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Biblical Joy, "Joy Has Dawned upon the World"
There is a treatment update at the end of this message. www.caringbidge.org/visit/carlstam ===================================== Did you grow up singing, "I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy DOWN in my heart. (WHERE?) DOWN in my heart . . ."? My favorite verse was the one about the "peace that passes understanding." Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is a short Scripture passage and a modern hymn, both of which we used in our worship service this last Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. Our theme was "biblical joy." BIBLICAL JOY & PEACE — SCRIPTURE Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:4-7 BIBLICAL JOY — IN SONG "Joy Has Dawned upon the World" Joy has dawned upon the world, Promised from creation— God's salvation now unfurled, Hope for ev'ry nation. Not with fanfares from above, Not with scenes of glory, But a humble gift of love— Jesus born of Mary. Sounds of wonder fill the sky With the songs of angels As the mighty Prince of Life Shelters in a stable. Hands that set each star in place, Shaped the earth in darkness, Cling now to a mother's breast, Vuln'rable and helpless. Shepherds bow before the Lamb, Gazing at the glory; Gifts of men from distant lands Prophesy the story. Gold—a King is born today, Incense—God is with us, Myrrh—His death will make a way, And by His blood He'll win us. Son of Adam, Son of heaven, Given as a ransom; Reconciling God and man, Christ, our mighty champion! What a Savior! What a Friend! What a glorious myst'ry! Once a babe in Bethlehem, Now the Lord of hist'ry. — Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, Copyright © 2004 Thankyou Music, www.gettymusic.com, There is a short demo at www.gettymusic.com/hymns.aspx. We have used this hymn on the third Sunday of Advent for the last seven years. Highly recommended. 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 ============================== 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.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam ============================== December 15 Treatment Update Dear friends and family (and some strangers), Thanks for loving us and praying for us during this long (really long!) cancer journey. Journal entries and lots of pictures are found at www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam. God has been very good to us in countless ways, but we are weary. The LORD is so good, but He is not always fast. GRAFT VS. HOST DISEASE Nothing new! As of today, the steroids are down, the itching is up (GvH rash), the swelling is sort of the same, and the various viruses seem to be in check. Several of the drugs are causing me to have very high blood pressure until I take my first fist-full of pills in the morning. I am currently taking no fewer than fifteen different daily medications with another three waiting in the wings in case I need them. We are convinced that the LORD has blessed us with excellent medical care. LOOKING AHEAD—MRI I am scheduled for an MRI of my lower back on December 21. This will help the neurologists understand what is going on with my neuropathy (numbing and tingling in my feet and hands) and the possible nerve damage in my left leg. Prayers appreciated. LOOKING AHEAD—PET SCAN I am scheduled for a PET SCAN on December 29 (Doris's birthday). You may remember that it was after the last PET SCAN (July 26) that the doctors were able to declare my body as "NED" (no evidence of disease—the lymphoma). That was certainly a great day in my treatment timeline. We are praying that the scans will show (or not show) the same thing again this time. Prayers appreciated. CHRISTMAS PRESENT IDEA—DORIS'S BOOK Hey! Take a look at the material on the web site: MOUNTAIN EDUCATORS: THE DOUGHERTY FAMILY AND THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF APPALACHIAN. Doris's relatives started Watauga Academy in 1899 (Boone, NC), a little mountain school that finally became Appalachian State University. Please forward this information to ASU fans (www.tinyurl.com/mountaineducators). Can you tell this is the proud husband writing? CANCER CARE Please keep praying fervently for us; and don't forget to pray for and care for the cancer patients in your families, churches, neighborhoods, and places of employment. OUR STEM CELL DRIVE IS OVER. Thanks to so many who helped make it such a success. We gathered 1,853 new DNA samples in the database, and we raised over $55,000 to pay for the testing. This will save lives. Finally, from the above WQOTW: May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Blessings to all. Straining towards Jesus, Chip Stam www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam www.wqotw.org www.carlstam.org |