Gifted by the Lord to Teach

Gifted by the Lord to teach, I sustain the weary ones.

When I waken daily I  listen to what’s on their tongues.

—–

Neither turned I backward nor played the rebel in the gloom.

Though some struck me, pulled my beard, others prophesied my doom.

—–

God’s my help in time of need. Stonily I face the street.

Who contends? Who vindicates? Come, confront, and we will see.

—–

Adversaries fall away. I’m not guilty night or day. .

Bring it on, for grace has won. God is with me all the way.

———-

Image:   Husniati Salma on Unsplash

Source:  Isaiah 50:4-9

Text:   David Alexander, 2020, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:  Culbach  , Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/LifeOfAges-Culbach.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:Isaiah 50:4-9 Gifted by the Lord to Teach

Go, Find a Donkey

“Go, find a donkey and a colt. Untie the pair and bring them both.

If anybody asks you, ‘Why?’” just use my name and you’ll get by.” 

—–

Some time ago a prophet wrote the king would come on ass and colt.

They got and brought them as he spoke, and for a saddle used their cloaks.

—–

The road was paved with palms and clothes as unto heaven praises rose.

“Since in the name of God you come, Hosanna to you, David’s son.”

—–

When through the gates this throng appeared, some folks inside thought, “This is weird,”

Outsiders said, “It’s plain to see, this is the one from Galilee.”

———-

Image:   Christian Hess Araya on Unsplash

Source: Matthew 21: 1-11 

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune: Winchester New , Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/RideOnRideOn-WinchesterNew.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

For Love that Doesn’t Change

For love that doesn’t change, O God, we give our thanks to you.

No credit to us people, though. Your love is nothing new.

When in distress we cry and find a different, broader place;

where nobody can harm us, for we’re in your strong embrace.

—–

When we take refuge in you, Lord, the haters have no chance.

Their pow’r and rank mean nothing, for you view them in askance.

They sting like bees and blaze like thorns; they push on ev’ry side.

We’re confident in you, O God. You are our strength and might. 

 —–

The righteous sing of victory won by the Lord’s right hand.

We shall not die, but live to tell God’s deeds throughout the land.  

The gates of righteousness stand widely open in advance.

That we may enter to give thanks in voice and song and dance.

—–

The stone that was rejected when the builders set the wall

became the one to bear the weight so others wouldn’t fall.

This is the day the Lord has made. Be glad in it, rejoice!

We ask you, God, to grant success, for we are yours by choice. 

—–

Bless everyone who in God’s name has come to any place

rejoicing in God’s steadfast love and everflowing grace.

For love that doesn’t change, O God, we offer thanks to you.

Your light has shined upon us. We’ll respond by shining, too.  

———-

Image:   Michael Yantis on Unsplash

Source:   Psalm 118

Text:   David Alexander, 2020, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:    Spes Celestis , Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/HowHappyEveryChild-SpesCelestis.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:https://youtu.be/aExGM7cP2_0

At the Tomb

Near the graveyard, Jesus tarried; 

Mary came and met him the-re.

Weeping where his friend was buried;

all could see how much he car-ed. 

—–

With good reason some expressed the

feelings others held insi-de. 

“Take away the stone,” he said but

Martha knew the man had di-ed.

—–

He rebuked her; They obeyed him.

Jesus looked to God and pray-ed.

Called his friend and outward bade him.

Many more believed that d-ay. 

———-

Image:   Jan Lievens, The Raising of Lazarus, 1631 

Source:   John 11:30-45

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:     Ae Fond Kiss, Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2011/Score/WhoWouldEver-AeFondKiss.pdf   

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSB1eyYJ4s8 

When Jesus Arrived

When Jesus arrived he

found Lazarus dead,

already four days in the tomb.

The friends of his sisters 

had gathered around,

consoling and sharing their gloom.

—–

When Martha met Jesus,

and Mary stayed home,

her confidence still hadn’t dimmed.

She’d known he could heal and 

she trusted that still, 

the Father would listen to him.

—–

She knew she’d be seeing 

her brother again, 

though plenty of time would first pass.

She trusted as well in 

her friend and her Lord;

Messiah, the first and the last. 

