“no one is like you, o lord; - osceola united methodist...
TRANSCRIPT
Nov. 16th, 2014 Theme & Title: The Greatness of God in the Christian Life.
How Great Thou Art / How Great is Our God.
Scripture Lesson: I Chronicles 29:10-13 Pastor Bob Vale
Biblical Focus: Jeremiah 10:6 “No one is like you, O LORD;
you are great, and your name is mighty in power.”
Scripture Lesson: I Chronicles 29:10-13 “David praised the LORD in
the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 1CH 29:11
Yours,
O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty
and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1CH 29:12
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 1CH 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious
name.”
Worship Service Bulletin Information (November 16th, 2014)
Saturday Worship Service:
Hymn of Praise: # 62 All Creatures of Our God & King.
Praise Chorus: How Great is Our God
Offertory: Lynn Lambert Special on Her Accordion
Song within Sermon: How Great Thou Art & How Great Thou Art
Closing Song to finish the service: Sandi Patti How Great Thou Art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
Communion Music: Video: Remembrance by Matt Redmond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oCNwIA6xLc
2nd
video: In Remembrance of Me: Communion Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WReXhV7MpI0
Sunday Traditional:
Hymn of Praise: # 62 All Creatures of Our God & King.
Prayer Hymn: # 381 Savior Like a Shepherd Led Us.
Offertory: Lynn Lambert Special on Her Accordion
Hymn of Response: How Great Thou Art: How Great is Our God
Closing Song to finish the service: Sandi Patti How Great Thou Art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
Sunday Contemporary:
Praise Chorus: # 1 Forever Reign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMknfsWrzN8
Praise Chorus: # 2 Crayon Box: Camp Song for Children
Offertory: Video: That’s My King (In Pastor Bob’s DVD Collection)
Praise Chorus: # 3 Indescribable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqMYHmoXMAQ
Praise Chorus: # 4 How Great is our God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu-2g2K7CEI
Closing Song to finish the service: Sandi Patti How Great Thou Art:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
How Great Thou Art: The first Christian hymn song I ever learned
was, How Great Thou Art. I learned that song at an old country church
as a young boy: Solomon Creek United Methodist Church. (How
Great Thou Art) It seemed like nearly every time we went to the church
that was a song we sang often.
The wonderful song, “How Great Thou Art,” is a, 1885 Christian
hymn based upon a Swedish poem written by, Carl Gustav Boberg
(1859 – 1940). The poem was set to an old Swedish folk song of the
day. The poem was translated into English by a British Methodist
missionary named, “Stuart K. Hine,” who also added three more verses.
Although becoming a very well known song in Sweden and
Britain, the song was popularized in America and other parts of the
world by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy
Graham Crusades.
Let me share with you a bit about the author: Stuart Keene Hine was
born in west London on the 25th July 1899, just as a turbulent new
century was dawning. He made his own personal commitment to Christ
at the age of 14 and shortly after, he was baptized into the faith.
At the age of eighteen, Stuart was called up for military service in
France. These were terrifying days, but Stuart’s faith remained strong.
Returning to London, in December 1919, Stuart eventually found
employment as a clerk with the Japanese multinational Mitsubishi.
On June 20th
, 1923, at Manor Park Baptist Church, Stuart married
Mercy Salmon and within a month of their wedding they set out for
Poland to begin a period of service in Eastern Europe which was to last
for over sixteen years. In June 1934, as a Methodist Missionary, Stuart set off on a three
hundred mile mission to pass out bibles on his bicycle to the people of
the nearby Carpathian Mountains, little imagining how momentous it
would be. It was this journey that gave birth to his hymn ‘How Great
Thou Art!’
There are four verses to the hymn, How Great Thou Art. The first
two verses were based upon the Swedish poem of Carl Gustav Boberg in
1885. Verses three and four were of Stuart’s own creation.
As Stuart later wrote, ‘the thoughts of the first three verses of How
Great Thou Art!, were an expression of my unforgettable experiences in
the Carpathian Mountains.’
Verse one was written from the poet Boberg, about the beautiful
mountains and seeing the beauty of God’s creation. There were times
when high in the mountains the clouds would roll in and the tremendous
rolling thunder would clap against the mountain with such great power
and majesty.
At night the writer would gaze upon the millions of stars created by
the Lord & view the universe, which caused him to write the first verse.
Verse 1
O Lord my God. When I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed
The second verse was inspired by the ‘awesome wonder’ and
beauty of God’s creation and confirmed as Stuart rode his bike through
the Carpathian Mountains passing out bibles from village to village. As
he rode through the forest and could hear the birds singing, the gentle
sound of water in the brook and feel the breeze in his face as he rode his
mission bike to pass out bibles.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Verse three was written by Stuart himself as a result of watching
the villagers expressing their amazement and joy at hearing for the first
time the revelation of God's love and accepting the Christian faith.
