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Billy Graham: Introducing new church music can reach new people

unhappy-hymn

DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but from time to time our church’s music director introduces new songs into the service, and I don’t care for them. I like the old hymns, and wish he’d just stick with them. Should I complain to our pastor? — E.W.

DEAR E.W.: I know this has been a controversial issue in many churches, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers, especially since I’m not particularly musical! But we have a singing faith, and God has given us the gift of music to praise him. The Psalmist declared, “With singing lips my mouth will praise you” (Psalm 63:5).

Instead of complaining to your pastor (or anyone else), I urge you to ask God to help you be grateful for all music that points us to God, new or old. No, you may not like some of it, but others do, and God can use it in their lives to encourage them and bring them closer to Christ. Remember: The old hymns you like were once new, and someone probably didn’t like them, either!

Sometimes, I’m afraid, a hymn can become so familiar to us that we sing it without even thinking about the words. But this is wrong, because then our singing becomes empty and meaningless. Don’t let this happen to you, but meditate on the words of the songs you sing, and even turn them into a prayer.

Your music director has probably been wise to introduce new songs slowly; completely changing everything all at once can be disruptive. Pray for him and encourage him, letting him know that you’re grateful for his gifts. Yes, let him know you appreciate the old hymns, but support him also as he seeks to reach a new generation through music.

via Billy Graham: Introducing new church music can reach new people | The Kansas City Star.

 
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Posted by on August 27, 2015 in Music

 

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The Life and Hymns of Charles Wesley

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Charles Wesley lived from December 18, 1707 until March 29, 1788.  He was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Methodist founder John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley the Younger. Charles Wesley is mostly remembered for the over 6,000 hymns he wrote.

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”

 

 
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Posted by on April 6, 2015 in hymns, Posts of Interest, Videos

 

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Holy Week at Pender

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Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the church year. At the other end of Holy Week is Easter, the most important day of the church year.

For Christians, this is the big event! And it’s all about the mystery that somehow Jesus Christ makes us one with God.

March 29 – PALM/PASSION SUNDAY 

8:15 & 11:00 am Service Sermon Title: Old Rugged Cross

9:30 am Service Sermon Title: Palm Branches & Kings – Luke 19:28-38

Monday, March 30 – Kids’ Easter Event.  More information and signup

Thursday, April 2 – Holy Thursday Service

Friday, April 3 – Good Friday Service

Lenten Cantata ~ “In My Place” presented by the Pender Sanctuary Choir. 

Sunday, April 5 – Easter – We All Gonna Rise – I Corinthians 15:20-28 ; Mark 16:1-8

            Easter isn’t just a celebration.  It’s a reminder of a coming action.  Because Christ was raised you and me are gonna be raised.  That’s right Easter isn’t just Christ’s story its also OUR story!  Let’s celebrate this Sunday!

  • Sunrise Service
  • Easter Breakfast
  • 8:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • 9:30 am Contemporary Service
  • 9:30 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • 11:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • Easter plants are yours to take after the last service


What do you mean by Traditional-Blended or Contemporary worship?

We understand that people have different styles for connecting with God in a meaningful and personal way. Pender offers two styles: Traditional-Blended and Contemporary. You will discover the people who attend these worship services are varied in age. 

Traditional-Blended is largely traditional in flavor from a wonderful organ and beautiful hymns, choral, orchestra, children’s or bell music and traditional surroundings in our main sanctuary. Mrs. Theresa Carpenter leads the choir, and several servant volunteers are involved. During these services there is a time for the children on the altar steps at the front, and all children are invited to enjoy!

Contemporary worship is led by our praise band in a rock-and-roll style with many contemporary Christian songs that you might hear on the radio.  Rev. Kevin Havens delivers the message, often enhanced with video or drama.  Our contemporary worship services are more casual in nature, so wear your jeans or shorts if you want to, RevKev does!

Come for this Easter’s Traditional Worship to experience special music (Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus) and a special message brought by Pastor Kenny. 

Come for this Easter’s Contemporary Worship to experience great rock-style music and a special message brought by Pastor Kevin.  Our contemporary worship service is called “Common Ground” and is offered at 9:30 every Sunday, including Easter!

All of our worship is Christ-centered, Biblically-minded and relevant to life today. Pender UMC desires that you feel God’s Spirit nurturing you and that in worship you experience the very real presence of Christ with us. May you be blessed by God as you gather with us.

Where do I enter the building?

First, we want you to know that our church has worked hard to create a building with access for all. Whether you find yourself in a wheelchair or carting babies in a buggy, you’ll find automatically opening doors and large entrances.

As you enter the parking lot, you will notice two doors, both under porticos so that you may get out of the rain if it is wet. To enter through the main sanctuary entrance doors, simply look for the semi-circular driveway.

If instead you enter the sliding glass doors entrance, make a left into the hallway to the end where you will notice the welcome area on your left.

What do my children do?

We invite older children (3rd grade and up) to become fully involved in worship. At the back of the sanctuary are “children’s bulletins” and supplies like crayons.

Our younger children have the option of remaining with their family or being cared for by our wonderful nursery and childcare staff. Childcare is available for children ages birth through 2nd grade in the lower level of our building. Ask an Usher to help you find where to take your children!

Where do I park?

We attempt to have plenty of parking on Easter morning for our guests. However, we suggest you plan to arrive early, and if parking is full on our lot, there is parking on the street. 

What if I need further information?

