We are planning a Short-Term Mission trip to Northwestern Thailand in support of Austin and Sinte House (missionaries supported by Pender’s Faith Promise giving) from October 16-31.
During the trip, we’ll have the opportunity to provide evangelism, outreach, adult and children’s programs to those living in the Thai-Burma border region, as well as refugees in the Noh Poh Refugee Camp.
For more information, please contact Mark Reese by clicking on this link or attend an information session this Sunday, July 7th after the 11 am service.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 145:3
“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Sweden in 1885. The melody is a Swedish folk song. Its popularity is due in large part to its wide use by gospel singers, notably George Beverly Shea of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team.
The original Swedish text was a poem entitled “O Store Gud.” written by a Swedish pastor, the Reverend Carl Boberg, in 1886. In addition to being one of the leading evangelical preachers of his day. Boberg was also the successful editor of the periodical Sanningsvittnet. His inspiration for this text is said to have come from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast coast of Sweden. He was suddenly caught in a midday thunderstorm with awe-inspiring moments of flashing violence, followed by a clear brilliant sun. Soon afterwards he heard the calm, sweet songs of the birds in nearby trees. The experience prompted the pastor to fall to his knees in humble adoration of his mighty God, He penned his exaltation in a nine-stanza poem beginning with the Swedish words “O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader.”
Several years later Boberg was attending a meeting in the Province of Varmland and was surprised to hear the congregation sing his poem to the tune of an old Swedish melody. It is typically characteristic of many other hymn tunes, i.e., “Day by Day” with its lilting, warm, singable simplicity.
With his original English lyrics and his arrangement of the Swedish folk melody, Mr. Stuart K. Hine published what we know today as the hymn “How Great Thou Art.” Assignments of copyrights and publication rights to an American publishing firm in 1954 helped spread the popularity of this hymn. In April of 1974 the Christian Herald magazine, in a poll presented to its readers, named “How Great Thou Art” the No. 1 hymn in America.
How Great Thou Art
Verse 1:
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Verse 2:
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Chorus
Verse 3:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Chorus
Verse 4:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Can you help us decorate for Vacation Bible School?
We have a special request for wooden barrels (we will return them after the week of July 8-12th).
If you have a barrel we can use, please contact Jami Flemmons by clicking on this link.
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Pender’s 2013 summer Vacation Bible School will be held July 8-12, from 9-12 each morning.
Our theme this year will be Gospel Light’s SonWest Roundup. Kids will “travel down the trail through the Old Testament stories of Moses to discover God’s ultimate plan of salvation in Jesus.”
The Bible verse for the week will be Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
VBS is open to Cowboys and Cowgirls ages 3 through 6th grade (children MUST be potty trained – teachers will NOT change diapers).
Registration fees for 2013 will be $20 per child, $40 maximum per family and can be paid on the first day of VBS.
**REGISTRATION IS CLOSED**
We’re sorry, but our “ranch” has reached capacity and to ensure the safety of all our Cowboys and Cowgirls we have closed registration for this year’s VBS.
If you would like to place your child’s name on the waiting list, please email Jami Flemmons. Please include your child’s name, age and grade for Fall 2013.
We are still in need of Deputies and Ranch Hands to assist with VBS! If you would like to help or have questions, please contact Jami Flemmons
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