Lord, I Need You

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for worship in November in the 11:15 service at Central Presbyterian Church is “Lord, I Need You.” The refrain in this song is a modern adaptation of the refrain from the classic hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour.” As pastors Eric Stiller and Daryl Madi continue preaching through the book of Philippians this month, this song will help us respond to the word of God with a prayer that we will find Jesus to be our true defense and righteousness (Philippians 3:8-10) and our sure hope and strength who supplies our every need (Philippians 4:11-19).

Continue reading →

At the Name of Jesus

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for worship in November in the 8:30 and 9:45 services at Central Presbyterian Church is “At the Name of Jesus.” As pastors Eric Stiller and Daryl Madi continue preaching through the book of Philippians this month, this hymn will help that word dwell in us richly, for the hymn text is a setting of Paul’s summary of the gospel story that lies at the heart of the letter (Philippians 2:5-11). The tune (KING’S WESTON) is a strong melody by the famous 20th-century English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. This tune embodies the sweeping and regal majesty of this story of Jesus exalted from the depths of the grave to the throne of God and rule over all things. May the Lord through this song encourage us to enthrone him in our hearts and subdue all that is not holy in us so that we may confess and experience him as the King of glory.

Continue reading →

O Church, Arise

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for October in the morning worship services at Central Presbyterian Church is “O Church, Arise.” This is a new hymn by the well-known writers Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, authors of such beloved worship songs as “In Christ Alone,” “Speak, O Lord,” and “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.”

During October and November, pastor Eric Stiller is preaching a sermon series through the book of Philippians. The hymn “O Church, Arise” is a helpful hymn to learn during this series since it enables us to sing many important truths from Philippians and to affirm together in song our calling to live as a faithful people.

Continue reading →

Labor Day Litany

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Mike Farley

This is a prayer that we prayed today at Central Presbyterian Church for the daily work and vocations of the people of God.

Liturgist: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
All: and establish the work of our hands,
yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalm 90:17)

We pray for those who work with their hands; who build, repair, invent, and protect; who take machines apart and put them together; who plant, weed, and harvest; who drive, lift, and load: Please help them feel your pleasure, for you are a builder and designer. Help them keep their eyes on the people that they serve and love by their practical labor and not to grow weary in doing good.

We pray for those who educate the mind and heal the heart; who teach and tutor, who listen and counsel; who diagnose and treat; who care for those who are young and those who are old; who heal the body and the soul. Please help them feel your pleasure in their work, for you are a teacher and healer in all these ways. Make them lights in the world, full of your knowledge, wisdom and compassion.

Liturgist: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
All: and establish the work of our hands,
yes, establish the work of our hands!

We pray for scientists who study the workings of nature, who observe, experiment, discover, and publish. Please help them feel your pleasure in their work, for you are the source of all reason and order in the universe. Make them lights in the world, full of insight, curiosity, gratitude, and humility.

We pray for artists and communicators who open our imaginations; who paint, sculpt, and design; who play, sing, and compose music; for novelists, film-makers, and other media producers: Please help them feel your pleasure in their work, for you are the Creator and source of beauty. May their creativity share the light of your beauty that we might see you and our world more clearly and be drawn by love to what is pure and noble and beautiful.

Liturgist: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
All: and establish the work of our hands,
yes, establish the work of our hands!

We pray for those who work in business and finance; who invest and sell; who manage money and people, buildings, goods, and services. Please help them feel your pleasure in their work, for you own all things and provide for the needs of your world. Make them lights in the world, full of skill to serve the common good and provide for the genuine needs of people.

We pray for those who serve in law and government, who legislate, execute, and enforce our laws. Please help them feel your pleasure in their work, for you are a king who rules with ultimate justice. Make them lights in the world, full of wisdom to order public life in ways that promote the common good and protect the innocent and the weak.

Liturgist: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
All: and establish the work of our hands,
yes, establish the work of our hands!

We pray for those without work: Lift their hearts to you, give them bold faith to wait upon you with constant prayer and without fear, and give them the desires of their heart, a job in which to serve you, advance your kingdom, and supply their needs.

We pray for those with power to lead and make policy, to change the laws and structures where we work: Give them zeal for justice, courage to pursue it, and the patience and peace to do so in the wisest way.

We pray for those without any power to change what is broken and unjust, give them your longsuffering patience and strength to endure and to serve well out of love for you.

We pray for all of us, help those of us who trust you and follow our Lord Jesus Christ to be salt and light in the way we work and in all that we do between Sundays because we know that we work ultimately for you to enjoy your glory and love our neighbors. Make us always eager to learn. Help us to be the most faithful, the most responsible, the most truthful, and the most skillful people in our work. Make us kind and joyful, patient, generous, and helpful servants to all with whom and for whom we work. May our work show the reality of your Holy Spirit’s transforming life in us.

Liturgist: Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
All: and establish the work of our hands,
yes, establish the work of our hands!

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for July and August in the 8:30 and 9:45 services at Central Presbyterian Church is “Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder.” The author of the hymn text is John Newton, the 18th-century English pastor and hymn writer who is most well known for writing the lyrics of “Amazing Grace.”

