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Written by John Witvliet
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Friday, 10 May 2013 07:31 |
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Note: This article, marking the publication of the new hymnal for Presbyterian and Reformed Christians by Faith Alive is featured in the June 2013 issue of Reformed Worship magazine.
The function of hymnals in the life of the church has changed dramatically over the past thirty years. Many congr egations rarely use them. Thousands of Christians seldom, if ever, open one. When people hear of the publication of Lift Up Your Hearts, it’s natural for some of them to ask, “Why would you ever want to publish another hymnal?”
The most basic response to this is that many congregations do use hymnals every week, in both public worship and in church education and pastoral care. Still others are rediscovering the value of hymnals, reintroducing their selective use alongside other ways of presenting songs. Indeed, the hymnal supplement Sing! A New Creation surpassed its original projected sales ten times over. Psalms for All Seasons did the same in less than one year. Hymnals from a variety of other publishers continue to sell out too.
Hymnals make several valuable contributions to Christian life today, in dynamic interaction with all the other ways we access and project music and information. Further, a hymnal is a valuable resource for all kinds of Christians, as well as congregational leaders, whether or not their congregation uses a hymnal in worship.
Here are ten reasons why: More |
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Written by PFR
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Friday, 29 March 2013 12:23 |
 We are eagerly anticipating the 2013 Christian Life Conference, June 29 - July 2 at the Montreat Conference Center. For over 40 years this conference has been an essential part of the faith journey of hundreds of people who look to the conference for spiritual renewal, teaching, inspiration, and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. God has blessed this conference and given us special joy as we reunite each year in the beauty of Montreat to be renewed by the Holy Spirit.
A special blessing awaits you at the 2013 CLC! This year we will celebrate a “Homecoming” for the Christian Life Conference. We will celebrate the rich history of the CLC while looking forward to the future as followers of Jesus in a rapidly changing world. We will celebrate who we are—members of one Presbyterian family that now extends through many denominational expressions.
We have always been blessed by spirit-filled teachers and leaders and this year’s line-up promises to be no exception. We will be inspired by beloved speakers from three strands of the Presbyterian family (PCUSA, ECO, and the EPC) uniting us as one people of faith. We will also celebrate our heritage of conference music, singing the great evangelistic hymns we love as well as songs of contemporary praise. This year we are also honored to partner with Lay Renewal Ministries and Youth Conference Ministries to expand the scope and voice of the CLC.
Click here for detailed information. Online registration is easy! Click here.
As aklways, CLC offers many opportunities for rest and relaxation as well as fun, faith, and fellowship. This year we will enjoy an evening of bluegrass music and BBQ! On Monday night, July 1, a totally new format for the Conference and a new setting for 2014 will be unveiled.
We want to be sure you are at 2013 CLC! Please join us for this special celebration as we share our common heritage and experience once again the beauty of Montreat. The “Homecoming” won’t be the same without you! |
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Written by PFR
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Saturday, 06 April 2013 07:08 |
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Thanks to a generous response to an appeal by The Outreach Foundation on behalf of the relief efforts of the National Evangelical [Presbyterian] Synod of Syria and Lebanon, they have collected over $140,000 in the past 14 months for the needs of Presbyterian families who have been displaced or adversely affected by the ongoing conflict there. Twenty of the thirty congregations of the Synod are located in Syria. Unfortunately, the conflict has severely damaged several churches, disrupted the ability of congregations to come together for worship and affected hundreds of families who have had to flee the fighting, leaving behind their homes and their livelihoods.
With the conflict now extending into Aleppo and Damascus, where two of the larger Presbyterian churches are located, the needs of the Synod are increasing. Many more Presbyterian families await help to meet the basic needs of food, medicine, housing and school fees. Additionally, expenses for heating fuel are adding to the burden of many whose jobs have been suspended or businesses closed.
The Presbyterian congregation in HOMS, Syria, was one of the first to be impacted by the violence last year. Its sanctuary was badly damaged and most of the congregation has been displaced. But they are still worshipping God---wherever they have landed---as we learn from the pastor:
“Beside the worship service we hold every Sunday in the church’s Home for the Elderly, we began a bi-weekly Bible Study for the people in Mashta [a nearby hilltop town to which many members have fled]. There is also a Bible study on Saturdays in the Valley [called the "Christian Valley" because there are so many Christians in this area near the Lebanese border]. Sometimes we celebrate Holy Communion.” He goes on to say that in Fihaileh [a small village in the Christian Valley] where there are seven Presbyterian families, he recently joined with them in one of their homes, celebrating Holy Communion as they sat on the floor around the stove. He wrote, "I felt I belonged to the early church," and closed his letter saying that despite all the difficulties, service in Christ’s name is sweet!
To support this ministry, please designate your gift for the "Syria Appeal" and either send it to The Outreach Foundation office (381 Riverside Dr, Suite 110, Franklin, TN 37064 ) or make an online donation through their website. You will also find a downloadable bulletin insert here.
On behalf our brothers and sisters in Christ who are his witnesses in this troubled land, thank you! |
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