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Welcome Chuck Taft as Our Minister of Music

On Sunday, December 10, the Personnel Committee presented to the church Chuck Taft as their recommendation for our minister of music. There was a meet-and-greet fellowship time that morning with Chuck and his wife, Renee, then the church voted in a called business meeting during worship to officially call Chuck to the position. We are very excited about him becoming a part of our church family. Chuck is already known by many in our congregation, having grown up around Weaverville and graduated from North Buncombe High School. He has directed his Reuter Center Singers choir when they have performed in our sanctuary many times, he directed the Messiah performance here last December, and he is an adjunct instructor at UNCA and Mars Hill. (Read his bio here.) We welcome Chuck’s passion for ministry, talents in music leadership, and heart for the Lord as he blesses our church in the future!

Celebrate An Appalachian Christmas 

Create wonderful Christmas memories as we present Appalachian Consort on Friday, December 16th, 7 pm. Experience a special evening of hearing and singing traditional Christmas carols with the unique stylings of this superb musical ensemble. 

Appalachian Consort is a group of four accomplished musicians who are proficient in a diversity of styles and genres. Playing music with Appalachian mountain roots, they regularly perform at a variety of events and venues, including the Mountain Music Festival, Shindig on the Green, and the Mountain Dance & Folk Festival. Appalachian Consort works to preserve the rich heritage of music found in our coves and valleys, showcasing the beauty of the blend of cultures from which it has evolved. To hear a sampling of the group’s recorded music, visit their website here.

Mark Clevenger - hammered dulcimer
Leonard Hollifield - guitar
Josie Moe - violin and vocals
Lee Metcalf - double bass

This event is free and the community is encouraged to participate.

Appalachian Consort performance from the Centennial Weekend

We kicked off the church's 100th Anniversary Weekend with a wonderful performance by the local band Appalachian Consort. They played wonderful bluegrass and mountain music selections. Songs included "Jolene," "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive," "The Fox," and many others! Pastor Stuart began the program with an introduction to the Centennial Weekend and recognizing descendants of charter members. To jump straight to when the music starts after 11 minutes, click here. (As more videos of the anniversary are ready, we’ll be sharing those too.)

A Prayer Song to Start Every Day – “I Arise Today (The Deer’s Cry)”

The lyrics of this song are attributed to a prayer by St. Patrick. Sometimes referred to as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” it is a beautiful prayer acknowledging God’s presence all around us, and inviting it into our lives. It also invites the life of Christ to fill up every part of our day, our body, and our spirit. (The words of the prayer were put to music by the Irish composer Shaun Davey, and sung by Rita Connolly.)

“I Arise Today (The Deer’s Cry)”

I arise today, through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun, radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire, speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea,
Stability of earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s eye to look before me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
From all who shall wish me ill, afar and a-near,
Alone and in a multitude.

Against every cruel merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me.

Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me.
I arise today.

Encouragement & Awareness through Dance

The dance ministry of First Congregational Church Asheville has put together a video that focuses on mental health and shines a light on challenges for those with mental illness. They use the song “Go Light Your World” by Chris Rice to illuminate these struggles. One of the dancers and choreographers is Smitty Dotson-Smith, daughter of Howell & Jeanette Smith. Let the dance and song cause you to think about the light of your candle and others’.
To watch and listen, click HERE.

A Song of Honesty and Determination – “All I Can Say” by David Crowder

When we pretend that we can always do everything ourselves, we eventually run out and realize that’s not true. Even though God promises to help us through everything in life, we often don’t turn to God until we’ve run out of energy trying to handle everything with our own willpower. So at that point, when we’re finally tired enough to ask God for help, we realize that God’s comfort and strength were there waiting for us all along.

“All I Can Say” by David Crowder

Lord I'm tired.
So tired from walking.
And Lord I'm so alone.
And Lord the dark is creeping in,
Creeping up to swallow me.
I think I'll stop, rest here a while.

[Chorus:]
And this is all that I can say right now. I know it’s not much.
This is all that I can give. That’s my everything.

And didn't you see me crying?
And didn't you hear me call your name?
Wasn't it you I gave my heart to?
I wish you'd remember where you sat it down.

[chorus]

I didn't notice you were standing here.
I didn't know that that was you holding me.
I didn't notice you were crying too.
I didn't know that that was you washing my feet.

A Song of Invitation – “Lord, I Come” by Michael John Clement

Sometimes we need a simple invitation to do something powerful. This song invites us, simply, to do the most powerful thing and connect with the presence of the Lord. It calls us to invite God’s Holy Spirit to wash us clean as we see Jesus, even though we are fallen and broken. And because we are, we cannot help but cry holy.

