Monday, December 20, 2021

Merry Christmas & Christmas Concert Highlights

Merry Christmas to those of you who are Christians and visiting my blog this week.  I have not been feeling that well in recent times.  I still have much to be thankful for.  God has provided much for my family despite my great limitations.  

It has been a crazy year with the world in a mess, and so much deception and attempts at control by so many in various places.  I was blessed earlier in the year to be able to make it to visit Truth Community Church one Tuesday night, and I saw the Ark Encounter using a driving wheeled chair.  Even though I had some difficulties on that trip, I am thankful that I was doing better then than now as far as energy goes. Please excuse any mistakes I make in typing this, as my brain is so often tired.  It's a struggle.

What many of us celebrate this time of year is the birth of Jesus to a virgin named Mary, and He was a real man and yet also truly God.  He came to save His people from their sins, and He lived a holy life without sin.  He came to die on a cross to take the punishment for sinners like you and me, and He rose from the dead so that we who trust in Him would be forgiven, have a right relationship with Him, and live forever in Heaven with Him.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 LSB (Legacy Standard Bible)

Jesus didn't come to save good people.  There is none righteous.  All have sinned and fall short of His glory.  You can find that out by reading the Bible.  If you haven't trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, please go to the Bible reading link I shared..  You can start with searching for and reading John, Romans, or even Genesis.

Grace Community Church Concert

For those who missed the Grace Community Church Christmas concert, here is the video they shared that was linked on their website (from Vimeo). (See more information HERE.)  I hope they don't mind my sharing their official video through this page.  I watched the concert, and it has a variety of styles (so don't stop if there is a song or two that isn't in your taste), and some of the favorite soloists that sing there were in superb form.  The kids were especially cute, and they also had bells and other instruments.

I was glad to see that one choir member was able to make it for the final concert though going through a great trial in life.  

Enjoy!

Christmas Concert 2021 from Grace Community Church on Vimeo.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Christmas Music & Church Music Discernment

Christmas Music

Charlotte Ryerson has an album out that includes a few songs for Christmas (along with a narration by Jack Ryerson).  It's called Friends of The Christ.  I found it worth a listen, and I've listened to the music again since the first time!

You can listen HERE.


Music Churches Should Avoid

In October, a couple of pastors talked with each other on a podcast about what kinds of music should be sung in church (and what music it would be best to avoid).  I recommend this podcast.

Music & The Lord's Day Worship (Nathaniel Jolly & Ekkie Tepsupornchai)


An Old Hymn

I have shared some music by Darby Hughes in the past, and I just found that he has done some new recordings including a couple of Christmas songs.  The following is one of them.  If you like it, you can go to the site to see more.

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"