Scripture and Song May 2, 2021

Prelude “Psalm 19” Benedetto Marcello

Festival Prelude on “Old Hundredth” arr. Walter L. Pelz

“Now Let the Heavens Be Joyful” based on Psalm 96: 11-12; music by Harriet Ziengenhals, arr. Joy Gibbons

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy.

“When in Our Music, God Is Glorified” text by Fred Pratt Green, tune engelberg by Charles V. Stanford; arr. Wilbur Held

When in our music God is glorified and adoration leaves no room for pride,it is as though the whole creation cried, “Alleluia!”

So has the Church, in liturgy and song, in faith and love, through centuries of wrong, borne witness to the Truth in ev’ry tongue: “Alleluia!”

Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!And may God give us faith to sing always: “Alleluia!”

Welcome and prayer Brian Salter, lead pastor

based on Psalm 103, Joachim Neander, 1680 (tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863); from Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665, lobe den herren

* Hymn of praise “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

based on Psalm 103, Joachim Neander, 1680 (tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863); from Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665, lobe den herren

* Litany of praise based on Psalm 104:33-34 and Hebrews 13:15

Leader: We will sing to the Lord all our lives; we will sing praise to our God as long as we live.

All: Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Leader: May our meditation be pleasing to him, as we rejoice in the Lord.

All: Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Anthem of adoration “O God beyond All Praising” Chancel Choir and congregation

O God beyond all praising, we worship you todayand sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;for we can only wonder at ev’ry gift you send,at blessings without number and mercies without end:we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word,we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

For we can only wonder at ev’ry gift you send,at blessings without number and mercies without end:for Christ, your gift from heaven, from death has set us free,and we through him are given the final victory.

text by Michael Perry, 1982; music from Gustav Holst, The Planets, 1918; arr. Dan Forrest, 1982, thaxted

Scripture reading Psalm 95:1-7a

Leader: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Anthem of rejoicing “Shout the Glad Tidings” Chancel Choir

Shout the glad tidings, O sing to the Lord;for he hath done marvelous, marvelous things.Mighty are his works, wonderful his deeds;his love and pow’r are sure, forever are sure.The Lord is King, the King of all;the Lord is King, the King of all; he rules in might.O sing for joy; his pow’r and love forever are sure.

Trumpets sound forth; sound forth his praise,for our vict’ry is won.Sing, O Israel, sing. The Lord is faithful; let all give praise.The roar of the sea, all creatures therein, sound forth, sound forth your joy, your joy sound forth.God is the Lord, King over all.See his marvelous works; see his wonderful deeds.His pow’r and love forever are sure.based on Psalm 98, adapted by Hal Hopson; music by George F. Handel, 1685-1759, arr. Hal Hopson, 1981

* Hymn of unity “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” (continue scrolling for words and music)

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”

based on Psalm 95, text by Christian H. Bateman, 1843; Traditional Spanish melody, arr. David Evans, madrid

Anthem of response “How Can I Keep from Singing?” College Ensemble

My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation,I hear the sweet though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.It finds an echo in my soul; how can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth.What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.Since Christ is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.Since Christ is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?Since Christ is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?based on Psalm 98, text and music by Robert Lowry, arr. Timothy Shaw, 2013

Scripture reading Psalm 19:1-11

Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

All: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Anthem of affirmation “Psalm 19” Chancel ChoirWilliam Darby, soloist

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect; it revives the soul. The decrees of the Lord are steadfast; they give wisdom to the simple.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

The precepts of the Lord are right; they gladden the heart.The command of the Lord is clear; it gives light to the eyes.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

The fear of the Lord is pure, abiding forever. The judgments of the Lord are true; they are, all of them, just.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

They are more to be desired than gold, than quantities of gold.And sweeter are they than honey, than honey flowing from the comb.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart,win favor in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life, Spirit and life.

Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. based on Psalm 19:8-15; music by James J. Chepponis, 2020

Scripture reading based on Psalm 19:12-14

Leader: Who can discern his own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

All: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Choral prayer of petition “The Meditations of My Heart” Chancel Choir

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heartbe acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.

O Lord my Rock, O Lord my strength,O Lord my God and Redeemer. Amen.text based on Psalm 19:14, music by Elaine Hagenberg, 2017

Scripture reading Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Pastoral anthem “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” Chancel Choir

My Shepherd will supply my need. Jehovah is his name.In pastures fresh he makes me feed beside the living stream.He brings my wand’ring spirit back when I forsake his ways.He leads me for his mercy’s sake in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death, thy presence is my stay. One word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away. Thy hand, in sight of all my foes, doth still my table spread. My cup with blessings overflows; thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days. O may thy house be my abode and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come, no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.based on of Psalm 23, Isaac Watts, 1719; music trad. hymn tune, arr. Virgil Thomson, 1938

Scripture reading Psalm 27:1-3

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

Gospel anthem “The Lord Is My Light” Chancel Choir

The Lord is my light and my salvation;the Lord is my light and my salvation; the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; whom shall I fear?