And when I think that God his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
The last verse was also written by Stuart, as the affects of WWII
fell upon the displaced and fallen people of Europe. In 1948, the grief
and sorrow of refugees from Eastern Europe, separated from their loved
ones, inspired Stuart to write verse four; a verse of hope for a future
reunion in Heaven from those who had died during the war. Stuart knew
that many of his countrymen and other loss their lives as over 60 million
people lost their lives in WWII.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
“This great hymn teaches us three essential truths:
1. The greatness of God’s creation.
2. The greatness of Christ’s redemption upon the lost of the world.
3. The greatness of our future inheritance in heaven.”
Let’s take a bit of a look at these three lessons from the song How Great
Thou Art
1. The greatness of God’s creation.
A. God reveals himself in the wonder and beauty of His Creation.
B. I am in awe of the Big Blue Marble in the sky.
1. The earth around the equator is 25,000 miles around.
2. From top to bottom if you drilled a hole: 8,000 miles.
3. Earth is made up of 70% water and 30% land. (Fresh Water is
only 2%) 20% of the earth’s fresh water is around the great
lakes.
4. Earth is it’s Hottest at 136 F. & Coldest = -129 F
5. Earth is the only planet in our solar system with water in three
different forms: Solid, Liquid and Gas.
6. Only planet in our solar system with self producing oxygen.
7. We get the four beautiful seasons because God has tilted the
earth just right as it orbits around the sun.
8. Our atmosphere protects us from harmful rays from the sun.
9. The moon orbits the earth and helps regulate the ocean tides and
is part of the cleansing process of our marshland.
10. Earth’s obit is a perfect distance from the sun. Too close and
we burn up to far and we freeze.
Colossians 1:16-17 “For by him all things were created: things in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17
He is
before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
I’ve been both fortunate and blessed to see a bit of the beauty of
God’s creation around the world. The more I see of the Lord’s creation,
the more it shouts out from God…. “I created this to let you know I am
here.”
I know many of you have been blessed to travel throughout the
United States and world seeing many parts of God’s wonderful creation.
Nancy and I took the opportunity as we were raising our children to
show them a lot of God’s creation by traveling to National Parks and
unique places across our nation and around the world. It was a great
way of saying to our kids, look what God did….isn’t that cool!!!!
Psalms 24:1-2 “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it; PS 24:2
for he founded it upon the seas and
established it upon the waters.”
Please let me show you some of the highlights of my life as I have
traveled this planet we call earth. I hope my travels and what I have
seen will illustrate the beauty of God’s creation and how truly Great our
God is.
(I have seen.)…
The beautiful wheat and cornfields in our Midwest fields.
I’ve fished on all of the amazing North American great lakes.
I have been along the eastern seaboard & coast. I’ve seen
beautiful New York Harbor, prior to 911, as you can see the twin towers
in the back ground. (Picture taken in 1986.)
I’ve hiked and seen the majesty of the Grand Canyon, in Arizona.
I’ve seen the immense power of Niagara Falls in New York
I’ve seen the beautiful mountain ranges of the Appalachia, the Rockies,
the Grand Tetons, and the Adirondacks.
I’ve seen the expanse of both the Atlantic and Pacific and the crystal
clear blue waters of the Keys of Florida and the Bahamas.
I’ve seen and touched the huge redwood and sequoia trees of the west.
I’ve seen the amazing valley of Yosemite and swam across the river at
the top of the mountain waterfall. (Dangerous!)
I’ve seen the amazing beauty of Yellowstone National Park with
amazing wildlife and the eruption of Old Faithful.
I’ve seen the hot billowing volcanoes and immense beauty of the
Hawaiian Islands.
While serving in the Army during Desert Strom; I’ve seen the expanse
of the desert sands and oil fields of the Middle East. At night while
pulling guard duty, I saw the billions of stars, as they literally light up
the night sky.
I’ve seen the beauty of the Austrian mountains and climbed to the top of
the Zugspitze peaks.
I’ve see the jungles of Central America and listened to the thousands of
birds and seen the amazing waterfalls.
I’ve seen the rolling hills and vineyards of France and climbed the Eiffel
Tower overlooking the beautiful city of Paris.
I’ve climbed to the center of the ancient pyramids of Giza in Egypt and
sailed down the beautiful Nile River.
I was given the honor to visit the Holy Land. I had the privilege to
baptize people in the serene and peaceful Jordan River in Israel. The
same river Jesus was baptized.
