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Worship and Hope
There is a cancer update at the end of this message. CHIP STAM STEM CELL DRIVE: BE THE MATCH www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive ===================================== FREE PIANO SCORE for "By Faith" by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend: SEE BELOW ===================================== Does Christian worship seem to function as an escape from the challenges and problems of the world around us? If so, our focus is wrong. In today’s WORSHIP QUOTE, theologian Marva Dawn suggests that biblical worship will give us hope for today because of what the Bible teaches about the future. WORSHIP AND HOPE Worship dare not be glib or superficial, ought not to dispense false assurances or manipulate emotions. Instead, genuine worship always offers the true hope of the Gospel—neither entertainment nor escapism, neither diversion nor another sort of consumerism, but the terrible truth about sin and evil and the even greater truth (in all its glory) that on the cross and through the empty tomb Christ has been victorious over iniquity, injury, and death. Worship will then enfold all of us who search for hope in God’s present cosmic reign and challenge us to engage in God’s sovereign purposes of ministry to the world. Finally, worship’s celebration of God’s governance will equip us with patience and endurance to endure the hardships of this life as we await the culmination of God’s kingdom. This is all, indeed, good news for us each and together to tell our neighbors. Our goal is to bring the world to worship our God with us. —Marva J. Dawn, HOW SHALL WE WORSHIP?: BIBLICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE WORSHIP WARS, Chapter 12, “How Does Worship Form Us by the Future to Live in the Present?” [Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2003], p. 168. ISBN 0-8423-5636-3. [This little book is highly recommended. When I say “little,” I mean small. It measures 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches and will fit in any Christmas stocking.] Blessings to all! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Ministries The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw ========================= ========================= FREE PIANO SCORE FOR NEW GETTY/TOWNEND HYMN, "BY FAITH": (Be sure to use the username and password.) http://files.gettymusic.com/client/index.asp username: song password: intro VIDEO OF "BY FAITH": http://vimeo.com/12266196 KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY'S BLOG ABOUT "BY FAITH": http://gettymusic.wordpress.com/category/by-faith TOPICAL INDEX FOR FORTY-THREE GETTY/TOWNEND HYMNS http://www.gettymusic.com/topicalindex.pdf ========================= ========================= ==================== THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 1 (Ed Willmington): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-05 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 2 (Carl Stam): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-12 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 3 (Donald Hustad): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-19 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 4 (Ron Man): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-26 ==================== ===================================== HEALTH UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST FOR CHIP STAM, CANCER PATIENT www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam ===================================== September 8 Treatment Update Dear friends and family, Thanks again for loving us and praying for us during this long cancer journey. More information and new pictures are found at www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam. THE DAILY FIGHT AGAINST GRAFT vs. HOST DISEASE CONTINUES The bladder infection seems to be going away. Thank God. They did not have to admit me to the hospital for the two-a-days of FOSCARNET. That was a relief. I have been extremely weak. Some of the meds are now giving me high blood pressure, so they are starting me on some medicine to help with that. We were in the clinic yesterday (Sept. 7) for six hours and that included a bag of platelets and a bag of blood. They continue to modify my medications every single day according to the morning's lab results. We are so thankful that most of the swelling has gone down in my feet and ankles. My appetite is spotty at present. My walker has already saved me from a couple of tumbles. Thank the Lord for that, too. Our gracious God continues to give us patience and strength for this journey—even some joy. People visit regularly to pray for us, and we have received many beautiful displays of love and kindness. I use my snazzy new walker every day, and I love it. CANCER CARE Please keep praying for Doris, our family, my caregivers, and me; and don't forget to care for the cancer patients in your families, churches, neighborhoods, and places of employment. Pray that our stem cell drive will provide many, many cancer patients with life-saving options for treatment. God can do this. We have met and surpassed our fund-raising goal ($51,000), and we are about fifty DNA samples short of our goal of 1,800 swab kits. If you would like to swab your cheek and participate, it is not too late. Resting in His matchless love and care, Chip Stam www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam |