3 posts tagged “singing”

Yesterday afternoon we had an old fashioned hymn sing at Bixlers Church. I brought my camera along and took a few pictures.

First, we were welcomed by Nova, a member of Bixlers:

Nova Welcomes the People

Our music director, Donna, accompanied us when we sang hymns or a soloist needed accompaniment.

We were delighted that 72 people attended this Sunday afternoon service.

Bixlers Choir started us off with a short anthem, "I Will Serve Thee."

Next, Peggy, a guest, sang three solos: "I Belong to Him," "I Stand Amazed in the Presence," and "O How He Loves You and Me."

Peggy Sings

Then we were pleased to hear from a young man, Trevor, age 16, who belongs to the Maryland Boys Choir. He is also the grandson of a Bixlers member.

Lift up your voice to extol the Lord!

Trevor thrilled us by singing, very well, "How Great Thou Art," "Blessed Assurance," and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"

The congregation then sang "O How I Love Jesus."

Next Nova read a piece by an 8 year old boy from Chula Vista, California. It described his humorous take of what God is like!

Nearby Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren sent their choir, which sang "Victory in Jesus."

Meadow Branch Choir

Then we were ready for something really different. An old friend of mine and many present, Dr. George Resh, a semi-retired local dentist, played a medley of two pieces, "Softly and Tenderly" and "Just as I Am." Dr. Resh is 79 years old and plays wonderfully!

Play with a passion for God!

Leisters Church also sent their choir. They sang "Steal Away" and then "Soon, and Very Soon." We were all impressed with the polished style of this finely directed and practiced choir.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart!

Psalm 149:4 NKJV

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Psalm 149 calls us to sing a new song to God, to rejoice in God as our Maker, Father, and King, to praise God with dance and with song accompanied by the playing of musical instruments, such as the timbrel (ancient tambourine) and harp.

When we do these things, God is pleased.

And when God is pleased with our humble worship, creatively expressed, what's going to happen next?

To those who worship God, who humble themselves in adoration to God, a gift of beauty is given.

It's called salvation.

What a gift!

God's always doing things like that.

I like that about God.

Don't you?

Psalm 149:4 NKJV:

"For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;"

Psalm 149 is a call to praise. In the first verse, we are called to sing a new song to God, a fresh offering.

In verses two and three, we are called to rejoice in God, who made us, who is our loving Father, who is our King, and to praise God with dance, with song, and with instrumental music, such as the timbrel (ancient tambourine) and the harp.

When we do these things, answer the call to praise, rejoice in God's natures, and praise him with movement, singing, and playing music, something neat happens.

God takes pleasure in us. You bring God pleasure. I bring God pleasure.

I like that.

Today is the Lord's Day. I hope you are bringing God pleasure today.

With answering the call to praise.

With rejoicing in Who God is.

With all forms of lively praise!