“Lord, I Come” by Michael John Clement

Lord, I come in worship.
Let me see Jesus.
Fall on me, Spirit, wash me clean.
Let me come fallen,
Let me bow broken,
Touch my heart, Spirit, pour on me.

Let me come into your presence and cry holy.
Let me rise upon your mountain and cry holy, holy.
Holy, holy. Holy is the Lamb.

A Song to Remind Us – “He is the Love” by David Crowder

Sometimes it’s the simple thing that we need to reminded of the most. This simple song reminds us of the simple but infinitely deep truth that God is the Love that holds us when we are broken, supports us when we are needy, and can always reach us no matter how far we run away.

“He is the Love” by David Crowder

This is the place I've known.
Here in the arms of one who loves
Deeper than anyone.
For His are the hands I've grown to trust.

And this is the place I've known.
Here in the arms of one who loves
Further than I could run.
For His are the hands I've grown to trust.

And I believe...
His are the hands that spread the sky.
And His is the love that gives me life.
And His are the broken, the needy ones.
And He is the love.

His are the hands that spread to die.
And His is the love that sacrificed.
And we are the broken, the needy ones.
And He is the love.

A Song of Awareness – “If I Stand” by Rich Mullins

This song reminds us that life is bigger than just the things we see in front of us, because God’s Spirit flows deep. And this song helps us recognize that when we are able to remain standing during hard times, it is because of God’s strength. But it also admits that sometimes we fall, so when we do, we can fall into God’s grace. So whether we sing or weep, let us do so with the awareness that God surrounds and fills us no matter what.

“If I Stand” by Rich Mullins

There's more that rises in the morning than the sun,
And more that shines in the night than just the moon.
It's more than just this fire here that keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger than this room.

And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments,
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing.
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things.

chorus:
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through.
And if I can't let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You.
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs.
And if I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.

There's more that dances on the prairies than the wind.
More that pulses in the ocean than the tide.
There's a love that is fiercer than the love between friends,
More gentle than a mother's when her baby's at her side.

And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments,
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing.
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver of all good things.

[chorus]

A Song to Pray in Hard Times - “Hold Me Jesus” by Rich Mullins

This is an honest song for honest prayers. When we fall apart and can’t take it anymore, these are the prayers that we pray. God always hears us and always comforts us, even during painful uncertain nights. Let this song help you get your most honest prayers out to God, and let yourself by comforted by God’s grace in return.

“Hold Me Jesus”

Sometimes my life just don't make sense at all.
When the mountains look so big,
And my faith just seems so small.

[chorus:]
So hold me Jesus, ‘cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory, won't You be my Prince of Peace.

I wake up in the night and feel the dark.
It's so hot inside my soul,
I swear there must be blisters on my heart.

[chorus]

Surrender don't come natural to me.
I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want
Than to take what you give that I need.
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees.

And the Salvation Army band’s playing this hymn.
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin.

So hold me Jesus, ‘cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory, won't You be my Prince of Peace.

A Song of Devotion – “You Are My God”

Sometimes we need simple reminders of deep truths. We also need simple encouragements to do important things. This song helps us with both. It is a reminder that we do not deserve God’s unconditional forgiveness. And it’s an encouragement for us to wake up every morning and rise to meet God’s Spirit—in the world and in our lives.

“You Are My God”

As long as the rivers flow, as long as the wind blows, my heart belongs to You.
As long as the seasons change, as long as the farmer needs the rain, my heart belongs to You.
 
Lord, I know I don't deserve the grace You give.
So I will give my heart to You that I might live.
 
You are my God, early in the morning will I rise to meet You, rise to meet You.
You are my God, early in the morning will I rise to meet You, rise to meet You.

A Prayer Song of Yearning – “Refine Me” by Jennifer Knapp

So often, we know what we want ourselves to be, but then we let ourselves get pulled away toward so many distractions. We know we want to be close to and connected with God’s Spirit, but we end up going in other directions out of fear or selfishness. This song helps us pray for God to refine our souls so that we can be purified, cleansed, and freed.

“Refine Me” by Jennifer Knapp 

I come into this place
Burning to receive your peace.
I come with my own chains
From wars I've fought for my own selfish gain.
You're my God and my Father;
I've accepted your Son,
But my soul feels so empty now
What have I become?
 
[chorus:]
Lord, come with your fire,
Burn my desires; refine me.
Lord, my will has deceived me,
Please come and free me; refine me.
 
