Songs of the Saints
Dear Friends and Families,
It’s no surprise that in the last couple of weeks, the music of both Olivia Newton-John and The Seekers have topped the Spotify and Apple Music charts.
The recent deaths of Olivia Newton-John and Judith Durham (the lead singer of The Seekers) have understandably caused a great sadness amongst music lovers across the generations, for their voices and music were both enduring and endearing.
As human beings, we are hardwired to sing, whether at concerts, birthdays, sporting contests or at places of worship. Music transcends cultures and it lifts our spirits. The great German reformer Martin Luther noted that, “Music is to be praised as second only to the Word of God because by her all the emotions are swayed. That is why there are so many songs and psalms. This precious gift has been bestowed on mankind alone to remind them that they are created to praise and magnify the Lord.”
Within the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, the author, the apostle John, gives a delightful picture of the future reality of the New Heaven and Earth ...
‘I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, and they were saying in a loud voice,
“The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power,
riches, wisdom, strength,
and honour, glory, and praise.”
Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying,
“Praise, honour, glory,
and strength forever and ever
to the one who sits on the throne
and to the Lamb!”’ [Revelation 5:11-13].
For those who trust in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is our assured reality: we will sing! We will sing that death, sadness, sin and suffering have all been once and for all defeated through the power of Christ’s cross.
I hope to sing these songs with you all one day!
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact either me or Reverend Sheela (our Associate Chaplain) at the respective email addresses below:
Reverend Peter: [email protected]
Reverend Sheela: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the prayer for the week below and sing the song at the weblink.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches listed below lead regular Sunday gatherings.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meeting at 10:30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Minister: Reverend Sheela Pandhare
Mobile: 0451 973 733/03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected]/[email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
Redemption Church Craigieburn (meeting at 4:00pm on Sundays in Building 12 – the Year 5/6 Centre at Hume Anglican Grammar: 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
A Prayer for the Week
Everliving God,
your Son, Jesus Christ, gave himself as living bread for the life of the world:
give us such a knowledge of his presence,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life to serve you continually;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Song (Sing [Your Love] – Hillsong Worship)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4l4ytPN9-Q