Worship

Music has been at the heart of worship throughout Biblical history. From the worship of the Tabernacle in the wilderness in the Old Testament, to the joyful service portrayed in the Book of Revelation, music has played a pivotal role.

Since the Reformation ( 1400-1600 ) the church has enjoyed a rich heritage of music that has inspired, informed and enabled congregations and individuals to express their praise, thanks and adoration to the Lord in song.

Some hymn writers during the last 400 years have been blessed with an ability to blend simple, singable melodies with profound Biblical truth. They were, for all practical purposes, musical theologians. A case in point: consider Fanny J. Crosby’s, “To God Be the Glory”. This song was published in 1875. It has a well known, easy to remember tune, but the lyrics are loaded with significant Biblical concepts.

The first verse alone brings the worshipper to a fresh awareness of God’s existence, of our duty and joy to glorify Him, of His greatness, of God’s love, of God sending His Son, of Christ’s obedience, of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the offer of the “Good News” of eternal life to all who believe and may thus enter into God’s presence. Check out the lyrics from the first verse and note the rich truth sited above.

To God be the glory, great things He has done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that we may go in.

And in response to all that marvelous, life-changing truth comes the Refrain which bursts forth with, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!...."

At Grace we enjoy some of the newer songs (tastefully performed), but we are committed to making the great hymns of the faith a regular feature of our worship.

Worship

To God Be the Glory!