With You Always - Exodus 13
An order of worship planned around Exodus 13, originally held at the Calvin Symposium on Worship.
Theme of the Service
Praise and Thanksgiving
Choir: Bless the Lord (Psalm 103), Kevin Bond
Reading: Psalm 103
Choir: Psalm 117, James Glover/Joseph Joubert
"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"
Confession and Assurance
Prayer of Confession
Assurance: He Is God (Psalm 46), Wayne Robinson
"I Love the Lord" (Psalm 116)
"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"
"I Love the Lord" (Psalm 116)
Choir: The Almighty God, Christopher J. Watkins
Proclamation
Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22 and Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon: "Never Alone" Listen
"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
"Guide My Feet"
Prayer
Choir: Hear My Prayer, Moses Hogan
Prayer for the World
"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
Benediction
Blessing
Choir: Till We Meet Again, Kirk Franklin
The Calvin College Gospel Choir, one of eight choirs at Calvin College, is an ensemble of more than 100 vocalists drawn from diverse academic programs. Along with participating in events on campus, the Gospel Choir travels off campus each semester and has participated in community events such as "Gospel Night at the Symphony" as well as enriching church worship services.
The Gospel Choir had its beginnings in the 1980s as a student-led organization under the direction of Scott Davis. Later directors included Debra Perry and Dorcas Jones. The choir sometimes exceeded 150 students who rehearsed once or twice a week.
In 2003 the Gospel Choir toured in Ghana, working closely with the University of Ghana while there. The Gospel Choir was featured in the Spring 2004 issue of The Light Walk Christian Magazine in an article highlighting college gospel choirs.
The Gospel Choir has been under the direction of Calvin Professor Dr. Charsie Sawyer since 1996, and endeavors to present the glory and word of God through traditional spirituals, African music, and contemporary gospel music.
Credits and permissions
Visuals: The hangings were designed by Alice Brinkman of East Lansing, Michigan.
Hymns in this service are based on the editions found in the African-American Heritage Hymnal (GIA Publications, Inc., 2001).
Bless the Lord
Text: Psalm 103, adapt. by Kevin Bond (b. 1964)
Music: Kevin Bond
© 2001 by Bonded Music Publishing. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
Psalm 117
Text: Psalm 117, adapt. by James Glover (b. 1984)
Music: James Glover, arr. Joseph Joubert (b. 1957)
© 2005 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"
Text and music: Henry Smith (b. 1952)
© 1978, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
He Is God
Text: Psalm 46, adapt. by Wayne Robinson (b. 1950)
Music: Wayne Robinson
© 2005 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
"I Love the Lord (Psalm 116)"
Text and tune: Richard Smallwood, © 1990, Century Oak/Richwood Music
Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr., b. 1969, © 2000, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Almighty God
Text and music: Christopher J. Watkins (b. 1970)
© 2002 Christopher J. Watkins - Williwat Pub. BMI. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
Text: William Williams (1717-1791), 1745; st. 1, tr. Peter Williams (1722-1796), 1771
Tune: Zion; Thomas Hastings (1784-1872)
"Guide My Feet"
Text: African American spiritual
Tune: Guide My Feet; African American spiritual; harm. by Wendell P. Whalum (1931-1987)
Arr. © estate of Wendell Whalum
Hear My Prayer
Text and music: Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
© 2001 Hal Leonard Corporation. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
Text: Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915), 1873
Tune: Assurance; Phoebe P. Knapp (1839-1908), 1873
Till We Meet Again
Text and music: Kirk Franklin (b. 1970)
© 1993 Lilly Mack Music