Continue reading →

Seeing the Story

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Mike Farley

Central Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, has three stained glass windows in the balcony overlooking the sanctuary that portray Jesus surrounded by several of his apostles. On Sunday mornings, the rising sun streams through these remarkably colorful windows, and there we behold key parts of the biblical story in visual symbol. The image of the risen, ascended Jesus crowned in heavenly glory and surrounded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, and Paul reminds us that Jesus is the living Lord who is present with us by his Spirit to lead us in worship and that we always worship together with the whole company of saints in heaven who surround us as a great cloud of witnesses.

You can find a link to a brochure that provides a description of these beautiful windows and a commentary on their biblical symbols and meaning on the right hand side of the Worship Is Central home page under “Links.” Or you can click here to see it.

Worship Service

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Mike Farley

When we gather on Sundays for worship, why do we often call that a “worship service”? This language has a long history. In 1526, Martin Luther published a plan to reform corporate worship in German-speaking churches, and he titled it “An Order of God’s Service.” To this day, many Lutheran churches still call their worship gathering the “Divine Service,” and it has become extremely common for many Christians to speak of assembling for worship services.

But what does that terminology mean? Is corporate worship really “service,” and, if so, who is serving whom?

Continue reading →

Lord’s Prayer Language

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Mike Farley

Starting in June, 2013, the language of the Lord’s Prayer used in the 11:15 service will be updated to modern English found in the best modern Bible translations. Compared to the earlier morning services, one distinctive of the 11:15 service is the use of more modern forms of expression in language and musical styles, and this change is consistent with that philosophy.

Below are the older and newer translations of the Lord’s Prayer with the key differences highlighted in bold:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be thy name. hallowed be your name.

Thy kingdom come, Your kingdom come,

thy will be done, your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts and forgive us our debts

as we forgive our debtors. as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. but deliver us from the evil one.

For thine is the kingdom, For yours is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory forever. and the power, and the glory forever.

There are two types of change in the newer translation: (1) replacing older English pronouns with the forms used in modern English, and (2) replacing the word “evil” with “the evil one.” Let’s explore the reasons for these changes in translation.

Continue reading →

Forever Reign

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for June in the 11:15 service at Central Presbyterian Church is “Forever Reign.” This worship song is familiar to many of our children who sang it enthusiastically at the 2013 Spring Storm retreat.

This song is a strong affirmation of God’s strong love and healing presence that reign over our sin, doubt, and fear. As our church goes through many transitions that can make us feel unstable, anxious, and afraid, one powerful way that we can find strength to stand firm and to follow the Lord together as a united church family is to sing the word of God to one another in spiritual songs. The Lord promises us that our singing is a means by which the word of Christ will dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). So let us sing of the Lord’s reign with faith and thankfulness so that we can experience more deeply the peace and wisdom of Christ ruling in our hearts.

You are good, you are good when there’s nothing good in me.
You are love, you are love on display for all to see.
You are light, you are light when the darkness closes in.
You are hope, you are hope; you have covered all my sin.

You are peace, you are peace when my fear is crippling.
You are true, you are true even in my wandering.
You are joy, you are joy; you’re the reason that I sing.
You are life, you are life; in you death has lost its sting.

REFRAIN
Oh, I’m running to your arms; I’m running to your arms.
The riches of your love will always be enough.
Nothing compares to your embrace.
Light of the world, forever reign.

You are more, you are more than my words will ever say.
You are Lord, you are Lord, all creation will proclaim.
You are here, you are here; in your presence I’m made whole.
You are God, you are God; of all else I’m letting go.

REFRAIN

My heart will sing no other name,
Jesus, Jesus.

REFRAIN

He Has Come to Reign

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Mike Farley

The new song for June in the 8:30 and 9:45 services at Central Presbyterian Church is “He Has Come to Reign.” Both the words and the music were composed by Sherdonna Denholm, who is a member and musician at Central Presbyterian Church and wife of pastor Todd Denholm.

This song is a strong affirmation of God’s reign in our broken hearts and our broken world. As our church goes through many transitions that can make us feel unstable, anxious, and afraid, one powerful way that we can find strength to stand firm and to follow the Lord together as a united church family is to sing the word of God to one another in spiritual songs. The Lord promises us that our singing is a means by which the word of Christ will dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). So let us sing of the Lord’s reign with faith and thankfulness so that we can experience more deeply the peace and wisdom of Christ ruling in our hearts.

For the Lord our God, he is strong to save,
from the depths of sin, from the deepest grave.
Ever faithful is his abounding word:
“Fear not, my child, I’ve overcome the world.”

In the darkest night, on the lowest hill,
though I feel him not, he is faithful still.
He is coming in all his righteousness.
I will wait for him in this loneliness.

REFRAIN
He has come to reign in our broken hearts;
we will doubt and fear no more.
He has come to reign in our broken hearts;
all we lost he will restore.

When trials come and weigh you down,
you can catch a glimpse; you can hear the sound
of the angels singing heaven’s song,
saying, “Child, hold on; it won’t be long.”

REFRAIN

The true and living God we serve;
his truth will stand, the only word.
He has come to reign, God’s only Son;
Jesus Christ, our King, he has overcome.

REFRAIN