WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 11 (December 2024) THE “O” ANTIPHONS “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is one of the oldest songs in our hymnals. The words are translated from seven Latin antiphons—that is, responsive prayers—that date back to the 8th century. Together these verses are known as the “O Antiphons” since all seven begin with the word “O”: O Wisdom (Sapientia)O Lord (Adonai)O Rod of Jesse (Radix Jesse)O Key […]
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 10 (October 2024) NOTE: We are purposely skipping past the Middle Ages (3. in the series) until next month, because of the timeliness of dealing now with the Reformation (Reformation Day being October 31). The Beginning The beginning of the Protestant Reformation is usually traced to October 31, 1517, the date on which Martin Luther posted hisNinety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church
WORSHIP IN CHURCH HISTORY: 4. The Protestant Reformation (c. AD 1500–1650) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 9 (September 2024) The members of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are all equally God and equally glorious. Yet, remarkably, the different members of the Trinity voluntarily perform different roles: The Father sends the Son (a major theme in the Gospel of John: 4:34; 5:24, 36–38; 6:29; 7:16; etc.); the Son obeys the Father (John 4:34); and the Spirit, as we see here, glorifies Christ
Making Our Worship More Trinitarian Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 8 (August 2024) The Patristic Age is also known as the age of the Church Fathers (the great early theologians of the church). On the Margins The church was still gathering in small communities. Occasionally there were persecutions, as the new faith collided with Judaism and with Roman emperor worship; in times of persecution, there was often a feeling that the Lord must be going
WORSHIP IN CHURCH HISTORY: 2. The Patristic Age (ca. AD 100–400) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTESVolume 19, No. 7 (July 2024) Early Church House Worship (artist unknown) Sparse Information We have little detailed information as to exactly what the earliest gatherings of the church might have looked like. We are not told a lot in the Bible, and other historical sources are few as well. Relationship to Judaism We do know that there was considerable continuity, at least at first, with Judaism. The first
WORSHIP IN CHURCH HISTORY: 1. The Apostolic Age (ca. AD 1–100) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 6 (June 2024) Preferring One Another in Love Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 5 (May 2024) This year May 19 is the date of Pentecost (the climax of Eastertide, the “Great Fifty Days”). Following are some rich quotes celebrating the Spirit’s coming. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you
The Comforter Has Come Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 4 (April 2024) May 9 is Ascension Day this year this year (40 days after Easter). Following are some rich quotes dealing with this critical event that is too often neglected in our yearly worship celebrations. And He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 3 (March 2024) In the midst of the congregation I [Jesus] will sing Your [the Father’s] praise. (Hebrews 2:12b) Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set
Worship in, through, with, and by Christ Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 19, No. 2 (February 2024) Last month we began to consider several authors’ fascinating insights into Jesus’ familiarity with, usage of, and fulfillment of the Psalms. Here are some more. The Psalms are the prayers Jesus holds in common with us as He, in His manhood, takes His place within the covenant people of God. And they are Christ’s distinctive prayer book as he takes up His
Christ and the Psalms (part 2) Read More »