My heart can't see
When I only look at me.
My soul can't hear
When I only think of my own fears.
They are gone in a moment
You're forever the same.
Why did I look away from You?
How can I speak Your name?
 
[chorus]
Come rescue this child.
For I long to be reconciled to You.
 
It's all I can do
To give my heart and soul to You
And pray, and pray, oh I will pray.
 
[chorus]
Come rescue this child
For I long to be reconciled to You.
Refine me, refine me.

A Prayer Song to Start Your Days – “The Day Is Dawning” by Jill Phillips

This song repeats its prayer over and over, with slight variations, as it prays for strength, love, and hope for the day. Those are all things that we desperately need help with these days, so this is a good song to listen to and a simple prayer to echo as you rise and begin each day.

“The Day Is Dawning” by Jill Phillips

Give me a chance; I want to change my ways,
‘Cause I can't live here and look the same.
Let me look up, let me look to your face,
And set me in my place, oh Lord, set me in my place.
 
The day is dawning and I am just rising
I pray my strength won't fail, I pray my strength won't fail. (x 2)
 
My strength won’t fail. My strength won’t fail.
The day is dawning and I am just rising,
I pray my strength won't fail, my strength.
 
The day is dawning and I am just rising.
I pray my love won't fail, I pray my love won't fail. (x 2)
 
My love won’t fail. My love won’t fail.
The day is dawning and I am just rising.
I pray my love won't fail, my love.
 
The day is dawning and I am just rising.
I pray my hope won't fail, I pray my hope won't fail. (x 2)
 
My hope won’t fail. My hope won’t fail.
The day is dawning and I am just rising.
I pray my hope won't fail, my hope.
 
Give me a chance; I want to change my ways,
‘Cause I can't live here and look the same.

A Song of Comfort – “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” sung by Rich Mullins

Everyone goes through ups and downs on the path of their lives. These days, we’re all struggling and worried as we walk. But every step and all the way, God’s presence and Jesus’ life leads us. We might not even know where we’re going or if we’re going anywhere at all, but the Lord is with us no matter what—giving us the strength we need to keep going, and to find joy.

“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – sung by Rich Mullins 

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate'er befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
 
All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see
 
And all the way my Savior leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love
Perfect rest in me is promised
In my Father's house above
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way

A Song of Mending - “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong Worship

The bangs and drops of life make us feel broken, like we’re walking around in pieces. God knows that, and loves us so much as to always be working to mend us. We don’t have to worry about being perfect and all put together; we are set free from such shallow worrying. Through God’s amazing grace, we become vessels of holiness, and can finally see true love out in the world.

“Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” – by Hillsong Worship

All these pieces, broken and scattered,
In mercy gathered, mended and whole.
Empty-handed but not forsaken,
I've been set free. I've been set free
 
[chorus:]
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see.
Oh, I can see it now.
Oh, I can see the love in your eyes.
Laying yourself down, raising up the broken to life.
 
You take our failure, you take our weakness,
You set your treasure in jars of clay.
So take this heart, Lord. I'll be your vessel,
The world to see your life in me.
 
[chorus]

A Song of Being Known - “Psalm 139 (Far Too Wonderful)” by Shane & Shane

We can often feel alone and not understood. But those things are never totally true, because the God who created us knows us better than we know ourselves. And there is no where we can go where God would not be with us, even if we try. God knows us, is with us, and loves us always. That’s amazing.

“Psalm 139 (Far Too Wonderful)” – by Shane & Shane

You wrote the story of my life.
You go before you fall behind.
Before a breath beyond my death
you are with me all the way
to everlasting.
 
[chorus:]
Oh I can't run, I can't hide.
Even darkness is a light.
From the lowest place to the highest praise
You are worthy.
Amazing love how can it be
Far too wonderful for me?
There's only one thing left to say
You are worthy!
 
Search me God and know my heart.
Try me, know my anxious thoughts.
Find the weakness in me and lead me in the way
Everlasting.
 
[chorus]
 
You formed me in my mothers womb.
You know my frame, my flesh, and bone.
Oh, how wonderfully made.
Oh I can't describe it's way too hard.
You see me through and through
and call me loved.
What a wonderful grace!
 
[chorus]

WEEKLY SCHEDULE CONTACT INFORMATION

Sundays: PO Box 547, Weaverville, NC 28787
Small Group Bible Study: 9:45 am info@fbcwvl.org
Worship: 11:00 am 828-645-6720
Youth Group: 6:00 pm Directions: Click here

Wednesdays:
Prayer & Bible Study: 6:00 pm
Choir Practice: 7:15 pm