awakes
To You, I bring my need
Oh, gracious God, my source of strength
In You, I live and breathe
Each hour is Yours by wisdom planned
Each deed empowered by sovereign hands
Renew my spirit, help me stand
Be glorified today

Verse 2
As day unfolds, I seek Your will
In all of life's demands
And though the tempter tries me still
I cling to Your commands
Let every effort of my life
Display the matchless worth of Christ
Make me a living sacrifice
Be glorified today

Verse 3:
As sun gives way to darkest night
Your Spirit still is here
And though my strength fades like the light
New mercies will appear
I rest in You, abide with me
Until our trials and suffering
Give way to final victory
Be glorified today

We are excited to sing a new song on Easter Sunday called, Rise My Soul The Lord Is Risen. This song celebrates the resurrection and reminds us of the hope it brings. Not only a future hope of our resurrection, but a hope that is alive and powerful as we walk out our faith today. What a hope we have in a Risen Savior!

I hope this song encourages you as we head into Easter Sunday. I cannot wait to gather with our church and sing praises to our Risen Savior!

Link to Listen & Learn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq9imtMQ3eU

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Rise, my soul, the Lord is risen
Come, behold the empty grave
See the place where darkness laid Him
Sing for only hope remains
Hallelujah, praise forever
Death defeated and life restored
By that great immortal power
Christ is risen, arise, my soul

Verse 2:
Rest, my soul, the Lord is risen
Love's redeeming work is done
Now the Father sees His children
As He sees His sinless Son
O the wonder, O the glory
That same favour is now my own
Shame behind me, grace before me
Christ is risen, arise, my soul

Verse 3:
Peace, my soul, the Lord is risen
Come and have your hope renewed
For this trial is brief and fleeting
Tears will turn to glory soon
Shout with joy and sound the triumph
Let the music of heaven roar
Let the boast of death be silent
Christ is risen, arise, my soul

Verse 4:
Rise, my soul, for I am risen
Seated now with Christ my Lord
As my life belongs to heaven
Fear shall hold its sway no more
Onward, upward, toward the treasure
Filled with courage and endless hope
For this truth is mine forever
Christ is risen, arise, my soul

Church, we are excited to sing a new song this week from Sovereign Grace Music: The Steadfast Love of Christ. This is a song of hope and assurance that Christ’s love for us will remain steadfast through all things. What a wonderful promise for us to declare with and to one another!

We hope you take some time this week to learn the new song and come eager to sing praises to our Savior on Sunday.

I can’t wait to gather and worship with you!

Link to Listen and Learn: https://sovereigngracemusic.com/music/songs/the-steadfast-love-of-christ/

If you’re like me, it's easy to come on Sunday morning with an impoverished view of Christ. No doubt this affects our personal and corporate worship and, like we heard this past Sunday, even affects our witness. Praise be to God that He has given us His Spirit to help us!

This Sunday we are excited to sing a new song from Sovereign Grace Music called “Help Us See Christ”. This song reminds of the very promise of Jesus from John 15:26: The Spirit has come to open our eyes to His glory and majesty.

Consider that amazing promise this coming Sunday as we sing. The Holy Spirit is bearing witness about Christ to us! Oh, may we long to see the glory of our Savior and cry out for the help that is offered to us!

CHORUS:
Open our eyes, help us see Christ
May we behold His majesty
Open our eyes, Spirit we cry
Show us the glory of our King
Help us see Christ

Link to Listen & Learn: https://sovereigngracemusic.com/music/songs/help-us-see-christ/

Church, we are excited to sing a new song this week from Sovereign Grace Music called “We Receive”. This song is a grateful response to the willing sacrifice of Christ and the grace He bestows on us, which we celebrate as we share in the Lord’s Supper together. We encourage you to listen and learn so you can join in this Communion Sunday!

Here is a little more about the song from Sovereign Grace Music:

The gospel boldly confronts our deluded thoughts that we can somehow earn or contribute to our salvation. And we're reminded of that truth each time we share the Lord's supper together. It's a feast of grace that points to our inability and Christ's sufficiency, our emptiness and Christ's fullness, our need for forgiveness and Christ's provision. And as J.I. Packer reminds us, Christ himself "intervenes in our interest to ensure that we receive all that he died to procure for us." Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

Links to Listen & Learn: 
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9UqSBxscXw
Lyrics: https://sovereigngracemusic.com/music/songs/we-receive/ 

You may have noticed that we have been singing some new songs on Sunday mornings (songs like “Sing” and “All Things”).

These songs were early releases of Sovereign Grace Music’s newest album titled “Knowing God” which was released today! These songs are rich in good theology, but as Bob Kauflin (Leader of Sovereign Grace Music) reminds us, “good theology always leads to glad doxology.” We encourage you to listen and get to know these songs, not simply because we will sing many of them as a church, but so that these truths will lead us to joyful praise and adoration for God and His Gospel. 

Here is a brief description of the album from Sovereign Grace Music:

“2023 marked the 50th anniversary of J.I. Packer’s classic book, Knowing God. What originated as a series of magazine articles has become a tool that God has used to shape, deepen, and ignite the theology of five decades of Christians. 

So the Sovereign Grace Music songwriters set out to write and record an album of songs based on Packer’s book. First, it would be an opportunity to highlight how God has used Knowing God to make theology not only accessible but delightful. Second, we knew Packer’s book would be a rich resource for songs that connect the head and the heart. Third, we hoped it would cause those who have never read it to do so, and stir those who have already read it to read it again! Finally, good theology always leads to glad doxology. Knowing God isn’t simply a book to read. It’s songs waiting to be sung.

…in early 2022, we began writing them. It would be an overwhelming task to try to write a song for each of the twenty-two chapters, and it would also make for an excessively long album. Instead, we based our songs on sentences, paragraphs, or chapters that inspired us. Sometimes the connection was obvious. Other times, Packer’s words served as a springboard for articulating related themes.”

Links to Listen or Download
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYdnaVTk3ydFMs7Sb46QNoDadRsHWkYdj
Bandcamp: https://sovereigngracemusic.bandcamp.com/album/knowing-god
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6kFQYERknrmQg2N7cnGpKg

To stay up to date on album releases and more, you can follow Sovereign Grace Music on Instagram @sovgracemusic.