"May the Grace of Christ Our Saviour" - Lyrics: John Newton 1779, Music: Kristi Rundvall 2009
This is an old hymn that I took, and revamped it a bit. I didn’t change any of the words, just the melody. I was flipping through my old “Psalter Hymnal” from my childhood and came across an old hymn by John Newton. Old meaning 230 years old. It was written in 1779 and the lyrics struck me because it summed up my heart’s prayer for my worship community.
I’ve desired to have more community within our worship teams and this particular course really challenged me with exactly that. It’s not about having a powerful worship service every Sunday, although that would be great. It’s about the journey, and relationship with God and each other.
I also happen to love John Newton’s story about the grace of God. God’s grace is so amazing and beautiful and I wanted to bless my community by praying over them the grace, the unmerited favour of God. And like the last lines of the song says, that we would possess in sweet communion, joys which earth cannot afford. That the grace of God allows us to enter into joy which can only be given by a generous, gracious God. And his joy allows us to serve one another in love and grace. So here it is. It’s simple and I just video taped it with my cheap little camera. Hope it blesses you, as I pray this song over you and your communities as well.
Kingdom Expectation has been a growing passion of mine. When I met my husband, he introduced me to a deeper, mystical side of christianity that is there for everyone, if they want it. Worship was always a tool I used to meet with God, and I met him countless times; but there is always more. I learned to explore heaven, not knowing that heaven was open for me now. I had glimpses, but didn't realize that I was communing with heaven.
I love that worship and music can be that door to heaven, and I love when others discover it. I desire for our worship to go that deep on a Sunday morning, and I know it does for some, if they engage, but I would love to be so great at creating that kind of atmosphere, that those who don't even know they can be in heaven find themselves there, and lives are changed, bodies are healed, revelation of truth takes place on a regular basis.
I am a big fan of Bethel Church in Redding California, mostly because they are pursuing a 'kingdom culture'. Not just in their Sunday service,but in every aspect of life. They are seeing amazing things happening because they have a real grasp on kingdom expectation. I want to see more too! Here, in my life, in my church, my city, my nation. Let's find out what God is doing, and pray it, say it, do it!
I really enjoyed this weeks talks on the subject of accessibility in worship. I particularly liked David Ruis' examples of making room for creative worship and arts, and how to work with the 'creatives' in it all. It so true that it is not about performing a really great worship service every Sunday, but making it about the journey allows room for relationship, communication, trying new things, making mistakes, etc.
I see a lot of areas in Harvest where there is room for the journey to take place, but I would love to see it more for the music teams on Sunday. I want there to be more openness, encouragement, relationship I guess. Since I am one of the few taking this course, I would say that I need to step up in these areas. If I want our worship to be more united, more relational, more of a journey than performance oriented, I need to be that example.
I also commented on the facebook disscussion that I had the idea for the African's to take a Sunday every once in a while. They have such a unique style, and I can't be it for them. It would be great to include them in their expression of worship since it is so great. I loved being in Africa, worshipping in such a lively way that is so different from our Canadian style.
Anyways, I think this course rocks. It touches on some really great stuff that is so needed when it comes to our walk with God and the journey.
I am woman, hear me roar. Actually it's more like: I am Kristi, read my babble, and look at really really cute pictures of my kids. Since having children, I am no longer Kristi, I am "Sparrow's or Gideon's mother", and darn proud of it!
