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Pender Music: Our God Reigns

Our God Reigns, World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2025

On this special Sunday at Pender United Methodist Church, the opening hymn was “Our God Reigns” by Leonard Smith. It was joyfully sung by the Pender Sanctuary Choir and congregation under the direction of Patrick King, Director of Music Ministries, accompanied by Wenru Yang on piano.

This uplifting hymn reminds us of God’s sovereignty and grace that unites believers around the world. On this 17th Sunday after Pentecost, we join Christians everywhere in proclaiming: Our God reigns!

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” — Isaiah 52:7

May this song inspire gratitude and unity as we remember that God reigns over all nations, all people, and all hearts.

“Our God Reigns” | Offertory at Pender UMC | January 5, 2025

On January 5, 2025, during a special Epiphany service at Pender United Methodist Church, the offertory featured a moving performance of “Our God Reigns” by Leonard Smith.

The anthem was beautifully sung by the Pender UMC Sanctuary Choir, under the direction of Patrick King, Pender’s Director of Music Ministries, accompanied by Abe Garver on cello and Heidi Jacobs on piano. This heartfelt rendition reminded us of the power and majesty of God’s reign, adding a deeply spiritual element to the worship service.

We are grateful to our singers, Patrick, Abe, and Heidi for sharing their incredible talents and inspiring us through this timeless anthem.

Pender UMC Sanctuary Choir Presented “Our God Reigns”

On August 25, 2024, the Pender UMC Sanctuary Choir, under the direction of Patrick King, delivered a powerful performance of “Our God Reigns” by Leonard E. Smith, Jr., inspired by Isaiah 52:7. This uplifting song, celebrating the message of salvation and God’s sovereignty, was beautifully accompanied by Mark Severeniuk on tuba and Heidi Jacobs on piano.

Isaiah 52:7 speaks of “good news,” originally referring to Israel’s delivery from captivity and return to Jerusalem. Today, Christians sing these words to celebrate our delivery from sin through Christ (Romans 10:15-16), who brings salvation and a restoration of God’s rule, resulting in peace and happiness. The song text skillfully combines Isaiah’s message with the timeless theme from the Psalms: Our God reigns!

Join us in this celebration of faith and let the music remind you of the everlasting reign of our God.

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
who brings good news, good news;
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
our God reigns, our God reigns!

Refrain:
Our God reigns, our God reigns, our God reigns,
our God reigns, our God reigns!

Leonard E. Smith, Jr., (b. Philadelphia, PA, 1942) composed this song in 1973 in Riverton, New Jersey. Educated at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he received a BA in philosophy, Smith first taught in public high schools, but his evangelical efforts in the schools created problems, resulting in his dismissal. He then began painting houses to support his family.

One night as he was reading Isaiah 52 he was overwhelmed by the conviction that God was in control of his life and of all creation; he wrote this song that night in just five minutes. The song was first sung at New Covenant Community Church, where Smith served as worship leader. Though not published for some time, it became known internationally when evangelist Bob Mumford included it in his crusades. It was first published in a Servant Publications hymnal, Songs of Praise (vol. 2, 1977). In 1978 Smith added four additional verses. He has published over 130 Scripture songs with New Jerusalem Music Co.

From Today’s Christian Living: The Story Behind the World-Renowned Song “Our God Reigns”
By Leonard E. Smith

Sometimes you have to reach bottom before you look up to see God at work. Back in 1973, I was out of work again and depressed — actually very depressed. My wife and I had a son, an apartment, a car, and lots of bills to pay. I had also made myself unemployable as a high school teacher with just too much Jesus talk in class. I guess I was naive to think that talking about Jesus was more important than teaching Latin or English literature.

One morning I was reading the Bible and came to Isaiah 52:7: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news, announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness: your God reigns.” My heart began pounding in my chest because, through what I read, God spoke to me: “You’re going to get through this, and you will be fine. In fact, you’ll do very well.” I just felt the dark cloud lift off me. I picked up my guitar and, in a few minutes, Our God Reigns was born! I had one verse and the chorus. It wasn’t so much that I wrote it as I received it!

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news, good news Announcing peace, proclaiming new of happiness Our God reigns, Our God reigns! Our God reigns! Our God reigns! Our God reigns!

A couple of months later, a traveling evangelist visited our church, heard the song, and taught it as he went from church to church. It took me three more years to complete the other verses that made this Scripture chorus into a hymn that went around the world.

After the three big Christian music publishers passed on publishing my song in the late ’70s, I decided to keep the copyright and establish New Jerusalem Music to manage my songs, as well as the songs of our friends and my son, Daniel C. Smith, of the group Danielson Family. The decision to create my own music company worked out incredibly well over the decades. This was the fulfillment of His promise all those years ago when He told me that I would do very well. I know we really do have a Good Shepherd who is guiding us, closing doors, and opening doors.

Every one of us has experienced disappointment and failure and had our hearts broken. But we don’t need to be bitter about it. If we look closely, we’ll see how God worked it out for our good. Over time, we become more understanding, more patient, and kinder to others who have been overlooked and forgotten. We must not forget that suffering is the very thing God uses to refine and strengthen us. Jesus set the pattern that crucifixion comes before resurrection.

I would never have taken up learning how to play the guitar in seminary in the ‘60s if I hadn’t been so desperately lonely for so long. And I would never have started writing Scripture songs if I hadn’t so deeply needed the comfort of the Psalms of David, who also knew something of loss and pain and heartbreak.

Looking back, I’m grateful I was fired from that last teaching job. It proved to be the door God closed before He opened a new door for me. That open door has allowed me to enter into a wonderful new world. Thank you, Lord, for being such a good, loving, kind, faithful Shepherd. I know I’m in Your good hands and that will never change.

