Nothing Compares To You

WhtDove

I'm sitting here filled with wonder
At the amazing things you do
How the waters stay in the oceans
And the vast beauty of the view

How the stars are hung in the sky
Within them is written your word
How we are the following sheep
And you are the only Shepherd

How the sky is painted with color
Bursts of orange in the sunset glow
How much knowledge it took to make
And how little us humans know

How intricately you planned it
There was nothing you left unthought
From the delicacy of a baby
To all the sins of ours you bought

There's no other love that's out there
As deep and as faithful and true
No other comfort to be found
Because nothing compares to you

Nothing compares to your miracles
Or the listening time you spend
How you always take good care of us
And our broken hearts that you mend

To us, our problems like mountains
To you, they're no problem at all
You're ever so watchful and there
To help catch us, when we do fall

I'm just sitting here filled with wonder
At the awesome things that you do
At being our Lord and Savior
Because nothing compares to You!

A Child Loaned

Edgar A Guest

I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine," He said,
"For you to love the while she lives,
And mourn for when she's dead.

It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for Me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

I've looked this wide world over
In My search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you;

Now will you give her all your love,
Not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take her back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for her
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.

For A Child

Author Unknown

My precious little (Name);
You rest upon the stars.
As we gaze upon you;
We know one star is ours.

It shines oh so beautiful;
Just as you did on Earth.
One day Mom and Dad will be one;
For we too will leave this earth.

Your soul has reached Jesus;
To God we pray for this.
(Name) do one little thing;
Catch this great big kiss.

Merry Christmas From Heaven

John W. Mooney

I still hear the songs,
I still see the lights
I still feel your love 

On cold wintry nights

I still share your hopes 

And all of your cares
I'll even remind you 

To still say your prayers

I just want to tell you, 

You still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders 

Above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment 

To stay in His grace
I came here before you 

To help set your place

You don't have to be 

Perfect all the time
He forgives you the slip, 

If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
Please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you,
In a new special way

I love you all dearly
Now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending my Christmas 

With Jesus this year.

Sacrifice

Edgar A Guest

When he has more than he can eat
To feed a stranger's not a feat.

When he has more than he can spend
It isn't hard to give or lend.

Who gives but what he'll never miss
Will never know what giving is.

He'll win few praises from his Lord
Who does but what he can afford.

The widow's mite to heaven went
Because real sacrifice it meant.

My Little Hand (to a mother)

Author Unknown

Take my little hand in yours
Teach me wrong from right
Read me bedtime stories
And tuck me in each night

Fill my mind with wonder
And my little heart with love
Teach me about Jesus
How He sent me from above

Help me to always understand
The things I need to know
For it's you who I'll be watching
Each day as I grow

And I'll want to be just like you
When I'm all grown up someday
So take my little hand in yours
and lead me on my way!

Struggle

D. De Hann

Struggle, yes, it's part of living

Nothing's gained on beds of ease;

But when our heart is set on Jesus,

Struggle drives us to our knees.

Church Bulletin Bloopers

The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

Next Sunday, Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on “It’s a Terrible Experience.”

Don’t let worry kill you—let the church help.

During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon from E.J. Stubbs.

The Pastor would appreciate if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

Thursday at 5 p.m., there will be a meeting of the little mother’s club. All ladies wishing to become “little mothers” will meet with the pastor in his study.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They can be seen in the church basement Saturday.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m.. Please use the back door of the church.

The Rev, Merriweather spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m.. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

Thursday Night—Potluck Dinner. Prayer and medication to follow.

This being Easter Sunday. We will ask Mrs. Johnson to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to the church secretary.

Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding

Author Unknown

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say,
“Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Wakened by the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

That when next He comes in glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing
Be to God: the Father, Son
And the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

O Let Us Sound the Praise

Isabel C. Byrum

Oh, let us sound the praise
Which unto God belongs;
Our voices high we’ll raise
In prayer and grateful songs;
Oh, praise the Lord in unity,
For none hath done such works as He!

The sun, the moon, the stars,
Though silent in the sky,
Are joining in our praise
With angel hosts on high;
Oh, let the heav’nly chorus ring
Sweet anthems to our Lord and King!

E’en in the stormy wind
An echo sweet and clear
Is saying, “Praise the Lord!
Oh, praise Him far and near!”
Come, people, come, both old and young,
And make our song the sweetest song.

