It’s not often that I get to help pick the sermon title. But our minister called to discuss his topic so I could begin picking out songs and he asked for my assistance. This title was the one that ended up sticking out to both of us. I like how it leads us from the hard part of life into something more. That’s exactly what our songs this week will attempt to do, as well.
1. Trials Dark on Every Hand (When Morning Comes)
We start with a song that sure puts a pep in your step even though it’s about trials. Charles Tindley definitely knew trials early in his life. When he was born, his father was a slave. His mother passed away when he was only 4 years old. Charles managed to move past these trials, become a preacher, and write this well loved hymn. He may not have understood all the trials in his life, but he felt peace by proclaiming “we will understand it better by and by.”
2. In the Hour of Trial
How could we sing songs about trials and not sing this song? The lyrics of this song, written by James Montgomery, were written after he had read the story of Peter denying Christ three times. Notice that the plea is not to make life easy, but to keep us from wavering. The last line of the last verse asks Jesus to take us to eternal life. That will lead us perfectly into the next song.
3. Lead Me Gently Home, Father
I’ve been blogging about my worship set lists for over 10 years now. Would you believe this is the first time I’ve ever led this song in that time? Not only that, in the 5+ years that I’ve been at Creekside, this song has never been led by any song leader on a Sunday morning. Hopefully everyone knows this gorgeous hymn. The ladies have a beautiful duet in the verses, and then the basses take over the lead in the chorus.
4. MEDLEY:
Tis Midnight, and On Olive’s Brow
The Old Rugged Cross
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
Probably the best medley I’ve ever come up with, it’s been about 4 years since I’ve used it at Creekside. I decided it was time again since it coincides with our scripture reading. Normally my medleys move from one song to another, but in this case we continually go back to “Tis Midnight.” Together, these three songs give us the story of Jesus in the garden and help paint a striking picture of what was going through his mind. I hope this touches your heart as much as it has touched mine over the years.
5. God Will Make a Way
Isaiah 43:19 says, in part that “I will make a way in the wilderness.” Don Moen read this verse as he was on his way to the funeral of his nephew who was tragically killed in a car accident. This song came to him as a comfort for his sister-in-law and her husband.
6. Living By Faith
When it comes to hymns that bring comfort during tough times, this is definitely one of my favorites (and my mom’s, too). “All of y worry is vain.” Talk about a convicting line! Didn’t Jesus tell us the same thing in his sermon on the mount? “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27).
7. At the Cross (Love Ran Red)
This song is a new one for Creekside. Co-written and made popular by Chris Tomlin, it definitely stirs the soul both lyrically and musically. Indeed, just the phrase “where your love ran red and my sin washed white” is such a beautiful description of what happened at the cross. Chris says of that line: “You feel like you’ve sung every way to sing about the cross that you can, but then a line like that comes along, and you see it all brand new.” I hope it helps you to see it brand new, too.
8. One Thing Remains
There is only one thing that is “constant through the trial and the change.” His love never fails and never gives up on me! That is what allows us to go from trials to triumph. May that message stay in our hearts as we leave our time of worship.
In Him,
Aaron Shotts
ORDER OF WORSHIP
WELCOME
Trials Dark on Every Hand
In the Hour of Trial (1,2,4)
Lead Me Gently Home, Father (2,3)
PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING – Luke 22:39-46
Tis Midnight, And On Olive’s Brow (1)
The Old Rugged Cross (1)
Tis Midnight, And On Olive’s Brow (2)
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?
Tis Midnight, And On Olive’s Brow (3)
COMMUNION
OFFERING
God Will Make a Way
Living By Faith
SERMON
At the Cross (Love Ran Red)
One Thing Remains
Worship with Heart 