Prepare for Worship (weekend of August 13)

Date
August 13, 2021
Author
Mark Lautenschlager
Category
Personal Worship, Prepare for Worship

Hi friends! If you’ve not had a chance to listen to Pastor Tom’s video on the COVID-19 precautions that we’re asking everyone to take during this time of increased vigilance, please click below to watch it. Thank you!

Hey Church!

Last night I was awakened at 2:00 AM by flashes of lightning and window-shaking thunder. Knowing that our youngest son, Zion, would be startled awake and terrified, I lept out of bed and scooped him up out of his crib just in time for his first whimper of fear. The storm that had already grown into something truly impressive had only just begun to show off its power. For the next two hours, he would settle down in mommy and daddy’s bed and fall fast asleep while I would lie awake thinking…

First, the what-ifs. “What if a bolt of lightning strikes the house?” “What if we lose power? Will our alarm clocks still function in the morning?” After some time playing scenarios like these over and over in my mind, my thoughts turned to the power of God, which was on brilliant display with every flash of lightning that lit up our bedroom. “This storm that is so violent and dangerous to us is barely anything at all to God who holds the universe in the span of his hand.” And so it is, also, with the figurative “storms” that strike fear and anxiety into our hearts.

There was a moment in bed while I was rubbing Zion’s little back when suddenly I stopped thinking of myself as the father and began to identify with my son, just a helpless little boy seeking refuge in the arms of his loving Father.

I thought about how full my heart was for Zion and tried to imagine how it could possibly be that the God of such mighty thunder longs to minister fatherly peace and comfort to me when I am afraid. He does not chide me for my fear or try to diminish the severity of the storm in any way. He simply lays His hand upon me and that, alone, is enough.

I was reminded of my favorite Fernando Ortega song, “Our Great God” and thought I would share it with you. If at all possible, listen on headphones or great speakers, not in the background through your phone. Turn up the volume and be immersed in the power of its lyrics and musical beauty.

I couldn’t decide which arrangement to share with you because I love BOTH of these videos so much. So, I’m sharing them both! The lyrics are pasted below.

Your brother,
Ryan

Eternal God, unchanging
Mysterious, and unknown
Your boundless love, unfailing
In grace and mercy shown

Bright Seraphim in endless flight
Around Your glorious throne
They raise their voices day and night
In praise to You alone

Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God

Lord, we are weak and frail
Helpless in the storm
Surround us with Your angels
Hold us in Your arms

Our cold and ruthless enemy
His pleasure is our harm
Rise up, oh, Lord and he will flee
Before our sovereign God

Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God

Let every creature in the sea
And every flying bird
Let every mountain, every field
And valley of the earth

Let all the moons and all the stars
In all the universe
Sing praises to the living God
Who rules them by His Word

Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah
Glory be to our great God

Hey Church!

Songs for Sunday