written by Kait Raak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v5V0k0fwuE I mentioned before that Phil Wickham’s style easily invites me into a state of peaceful worship. This song is my favorite on the album and it brings up a lot of visuals for me as I like to close my eyes and take in the familiar words in a new …
Continue reading "#WorshipWednesday: “Angels We Have Heard On High”"
written by Ginger DenHerder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F756Mjxxrvc The familiar Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” dates back to 1863. During the American Civil War, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard the church bells on Christmas morning and felt the inconsistency of God’s peace and the war dividing the nation. The poem he wrote that Christmas Day, …
Continue reading "#WorshipWednesday: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”"
written by Pastor Cody Raak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ--HwWc4Ms Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)Son of God (Matthew 16:13-17)Dayspring (Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:78-79)Rod of Jesse (Isaiah 11:2)Desire of nations (Haggai 2:6-7) This hymn uses all these names for Jesus, to inspire adoration and expectation. Adoration, because we sing these names to "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his …
Continue reading "#WorshipWednesday: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”"
Written by Kait Raak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DE4w-W-PAo I discovered Phil Wickham's album last year and it became a fast favorite. He makes it easy to drift into a state of worship and wonder. Give the whole album a listen if you get the chance, but today I want to focus on his version of "Joy to the …
Continue reading "#WorshipWednesday: “Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)”"
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV - Paul makes God's will sound so simple: Rejoice, Pray, Give thanks. But if you're like me, these practices have been elusive this year. Thanksgiving calls us back to this, to …
Continue reading "#WorshipWednesday: “Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)”"
Emmanuel Family! This coming Sunday (November 29, 2020) is the first Sunday of Advent, the worship season that comes before Christmas. Many of us are hunkering down again, seeing the pandemic hitting closer to home. I want to invite you -- especially if you're parents with young kids at home -- to consider adding some …
This morning, with so much anxiety and concern, we are called back to the throne of Jesus, the King of kings, who has not been unseated, and is still -- always -- worthy of our praise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHz0w-HG4iU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHz0w-HG4iU 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in …
The RCA General Synod of 2018 commended the Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality to all RCA churches and classes "as a means of deepening our understanding of the biblical teaching on human sexuality and finding a pathway forward toward unity in mission and ministry.” The RCA General Synod of 2019 declined to receive …
Matthew 12:22-24, 31-32; Hebrew 6:4-6; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Hebrews 10:26-27, 29, 31; Galatians 5:25 The song that followed this sermon is linked below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nLXXephYRI God bless you and lead you by His Spirit through this coming week.
For those who attempted to worship with us over YouTube this past Sunday, we apologize for the technical difficulties with a new setup. Thank you for your patience as we attempt to improve that experience. Pastor Cody did record the audio of the sermon, at least. "The Spirit Is: the Presence of God (Faithfulness, Gentleness, …
EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH 