All Creatures of Our God and King
The hymn, “All Creatures of our God and King”, has its roots with St. Francis of Assisi. Around 1224, St. Francis of Assisi wrote the poem “Canticle of the Sun”, which is based off of Psalm 148. The psalmist expounds on the story of creation and reminds us of our place in the order of creation and our role as stewards of the earth. In Genesis 1:26,…
Hymn of the Month: Jesus Calls Us
Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander was requested to write “Jesus Calls Us” in 1858 by her husband and Anglican clergyman, Rev. William Alexander. What prompted Rev. Alexander’s request was his upcoming sermon on Matthew 4:18-20, which can be summed up as “Follow Me”. There are several moments in the Bible where God reveals and requests. This…
Hymn of the Week: I Love to Tell the Story
The Rich Man and Lazarus is this week’s sermon topic. This narration from Luke 16: 19-31 is a perfect example of the impact of stories over a multitude of generations. Here the story is being told in what we consider “New Testament time” but many of the characters are from the Old Testament. The grand story arch doesn’t start in the OT and end in…
Hymn of the Week: To God be the Glory
Greetings my NHCBC family! I love this week’s hymn because it reminds me of a letter. We don’t write letters to inanimate objects instead we put pen and paper together because there is a relationship between the sender and receiver. “To God be the Glory” is a poetic letter of praise, of reminiscing of the great things God has done and ending in…
Hymn of the Week: In Christ there is No East or West
Greetings my NHCBC family! This week we travel with Paul to Athens in the book of Acts. The Living Spirit has created this ripe moment from the beginning of time to open up the hearts of the men of Athens. God uses Paul’s education and life experiences to be the bridge that connects this…
Hymn of the Week: How Firm a Foundation
Greetings my NHCBC family! “How Firm a Foundation” has a rich history that testifies to the reoccurring theme of unity through diversity because Christ is our edifice. In many ways, this song echos Peter’s words that we are gathered as a chosen people even though we rejected our Redeemer. God is always seeking us out and bringing us together. Even now!…
Hymn of the Week: Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Greetings to my NHCBC family! This week we are focusing on the sequel to the book of Luke: Acts. Specifically, Acts 2: 42-47 where the utopic fellowship of believers is described. I must admit that every time I find myself in this part of the NT, my first reaction is “Really?!” (add sarcastic undertone). I then go down the sceptical path of trying to apply my…
Hymn of the Week: Be Thou My Vision
Greetings to my NHCBC family! And when I mean family I am referencing the entire body of Christ! Choir members, congregational members or new to NHCBC (perhaps we haven’t even met yet!): May the Peace of Christ be with you all! This week we are walking on the road to Emmaus in the book of Luke. I love verse 31: Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us…
Hymn of the Week: Crown Him With Many Crowns
