Saturday, April 10, 2010

TSMSS - In Loving Memory


I mentioned the other day that our former Minister of Music passed away earlier this week. Oh, how we all loved Joe! When I was a freshman in college and began attending that church, he was still directing the college choir. (The next year was the first year a Music Assistant came on board, who then led the college choir.) Then once I was out of school, I joined the Sanctuary Choir and sang for years under his leadership. Meeting & marrying my man was a result of singing in the choir together. And because we considered him "our" minister, he married us. And a few years later, he did the baby dedication of our boy.

He's singing in God's Choir now, and I know the music in heaven is that much sweeter with his beautiful tenor added in! I'm hoping to attend his memorial service this afternoon.

One song that the choir sang was a favorite of many of us. Based on Psalm 8, the words and music combine to make this such a glorious song of praise. This is a church choir from another church singing it, and coordinating pictures, plus the Names of God, are a wonderful part of this video.

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of knowing this wonderful man of God!


THE MAJESTY AND GLORY OF YOUR NAME

When I gaze
Into the night sky
And see the work
Of Your fingers
The moon and stars
Suspended in space
But what is man
That You are mindful of him?

You have given man
A crown of glory and honor
And have made him
A little lower than the angels
You have put him
In charge of all creation
The beasts of the field
The birds of the air
The fish of the sea


But what is man
Oh, what is man
That You are mindful of him?

O Lord, our God
The majesty and glory
Of Your name
Transcends the earth
And fills the heavens
O Lord, our God
Little children praise You perfectly
And so would we
And so would we

Alleluia, Alleluia
The majesty and glory of Your name
Alleluia, Alleluia

WORDS: Linda Lee Johnson
MUSIC: Tom Fettke


Join us at Amy's for more music.


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13 comments:

Debbie Petras said...

Linda, I'm so sorry on the loss of your friend Joe. Although it's wonderful that he is with the Lord, I'm sure many will miss him. He sounds like a wonderful man.

The music, words and video were wonderful. I loved it. The names of God was a perfect ending. I miss songs like this.

I may use this video some time in the next few weeks as I'm studying Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of God" and blogging on it each Monday. I hope you don't mind.

Happy Saturday!

Blessings,
Debbie

Karen said...

A beautiful tribute to your friend. God bless you.

SusanD said...

This is such a loving tribute to your dear friend. Blessings, SusanD

Andrea said...

Praying for you!
Andrea

Connie Barris said...

This really brought me to tears... I am sorry for your loss but glad for his reunion with his Heavenly Papa...

That is one of my very favorite songs...

blessings

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This was so beautiful. I love that song, and it was such a fitting tribute to Joe, who is enjoying choirs we've only dreamed about!

I'm so sorry for your loss. The threads of your relationship with him were woven all through your lives and that is special. Isn't it wonderful to know we will meet those precious friends again.

Blessings!

Sonja

Karen said...

Wonderful post in memory of your dear friend...how blessed to know what glorious praises he is singing now....

My ADHD Me said...

What a wonderful tribute to your friend Joe!


I also want to comment on your previous post but if you're like me, which you proved there may be just a bit of that in you with your random birthday thoughts, you may never realize there is a comment on a previous post.

yes, I get the emails telling me....and there are approx 1382 (I kid you not...that sounds silly...I'm serious) unread emails in my email box.

SO, rather than ramble here in this comment box (too late) I am off now (I know, you know that) to comment on your previous both.

Well, that's all.
(Get it "Well")
I know I know. If you have to explain it, it isn't funny.
Chow! (mein)

hhmmm my WVB is psoysti- is it trying to tell me something??

achildoftheking said...

My condolences of the loss of the choir director. We all have special people in our lives like that. I love how God orchestrates our lives, just like an orchestrated choir. Happy Saturday Linda. You can find me here today.

Nel said...

What a beautiful song and a wonderful tribute to a dear friend.

until next time... nel

Peggy said...

ohhh Linda...my heart is aching! My deepest sympathies for this great loss to you, your church and so many! Your words and this song are a beautiful tribute to him. I pray that you find comfort from one another and support for this wonderful man of God that left such an impression and holds such a special place to you, your marriage & family. May you be strengthened as you celebrate his life this afternoon!

I know what it would mean to me to loose temporarily any of my pastors. Even when our last choir director and his wife & daughter left to another church, I mourned their loss! He too was a tenor.

Such a beautiful song & choir but it was the piano that caught my heart and ear (the entire orchestra). Beautiful! Truly such majesty & glory in HIS NAME!
Perfect for all the studies about the Names of God!

Heaven's gain but a day will come when we all will sing in the heavenly choir. Hallelujah!

The Power of Your Love...Peggy

Cindy said...

This was a sweet tribute to your friend. Thank you for sharing the music.

Cathy said...

Linda, I'm sorry about your friend, Joe. That is a beautiful video.