Posts Tagged ‘worship’

I’ve been searching the internet to buy a present for Christian friends who have two small children.  I was looking for a book they could use to introduce their children to the Bible: a “children’s Bible”, or at least a book of Bible stories. 

Most people have probably never thought about what it’s like to be an accompanist – to play the piano or another instrument whilst we sing to God. That’s because most of us don’t have to do it. But even those of us who do play don’t always think carefully about what we are doing or trying to achieve. For most people, when first asked to accompany the congregation, it’s a terrifying prospect; your greatest concern is to get through without making any mistakes and embarrassing yourself. …

On Sunday evenings we are studying the psalms together. I’m planning to cover the first twenty or so. The psalms were never intended just to be read, either silently or aloud. They’re not merely poems – they are songs. The book of psalms was the hymnbook of ancient Israel. So, if aiming to get the full impact of the psalms, emotionally as well as intellectually, it’s important that we sing them together.

Many thanks to all who have helped us cope with the demands of the last few weeks. I’m especially grateful for the men who stood in to take meetings while I was on ‘paternity leave’. But so many folk have shown us kindness in other ways. Thank you to those who offered to look after Jesse and John at different times, those who brought round meals for us, those who phoned, visited, e-mailed us. And thank you for all the cards, flowers, gifts that you’ve showered on the …

I’ve been thinking about hymnbooks.  And I’m not the only one. 

Christians everywhere are discussing hymnbooks.  In fact, they’re not just discussing hymnbooks.  They’re having blazing rows about hymnbooks.  Christians are leaving churches because of disagreements about hymnbooks.  Churches are splitting in half because they can’t agree about hymnbooks.  Pastors are being sacked because of their views on hymnbooks. 

Most of the arguments are about how modern a hymnbook should be.  Some Christians argue that since we live in a rapidly changing society, we need to be constantly …