Chancel Choir Agenda

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December 3rd Devotional

Beloved,
Today’s devotional reminds me of that simple, yet powerful song by the Gaithers:  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…there’s just something about that name.  There is indeed power in the name of Jesus!  So, when the going gets tough and you find yourself out of touch, who will you call out to?  Be blessed as you practice your faith through calling out to Jesus!  Hugs and Love, Scott
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Do Not Be Surprised by the fiery attacks on your mind.  When you struggle to find Me and to live in My Peace, don’t let discouragement set in.  You are engaged in massive warfare, spiritually speaking.  The evil one abhors your closeness to Me, and his demonic underlings are determined to destroy our intimacy.  When you find yourself in the thick of battle, call upon My Name:”Jesus, help me!”  At that instant, the battle becomes Mine; your role is simply to trust Me as I fight for you.

My Name, properly used, has unlimited Power to bless and protect.  At the end of time, every knee will bow (in heaven, on earth, and under the earth)when My Name is proclaimed.  People who have used My Name as a shoddy swear word will fall down in terror on the awesome day.  But all those people who have drawn near Me through trustingly uttering My Name will be filled with inexpressible and glorious Joy.  This is your great hope, as you await My return.

Ephesians 6:12 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1 Samuel 17:47 
47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Philippians 2:9-10 (AMP)
 9Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,10That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

1 Peter 1:8-9 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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December 2 Devotional

Dear Friends,
May the God of Light, Joy, Hope, Love and Peace be with you today and every day!  Scott

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I Am The Prince Of Peace.  As I said to My disciples, I say also to you: Peace be with you.  Since I am your constant Companion, My Peace is steadfastly with you.  When you keep your focus on Me, you experience both My Presence and My Peace.  Worship Me as King of kings, Lord of lords, and Prince of Peace.

You need My Peace each moment to accomplish My purposes in your life.  Sometimes you are tempted to take shortcuts, in order to reach your goal as quickly as possible.  But if the shortcut requires turning your back on My peaceful Presence, you must choose the longer route.  Walk with Me along paths of Peace; enjoy the journey in My Presence. 

Isaiah 9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 20:19-21 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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December 1st Devotional

Dear Friends,
“Be still and know that I am God”.  If you’re like me, it’s difficult at times to “be still”, especially during the holidays!  But, as we quickly approach Christmas day, I pray that you will find time to simply “be still” and prepare your hearts, minds, souls and spirits for the coming of Christ anew in your lives.  Be blessed in this.  Amen!  Hugs, Scott
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I Love You with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity.  Before you were born, I knew you.  Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to beyond the grave.

Modern man has lost the perspective of eternity.  To distract himself from the gaping jaws of death, he engages in ceaseless activity and amusement.  The practice of being still in My Presence is almost a lost art, yet it is this very stillness that enables you to experience My eternal Love.    You need the certainty of My loving Presence in order to weather the storms of life.  During times of severe testing, even the best theology can fail you if it isn’t accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me.  The ultimate protection against sinking during life’s storms is devoting time to developing your friendship with Me. 

Jeremiah 31:3 3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Lamentations 3:22-26 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 30 Devotional

Dear Friends,
Today’s devotional is just too good not to pass on.  It certainly hit a nerve with me.  Here’s why:  The Ferrells have been having an unusual amount of car troubles over the last month or so.  It seems like we get one car working and the other one breaks down.  As of this writing we have one car up in the air at a Midas place getting new wheel bearings and a new spindle that had to be ordered.  Last night, Cheryl’s car wouldn’t start.  I was hoping I could fix it, but it is beyond me and my expertise.  So, it sits in the garage with a call to a mechanic who will hopefully get to it on Monday.  Frustrating!  I confessed to my wife that I hate not being able to fix things.  God knows this about me too.  So, I have to let it go, be grateful we have cars to fix and continuing working on what is most important–my relationship with God.  Amen!
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Problems Are Part Of Life. They are inescapable; woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.

Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don’t weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.

Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,42but only on thing is needed” Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord JesusChrist,21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 25 Devotional

Dear Blessed Friends,
I loved what Ceasar said this past Sunday when he was speaking about his aunt who thanked Jesus when things were not working out according to plan.  For we know that God’s ways are higher than our ways, so why not thank Him in every situation?  However, I have to admit that thanking Jesus when a car doesn’t start is really not the first words on my lips.  Help me Jesus! Those words would more likely be on my mind and lips.  So, keep trying, keep practicing and before you know it, you’ll be praying and thanking without ceasing!  Be blessed this week as you give thanks to God for everything!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Thank Me Frequently as you journey through today.  This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing,as the apostle Paul taught.  If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every situation.  These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers.  Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.

When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining.  If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patters will gradually grow weaker and weaker.  Draw near to Mewith a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (KJV) 16Rejoice evermore.17Pray without ceasing.

James 4:8 
8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Romans 15:13 
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 21 Devotional

Dear Friends,
 
One thing God can’t get enough of–gratitude!  He loves to hear us give Him thanks and praise for all the gifts He has given us.  And, if you stop and think about it (tis the season!) we truly have been given much!  But most importantly, He has given us His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us in all things.  Be blessed as you meditate and pray upon this.  In grateful praise for you, Scott
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Thank Me Throughout This Day for My Presence and My Peace.  These are gifts of supernatural proportions.  Ever since the resurrection, I have comforted My followers with these messages:Peace be with you, and surely I am with you always.  Listen as I offer you My Peace and Presence in full measure.  The best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank Me for them.

It is impossible to spend too much time thanking and praising Me.  I created you first and foremost to glorify Me.  Thanksgiving and praise put you in proper relationship with Me,opening the way for My riches to flow into you.  As you thank Me for My Presence and Peace, you appropriate My richest gifts. 

Luke 24:36 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Matthew 28:20 
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:15 
15
 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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Sounds of Christmas

Click to hear a recording of Sounds of Christmas below.

The Sounds Of Christmas

Also, in case you want to listen to the other music it can be found by clicking the link for your part below. That will take you directly to the post where I originally posted the other music for the Christmas Program 🙂

Basses

Tenors

Altos

Sopranos

 

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November 19th Devotional

Dear Friends,
I stumbled upon a short segment on 60 minutes this past Sunday that featured one of my favorite Broadway starts, Mandy Patinkin. It was a fascinating interview of a brilliant man in his 60s who’s still going strong after all these years.  Of life and death, he said that it’s ‘all a big game and the sad part is we loose in the end.  We have to leave all of this behind…friends, loved ones, the planet…’ I’m not so sure I agree with Mandy, and as you read this devotional, you’ll see that I’m not alone in this.  Be blessed as you live in the moment with Christ as hand in hand you journey on this great adventure called LIFE!  Love, Scott
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Leave Outcomes Up To Me.  Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out.  Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion.  Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me.  When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help.  When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence.  Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.

You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes to Me. 

Psalm 27:13-14 13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Exodus 15:13 
13 “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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November 18 Devotional

Dear Friends,
As we continue celebrating this wonderful time of year, giving thanks and looking with joyful anticipation of Christmas, it is important that we are careful to stay connected to the source of our joy and peace.  It is impossible for us to lead others and to exhibit the joy of this season when we ourselves are not connected to the living water of Christ.  So, pace yourselves, say “no” every now and then and keep plugged into the well that never runs dry.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Come To Me, and rest in My Peace.  My Face is shinning upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding.  Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything.  As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete.  This is how I designed you to live: in close communion with Me.

When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations-real or imagined.  You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim.  Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you.  You offer these people dry crumbs rather than theliving water of My Spirit flowing through you.  This is not My way for you!  Stay in touch with Me, even during you busiest moments.  Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 7:38 
38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Ephesians 5:18-20 
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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