—–

She called for her sister

And gave her the word

The teacher had come and had called.

So Mary, who loved him

Got up and went out

With no hesitation or stall. 

——–

Image:   Lilien corpse

Source:   John 11:17-29

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:    Davis, Public Domain

Score:     https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/OThouInWhosePresence-Davis.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaxOc-Ofz0g 

Let’s Go Die With Him

When Jesus heard his friend was ill he wasn’t very worried.

And, trusting in the grace of God he didn’t even hurry.

His other friends were glad at that, they didn’t want to go there.

Perceiving only death in store, they didn’t want a nightmare.

—–

Remaining dense they had no sense that “sleeping” meant forever.

The Lord declare, “Do not be scared, we all should go together.” 

“For your belief I show no grief. So have no doubt, get movin’”

Among the group one man spoke up. “It’s time, let’s go die with him.”

———-

Image:   rawpixel.com  free image

Source:  John 11:1-16 

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:  Bishopgarth ,Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ToTheeOGod-Bishopgarth.pdf   

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EubWZnzV1EQ

The Mind of Flesh

The mind of flesh is set on death, 

the mind of spirit, peace.

Resistance to the ways of God

is sure to yield unease.

——

To please the Lord, if pleasing’s what

you set your heart to do,

Rely on Christ and know the life

the spirit offers you.

——

The spirit that raised Jesus up 

will give your body life.

And dwelling in your mortal flesh 

will raise you too, with Christ.

  ———-

Image:   Rawpixel.com free image

Source:   Romans 8:6-11

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:  Land of Rest ,Public Domain

Score:     https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/OThouWhoThis-LandOfRest.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTo_dHKQffI

Wind of the Spirit

Bones in a vision, scattered, dry and dead;

human ambition meets with nation’s dread.

Prophet’s resistance to divine command

leaves bones unsettled, strewn across the land

—–

Words of a preacher to a hapless mess

bring things together organized (at best).

Lifeless, inert but covered and enfleshed,

Yet lacking something. Waiting to be blessed.

—–

Breath of the Spirit, enter us today.

Wind out of heaven, waft us on God’s way.

Sails highly lifted, seeking ev’ry breeze;

life freely given, move us as you please.

———-

Image:   Campo de Huesos, Habana, Cuba

Source:   Ezekiel 37:1-14

Text:   David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-NC SA 4.0  

Tune:     Toulon , Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2011/Score/GodOftheProphets-Toulon.pdf  

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission. 

Worship Video:https://youtu.be/_Mj9B5SxZ84

Now I See

“I was blind, but now I see. 

That pa-rt isn’t myster-y.

How he did it, where and when,

 I could tell you once again.”

“We don’t want to hear that rot.

We know that he’s not from God. “

—–

“Ever since the world began,

There’s be-en no one like this m-an.”

“You know nothing but your sin. 

You can’t teach us anything.”

Driven out from kith and kin: 

Jesus came and took him in. 

—–

Called to say whom we believe,

We sa-y, “Jesus, only h-e.”

We were blind but now we see,

trapped by sin, but now set free.

Ignorance is an excuse.

Knowledge often gets abused. 

———-

Image:   Miles Peacock on Unsplash

Source:   John 9:25-41

Text:  David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-SA NC 4.0

Tune:   Life,Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/JesusLifeOfAll-Life.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com, Used by Permission.

Worship Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-w64r2CARI 

Changes Aren’t Accepted

Changes aren’t accepted when

 they come as a surprise.

We hold to traditions when

 we can’t believe our eyes.

Even when the one who changed

  presents herself and testifies,

we maintain our doubting ways;

  of “trust but verify.”

—–

Expert panels are convened

to rule on every case.

Technicalities are sought, 

and even rumors traced.

Verdicts can get twisted when

the prejudices have been nursed.

Even expert witness is

denied when someone has a verse.

———-

Image:   Ronald Ouyan on Unsplash

Source:   John 9:10-24

Text:  David Alexander, 2022, CC BY-SA NC 4.0

Tune:   Hatfield ,Public Domain

Score:   https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2014/Score/GloryBeToGod-Hatfield.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com, Used by Permission.

Worship Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iif3pj12mM