Music and Worship

MUSIC AND WORSHIP
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Since this is the Love month, let me start by saying how much I love our beautiful choir. I love them because they show up on Wednesdays and Sundays and I love them because they follow my direction with their eyes, their heart, and their mind. This past Sunday is a perfect example of their attentiveness. As they sang “Jacob’s Ladder,” I felt they were climbing all the way up to heaven with me with each modula-tion. Thank you so much, choir, for helping me to have a worship experience. And of course, having the choir filled helped as well.

Here are a few of my favorite hymns with the word “love” in the title and a brief background of each.
OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (Hymn 251) is among the greatest Christmas carols in Western history, and thankfully its popularity is on the increase, partly owing to the tender beauty of its probing score, DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, composed nearly a thousand years ago. John Mason Neale trans-
lated the poem from Latin into English in 1854. This ancient Latin hymn was written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, who was born in northern Spain in AD 348, not long after Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire following three centuries of persecution. Formerly a lawyer, he gave his life to Christ and at age fifty-seven, he entered a monastery where he devoted himself exclusively to worship and writing. Today we have nearly four hundred poems from his hand.
MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
“My Jesus, I Love Thee” (Hymn 210) was written by William Ralph Featherston at age sixteen as a poem celebrating his conversion to Christ. Reportedly, he sent it to an aunt living in California, and somehow it was published as an anonymous hymn in a British hymnal in 1864. The tune name is GORDON and was written by Adoniram J. Gordon, close friend of Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist.
JESUS LOVES ME
Anna and Susan Warner lived in a lovely townhouse in New York City where their father was a success-
ful lawyer. But the Panic of 1837 wrecked the family’s finances causing the girls to begin writing poems and stories. One of their most successful projects was a novel titled Say and Seal in which a little boy named Johnny Fox is dying. His Sunday School teacher, John Lindon comforts him by taking him in his arms, rocking him, and making up a little song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.: (Hymn 344)
Dennis Bucher

MISSIONS
Halifax Urban Ministries
During the winter months may we suggest donations of stews, beans for chili, macaroni, Ramen noodles. oatmeal and other “stick to the ribs” items for hot meals? As always cereals, peanut butter and baby formula are needed. Your faithful giving of non-perishable food items assists Daytona Beach families struggling in our current economy.
Countryside Lakes ALF
New Hope’s day to visit with birthday celebrants at the assisted living facility is Wednesday, February 16. Come help make someone’s heart sing. Meet in the lobby at noon.

NEW HOPE 101
Dr. Mulkey will lead the orientation to Baptists and New Hope Church in particular on Sunday, February 20 at 5:00. You are invited if you are a visitor, new member or current member who has not participated in this seminar. A sandwich supper will be provided.

REAL LOVE NOW ON FACEBOOK
The Real Love Company now has a Facebook community page. “Like” the page and recommend it to your friends. Share Real Love. During the week, you’ll get Greg Baer’s daily inspirational messages which will help you become happier, more peaceful and confident. This is the teacher of healthy relationships Dr. Mulkey quotes frequently.