Today was a great day of worship.  Everything we did today from the music, Scripture reading, prayers, preaching, recitation of the Apostle’s Creed, and even the announcements all seemed to flow together into a meaningful, significant worship service.  Nothing was special or out of the ordinary.  The music wasn’t any better this week than weeks past, but Buster reminded us in his sermon that the glorious truth of the Cross of Jesus is unchanging.  And so we sing that truth, we pray that truth, we teach that truth week after week and it never grows old.  I’m reminded of the old hymn, “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” that sum up my feelings about the worship services at ECBC today.  

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

We didn’t sing it today, but were reminded that we need the Christ of that old, old story every day.  Here is what we did sing:

1. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150) - We taught this song a couple of weeks ago and are trying to work it into our regular rotation.  It’s a great call to praise God for His mighty deeds and awesome majesty, especially as we see that displayed in the Cross of Christ.

2. All Because of Jesus - A great reminder that though we were dead in our transgressions and sins, Jesus has made us alive.

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
Covers me and raised this dead man’s life
It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive

3. Jesus Paid it All - Here we are reminded once again of the simple, yet glorious truth that Christ has taken our place.  I love singing this song with our church.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead

4. All I Have is Christ - This is one of my new favorite songs.  I learned it at the WorshipGod 08 conference.  It’s the story of every believer:

I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life, had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own, a rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state, and led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed, You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me, now all I know is grace

Hallelujah all I have is Christ
Hallelujah Jesus is my life

Now Lord I would be Yours alone and live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me
Oh Father use my ransomed life in any way You choose
And let my song forever be my only boast is You

5. Jesus, Thank You - This is another new one for our congregation.  It’s a simple song of thanksgiving for what Christ has done for us.

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end 

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

6. In Christ Alone - We closed our service today at Buster’s request by reciting together the Apostle’s Creed and singing this great modern hymn that celebrates the glories of the Gospel.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried:
He descended into hades;
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit:
The holy catholic church;
The communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.

Amen!