By the time most of you read this, my boy will be on a plane many miles away. Next week is Spring Break for us, and our youth minister is taking a group of the high school juniors & seniors on a mission trip. Outside the USA. It's a great group and I'm excited they have this opportunity. I pray that this will be an amazing spiritual experience and that my boy encounters God like he never has before.
So my thoughts are on missions and I couldn't resist playing this song. I almost posted "God of This City", which I love (both the song and the story behind it), but I figure people are more familiar with it, and this one from Steve Green's early ministry days has kinda faded out. Yet it is so powerful.
And I can't resist playing this one. Anyone who has been a Baptist in the past 35-50 years will recognize this as essentially the theme song of GA's (Girls Auxiliary, where girls learned about missions at church. They later changed the name to Girls in Action in an effort to modernize it but sadly, the program was never the same. I like this piano version, so I'm posting the words below.
WE'VE A STORY TO TELL TO THE NATIONS
We've a story to tell to the nations
That shall turn their hearts to the right
A story of truth and mercy
A story of peace and light
A story of peace and light
CHORUS:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning
And the dawning to noonday bright
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth
The kingdom of love and light
We've a song to be sung to the nations
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword
And shatter the spear and sword
We've a message to give to the nations
That the Lord Who reigneth above
Hath sent us His Son to save us
And show us that God is love
And show us that God is love
We've a Saviour to show to the nations
Who the path of sorrow hath trod
That all of the world's great peoples
Might come to the truth of God
Might come to the truth of God
Words & Music by H. Ernest Nichols, 1896
Be sure to visit Amy's for more music!
And for those of you who are just Saturday visitors, I'd like to invite you to participate in my new Friday meme, Flashback Friday! Just click the button at the top of my sidebar for more info!
We sure must have grown up in similar churches. Each week you post songs that I knew by heart, all the verses! It's such fun to sing them again, and many of these songs we don't sing much at our churh anymore. I don't always think the new is better than the old... there's room for both!
ReplyDeleteGood choices today!
Blessings Linda...You must know by now I love Steve Green and this song was very important to my first mission trip...he sings it in Spanish also "Tiene que saber" instead of People need the Lord...which means "they must know..." Many prayers and blessings for your son. I love youth groups that take the time to outreach during spring break instead of "party". The second one I do not know but the words are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing the piano play it!
Thanks for sharing both...and Friday Flashback!
I love the first song and the 2nd one Ive not heard...such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. God bless!
My Mom used to lead our GA's group. We had such a great time in it as young girls...Love.Love.Love. "People Need the Lord". The words are powerful but the video with it was very touching. God bless your son and those he touches while on his trip.
ReplyDeleteInspiration for my heart today. God bless you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for your boy! praying that he will encounter God in a very real and specific way!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the second one but love the words to it.
ReplyDeleteAs our Pastor told us last week. The harvest is white but we have to go to them, their not going to come to us.
Love your post today. Love the old hymns of the church and many times sit at the piano just playing through the hymnal. I pray that your son has a great time. I have heard from Jenna 3 times this week and can hear in her voice the 'awe' of being where Jesus was.....as of yesterday she had 2400 pictures! Praying for peace for you this week, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat message and great song! I enjoyed reading your blog, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat message and great song! I enjoyed reading your blog, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat songs. I wish we were more passionate about missions (we as the Christian church). Back in 1896, missions were so much more important to people. Thanks for the songs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Blessings! I added your new meme to Ladyhightower's Meme Castle.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know "We've a Story" so thanks for posting the words as well as the tune. Praying for your son to be blessed and to be a blessing on his trip. And to return home safely.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Lisa
sitting here listening to the piano play just pretty music, I love the piano, play a little.
ReplyDeleteMay God be with the kids as they travel abroad.
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Wonderful post, Linda...I so enjoyed both videos...I am also Baptist, and still love the old hyms...my best friend and I sing them when we're at bible study...no one else knows them! I will keep your son and the youth group in my prayers...missions are so very important...a good friend of mine is in Israel right now, passing out tracts, etc. She and her husband are there on their own, just felt the leading of the Lord to go, so no doubt, souls will be saved, as God's Word does not return void...I also pray that your son has a God encounter that will change his life forever!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mary
Linda, I knew both of these songs well. Like Sonja ...we grew up with the same Baptist roots.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed listening and singing along. My mom used to play the piano and as kids we stood next to her and sang our hearts out. :)
How wonderful that your boy is going on a mission trip.
Blessings,
Debbie
Great songs, Linda ~ I'm praying for your son and his group. Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteI hope your son will be blessed by the trip!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that song by Steve Green until now. Thanks for sharing it!
...and loved the piano version of the second song!
Have a blessed week!
I remember that old song. I'm so glad that there are mission trips our kids can go on! I too hope your son experiences a spirit filled week!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Post ! People do need the Lord ! Your son will be in my prayers .
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Myrna