Our friendly volunteers and staff will welcome your questions! Please call our church office at 703-278-8023 between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Once at Pender, ask any friendly face for help! We are here to assist you.

 

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Holy Week at Pender: March 29-April 5, 2015

holyweek-header2

 

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week of the church year. At the other end of Holy Week is Easter, the most important day of the church year.

For Christians, this is the big event! And it’s all about the mystery that somehow Jesus Christ makes us one with God.

March 29 – PALM/PASSION SUNDAY – Green and Dry Trees – Luke 23:26-31

            This Sunday we look at the cross and its meaning.  The tree had been cut down and was dead when they chose it for a cross.  So what is this about a green tree?  Let’s see the life that is in the Cross!

Monday, March 30 – Kids’ Easter Event.  More information and signup

Thursday, April 2 – Holy Thursday Service

Friday, April 3 – Good Friday Service

Lenten Cantata ~ “In My Place” presented by the Pender Sanctuary Choir. 

Sunday, April 5 – Easter – We All Gonna Rise – I Corinthians 15:20-28 ; Mark 16:1-8

            Easter isn’t just a celebration.  It’s a reminder of a coming action.  Because Christ was raised you and me are gonna be raised.  That’s right Easter isn’t just Christ’s story its also OUR story!  Let’s celebrate this Sunday!

  • Sunrise Service
  • Easter Breakfast
  • 8:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • 9:30 am Contemporary Service
  • 9:30 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • 11:00 am Traditional Service with Hallelujah Chorus and brass ensemble
  • Easter plants are yours to take after the last service


What do you mean by Traditional-Blended or Contemporary worship?

We understand that people have different styles for connecting with God in a meaningful and personal way. Pender offers two styles: Traditional-Blended and Contemporary. You will discover the people who attend these worship services are varied in age. 

Traditional-Blended is largely traditional in flavor from a wonderful organ and beautiful hymns, choral, orchestra, children’s or bell music and traditional surroundings in our main sanctuary. Mrs. Theresa Carpenter leads the choir, and several servant volunteers are involved. During these services there is a time for the children on the altar steps at the front, and all children are invited to enjoy!

Contemporary worship is led by our praise band in a rock-and-roll style with many contemporary Christian songs that you might hear on the radio.  Rev. Kevin Havens delivers the message, often enhanced with video or drama.  Our contemporary worship services are more casual in nature, so wear your jeans or shorts if you want to, RevKev does!

Come for this Easter’s Traditional Worship to experience special music (Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus) and a special message brought by Pastor Kenny. 

Come for this Easter’s Contemporary Worship to experience great rock-style music and a special message brought by Pastor Kevin.  Our contemporary worship service is called “Common Ground” and is offered at 9:30 every Sunday, including Easter!

All of our worship is Christ-centered, Biblically-minded and relevant to life today. Pender UMC desires that you feel God’s Spirit nurturing you and that in worship you experience the very real presence of Christ with us. May you be blessed by God as you gather with us.

Where do I enter the building?

First, we want you to know that our church has worked hard to create a building with access for all. Whether you find yourself in a wheelchair or carting babies in a buggy, you’ll find automatically opening doors and large entrances.

As you enter the parking lot, you will notice two doors, both under porticos so that you may get out of the rain if it is wet. To enter through the main sanctuary entrance doors, simply look for the semi-circular driveway.

If instead you enter the sliding glass doors entrance, make a left into the hallway to the end where you will notice the welcome area on your left.

What do my children do?

We invite older children (3rd grade and up) to become fully involved in worship. At the back of the sanctuary are “children’s bulletins” and supplies like crayons.

Our younger children have the option of remaining with their family or being cared for by our wonderful nursery and childcare staff. Childcare is available for children ages birth through 2nd grade in the lower level of our building. Ask an Usher to help you find where to take your children!

Where do I park?

We attempt to have plenty of parking on Easter morning for our guests. However, we suggest you plan to arrive early, and if parking is full on our lot, there is parking on the street. 

What if I need further information?

Our friendly volunteers and staff will welcome your questions! Please call our church office at 703-278-8023 between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Once at Pender, ask any friendly face for help! We are here to assist you.

 

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Sing ‘n Celebrate ~ January 11 at 7:30 pm

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Sing ‘n Celebrate ~ January 11 at 7:30 PM

Please note that we will meet for our January Sing ‘N Celebrate on the 11th instead of the 4th for two reasons: to avoid the long, New Year’s weekend and so that we can invite guests at our Hypothermia Shelter to attend. We hope you will plan to start the New Year with this opportunity to focus on “God’s Will For Our Lives”.

The scripture of I Peter 4:2 teaches us that followers of Christ should be willing and prepared to do God’s will and to suffer for it, if necessary. We are very much looking forward to hearing two of Pender’s younger members of our laity!! Your attendance will show your great Pender support!!

JC Reigns leads worship with both modern Christian songs and a selection of old church hymns – the aim is to meet the needs of all who attend. JC Reigns has been together for 14 years and over the course of that time, has recorded five Christian CDs and used all the proceeds to benefit world wide and local charities.

Whether you are a new Christian, or have been following Christ for years, this is just a wonderful way to gather in fellowship, sing songs to God and listen to your brothers and sisters as they share their faith. We invite you to come and bring a friend, meet other Pender People and leave with a song on your heart and the Son in your eyes.

 
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Posted by on January 10, 2015 in Get Involved!, Music, Pender UMC

 

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