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