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A New Song or Two!
10/31/2004
And they sang
a new song: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because
you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe
and language and people and nation.'
Revelation 5:9
From Friday night through Sunday morning Brian and Dessa Craig of the Los
Angeles Church inspirationally directed our Congregational Singing Workshop!
Friday evening was a fun-filled time as the Portland Church gathered on a cold,
damp night in the warmth of the Ambridge Event Center. From the beginning, there
was electricity in the air as there had been many prayers for the weekend to
change our
congregation. Brian began the evening with the songs he had written that we knew
well. (During the course of the workshop we sang such congregational favorites
as "Be With Me Lord," "Go Make Disciples," "I Need Your
Love," and "Great Among The Nations.") It was so encouraging
being led by a modern "Asaph" in singing songs of praise to God.
Friday evening, Brian preached between hymns from Colossians 3 calling us to
sing "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts
to God."
We also sang some new songs!
According to the Apostle John in Revelation 5, in his first glimpse of heaven,
he was in awe when all of heaven sang "a new song!"
Since our congregation is composed of only sold-out disciples, our singing has
been a very heartsy "joyful noise unto the Lord." (Psalm
100:1 KJV) However, our repertoire (number of songs we sing) has been quite
limited. To learn a new song or two is so spiritually energizing! We learned
"The Spirit's Fire," "Remember," "Praise the Lord, O My
Soul," "In Heaven," and "Thank-You Lord." Often, Brian
shared when and why he wrote each song. Not only did we learn new psalms and
hymns but we focused on learning to sing "in parts," elevating our
singing from a "joyful noise" to a much more glorious
fuller sound of praise! The fellowship after Friday evening was
"buzzing" because the singing drew our hearts toward our Father and
each other! As usual after service, the fellowship lasted so long we had to ask
the disciples to "go home" so the building could be cleaned for the
next day!
Saturday morning at the Hess'
house, Brian worked with the songleaders of the Portland and Eugene Churches. He
led them in worship and then talked practically how to improve our
congregational worship. From all reports, it was a very encouraging meeting.
Saturday afternoon the Craigs, Elena and I spent time at Multnomah Falls just
sharing our hearts and insights from the Word about building churches. It was so
refreshing having the Craigs and their two month old daughter Cora spend the
weekend at our house.
Sunday, the Lord's Day was
awesome! Brian had suggested that we needed longer periods of singing to move
hearts during worship services. Therefore after the sermon, Brian played his
guitar and led the congregation in four uninterrupted hymns. Lisa Hess, one of
our women songleaders later shared, not only was she in tears, but she could see
the tears of many in the congregation who were moved by the extended singing.
Then at the close of our Sunday
Service, we saw a dear brother and sister restored to God and His Kingdom. The
first restoration was Eddie Dahlin. (Eddie is the star wrestler on the Portland
State University Wrestling Team.) He and later his mom, Kim, were baptized last
fall. After Vic Jr. and I shared about Eddie, in a very moving statement, he
apologized for hurting God and the church in drifting from the faith. Eddie
shared he allowed his identity to become "Eddie the nationally ranked
wrestler" instead of "Eddie the disciple of Jesus!" Then in joy
he reaffirmed his love for God, the brothers and zeal for seeking and saving the
lost. Next Jessica Fitzpatrick, a freshman at PSU, and those that helped her
return to God spoke. The girls Jessica had helped to become Christians during
her high school years, Coleen Untalan and Kelsey Campbell, shared their
gratitude and joy that Jessica was returning to God so their relationships could
be whole again. Then her mom, Susan Inloes, shared in tears about the joy of her
daughter's return. Also in tears, Jessica made her apology and like Eddie all
sensed through the Spirit that she had indeed returned to her "first
love!" (Revelation 2:4) After all of that, Jaycob Desrosier, a 19
year old black belt in Tae Kwan Do, was baptized!
What a service! What a weekend!
What a joy to celebrate our salvation in singing! Thanks again to Brian and
Dessa! Thank-you God for all our spiritual blessings! Thanks Father for
answering our prayers for a changed congregation. As it will be in heaven, it
was sure fun learning a new song or two!
Kip McKean
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