Welcome to the August 9th, 2015 service podcast.
The sermon, given by Bette Decoteau, begins at minute 41:40.
Order of Service:
Prelude
Lighting of the Candles
Welcome and Greetings: God Smiled as you made your way here
Call to Worship: #440 I Sought the Lord
Invocation and Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)
Gloria Patri (#805)
Hymn of Joy: #242 In the Garden
Invitation to Tithes & Offerings
Anthem: How Great Thou Art (Charlie Duquette leading)
Doxology & Prayer of Dedication
Children’s Time: Karen Kibbe
Scripture: John 14:23
Hymn of Preparation: #782 Come Share The Lord
Prayer Time: Hear God’s Voice
Sermon: Home is Where the Heart is
Hymn of Parting #441 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
Benediction and Choral Amen
Note from Charlie Duquette:
“This Sunday I sang a song that was my late Fathers favorite hymn, and here is the rest of the story:
“How Great Thou Art” had its beginning in 1885, in southern Sweden, the home of its author and Swedish preacher, by the name of Carl Boberg, at age 26. Boberg said of the writing of his song:
“It was in 1885, and in the time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest coloring; the birds were singing in trees and wherever they could find a perch. On a particular afternoon friends and I had been to Kronobäck where we had participated in an afternoon service. As we were returning, a thunderstorm began to appear on the horizon. We had to hurry to shelter. Thunder pealed in loud claps and the lighting flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. However, the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared with a beautiful rainbow. After reaching my home I opened my window toward the sea. There evidently had been a funeral because the church bells were playing the tune of a hymn. That same evening I wrote a poem which I titled, ‘O Store Gud,’ (How Great Thou Art).”
Just think the oldest church in Western Mass had been praising the Lord for many years before Pastor Boberg wrote this!”
