Author: Aboksu

Citizen of Taiwan, resident of the USA. Clergy: The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Retired
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Bustin’ Lintels, Burstin’ Doors

Busting lintels, bursting doors 

the king of glory enters in,

turning tables on the mighty, 

lifting poor and trouncing sin.

Walls won’t stop it, roofs won’t top it, 

nothing can resist the joy

of the coming days when love and 

justice both will be deployed.

—–

Image: Tiansiu Liu on Unsplash

Source: Psalm 24:7-10

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

Tune: Ode to Joy, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/SingToGod-OdeToJoy.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Worship Video: https://youtu.be/2EzpIbwhTd8

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Called Sisters and Brothers

Christ now calls us sisters, brothers. Claims us as his very own.

In the congregation praising those with whom he’s flesh and bone.

Through his death he has destroyed the one who has the pow’r of death.

Freeing folk who lived as slaves in fear of being robbed of breath.

—–

Not for angels, but for people, Christ became a human too.

Serving God and showing mercy, our high priest, this Jesus who

gave himself as off-er-ing that sin might all be wiped away.

Shown effective, he is now the one who helps us ev’ry day.

———-

Image: Bailey Torres on Unsplash

Source: Hebrews 2:14-18

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

Tune: In Babilone , Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2011/Score/HailThouOnce-InBabilone.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Worship Video:  https://youtu.be/WyLghaldun0 

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Two Old Prophets and a Baby

At the time they brought him to 

Jerusalem to be redeemed,

Simeon, an aged man of 

 righteousness who was esteemed,

guided by the Spirit entered

temple precincts, praised the Lord.

“Master, now dismiss your servant

as you promised by your word.

—–

Now I’ve seen salvation that 

 you have prepared for ev-ryone,

bless-ed light of revelation,

 glory greater than the sun.

Bless, O Lord, salvation’s parents

 on the journey they must take.

Even as beliefs are challenged 

and their hearts and souls will ache. 

—–

Presently another prophet,

great in age came up to them,

saw in this young family the

future of Jerusalem.

Having finished ev’rything the

law required, they went home.

Growth in strength and wisdom followed

with the favor of the Lord. 

———-

Image: Rod Long on Unsplash

Source: Luke 2:22-40

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

Tune: Rustington, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/GodWePraiseYou-Rustington.pdf

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Worship Video:  https://youtu.be/N75-BC9WuNc

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In the Name of the Lord

Our help is in the name of the Lord

Who made the heavens and made the earth.

Who has shown ev’ry one what is good

These are the things that we all should do.

We must act justly, love mercy too.

With God walk humbly, in all we do.

Grace mercy peace be to you from God

And our Lord Jesus, always. AMEN

Photo by Maja Il on Unsplash

David Alexander 2019 CCO

TUNE: Mauna Loa 

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When Jesus Climbed a Mountain

When Jesus climbed the mountain, he saw the crowds and sat.

Disciples gathered ‘round him. He spoke to them, and said,

“Blest are the poor in spirit, for heaven’s kingdom’s theirs.

The mourners will find comfort, the meek will all be heirs.”

—–

“And as for those who hunger, and thirst for righteousness

they, too, will find their filling. They, too, are truly blessed.

The merciful find mercy, the pure in heart see God.

The peacemakers be kn-own as the children of the Lord.”

—–

“When you are persecuted for cause of righteousness,

then heaven’s gates fly open to offer you ingress.

When people speak against you, do not feel down or sad.

Rewards are waiting for you, like prophets of the past.” 

———–

Image: Dara on Unsplash

Source: Matthew 5:1-12

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

Tune:  St Theodulph, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2016/Score/AllGloryLaud-StTheodulph-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Worship Video:  https://youtu.be/sLSQ6FmK8c0 

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Foolishness

“Foolishness” the gospel seems, to those who are perishing.

But to all whom God does save, it’s the pow-er o’er the grave.

—–

Wisdom’s good, discernment great, but with God they do not rate. 

Reason met its limit where Christ was crucified out there. 

—–

Christ, God’s wisdom, is the pow’r given to us for the hour

When our weakness meets the wall human pride puts on us all.

—–

God has chosen what is low, to reduce the things that “show”.

Source of life in Jesus Christ, through whom we are sanctified. 

———-

Image:  Giorgio Grani on Unsplash

Source: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

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

Tune:  Gott Sie Dank , Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2019/Score/JesusName-GottSeiDank-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

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

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On God’s Hill

O Lord, who dares to live with you; dwell on your holy height,

but they who walk in blamelessness and only do what’s right?

—–

No slander on their tongues is found, no evil word of friends.

With neighbors far and near they love and never give offense. 

—–

They give no space to wickedness, and honor honest faith. 

They keep their word though it might hurt and lend at zero rate. 

—–

The innocent need never fear that they have been sold out.

God’s faith-filled friends will not be moved, God’s holy word to flout.

———-

Photo:  Scott Webb on Unsplash

Source:  Psalm 15

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

Tune:   Stalham,  Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2018/Score/QuiteThrough-Stalham-Chords.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Worship Video: https://youtu.be/OEr8LbP5r2U 

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Ask a Mountain

Ask a mountain, tell a hill.  

Earth’s foundations know the drill.

They have heard it all before.  

Nations contradict the Lord. 

—–

“What,” God asks, “is your complaint?

I have acted with restraint, 

bought you out of slavery, 

sent you prophets mightily.

—–

Those who thought they’d see you fall

were defeated, one and all.

Look back on your history;

see what’s there; return to me. 

—–

Calves and rams will not suffice,

Nothing I can sacrifice. 

Even death can’t wash away,

what my sin demands I pay.

—–

God has told us what is good;

called us to live as we should: 

justice, kindness, humble ways

in God’s presence all our days. 

———-

Image:  samsommer on Unsplash

Source: Micah 6:1-8

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

Tune:  Savannah  , Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/JesusComes-Savannah-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Worship Video: https://clipchamp.com/watch/Mji3drqvhJ3

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Now, Not Like the Former Time

Now (not like the former time) there will be no contempt.

Zebulun and Naphtali from gloom will be exempt.

—–

Later on a time will come for glory by the sea,

east beyond the Jordan and up north in Galilee. 

—–

People who once walked in darkness see a stunning sight, 

Dwellers in deep darkness meet a vision grand and bright.

—–

God exalts the lowly, strewing joy where there was none.

Lifting off oppressions that are all they’ve ever known.

———-

Image:  Leon Pauleikhoff on Unsplash

Source: Isaiah 9:4-9

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

Tune: Salm Foreol , Public Domain

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission