In just a few days, we celebrate Reformation Day.  On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the chapel in Wittenburg, Germany.  The Lord used this to further spread the truth of God’s Word into the world and revolutionize the landscape of Christianity.  So today on “Reformation Sunday,” we didn’t celebrate the man, Martin Luther, or the event that began the Protestant Reformation, but we celebrated the God of providence and His sovereign work throughout history.  

As an aside, we (meaning my family) also celebrate something on October 31.  My dad’s birthday is that day.  I think some other day is celebrated where people dress up in strange costumes and ask for candy, but we don’t know much about that with Reformation day and Big Daddy’s birthday.  haha.

Onto the setlist.  A few notes about this set of songs today.  We didn’t sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  It’s a great song, but very difficult to pull of with a band.  It needs a big choir and loud brass.  Maybe next year.  Also, I was very excited about this set when I planned it earlier this week, but last night (Saturday) at rehearsal it seemed kind of flat and I didn’t know why.  I almost changed it up to make it “better,” whatever that means.  But I trusted in God’s guidance throughout the planning and trusted Him this morning and I’m very thankful for these songs.  It was a great day!  Finally, today was the first Sunday that all 4 of my kids and my wife were able to be in a service together.  I was very excited when they all walked in at the 10:15 service and sat on the second row.  For those that don’t know, our fourth child, Shepherd, was born on July 18 this year.  Our 4th under 4!  Right now their ages are 4, 3, 2, and 3 months.  All but the 3 month old sat through the entire service with Mommy and me.  I’m a very proud daddy.

1. Praise the Lord (Psalm 150) (Kauflin & Plank) - This is a great “Call to Worship” song.  It calls forth praise just as Psalm 150 does, but focuses our attention on the cross.  

2. Let Your Kingdom Come (Kauflin) - A new song for us from Sovereign Grace’s “Valley of Vision” cd.  It’s a cd based on the Puritan prayer book by the same name.  You should have a copy of this for your devotional time if you don’t already.  This song is from the prayer “God’s Cause.”  It was a great song for Reformation Sunday (or any Sunday for that matter) in thinking about the goodness of God throughout history and what He’s going to do in the future.

Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your name
Let Your song be heard everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come

3. Holy is the Lord (Tomlin & Giglio) - It’s been a while since we had sung this one, and I honestly picked it because I was looking for an upbeat song in the key of G to transition to after “Let Your Kingdom Come.”  Not the most spiritual reason for choosing a song, but this song ended up being the song that lyrically tied the set together.  What a simple declaration of the greatness of God.  I was reminded again this morning of what a great melody this song has as the people of ECBC joyfully worshipped the Lord as they sang “Holy is the Lord, God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory.”

4. Holy, Holy, Holy (Heber & Dykes) - We transitioned from G into D to this arrangement of this old hymn written in 1826.  As we rehearsed this last night I hated the arrangement I had put together.  I plugged in the chorus of “We Fall Down” after the second and last verse and it sort of felt like a let down.  However, thank God for Sunday mornings because when we ran through this at our sound check this morning, it was everything I had hoped it would be when it was in my head.  I just didn’t communicate it well last night.  I can’t wait to sing this one again.  I’ll check the recording of this and maybe post it this week if it’s alright.

Holy, holy, holy
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in power
In love and purity

We cry holy, holy, holy is the Lamb

5. Jesus, Thank You (Sczebel) - I loved the transition from “Holy, Holy, Holy” to this.  ”Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see” to 

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. Only True God (Baloche & Scott) - I’ve been very excited about songs about the Trinity as I mentioned last week, and I’ve been sort of sitting on this one for a while so that my wife could sing it with me.  Having 4 under 4 makes singing for 3 services after you’ve fed and dressed and loaded a crew into the minivan (which she does faithfully every Sunday) very difficult.  But we had high hopes that she would be able to do it this week.  Then she got a cold.  So, Leah filled in nicely for her and I got to sing the harmony which I really enjoy.  I’m looking forward to singing this one often, especially if my wife gets to sing it with me.

Beyond us God within us
Revealed yet we see in part
Transcendent but so near us
The Mystery dwelling within our hearts

Father, Spirit, Son
Only true God
Exalted, Three in One
Only true God, only true God

Majestic God above us
Enthroned yet You wash our feet
Humble but so holy
All of creation bows when You speak

God of all things
God within us
God Who saves us
You are God

I posting this, once again, with other’s setlists at FredMcKinnon.com.