I’ve seen the oldest city on the planet; 8.000 year old Jericho; as well as
the birth place of Jesus in Bethlehem,
I traveled in a boat on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught, preached
and walked on water, I’ve been to Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified
and saw the tomb where theologians think Jesus was buried and
resurrected.
When I entered the Holy Land and was riding in a tour bus down
the highway, I saw the cloud formation of a cross in the sky; the same
type of cloud formation of a cross that converted the emperor
Constantine of Rome to Christianity in the 3rd
Century A.D. I think God
was welcoming the Osceola group into the Holy Land. I was very
impressed!!!
I’ve seen wild elephants and lions on a safari in central Africa.
I’ve Kayaked in the Northern Boundary Waters, only 50 yards from a
mammoth moose and shook at the strength of that God created beast.
I also saw majestic American Bald Eagle fly around like sparrows.
Back at home, I’ve seen fog rising off of the calm waters of Baugo Bay
in the early morning hours, as the sun is slowly rising over the horizon,
while I am fishing out of my Kayak. How beautiful God’s creation is
right here at home.
Of all of these places I have been, and many more;….they shout
out to me from the Lord…..“I created it all for you Bob.” To let you
know I am here and love little old you! I am sure you have your special
places that you have traveled that reveal the greatness of God in
creation.
1. I have heard that scientist see God in the very small through the
telescope.
2. I have heard that astrologist see God in the stars and planets of the
universe.
3. I have heard that doctors see God in the complexities and miracle
of the human body.
4. I’ve heard the parents see God when they hold their newborn baby
in their arms.
If we look deep enough in creation…I believe we can see the greatness
of God.
Hardships: As much a God illustrates His greatness to me through the
beauty and wonder of creation. I believe we truly realize how Great
God is when hardship comes our way and God helps us through the
storms of life.
I’ve seen people tear up as they sing, How Great Thou Art when
they remember certain times in their lives where the greatness of God
has become real to them:
1. When a person has been hospitalized or a child or family member
has been very sick and asked the Lord for healing; Then the
miracles of medicine and Godly healing saved their life. Then the
song, How Great Thou Art becomes very real to them.
2. When parents have a wayward child and they have prayed that
God would work with that child or teenager. In time that
wayward teen becomes a responsible man or woman and they are
doing fine. Then the song, How Great Thou Art becomes very real
to those parents.
3. When a couple had tough time in their marriage; They called out to
God for help…and through counseling, prayer, and hard work,
their marriage is still alive and strong. Then the song, How Great
Thou Art becomes very real to that married couple.
4. When a loss of a family member or close friend causes us to feel
lonely and depressed. God reaches out and the Lord’s presence
becomes real and powerful as the Lord carries us through the
dessert time. Then the song, “How Great Thou Art” becomes very
real to that hurting person who needs healing.
5. When the bills and finances just don’t add up for a young family or
individual and that couple or person ask the Lord to help them
through a tough time. It seems God takes care of our needs and
the Lord gets us through those tough financial times. Then the
song, “How Great Thou Art” becomes very real to that married
couple or individual.
The greatness of God can be seen in many different ways.
How has God been great in your life?
Closing Song to finish the service: Sandi Patti How Great Thou
Art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
How Great Is Our God: The second song I want to share with you
was written by Chris Tomlin several years ago in 2004. It has different
words but the same desire to talk about the greatness of God in the world
and in our lives.
The scripture for this song was Psalm 104:1&2 “Praise the LORD, O my
soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with
splendor and majesty. PS 104:2
He wraps himself in light as with a
garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent.”
Chris Tomlin said about writing this song, "I remember sitting on
my sofa in my little apartment. And Psalm 104 was the psalm I was
looking at. It said, 'You our lord are very great. You're clothed with
splendor and majesty, wrap yourself with light as with a garment' –
through those opening verses and just describing a little bit of God, the
glory of majesty, that little chorus came out. I started singing the chorus
and, man, I had no idea, I thought the chorus was just a little simple
thing and it was. I had no idea it would become such a song in the
church, and a song that finds its way in so many different cultures,
different languages. It's so transferrable, so accessible. I had no idea that
it would ever become that.
Chris commented how the song is being sung all across the word, but
many times it is partnered with the great song of faith, How Great Thou
Art. (Let’s sing both of them together.)
Closing Song to finish the service: Sandi Patti How Great Thou
Art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BumYH8n1k
Prayer: Heavenly Father: We say to you this morning: “How Great
thou Art.” Great are you in our lives, in the world, in the universe. We
praise you and lift your name on high. Amen.
