Make a Joyful Noice Unto the Lord

Yesterday I finished my mini-interim at the Parish of the Resurrection.  I provided supply to St. Paul’s Palmerston; Christ Church, Listowel; and St. Albans and St. David’s, Atwood for three Sunday’s in all including Easter Sunday.  It was an experience I enjoyed despite there being a 240 km round trip to the churches involved.  The first service was at 8:30 at St. Paul’s, the congregation which was farthest away, so it meant leaving at about 6:30 in the morning.  I especially enjoyed my experience with St. Albans and St. David’s.  Hey have a unique sense of church music which I found refreshing, especially after two services.  St. Albans and St. David’s was the last service which was at 11:45.    Yesterday’s music was equally refreshing with one old favourite, “That Old Time Religion” and three songs were new to me.  Worship opened with “Too Old to Die Young” by Kevin Welch, Scott Dooley, and John Hadley.  This is not the same song as the one with the same name in the recent Tarantino movie Django Unchained which I was just as unfamiliar with until I discovered it online. The lyrics follow as I believe that is the best was to introduce it to those who, like me, are unfamiliar with it. If life is like a candle bright, death must be the wind You can close your window tight and it still comes flowing in So I will climb the highest hill and watch the rising sun And I pray that I don’t feel the chill till I’m too old to die young Let me watch my children grow to see what they become Oh Lord, don’t let that cold wind blow till Im too old to die young Now I have had some dear sweet friends I thought would never die Now the only thing that’s left of them is the teardrops in my eyes If I could have one wish today and know it would be done Well, I would say everyone could stay till they’re too old to die young Let me watch my children grow to see what they become Oh Lord, don’t let that cold wind blow till I’m too old to die young Let me watch my children grow to see what they become Oh Lord, don’t let that cold wind blow till I’m too old to die young The closing music was “Mansion over the Hill Top by Ira Stanphill, the lyrics which follow: I'm satisfied with just a cottage below, A little silver and a little gold; But in that city where the ransomed will shine, I want a gold one that's silver-lined. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop, In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And someday yonder we will never more wander, But walk the streets that are purest gold. Tho' often tempted, tormented and tested And, like the prophet, my pillow a stone, And tho' I find here no permanent dwelling, I know He'll give me a mansion my own. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop, In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And someday yonder we will never more wander, But walk the streets that are purest gold. Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely, I'm not discouraged, I'm heaven bound; I'm just a pilgrim in search of a city, I want a mansion, a harp and a crown. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop, In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And someday yonder we will never more wander, But walk the streets that are purest gold. However, the pièce de résistance was Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet by Marvin E. Baumgardner which was the offertory hymn.  Death is an angel sent down from above sent for the buds and the flowers we love Truly 'tis so for in heaven's own way each soul is a flower in the Master's bouquet Gathering flowers for the Master's bouquet beautiful flowers that will never decay Gathered by angels and carried away forever to bloom in the Master's bouquet Loved ones are passing each day and each hour passing away as the life of a flower But every bud and each blossom some day Will bloom as a flower in the Master's bouquet Gathering flowers for the Master's bouquet... Now let us be faithful till life's work is done Blooming with love till the reaper shall come Then we'll be gathered together that day Transplanted to bloom in the Master's bouquet Gathering flowers for the Master's bouquet... I was telling Lorna, only half facetiously, that I would like this to be one of the songs at my funeral (that’s would be an interesting topic for another time).  These selections do certainly expand the possibilities for Anglican worship.  However, I can see how it would not to be too many Anglican’s taste.  In any case make a joyful noise to the Lord.  Blessings.       Reply Forward Click here to Reply or Forward 0.38 GB (2%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 8 minutes ago Open in 1 other location  Details