Worship music comes in all shapes and sizes – sometimes fast and loud, and sometimes slower and contemplative. 
This week Kimberly Lynn shares a video and thoughts on a beautiful contemplative worship song. If you are looking for something to calm your spirit and point you to the Lord, I think you will find this video just what you are looking for…

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I recently heard a song called Is He Worthy? by Andrew Peterson. This beautifully written song brings up such a power subject that I hope encourages you as much as it does for me.


Andrew Peterson – Is He Worthy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIahc83Kvp4
The beginning of this song describes our current state:

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)

Our world is broken and darkness reigns, but the he follows this with a comforting reminder–a new creation is coming. 

I recently was studying God’s renewal plan (by Randy Alcorn). There are many words in the Biblical vocabulary that speak of His great renewal plan. The words begin with the re– prefix: Reconcile, Redeem, Restore, Return, Recover, Renew, Resurrect, Reclaim. The prefix suggests “a return to an original condition that was ruined or lost.” God’s renewal plan is to buy back that which was lost and bring it to its original design. 

Right now we see a broken world ruled by a dark kingdom. But take heart! All things will be made new. This includes mankind, the earth, and the universe all for His glory. 
Professor Albert Wolters writes “God hangs on to his fallen original creation and salvages it. He refuses to abandon the work of His hands–in fact, He sacrifices His own Son to save His original project. Humankind, which has botched its original mandate and the whole creation along with it, is given another chance in Christ. The original good creation is restored.”

All the way back in Genesis after sin entered the world God spoke of our Rescuer, Jesus Christ, who would restore all things!

In Matthew 19 Jesus says “At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne…”
The word “renewal” in Matthew translates “new genesis” or “coming back from death to life.” 

 It is because of Christ and His sacrifice that all will be made new! A new genesis is coming. Our world is coming back from death to life. This is so comforting for us as believers because we live in a world that is not intended for us. The renewed world is in our future because of Christ’s great sacrifice. 

 Not only that, but as the song says “Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)” Not only does He reclaim us, He also wants to dwell with us!  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.” Rev. 21:3. 

Is He worthy of all glory and honor? Absolutely. His death and resurrection gives us hope of a reclaimed future where He will dwell with us. “Hallelujah! What a Savior!!”

 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:’To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!'” Rev. 5:13

Terry Pabst is going to be coordinating communication with elderly folks that are alone and/or in nursing homes.

And we’re going to do this in a safe way. You can write a letter, take a picture or scan it in. And we’re going to get these to residents in these facilities. We have two nursing facilities participating already! You can contact Terry (tpabst@webpabstlaw.com) to find out how to get involved.

E-mail is ok. A text message is nice. But sometimes we just need to hear each other’s voices.
This week we’re asking each person at Valley Park Chapel to reach out and call 4 others at VPC on the phone or video chat.
Connection is critical. And voice and/or video, thought not as good as in-person, is the second-best thing. 
It takes extra effort to maintain community in these difficult times… but we all need it. Fellowship is a critical part of what we do as a church. Right now we can’t extend “the right hand of fellowship” – but we can make a call.
So use that phone app on your mobile device and call 4 people you wouldn’t have called this week.
If we each commit to Connect 4 – it can make a huge difference.

We missed being able to sing together today, so we thought we could share some music with each other for the week. This week Loren Knudsvig wanted to share two videos featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty and their song “In Christ Alone”. See the description and links below:

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I first became aware of Keith and Kristyn Getty by listening to Professor John Lennox on YouTube.  Many of you may have heard of John Lennox, he became very well known several years ago when he debated Richard Dawkins.  John Lennox has become one of heroes of the faith.  John Lennox is Kristyn’s uncle, and he introduced Keith and Kristyn to each and they got married.  They are songwriters and unbeknownst to me when I first heard of them are very very accomplished and popular Christian performers.

Their song “In Christ Alone”, is one of the most popular Christian songs performed.

More than popularity or number of YouTube views is the heart of Keith and Kristyn Getty and the other members of their musical production group.  One of the videos I am sharing describes the writing of “In Christ Alone”.  When you hear the motivation and how these people want to integrate Biblical truths into songs/hymns it is heart warming.  They consider themselves hymn writers.

I would suggest that you go to YouTube and subscribe to “Keith and Kristyn Getty” and receive their videos and songs, the Lord will minister to you through their music.

Also consider watching and listening to John Lennox on YouTube.  He is used powerfully of God, his life story is fascinating and you will love his teaching, debates, talks etc.  He is really really one of the best Christian speakers that you can learn from.  

In these trying times it is good to fill our hearts and minds with such edifying materials.  

I hope you take the time to listen to these people, it is my prayer that they will impact your lives in your walk with the Lord.  

Thanks
Loren 

Keith & Kristyn Getty “In Christ Alone”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLy8ksqGf9w&feature=youtu.be

How Was In Christ Alone Written? | Official Interview |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOpF44ysE7I&feature=youtu.be

The Poulose family joined us just last week and we want to welcome them. We asked them to share a short intro to their family:

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The Poulose’s are composed of 4 unique individuals. Paul and Juby, Timothy and Nayomi. Paul, the head of their tribe, was born in Bahrain, the Pearl of the Gulf – well at least when pearling was popular there and Juby was born in the City of Dreams – no, not New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of; Mumbai, ironically, the city that never sleeps. They have two wonderful children – Timothy (9 years) and Nayomi (7 years) who were born in Bahrain. Juby is an RN and Paul dabbles in Tech.

They landed in NY on the 21st of January 2020. They never dreamt of moving to the US. Visiting perhaps, as Juby’s brother and parents lived in NY but in the fullness of time, God arranged for both Juby and Paul to leave their respective jobs and migrate to the US. That in itself, is a long story! They fellowshipped with the Believers Brethren Assembly in Bahrain and were actively part of the youth and children’s ministry. They have a passion to support, nurture and build young people who are passionate about God and His Kingdom. They believe their life here has a purpose towards the extension of God’s Kingdom and look forward to each day revealing God’s immense grace. They are so excited to be here in St Louis and be a part of the Valley Park Chapel (they found out about the church through Sam and Joflin) and are looking forward to getting to know everyone and building long lasting relationships.