Catching up on our sermon series in the book of Daniel

As well as livestreaming our Sunday Morning Worship Service via the YouTube channel "Artful Stampin", we also continue to record the sermons for uploading to our Welshpool Community Church profile on Soundcloud.  

Below is the recording from last Sunday (11th):

Welshpool Community Church · A Heart-Led, Word-Fed Prayer (Daniel 9)

Just Another Melodic Monday: Psalm 121 (I lift my eyes)

During a time when we may be feeling isolated, it's good to be reminded that the Lord is with us and will help us.  Today's song, based on Psalm 121, is written by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa.  The words of the chorus are:

O my soul, praise the Lord most high

Strong to save, He upholds my life

Forevermore, he will be my light

I lift my eyes up to the Lord most high

Just Another Melodic Monday - O Come All You Unfaithful

"O Come All You Unfaithful" is written by Lisa Clow and Bob Kauflin and is the first track to be released from Sovereign Grace Music's forthcoming Christmas album, "Heaven has come".  Here is information from the YouTube page, explaining the filming of the video:

This video contains people who are processing “O Come, All You Unfaithful,” most of them for the first time, in light of their own experiences. A stillborn child. A strained marriage. Feelings of shame. Legalism. Loss. Loneliness. Or simply having a heart that weeps with those who weep. We think seeing their responses as Lisa Clow sings communicates even more clearly that Jesus wasn’t born for people who have it all together. He was born for those who have nothing. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11.28–30, ESV) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1.21, ESV) So come.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Church (Take Me Back)

In Ephesians 2:11-22, the Apostle Paul describes how, through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, we are able to find a solid foundation and a spiritual family in the church.

But later, in Revelation chapter 2, we find a letter written to the church in Ephesus where Christ warns them (verse 4): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

"Church (Take me back)" is a testimony song by Cochran & Co. about a person who had drifted away from church and from the cross.  The words of the second verse of the song struck me:

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost

Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross

It's not a trophy for the winners

It's a shelter for the sinners

And it's right where I belong

Let's pray that, with so many church worship services now being made available to watch online, there will be many coming back to Jesus Christ and the love they had at first.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Your Grace Still Amazes Me

Here's a beautiful reminder of the wonder we experience when we think about God's grace.  The song is called "Your grace still amazes me" and is performed by Fountainview Academy, a Christian High School in Canada.

Morning Worship Service, 31st May

Here's a link to a recording of our Morning Worship Service that was livestreamed on Sunday, 31st May.  The service includes songs, prayers and a children's talk, plus Tom Magness preaches from Isaiah 7 on the theme of "Faith vs. Fear".

Just Another Melodic Monday: Before the Throne of God Above

This version of "Before the Throne of God Above", performed by Joseph Bradshaw and Sandra McCracken, provides us with a soothing sound and encouraging words for the start the week.  

The song reminds us of the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ; that he is the "sinless Saviour" who "made an end of all my sin"; and he is also the "risen Lamb" and my "great High Priest... who ever lives and pleads for me".  He truly is "the King of glory and of grace"!

Just Another Melodic Monday: Christ our Treasure

Today's song is taken from the album "The Glorious Christ" produced by Sovereign Grace Music, and its simple words express an important truth: "Christ our treasure, there is none like you!"

Just Another Melodic Monday: Your Will be Done

Here is the latest song from CityAlight, called "Your Will be Done", encouraging us to trust in the Lord during this pandemic.  In their own words from their YouTube channel: 

"There is a God who is still ruling on the throne, and He is our good and loving Father.  If there is anything in which you can put your trust at this uncertain time, let it be the will of your loving Father.  Church, in the chaos - in bedrooms, living rooms, hospital rooms, and virtual rooms - let us lift our voices in prayer and sing, 'Father, not my will but yours be done!' "

Just Another Melodic Monday - Give me Jesus

"Give me Jesus" was written about 150 years ago, and is a simple hymn that calls us to focus on Jesus Christ as the one who can truly give us satisfaction and peace.  This version is sung by "Sounds like Reign".  Their songs are free to download from their website, soundslikereign.com.

Just Another Melodic Monday: Firm Foundation

"Firm Foundation" is written by Piper Jones, Rachel Hale and Sean Fallon.  The song reminds us that when someone trusts in Jesus Christ, they find a solid foundation upon which to build their life and a Saviour who will never leave them nor forsake them.  As the chorus says, "You are the hope to which I cling". 

Just Another Melodic Monday - His Mercy is More

"His Mercy is More" is a song that we learned as a church last year, written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.  The words remind us of the mercy and forgiveness that we find when we come to God through Jesus Christ, for "in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace..." (Ephesians 1:7).

Just Another Melodic Monday: Turn your eyes

I heard this song back in November at a Sovereign Grace conference for pastors.  "Turn your eyes" is an update of an old chorus, and the extra verses help us to understand what it means to look to Jesus in faith as we remember his death, his resurrection and his promised return.  

The song is on the latest Sovereign Grace live album, "The Glorious Christ".

A Midweek Message: My soul will be satisfied (Psalm 63)

In Psalm 63, David describes his search for God during a time of trouble.  In this sermon, we look at how David finds God, and how we can apply David's experience to our own lives today.

Just Another Melodic Monday - How Can I Keep From Singing?

Here is a hymn that I haven't heard in a long time!  "How can I keep from singing" was first published in 1868, with music written by Robert Lowry.  However, it's unknown who originally wrote the words.  

The hymn expresses how the hope of future glory and the eternal security we have in Christ give us a joy that is able to withstand the griefs of this present world. The words of the first verse are:

My life flows on in endless song;

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet though far-off hymn

That hails a new creation;

Through all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul—

How can I keep from singing?

Just Another Melodic Monday - Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Happy New Year!  Here's a new song from CityAlight that we'll be singing together for the first time this Sunday, called "Yet Not I, But Through Christ In Me".  

The song expresses the glory and sufficiency of Jesus Christ - he is "the founder and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2) - and so (as the last verse states) "when the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: yet not I, but through Christ in me."

Just Another Melodic Monday - Joy has dawned

Christmas is coming!  So, I thought it was time to start sharing some Christmas songs and hymns on the Melodic Monday blog post, not only for you to enjoy listening to but also to consider sharing with your church if the song is new to you.

This is "Joy has dawned" by Keith and Kristyn Getty from their album "Joy: An Irish Christmas".

Just Another Melodic Monday - Ten Thousand Reasons

Last Saturday, we celebrated as we baptised three people, including one of my sons, Ethan.  He chose this song for us to sing during the service: "Ten Thousand Reasons" by Matt Redman, performed here by David Wesley.

A Midweek Message - Worship and Service (John 12)

Paul Crowe, an elder at Newtown Evangelical Church, recently visited us and preached from the Gospel of John, chapter 12, examining the themes of worship and service.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Be Still, My Soul (Acapella)

The hymn "Be still, my soul" was written by Katharina von Schlegel in the 1700's, then translated into English by Jane Borthwick in the 1800's.  This acapella version contains an additional chorus.  The words of the final verse are:

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.