When I was given this week’s sermon info, it was suggested I do songs about Christian brothers and sisters overcoming obstacles together. As I’ve lamented many times before in my blog, there is a very limited number of songs that talk about our Christian family. In fact, I just used most of them 3 months ago when I led. I needed a slightly different direction to go then.
As I read the passage for our scripture reading, a phrase that Paul used stuck out: “share my joy.” One of the many joys we share as Christians is our desire for heaven. I think our desire for heaven is strong not just to have the comforts of heaven, but so much more than that. We long to be with God, we long to be with loved ones we miss. We look forward to no tears or sadness, no sin or loss, even no politics! If we truly want everyone to reach heaven, then let’s do everything we can to help each others during the trials of this life so we can share the joy of the next life with others.
1. Sing to Me of Heaven
2. Beyond This Land of Parting
3. How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
4. Home of the Soul
5. Heaven Holds All to Me
We’re going to begin with a medley of 5 songs all in the same key that tell of different aspects of heaven. The first song sets the tone for our entire service as we sing of heaven and “fondly dream” of what it will be like. The second song reminds us that beyond the pain and struggles of this life is a land where God is the light. The third song reminds us of the beauty that we’ll see there. The fourth song tells what life will be like there, being “free from all care.” And finally, the last song reminds us that we will have “joy without measure” in heaven!
6. I Have Heard of a Land (Never Grow Old)
7. An Empty Mansion
We sing another medley of two songs in this same key, albeit a little less upbeat than the last medley. Both of these songs acknowledge that part of the reason we long for heaven is because of the trials and tribulations we experience here on earth. Indeed, our longing for heaven is likely directly proportional to the pain that we experience in this life. The more pain we experience here, the more we long for a place where we’ll never grow old and meet our loved ones at the “door of that mansion someday.”
8. Heaven’s Medley
This song is a medley within a medley…each part contains a different song. Sopranos sing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” altos sing “I’m Sing, Sing, Sing,” tenors sing “Heaven is a Wonderful Place,” and basses sing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
9. Heaven’s Road
I wanted to make sure I included some more contemporary songs about heaven. This song would fall into that category. It’s also a great reminder that getting to heaven is a journey that we all take together, helping to carry each other’s load.
10. Trials Dark on Every Hand (When Morning Comes)
This song has many different titles that it is known by, two of them listed above. The third one that is often used is “We’ll Understand It Better By and By.” What may be less known is that fact that it was written by Charles Tindley, born the son of a slave. No doubt he faced “trials dark on every hand” early in his life, but he strived to excel in everything he did. He placed his faith in God that he would understand his questions better in heaven when he could look back and “tell the story how we’ve overcome.”
11. I’ll Fly Away
No list of songs about heaven would be complete without this classic song. I hope these songs all stay in your heart throughout the week and you share that joy with others.
In Him,
Aaron Shotts
ORDER OF SERVICE
WELCOME
Sing to Me of Heaven (1)
Beyond This Land of Parting (1)
How Beautiful Heaven Must Be (1)
Home of the Soul (1)
Heaven Holds All to Me (1)
PRAYER
I Have Heard of a Land (1,3)
An Empty Mansion (1,3)
COMMUNION
OFFERING
Heaven’s Medley (5x)
Heaven’s Road (1,2,3)
SCRIPTURE READING – 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4
SERMON
Trials Dark on Every Hand (1,2,3)
I’ll Fly Away (1,3)
Worship with Heart 