Many of the hymns we have sung over the past four weeks have had an “Easter” flavor, focusing on Jesus’ resurrection as discussed in 1 Corinthians 15. This week, as Paul brings his letter to a close with some personal greetings and encouragements, the hymns shift focus to our own callings as Christians. We ask…
Jesus came to vanquish the final enemy, death itself—and He must win the battle. He is triumphant over the grave and lives that death may die. He is a mighty conqueror, who overthrows death and hell. We can boast in His death and resurrection because His wounds paid our ransom. Because of His atoning sacrifice,…
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted
that the Lord is good. —1 Peter 2:2-3
All through the month of July we’ve been singing a new setting of Psalm 34 (BETHESDA), and I hope the experience has been a blessing. This psalm,…
Reverend Michael Fennema grew up in Chicago, IL in a faithful Christian home. He is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. A few years following graduation from college, Mike married his wife Stephanie in 2006. He pursued his Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. After seminary training, he…
Here at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul returns to the theme of the bodily resurrection of Jesus: Christ really, physically died and rose again. You’ll probably notice that many of the hymns we sing this morning are associated with the Lenten or Easter seasons. While we typically encounter Christ The Lord Is Risen…
In the second half of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul makes a strong case that God is deeply concerned not merely that we worship Him, but also how we worship Him. As our confession states, “…the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Him, and so limited by His own revealed will, that…
The language of hymnody is filled with imagery related to speech and communication (“speak,” “sing,” “voice,” “tongue,” “mouth,” as well as related concepts like “listen,” “hear,” etc.). In the psalms, we are commanded to sing cheerfully with our voices (All People That On Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100) and to listen to a mouth speaking wisdom…
June is wedding season, and if my experience as a musician is accurate, on any given weekend in June you can probably find a ceremony with a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 right along with other wedding favorites such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D and the “Bridal March” from Wagner’s Lohengrin. But the popularity…
The hymns we sing this morning celebrate both our unity as the people of God and the gifts He has given each of us to build up His church: in the language of 1 Corinthians 12, “one body, many members.” From the psalms, we sing that we are “His people and the chosen flock,” and…
For the past few weeks, Jamie has been hard at work here at church studying for one of his ordination exams, one specifically dealing with the sacraments. Occasionally, when he emerges from his office, I get to hear him rehearse all the nuances of Presbyterian teaching on the topic. It has really been fascinating to…