Good Friday Communion Service 2009

I had been looking forward to tonight for several weeks. Our pastor began having Good Friday communion services last year and I really enjoyed it. I knew that it would just be our usual faithful few that would come out. I was pleased that we had about 29 people show up tonight. A few of our regulars weren't there because of prior commitments but we had a nice turn out. Just like last year, we all sat together in the center front section of the church. It felt good for everyone to be so close together, more like a family. I wish we would do that all of the time. Sometimes I feel like our church is so big inside and we all spread out away from each other and it seems cold and distant. I honestly feel that we would have better services if everyone would come together as one. At least move down toward the front and participate instead of sitting way back in the back like they have one foot out the door.

Last week, my aunt Barbara asked me if I would sing "Man of Sorrows, What A Name," during the communion service. I wasn't sure how people would react to it. It's not the "usual" Highland kind of hymn. The song was written in the 1800's by one of the greatest hymn writers in history, Philip Bliss. It tells the story of Jesus and is so touching. I didn't hear any feedback afterwards so I'm still not sure how well it went over. I love this kind of music. I also sang it more in the fashion of how I was trained to sing and it felt nice to me. You can listen to me sing this song with Barbara playing the piano, here:

Man of Sorrows, What a Name

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!