Opening Song:
Fullness of Joy (Psalm 16) by Caroline Cobb and Shane Barnard
Lyrics:
Preserve me O God
For I find rest in You alone
I say to the Lord
You are my Lord I have no good
Apart from You
All sons and daughters
Brothers sisters my delight
Let's sing together
No other gods shall satisfy
God You satisfy
In Your presence
There is fullness
Of joy of joy
You give me counsel
My heart instructs me
In the night
You are before me
Because You're for me
I'm alright it'll be alright
At Your right hand
There are pleasures
Forevermore
Forevermore
My heart is glad and my soul rejoice
My flesh it dwells secure
Because You put on flesh
Lived a blameless life
My curse on the cross You bore
Then You ripped the doors
Off the City of Death
And the chains fell to the floor
Now the serpent's crushed
It has been finished
And You reign forever more
You are my portion
My cup and You make my lot secure
The lines have fallen
For me in pleasant places
A beautiful inheritance
Passage:
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalm 16:1–11 ESV)
Musical Reflection:
Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach
Reflection Notes:
Bach’s well-known prelude spins out a series of modulations, almost imperceptible at first. The new harmonies continually unfold in a way that intrigues but never shocks.
Prayer:
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
