“A Prayer for Healing” was the offertory anthem at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on October 1, 2023. It was sung by Pender’s Sanctuary choir, directed by Jane McKee and accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs. With words and music by Joseph M. Martin, this powerful music references John 2, Jeremiah 14:1-22, John 14:27, John 9:1-41
Written during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this song of spiritual and physical wellness speaks to many moments of need. Opening with the first few chords of O God, Our Help in Ages Past, the anthem is framed as a petition for God’s healing mercy. The unison melody gently rises and falls before all join in on the prayerful refrain: “In the silence help us hear words of hope and promise clear. Teach us not to live in fear. Lord of all, we pray to you.” A true anthem of hope!
“Where There is Love” was the offertory anthem at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on September 17, 2023 It was sung by Pender’s Sanctuary choir, directed by Jane McKee and accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs.
Composed by Karen Crane/arr. Douglas Nolan, there is a simple pristine melody in this sacred song. Rising like a gentle prayer, the music reminds the listener of the heartbeat of the gospel: God is love! “Oh, let God’s love flow through me, like the air I breathe, ev’ry word I say, be a testament of grace.”
At Pender’s common ground contemporary worship on September 10, 2023 the Pender Praise Band sang 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord).
Led by AJ Rios on keyboards, the band consists of Megan Parker, Jane McKee (autoharp) and Arlet Williams.
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” is a worship song co-written by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin, first recorded by Redman for his 10,000 Reasons album, released in 2011 on Kingsway Music, and subsequently included on a number of compilations, covered by other artists and included as congregational worship music in English or in translation around the world.
In 2013, the song won two Grammy Awards for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Song” and “Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance”.
After the song’s success and impact, Redman also published a book: 10,000 Reasons: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Thankfulness Inspired by the Worship Anthem.
“Sanctuary” was the offertory anthem at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on September 10, 2023 It was sung by Pender’s Sanctuary choir, directed by Jane McKee and accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs.
This popular praise chorus is paired with original words and music by Lloyd Larson. The prayerful message calls for each worshiper to come before God in devotion and thanksgiving.
The Scriptural Reference is Romans 12:1-2.
Sanctuary was written by Randy Scruggs and John W. Thompson. Randy Scruggs was born in 1953 and died 62 years later. He was named CMA Musician of the Year in 1999, 2003 and 2006. He was first recorded when he was four years old, his dad was a well known banjo player. He wrote hits for several individuals throughout his life.
John’s co-authorship of the song was close to the time when he wrote another song – El Shaddai (with Michael Card) – that has gone on to various accolades.
“Love Divine All Loves Excelling was the opening hymn at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on July 23, 2023 It was sung by Pender’s congregation, accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs and flute by Brian Stevenson.
The Pender UMC Traditional Service Opening Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” on Sunday June 26, 2022 was accompanied by Liz Sellers on piano and sung by the Pender Congregation.
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Charles Wesley UM Hymnal, No. 384
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was a prolific hymn writer of the 18th century. Coming from a musical family, he left a lasting legacy of congregational song.
The youngest of 18 children, Charles possessed prodigious talents that soon blossomed. Little did he know that “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” would rise to become one of the most popular and consistently vocalized Christian songs.
Writing hymn texts that are solidly based on the Scriptures gives them an appeal across denominational lines. It is estimated that during his lifetime, Wesley penned more than 9,000 poems of a spiritual nature, 6,000 of which are hymns. His writings were passionate and well-crafted, conveying the true essence of Christian teaching.
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