First United Methodist Church - DeRidder, LA

In the last of our Behind the Music series where we have been examining our faith through the lens of our favorite hymns and songs, we dive into a hymn from America's centennial in 1876, God of Our Fathers (God of the Ages) with an eye towards discerning what faith are others going to inherit from us, and what faith we have learned from those who went before us.

In the last of our Behind the Music series where we have been examining our faith through the lens of our favorite hymns and songs, we dive into a hymn from America's centennial in 1876, God of Our Fathers (God of the Ages) with an eye towards discerning what faith are others going to inherit from us, and what faith we have learned from those who went before us.

What was originally written as an exploration of the theology and message of two beloved hymns (He Touched Me and How Great Thou Art) as part of our Behind the Music series transformed into some reflections in the shadow of Charlottesville, forcing us to confront the incongruity of singing sentiments like, "He touched me, and o the joy that floods my soul," while also harboring internally if not expressing externally feelings and attitudes of anger, bitterness, rage, and hatred.

What was originally written as an exploration of the theology and message of two beloved hymns (He Touched Me and How Great Thou Art) as part of our Behind the Music series transformed into some reflections in the shadow of Charlottesville, forcing us to confront the incongruity of singing sentiments like, "He touched me, and o the joy that floods my soul," while also harboring internally if not expressing externally feelings and attitudes of anger, bitterness, rage, and hatred.

The shortest song of our Behind The Music series - the chorus to On Eagle's Wings - has been a sentimental favorite of many across the ecumenical church since it first came on the scene 38 years ago. Based on the the visual language of God's providential care found in Exodus 19, these words are always timely to recall as there are times when each of us wonders about God's presence and providential love.

However, to simply look at Exodus 19:4 through the lens of this beloved chorus for a 'feel-good' moment of reassurance would be to miss out on the essential nature of the entire passage, wherein we not only hear about God's protection but also our expectations and obligations as ones who follow the Christ.

The shortest song of our Behind The Music series - the chorus to On Eagle's Wings - has been a sentimental favorite of many across the ecumenical church since it first came on the scene 38 years ago. Based on the the visual language of God's providential care found in Exodus 19, these words are always timely to recall as there are times when each of us wonders about God's presence and providential love.

However, to simply look at Exodus 19:4 through the lens of this beloved chorus for a 'feel-good' moment of reassurance would be to miss out on the essential nature of the entire passage, wherein we not only hear about God's protection but also our expectations and obligations as ones who follow the Christ.

Along with last week's 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' this week's installation of our Behind the Music Series - In the Garden - regularly appears on lists of popular hymns of the Christian faith. Through the lens of Psalm 105, we explore some of the deep truths revealed through the words of this treasured favorite, reflecting upon how our lives look when we walk with God. The 'So What?' question is: How much more joy and peace could be present in my life (and those around me) if I were to “Come to the Garden” and walk with Christ?

Along with last week's 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' this week's installation of our Behind the Music Series - In the Garden - regularly appears on lists of popular hymns of the Christian faith. Through the lens of Psalm 105, we explore some of the deep truths revealed through the words of this treasured favorite, reflecting upon how our lives look when we walk with God. The 'So What?' question is: How much more joy and peace could be present in my life (and those around me) if I were to “Come to the Garden” and walk with Christ?

In this week's installment of our Behind the Music: Exploring God's Witness through Our Favorites we encounter one of your most requested hymns...What a Friend We Have in Jesus. This sentimental favorite of multiple generations of the church brings words of comfort and peace whenever it is sung, comfort and peace that transcends any circumstance, comfort and peace that is yet another piece of evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit through the gift of music.

Acapella, accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, backed by a mass choir in the gospel tradition, stirred by a high-quality pipe organ...there is nothing like the presentation of the gospel story found in Joseph M. Scriven's poem from 1855 written to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.

Our text, Matthew's recounting of Christ's parable about good seed and weeds as found in the 13th chapter of his gospel, points us towards the reality that Christ is indeed our friend who is with us always, in the good times and the difficult.

In this week's installment of our Behind the Music: Exploring God's Witness through Our Favorites we encounter one of your most requested hymns...What a Friend We Have in Jesus. This sentimental favorite of multiple generations of the church brings words of comfort and peace whenever it is sung, comfort and peace that transcends any circumstance, comfort and peace that is yet another piece of evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit through the gift of music.

Acapella, accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, backed by a mass choir in the gospel tradition, stirred by a high-quality pipe organ...there is nothing like the presentation of the gospel story found in Joseph M. Scriven's poem from 1855 written to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.

Our text, Matthew's recounting of Christ's parable about good seed and weeds as found in the 13th chapter of his gospel, points us towards the reality that Christ is indeed our friend who is with us always, in the good times and the difficult.