How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

Posted on Apr 14 , 2010 in The Hymnettes

  • The Song

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

  • The Author

Stuart Townend

Stuart Townend is a British Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music.   His songs include “In Christ Alone” (2002, cowritten with Keith Getty, Townend’s first collaboration with any other songwriter), “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us”, “Beautiful Saviour” and “The King Of Love”.  The Christian website Crosswalk.com commented that, “the uniqueness of Townend’s writing lies partly in its lyrical content.   There is both a theological depth and poetic expression that some say is rare in today’s worship writing”.

Townend, son of a Church of England vicar in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was the youngest of four children.   He studied literature at the University of Sussex.  Townend started learning to play the piano at age 7.   At the age of 13, he made a Christian commitment, and began songwriting at age 22.  Stuart has led worship and performed events across the world, at many conferences and festivals including the Stoneleigh Bible Week in the early 90s to the early 00s.

Sermon for March 14, 2010: Unclean Hands

Posted on Apr 13 , 2010 in Sermons

Unclean Hands

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Sermon for February 28, 2010: Where Are You Toiling?

Posted on Apr 12 , 2010 in Sermons

Where Are You Toiling?

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Sermon for April 11, 2010: Be Open

Posted on Apr 11 , 2010 in Sermons

Jesus heals a deaf man by telling him, “Be Open”

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What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Posted on Apr 07 , 2010 in The Hymnettes

  • The Song

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there

  • The Author

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” is a Christian hymn originally written by Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.  Joseph Scriven, described as one who lived the Christian life of service to his fellows, was born at Ballymoney Lodge, Banbridge and baptised on the 10th of  September 1819.  He obtained his B.A. degree at Trinity College, Dublin, where his two brothers were students, one of which became M.B. in 1842.   Joseph was a Cadet at the Military College, Addiscombe, Surrey, it being his intention to enter the East India Company, this idea  he abandoned at an early age.

The well known hymn was born brought into being out of great sorrow and heart  searching after the loss of his wife.  It is said that it was written to comfort his mother who mourned at her son’s unhappiness.   The hymn was not discovered until just prior to Scriven’s death in 1886.  Although composed in 1857, it was entitled ‘Pray Without Ceasing’.  He was known to be eccentric but was a born philanthropist and devoutly religious; he gave freely of what money he had, even his own clothing and his services to all poorer than himself who needed them.  He died at Port Hope.

CSX Railroad

Posted on Mar 31 , 2010 in Jobs

CSX Railroad is hiring!

CSX Railroad is hiring men and women in various states, across the country.

The railroad will train selected individuals, and relocate them temporarily to Atlanta, for paid, on the job training.

Transportation and housing costs will be paid for by the company.

Apply  online at: http://www.csx.com/?fuseaction=careers.main

April Prayer Calendar

Posted on Mar 31 , 2010 in Prayer

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints,” – Ephesians 6:18

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He Lives!

Posted on Mar 31 , 2010 in The Hymnettes

  • The Song

HE LIVES!

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho’ my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

  • The Author

Alfred Ackley (1887 – 1960) received musical training from his father in New York City and at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and became a great cello player. After graduating from Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland, he was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1914, and pastored in Wilkes-Barre and Elmhurst, Pennsylvania, and in Escondido, California.  For a few years he worked with evangelist Billy Sunday, and also served as assistant pastor of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He wrote some 1,500 religious and secular songs, and was associated with the Rodeheaver Music Company.  John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, awarded him an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree.  Helen Armacost was his wife, Bentley Ackley was his brother and all three are known for their music ministries.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Posted on Mar 24 , 2010 in The Hymnettes

  • The Song

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near
and bless Your name

Sorrow and love His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

  • The Author

Isaac Watts wrote many papers for places of higher learning but his most famous work is the hymn, “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed.”  Watts was born July 17, 1674, at Southampton, England.  Such compelling lyrics came from a child born into a home of “non-Comformists” during the times when the Church of England persecuted Dissenters and Independents.  His father was jailed twice during this time of persecution.  Despite the fact that this era of intolerance lasted only a short while; it had a significant effect on Watts.  In 1707, Watts wrote the lyrics to “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed.”

AT THE CROSS

Posted on Mar 19 , 2010 in The Hymnettes

AT THE CROSS

  • The Song

Alas and Did My Savior Bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred Head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain:
At the cross, At the cross
Where I first saw the Light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by Faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And Love beyond degree!

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of Love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do!

  • The Author

Isaac Watts wrote many papers for places of higher learning but his most famous work is the hymn, “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed.”  Watts was born July 17, 1674, at Southampton, England.  Such compelling lyrics came from a child born into a home of “non-Comformists” during the times when the Church of England persecuted Dissenters and Independents.  His father was jailed twice during this time of persecution.  Despite the fact that this era of intolerance lasted only a short while; it had a significant effect on Watts.  In 1707, Watts wrote the lyrics to “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed.”