Words of Wisdom: I have found in my life that the happiest of people
don’t always have the Best of Everything….they simply make the Best
of Everything they have.
Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face
to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his
countenance upon you, and give you peace. May God bless you until we
meet again, Amen.
How Great Thou Art (Stuart K, Hine)
G C
O Lord my God. When I in awesome wonder G D C G consider all the worlds thy hands have made, C I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, G D C G thy power throughout the universe displayed.
(Chorus) G C G Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; how great thou D G C art, how great thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior G D G God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art.
G C
When through the woods and forest glades I wander G D C G and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. C When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur G D C G And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
And when I think that God his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
How Great is our God / Chris Tomlin A2
How great is our God, sing with me, F#m
How great is our God, all will see D2 E A2
How great, how great is our God.
VERSE 1: A2 F#m
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty, D2
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice. A2 F#m
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide D2
And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice.
CHORUS
VERSE 2: A2 F#m
Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands, D2
Beginning and the end, beginning at the end. A2 F#m
The Godhead, three in one: Father, Spirit, Son, D2
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.
BRIDGE: A2
Name above all names, F#m
Worthy of all praise, D2
My heart will sing E A2
How great is our God.
Forever Reign: C
(Verse # 1) You are good, You are good, when there's nothing good in me G/B
You are love, You are love; On display for all to see C
You are light, You are light; When the darkness closes in G/B C
You are hope, You are hope; You have covered all my sin
C
(Verse # 2) You are peace, You are peace; When my fear is crippling G/B
You are true, You are true; Even in my wandering
C
You are joy, You are joy; You're the reason that I sing G/B C
You are life, You are life; In You death has lost it's sting
C G/C Am
Chorus: Oh, I’m running to Your arms; I’m running to Your arms G/A G F
The riches of Your love; Will always be e-nough Am G F
Nothing com-pares to Your em-brace Am G F (C)
Light of the world, for-ever reign
C
(Verse # 3) You are more, You are more; Than my words will ever say G/B
You are Lord, You are Lord; All creation will proclaim C
You are here, You are here; In your presence I'm made whole G/B C
You are God, You are God; Of all else I'm letting go
Am F C G (F)
Bridge: My heart will sing, No other name; Jesus Je-sus (Twice)
Road Map: Vs. # 1; Vs. # 2; Chorus; Vs. # 3: Chorus, Bridge, Chorus
Crayon Box
D A D G
When I was just a little Child, no higher than your knee, D A G D
My mother bought a box of crayons just for me. D A D G
I pick them up and I opened them up and I looked down inside, D A G D
And the colors there reminded me of Jesus when he died. (Chorus)
G D
Red is the color of the blood that he shed. A G D
Brown’s for the crown that they laid upon his head G D
Blue is for royalty, within Him it dwells. A G D
Yellow’s for the Christian, who’s afraid to tell.
D A D G
Afraid to tell of a savior who died on Calvary D A G D
Who died for lonely sinners, just like you and me. D A D G
But one day soon he’s coming back to be our king D A G D
And the colors of the crayon box you will surely see. (Chorus)
D A D G
Well I colored and I colored, until my crayons were all gone D A G D
Although I am much older now the memory lingers on. D A D G
So when I see a little child, crayon box in hand, D A G D
I tell them what they mean to me and hope he understands. (Chorus)
Indescribable / Jesse Reeves Em D G
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea. Am7 F—C--D
Creation’s revealing your majesty Em D G
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of Spring Am7 C D
Every creature unique in the Song that it sings; all exclaiming.
G D C2
Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky Em G C
and you know them by name. You are amazing God! G D C2
All Powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly Em G C2----------D2
proclaim. You are amazing God.
Em D G
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go Am7 F—C--D
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow. Em D G
Who imagined the sun and gave source to its light Am7 F C D
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night; None can fathom.
G D C2
Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky Em G C
and you know them by name. You are amazing God! G D
Incomparable, unchangeable C2 Em
You see the depth of my heart and you love me the same. G C2------------G
You are amazing God.
How Great is our God / Chris Tomlin A2
How great is our God, sing with me, F#m
How great is our God, all will see D2 E A2
How great, how great is our God.
VERSE 1: A2 F#m
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty, D2
Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice. A2 F#m
He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide D2
And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice.
CHORUS
VERSE 2: A2 F#m
Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands, D2
Beginning and the end, beginning at the end. A2 F#m
The Godhead, three in one: Father, Spirit, Son, D2
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb.
BRIDGE: A2
Name above all names, F#m
Worthy of all praise, D2
My heart will sing E A2
How great is our God.