Posted October 18th, 2007
There are a few topics about which it is hard to find an abundance of truly good quality hymns. The Lord’s Supper is one of those topics and this song is one of the true gems of hymnody that combines doctrine with delight, teaching with thankfulness. This song is rooted in the gospel of grace; that God invited us to His table, enabled us to hear His voice and respond, and now calls us to dine on the peace and pardon available to us through Jesus’ blood. The second verse calls to mind the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22. The reminder that thousands would “rather starve than come” to Christ reminds us that without God’s enabling grace we would still be stubbornly hungry as well. When we gather as a church family around the Lord’s Supper we experience a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19) May God be glorified as we remember His grace in saving us and bringing us to His table!
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Posted June 8th, 2007
Good songs (modern or historic) on the significance of baptism are hard to find. This song is about what baptism is, what it reminds us of, and what it signifies. Baptism reminds us of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (see Romans 6:1-10). This song is well-suited to sing congregationally after a public baptism. In the first verse we affirm that baptism is dear to us because it reminds us of our beloved Savior and what He did for us. In verse 2 we remember that we were and still are unworthy to be permitted into the cleansing waves of baptism, but that because of God’s mercy he beckons us to enter. In verse 3 we affirm cost of the faith that we publicly entered at our baptism and recommit that we are willing to pay it because what we were given at baptism was so much more valuable. The song concludes by using the term baptism in a different way, to refer to how we will be immersed in God’s glory when we finally go home to be with Him in Heaven.
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Posted August 8th, 2006
Historically, church covenants have held an important place in church life. A church covenant educates new members in the responsibilities of church membership and clarifies modern misconceptions about what membership means. A recited church covenant reminds members of their scriptural obligations to one another in the body of Christ. A signed church covenant is powerful tool in church discipline. It aides in addressing back-slidden and wayard members, as well as warning those who are tempted to follow. Used rightly, a church covenant is a great tool for encouraging and protecting the health of a local body of believers.
Kevin Larson approached Eric Schumacher with the idea of writing a church covenant that could be set to music and be sung congregationally. Music has always been recognized as a powerful aid in memorization. A sung church covenant would etch into the minds of a church's members their obligations and commitments to one another. Eric produced this text, basing it on the church covenant of Kevin, Eric, and David's churches, a historic Baptist church covenant made popular by nine marks ministries. The timeless nature of David's tune will allow this covenant to be used and enjoyed across generations and for years to come.
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Reformed Praise presents Martin Luther's setting of Psalm 130 in a fresh, reflective, piano-driven setting suitable for a wide range of worship music styles.