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Posted by MaryO on October 17, 2025 in Epiphany, Holidays, Ministries, Music, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Abe Garver, cello, Heidi Jacobs, Mark Severeniuk, Patrick King, piano, Sanctuary Choir, tuba

Abide With Me

22 Sep

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Pender’s choir and congregation sang “Abide With Me,” a heartfelt congregational request. The hymn was accompanied by Heidi Jacobs on piano, Patrick King on keyboards, and Kenneth Carr on percussion. For generations, this beloved hymn has offered hope and comfort to countless people across the world.

MaryO’Note: I’m sure that many would think that this is a semi-odd choice for all-time favorite hymn.

My dad was a Congregational (now United Church of Christ) minister so I was pretty regular in church attendance in my younger years.

Some Sunday evenings, he would preach on a circuit and I’d go with him to some of these tiny churches. The people there, mostly older folks, liked the old hymns best – Fanny Crosby and so on.

So, some of my “favorite hymns” are going to be those that I sang when I was out with my Dad. Fond memories from long ago.

In 1986 I was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease after struggling with doctors and trying to get them to test for about 5 years. I was going to go into the NIH (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, MD for final testing and then-experimental pituitary surgery.

I was terrified and sure that I wouldn’t survive the surgery.

Somehow, I found a 3-tape set of Readers Digest Hymns and songs of Inspiration and ordered that. The set came just before I went to NIH and I had it with me.

At NIH I set up a daily “routine” of sorts and listening to these tapes was a very important part of my day and helped me get through the ordeal of more testing, surgery, post-op and more.

When I had my kidney cancer surgery, the tapes were long broken, but I had replaced all the songs – this time on my iPod.

Abide With Me was on this tape set and it remains a favorite to this day. Whenever we have an opportunity in church to pick a favorite, my hand always shoots up and I request page 700. When someone in one of my handbell groups moves away, we always sign a hymnbook and give it to them. I sign page 700.

I think that many people would probably think that this hymn is depressing. Maybe it is but to me it signifies times in my life when I thought I might die and I was so comforted by the sentiments here.

This hymn is often associated with funeral services and has given hope and comfort to so many over the years – me included.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

~John 15:7

Abide With Me

Words: Henry F. Lyte, 1847.

Music: Eventide, William H. Monk, 1861. Mrs. Monk described the setting:

This tune was written at a time of great sorrow—when together we watched, as we did daily, the glories of the setting sun. As the last golden ray faded, he took some paper and penciled that tune which has gone all over the earth.

Lyte was inspired to write this hymn as he was dying of tuberculosis; he finished it the Sunday he gave his farewell sermon in the parish he served so many years. The next day, he left for Italy to regain his health. He didn’t make it, though—he died in Nice, France, three weeks after writing these words. Here is an excerpt from his farewell sermon:

O brethren, I stand here among you today, as alive from the dead, if I may hope to impress it upon you, and induce you to prepare for that solemn hour which must come to all, by a timely acquaintance with the death of Christ.

For over a century, the bells of his church at All Saints in Lower Brixham, Devonshire, have rung out “Abide with Me” daily. The hymn was sung at the wedding of King George VI, at the wedding of his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II, and at the funeral of Nobel peace prize winner Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1997.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

~ From a post on another of my blogs, O’Connor Music Studio

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Posted by MaryO on September 22, 2025 in Posts of Interest, Videos, Webmaster posts, The Holy Bible, Books of The Bible

Tags: Bible, Cushing's Disease, kidney cancer, hymn, Congregational, United Church of Christ, Abide With Me, John 15:7, John, Gospel According to John

Stuff the Bus – Today

13 Sep

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed September Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is a national campaign to raise awareness and inspire people to take action for those facing food insecurity. NCS and our food access partners will present a one-day Stuff the Bus food drive on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations:

Lidl, 9001 White Spruce Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Giant, 2425 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Walmart Supercenter, 11181 US-29, Fairfax VA 22030
Giant, 1454 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
Giant, 1450 North Point Village Center, Reston, VA 20194
Giant, 7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Walmart, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151 – benefits WFCM
Giant, 7501 Huntsman Blvd., Springfield, VA 22153

Since launching in 2011, Stuff the Bus has collected more than 240 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. Statistics show the need for food is great, and demand is increasing. In Fairfax County 27% of people are food insecure, meaning that they have limited or uncertain availability to the food needed to live their fullest lives.

For more details and a list of most-requested items, visit Stuff the Bus.

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Posted by MaryO on September 13, 2025 in Get Involved!, Local News

Tags: food insecurity, gift cards, Hunger Action Month, non-perishable food items, serve, Stuff the Bus, WFCM

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Remember 9/11

11 Sep

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Posted by MaryO on September 11, 2025 in 911, Posts of Interest

Tags: 9/11

Charles Wesley

05 Sep

Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, most widely known for writing more than 6,000 hymns. Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, the son of Anglican cleric and poet Samuel Wesley and his wife Susanna.

In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over six thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include:

“Arise my soul arise”
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”

“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Depth of Mercy, Can it Be”
“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”
“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”

“Jesus, The Name High Over All”
“Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“O for a Heart to Praise My God”
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”
“Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose”
“Ye Servants of God”

Some 150 of his hymns are in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms, including “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and “The Church Hymn Book” (In New York and Chicago, US, 1872) where “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” is published. Many of his hymns are translated into other languages and form the foundation for Methodist hymnals, as well as the Swedish Metodist-Episkopal-Kyrkans Psalmbok printed in Stockholm in 1892.

Born: December 18, 1707, Epworth, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Died: March 29, 1788, London, United Kingdom