In the time of trouble he shall hide me; in the time of trouble he shall hide me;in the time of trouble he shall hide me; whom shall I fear?

Wait on the Lord and be of good courage;O, wait on the Lord and be of good courage;wait on the Lord and be of good courage; he shall strengthen thy heart.

Whom shall I fear; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; whom shall I fear?based on Psalm 27: 1, 5, 14; text and music by Lillian Bouknight, 1981

Scripture reading Psalm 27:4-14

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Choral prayer of petition “One Thing” Chancel Choir

One thing, one thing alone,one thing, one thing I ask from the Lord,that I may gaze, I may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord.

The Lord is my salvation; he will keep me safe.In the day of trouble, I will seek his face.In the shelter of his dwelling I will hide.

One thing, one thing alone,one thing, one thing I seek of the Lord,that I may dwell, I may dwell within his house evermore.One thing I ask.based on Psalm 27, text by Susan Bentall Boersma; music by Craig Courtney, 2017

Instrumental meditation “My Song Is Love Unknown”

My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me,love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.O who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

Sometimes they strew his way, and his sweet praises sing;resounding all the day hosannas to their King.Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, and for his death they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done to cause this rage and spite?He made the lame to run and gave the blind their sight.What injuries, yet these are why the Lord Most High so cruelly dies.

Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine;never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine.This is my Friend in whose sweet praise I all my days will gladly spend.My song is love unknown, love unknown.text by Samuel Crossman, ca. 1624-1683; music by J. Baptiste Calkin, 1827-1905; arr. Molly Ijames, 2012

Scripture reading Psalm 116:1-2, 7-9

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Choral prayer “Search Me, O God” Chancel Choir

Search me, O God, and know my heart;try me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is evil in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?And where shall I go from your presence?If I ascend up to heav’n, you are there;if I make the grave my bed, you are there.If I rise on the wings of the morning and dwell in lands across the sea,even there will your hand uphold me;and there will your right hand sustain me.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;try me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is evil in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.based on Psalm 139; music by K. Lee Scott, 1994

Responsive reading

Leader: What is the chief end of man?

All: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Leader: Worthy of praise from every mouth, worthy of confession from every tongue, worthy of worship from every creature, is your glorious name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All: We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

based on Westminster Shorter Catechism, question one; 5th century liturgy and 1 Peter 2:9

Anthem of response “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated” Chancel Choir

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love,at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King,always, only for my King.

Take my love, my God, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee,ever, only all for thee. Take my life and let it be.text by Frances R. Havergal, 1874; music by Henri César Malan, 1827; arr. Jay Rouse, 2015

Prayer of thanksgiving

text by Stuart K. Hine, 1949; Swedish folk song, arr. Stuart K. Hine, 1949, o store gud

* Affirmation of praise

Leader: You are God, we praise you; you are the Lord, we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father; all creation worships you. O God, ten thousand times ten thousand bow down and adore you.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

based on 4th century Te Deum

* Hymn of affirmation “How Great Thou Art”

Closing remarks

text by Stuart K. Hine, 1949; Swedish folk song, arr. Stuart K. Hine, 1949, o store gud

Choral blessing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” Chancel Choir

The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord lift his countenance upon youand give you peace, and give you peace;the Lord make his face to shine upon youand be gracious unto you, be gracious;the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen.text from Numbers 6:24-26; music by Peter C. Lutkin, 1900; edited by Ruth Heller

* Postlude “When in Our Music God Is Glorified” tune is engelberg by Charles V. Stanford; arr. Matthew Machemer

* Congregation standing as you are able

Joy Gibbons – director of sanctuary worship and musicJoshua Knight – organist and collaborative pianist

Tommy Bulman – trumpetEun-Mee Jeong – violin

Daniel Jeong – violinNate Oster – timpani

*College Ensemble (Students of Covenant College)

CHANCEL CHOIR

Luisa Baxley+

Peggy BodeMendy BoydViona Brown*+

Margaret Compton+

Dorcas Crenshaw+

Randall CrenshawWilliam Darby

Tim GibbonsLarry Goodman+

Sharon HovenHannah Jarrard*McKenna Jarrard*+

Bethany Johnson*Brian KvaleMichal Parsley

Mark PerryNate OsterHallie Blair Quatro*Gracya Rudiman*David StantonJoan StantonDan VermeerAmy Verwoerd

David Wharton+

Stephanie Wharton+

Henry WilliamsWendy WilliamsKristin WykoffMark Zbinden

+Scripture readers