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FAMILY NEWSTHANKS! We set a modern day attendance record last Sunday! We had 50 people who came to services, and that is the largest Sunday attendance in the 20 years that I have been a part of this congregation. Our thanks to everyone who is inviting people and working hard to make people feel welcome. Our thanks to Mandy Wallace and Karl Marcussen for letting people know about us on line. See page 4 for more on this. HIGHWAY CLEANUP! We clean up the highway in front of our building and down to the city limits as a service to the community. This year the first cleanup day is Saturday, April 15 at 10:00 A.M., so mark that on your calendar and plan to be here to help. THE CASS COUNTY FAIR BOOTH work needs to begin. We have had a couple of ideas. Let us know what you think would be a good way for us to present the church to the area. PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS — NO FOOD IN BASEMENT CLASSROOMS. PLEASE! TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — We ARE a musical congregation.
What does the Bible teach about music?
I. BEING IN GOD'S IMAGE GIVES US THE ABILITY TO CREATE MUSIC.
A. Animals use note combinations, but not music.
II. NEW TESTAMENT WORD CONVEY USES OF MUSIC.
B. Music expresses our spiritual nature — not just sex. C. The Old Testament traces the use of music. 1. Genesis 4:21 — father of instruments
D. No evidence of instruments used in the Temple
2. Genesis 31:27 — departure songs of celebration 3. Exodus 15:20 – 21 — celebration of liberation 4. 2 Chronicles 20:28 — rejoicing over enemies 5. Ecclesiastes 2:8 — kings have singers, players 6. 1 Samuel 16:15 – 23 — music relieves spirit issues 7. Lamentations 5:14 — social interaction of music 8. Isaiah 23:16 — prostitutes use music for sex 9. 1 Chronicles 15:16 – 29 — choir and orchestra Conduct was personal in worship — not to watch.
E. Music was critical in Jewish life.
1. Psalms were poems to be sung. Psalms 12, 20, 28, 38, 136, 118:1 – 4; Song of Solomon
2. Matthew 9:23 — instruments played at funerals 3. 1 Samuel 2:1 – 10 — Hannah's psalms — still sung 4. Hallelujah = praise ye yah(jeh) Not to watch A. What we do in private is up to us.
B. What we do in corporate worship has a purpose. 1 Corinthians 14:26 — response to chaos in worship
C. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3
1. Sing — ode — song with a message
D. In worship — singing is to edify — 1 Corinthians 14:35
2. Psalms — a song of praise played with instrument 3. Hymns — humneo — Song of praise 4. Spiritual songs — pneumatikos, ode, or psalm 1. Tell a story or message — ode.
2. Sing praise to God — humneo. THE BACK PAGEOUR LESSONSIf you have been paying attention to the sequence of lessons that we have been having on Sunday morning, I hope that you have seen that there is a common thread. The series began January 15 with a discussion of what we believe about the Bible — is it the inspired word of God? After talking about how we use the Bible to make decisions on January 22, we talked about Jesus Christ and his unique claim to be the one way to God. We then discussed angels on February 5 followed by a discussion of the Hebrew calendar on the 12th. That was followed by a study of prayer on the 19th, our existence as God's children on the 26th, the role of becoming givers instead of takers on March 5, followed by the role of singing today. The bottom line here is whether we understand who we are and why we do what we do? A part of this is to be able to answer friends and neighbors who ask about us. First Peter 3:15 tells us to “be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks for the reason of the hope that we have.” It is also important that we believe that what we are saying is 100% true, and if we really believe it our lives will reflect what we believe. It has been encouraging to see people getting things done. Take a look at the heat ducts and notice that Larry Fox has gotten that project completed. You may have noticed sacks of coats around the building. Under the steps going down into the basement there is now a storage area with coats, leggings, socks, and underwear for kids in our area that need these basic things. Our thanks to Lana and Larry Fox, Tracey Brewer, Cindy Clayton, and Brenda Reagan for leading our efforts to meet those needs in our area. A great job is being done with the children now coming to our Bible study program, and Julie Marcussen, Patty Gibson, Lana Fox, and Cynthia Clayton have been working hard to give good classes to these kids. The Food Pantry continues to address needs in the area. It has been said “I'd rather see a sermon than hear one,” and we can see sermons all around us. Praise God for all he is doing through his church here. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying by www.sayingsforchurchsigns.com |
