Sunday Setlist November 2, 2008

We did a bit of Reformation Sunday this morning. Actually the sermon was to be from the end of James 4 (on being humble before God's sovereignty in our lives), and I wanted to bring both themes into our singing. But the sermon was switched to lessons to be learned from the Reformation. And that's just fine. It was really helpful and gospel-centered As you can see, the singing worked well either way.

Psalm 100/doxology   Eb/E

Opening Song: This is the kind of song we love to do -- mixing 2 songs into 1. The psalm setting (slightly altered from the Scottish Psalter version) plus Thomas Ken's well-known "praise God from whom." (Someday I'm going to write something about the use of doxologies in our singing. There's not just one, you know!) 

The psalm we sang to the tune "old 100th," and the doxology we sang as a bridge. I don't know the name of the tune we use for the "doxology" -- it's a 6/8. Sounds Sicilian (think music history, not mafia).

We've changed how we do our sets: We have an opening song before the call to worship. After the opening prayer, we do a long set (long for us, anyway). Then before the sermon, a final song.

Set: 

A Mighty Fortress  C

Always good -- Luther's paraphrase of Ps 46. I used the translation common in evangelical churches. There is another one found in Lutheran hymnals that we also sometimes sing -- helps keep it fresh.

Grace Unmeasured  C

from SovereignGrace. Here the band opened up!

God Moves a Mysterious Way  C

Here's another "2 for 1" song. We use the tune Dundee for Cowper's text (Bob Kauflin's modernized version), then insert Kauflin's chorus "So God we trust in you" every couple stanzas. Here's a case where I want to keep a standard tune that we know well, that works well -- but also include places for response. A mixing of old and new styles.

Whate'er My God Ordains  C/Db

If you don't know this hymn, get it. It will do you and God's people much good. We use a recent tune, one composed by Joy Malone (one of our musicians). It so helps the text. 

His Forever  Db/D

Another SovereignGrace -- it takes a major part of its inspiration from the hymn "I've found a Friend, oh such a Friend" (James Small, #433 in the blue Trinity Hymnal). Really Good Stuff. Right to the cross -- right to our union with Christ -- our security in him.

Before the Sermon:

To The Only God  F

Tomlin's wonderful treatment of Jude's doxology (vv.24-25).

Evening

We celebrated the Lord's Supper. Usually we sing a short set. Last night, Lift Hight the Cross, Glorious and Mighty (Ps 96 from SovereignGrace), Give Me Jesus (the old "white spiritual"), and Elliott's "Romans Doxology" (rom 11:33). 

See! Three doxologies in one day! Hmm...could be a pattern here.

This post is a part of Sunday Setlists hosted byFredMcKinnon.com