Video of the Week: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

This week's "Video of the Week" partners with this week's Advent devotional which features the hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus".  Enjoy!


Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Journey Worship

1st Sunday in Advent – Hope “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Welcome to week one of this Advent season!  

For our 2011 – 2012 journey from Advent to Epiphany, I have put together a weekly series of devotionals that is enhanced by Anglican prayer beads. Each devotion in the series will follow a typical Anglican prayer beads pattern that I have written to include a favorite hymn of the season.

So take a moment to reflect on today's message of hope.

The Cross

We beginning at the cross of your prayer beads, we say a prayer that sets the tone for our prayer session.

“Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and always. Amen.”

Revelation 7:12 CEB

The Invitatory

Move to the invitatory bead as we say a prayer that invites God's Holy presence.

"God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble."

Psalm 46:1 CEB

The Cruciforms

Move to the first of four cruciform beads. The prayers for these beads act as a kind of refrain.

“Come, Thou long expected Jesus born to set Thy people free”

Charles Wesley

The Weeks

Move to the first set of weeks beads on either side of the first cruciform bead. There are 7 of these weeks beads, representing the 7 days of the week to encourage us to make our prayer a daily practice. These beads are at the core of our prayers.

1. From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee. 

2. Israel's Strength and Consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;

3. Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

4. Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, 

5. Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

6. By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

*Special thanks to these online resources who helped me pull this together.
http://www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm
http://www.youversion.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God."

~Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)

Video of the Week: Praying With Anglican Prayer Beads

Anglican Prayer Beads

A friend in ministry shared with me information about the Anglican prayer beads that she had been making while I admired here prayer bead bracelet a month or so ago and I have been determined to make them ever since.

I went to my local craft store and bought some simple wooden beads and hemp cord and set to work learning how to make my very own prayer beads.  My friend had let me borrow a couple books for reference so I had a place to start.  I love the simplicity of the design and the enhancement to my prayer life.

I became inspired as I was brainstorming this season's devotions for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season to incorporate prayer beads in our weekly devotions together.

Starting the first Monday in Advent, November 28th, 2011 I will be sharing prayer beads devotions for the Advent and Christmas season up to the week of Epiphany, January 2nd, 2012.  I encourage you to use these original devotions for private refection as well as for devotional time with your church's music and worship planning groups.

This week's Video of the Week shares about praying with prayer beads and how we might make it a practice in our devotional life. Enjoy!

Praying With Anglican Prayer Beads

Quote of the Week: "Dear Lord; we beg not one..."

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more:
Peace in the hearts of all men living,
peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving.
 

~Joseph Auslander

My Journey in United Methodist Doctrine

Recently I shared with you about my new job and the opportunities I have had as an employee for Cokesbury at Saint Paul School of Theology.  One of those opportunities has been to take a United Methodist Studies in Doctrine Course to fulfill the education requirements for United Methodist Certification for Musicians.  

Classroom at Saint Paul School of Theology

I wasn't sure I would even be able to finish to be quite honest and I was getting discouraged but once I started working at Cokesbury I decided it was worth it to ask around and see if it was even possible.  After a long email exchange back and forth plus a few phone calls I was approved to take the Doctrine course that was being offered this Fall semester and to use it to finish my education for certification.  I was thrilled because I had realized before my search that I only had one more year of the ten you get to finish your education or I would have to start all over again.

Taking Notes

I have attended classes on Wednesday mornings at the seminary now for several weeks and I am really enjoying myself.  I have had tons of reading to do which has made keeping up with my blogs a little harder than I anticipated but it is well worth it. As I finish books I will be sharing a book list and my thoughts for anyone interested in independent study.

I am so glad that I am finally getting this accomplished and I can't wait for my certification to take place.  If all goes as planned I should be official this June.  I'll keep you posted! 

Video of the Week: "Improvisation on Electric Organ"

Madi at the Electric Organ

I think that every musical household needs an electric organ with a few bells and whistles.  This organ has brought more exploratory play time than most any toy in the house.  My daughter Madi decided to give a mini concert on an improvisation she was working on and I just managed to catch it on video. Enjoy!

New Opportunities and Part-Time Employment

I have been looking for additional employment for the past year and have been working to network and get the word out to all my friends, family and colleagues. This last June I got a call about a potential job at the Cokesbury store at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. After a couple successful interviews I began my part time employment journey in August with Cokesbury.

Cokesbury is the official store for the United Methodist Publishing House located in Nashville, Tennessee. If you are United Methodist you have probably ordered books, music or curriculum from Cokesbury at one time or another. We also service many other protestant denominations.

The Cokesbury at Saint Paul School ofTheology is a seminary store that also provides the text books to the many students we see on campus. The majority of students are also serving a church so we are there to help with resources and worship supplies.

Being a UM Church musician brings a different perspective to my work at the store and gives me an opportunity to help our customers with music and worship related questions. I am also very fond of the United Methodist Women's reading program and work to keep that section up to date.

I am excited by the new opportunities that have already come my way by working at Cokesbury and what the future holds. I am confident that this new found connection will continue to help me on my music ministry journey.

You're Invited to Christmas Open House

3 days only - November 9 - 11

Save 25% on all regularly priced in-stock merchandise in stores only 

or free shipping at Cokesbury.com

Look for Christmas Open House specials

only available at these extra low prices for 3 days, while supplies last. 

Video of the Week: Pomplamoose Monster Mask

I love Pomplamoose and I was so happy to see a new video with a little bit of spookiness for All Hallows Eve. Enjoy!