Oh, praise our blessed Lord!
All saints of earth, sing praise!
Oh, praise Him for His love,
His wondrous works and ways!
Through all the earth the sound is sent,
His name alone is excellent.

What a Mighty God!

Clara M. Brooks

Our Father’s wondrous works we see
In the earth and sea and sky;
He rules o’er all in majesty,
From His royal throne on high.

The raging winds and waves are calm,
When He says to them, “Be still”;
The heavens praise Him in a psalm,
And the angels do His will.

He maketh worlds by His command,
Weighs the mountains great and high;
He metes the waters in His hand,
Spans the lofty, starlit sky.

Our God, to save from sin’s control,
Gave His Son: a sacrifice;
His grace, abounding in the soul,
Makes the earth a paradise.

What a mighty God we serve!
What a mighty God we serve!
Reigning now above, on His throne of love,
What a mighty God we serve!

A Call to Prayer

Clara M. Brooks

Softly the evening vespers
Hallow the closing day;
Sweetly the Savior whispers,
“Come to the throne and pray.”

Come, ere the shadows lengthen,
Bring Him thy burdened heart;
Come where His grace may strengthen,
Come from thy cares apart.

Smiles of His love await thee,
Lighting His lovely face;
Just to behold His beauty,
Dwell in the secret place.

Boldly we may approach Him,
Mercy and grace to own;
Tempted like us, He bid us
Come to the Father’s throne.

Softly I hear Him calling,
Calling at close of day;
Sweetly His tones are falling,
“Come to the throne and pray.”

# vespers - a service of evening prayer in the Divine Office of the Western Christian Church (sometimes said earlier in the day).

# a service of evening prayer in other churches.

O Love That Casts Out Fear

Horatius Bonar

O love that casts out fear,
O love that casts out sin,
tarry no more without,
but come and dwell within.

True sunlight of the soul,
surround us as we go;
so shall our way be safe,
our feet no straying know.

Great love of God, come in!
Well-spring of heavenly peace;
thou Living Water, come!
Spring up, and never cease.

Love of the living God,
of Father and of Son;
love of the Holy Ghost,
fill thou each needy one.

There is a Green Hill Far Away

Cecil Frances Alexander

There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Cecil Frances Alexander

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Forty Days and Forty Nights

George Hunt Smyttan

Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

Should not we thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain;
fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with thee to suffer pain?

Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Savior, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!

So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
such as ministered to thee.

Keep, oh keep us, Savior dear,
Ever constant by thy side;
That with thee we may appear
At the eternal Easter tide.

Take Up Your Cross

Charles William Everest

"Take up your cross," the Savior said,
"If you would my disciple be;
Forsake the past, and come this day,
And humbly follow after me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight
Pervade your soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Sustain your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let your foolish heart rebel;
For you the Lord endured the cross
To save your soul from death and hell.

Take up your cross, then, in Christ's strength,
And every danger calmly brave;
'Twill guide you to a heavenly home,
And lead to victory o'er the grave.

Take up your cross and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear a golden crown.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;

And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of his face;

Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

You Choirs of New Jerusalem

Fulbert of Chartres
Translation by Robert Campbell

You choirs of new Jerusalem:
Your sweetest notes employ
The Easter victory to praise
In songs of holy joy!

For Judah's Lion burst his chains
And crushed the serpent's head;
He cries aloud through death's domains
To wake the imprisoned dead.

Devouring depths of hell their prey
At his command restore;
The ransomed hosts pursue their way
Where Jesus goes before.

Triumphant in his glory now
To him all power is given;
To him in one communion bow
All saints in earth and heaven.

All glory to the Father be,
The Spirit and the Son:
All glory to the One in Three
While endless ages run.

Hail the Day that Sees Christ Rise

Thomas Cotterill

Hail the day that sees Christ rise,
To the throne in paradise;
Christ the Lamb for sinners given,
Enters now the highest heaven.

Christ, for you high triumph waits,
Lift your heads, eternal gates;
You have conquered death and sin:
Enter, Sovereign, enter in.

See the nail marked hands above,
Signs of God's redeeming love;
Hark, Christ's words our hearts assure,
"I will send a Comforter!"

Christ, for us still intercede;
By your suffering for us plead;
Near yourself prepare a place,
As the first fruits of God's grace.

Now, though parted from our sight,
In the depths of starry night,
May God raise us up again,
Heirs of your eternal reign.