Children’s Vesper Service

This transcript was generated automatically. Its accuracy may vary

Short Summary

The speaker reflects on the joy and fellowship experienced during five days of a general convention, emphasizing the unique blessing of being together. They introduce a diverse youth choir, aged nine to seventeen, who will perform a selection of meaningful songs spanning centuries, each with spiritual significance, culminating in a heartfelt celebration of faith and God’s promises. The service highlights the blend of tradition and youthful energy in worship.

Long Summary

Opening Reflection on Joy and Fellowship:
– The speaker opens with a rhetorical question: “Why am I smiling? Why not?” setting a joyful and thankful tone.
– Reflects on the past five days of the general convention, emphasizing the uniqueness and blessings of each gathering.
– Expresses gratitude for being together with “dear brethren,” highlighting the fellowship and engagement observed among participants.
– Notes the joy that fills the place during these times, considering it a blessing.

Nostalgic Look at Convention Traditions:
– Recalls how Wednesday evening has traditionally been a high point of the convention.
– Mentions how film sales used to skyrocket during conventions in the days of film cameras.
– Contrasts this with modern times where digital phones capture “Sweet Memories,” underscoring the value of preserving these moments.

Introduction to the Choir and Their Performance:
– Builds anticipation for the choir performance that evening.
– Shares that the choir is one of the most diverse groups ever assembled at the convention, combining multiple groups into one.
– Notes the age range of the choir members is from 9 to 17 years old.
– Explains that this choir will be the only group singing during the service.
– Prepares the audience by listing and explaining the songs they will perform.

Detailed Information About the Choir Songs:
1. “The Long Road to Freedom” (1966):
– One of the speaker’s personal favorites.
– Title suggests themes of liberation and spiritual journey.

2. Song Based on Luke 19:1-8 (Zacchaeus):
– The song tells the story of Zacchaeus, a short man who became a disciple of Jesus.
– The speaker makes a light-hearted “dad joke” about Zacchaeus being short and a reference to someone named Bill.
– Encourages recognition and appreciation of this biblical story set to music.

3. A Hymn Written in 1772:
– One of the most well-known and beloved Christian hymns.
– Likely a classic about grace, possibly “Amazing Grace,” given the year and description.
– Often one of the first songs learned by children in Christian communities.

4. A Lullaby Hymn Written in 1859:
– Will be sung as a lullaby during the service.
– The year places it just before the American Civil War.

5. “Down by the Riverside” (1860s):
– Written in a time of national turmoil, just before the Civil War.
– The song expresses a desire to lay down burdens and cease conflict: “I like to take my burden down by the riverside and leave it there.”
– The lyrics emphasize peace: “Ain’t gonna study war no more.”
– A well-known spiritual song historically linked to the abolitionist movement and peace.

6. “Father Adam” (1967) by Carmelita Fernetz:
– Written by a sister who wanted to teach children the entire plan of God in just three verses and a chorus.
– First performed at the Bloomington General Convention in 1968.
– Emotional significance as the daughter of the writer will perform it, with hope she can sing it without crying.
– The song encapsulates foundational Christian teachings about Adam, Jesus, forgiveness, and God’s promises.

Invitation to the Choir and Congregation:
– The speaker invites the young choir members to come forward and “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
– Calls on Sister Charlene to lead, creating a sense of communal worship and praise.

Excerpts from the Choir’s Singing:
– Snippets of the “Down by the Riverside” song are included, emphasizing peace and laying down burdens.
– The final song “Father Adam” is highlighted with lyrics referencing Jesus’ birth 2000 years ago, his sacrifice for Adam (and humanity), God’s forgiveness, and the hope of going “up yonder” (to heaven).

Themes and Biblical References:
– The Zacchaeus song is based on Luke 19:1-8, which tells the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who sought Jesus and was transformed by his encounter.
– The entire service and choir performance emphasize joy, fellowship, grace, peace, forgiveness, and the Christian hope.
– The spiritual songs connect historical struggles (e.g., Civil War era) with biblical and Christian teachings on peace and salvation.

Summary:
– The Vesper is a heartfelt reflection on the blessings of Christian fellowship and worship at the general convention.
– It honors tradition while embracing diversity and youth in worship.
– The song selections tell a story of faith, grace, peace, and God’s loving plan for humanity.
– The evening’s focus is on joyful praise, spiritual education, and communal encouragement.

Bible Verse Reference:
– Luke 19:1-8 (Zacchaeus story) is explicitly mentioned as the basis for one of the choir’s songs.

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the Vesper message, its thematic content, musical program, and spiritual significance.

Transcript

Why am I smiling? Why not?

Think of the five days of convention we’ve had.

Every general convention that we’ve been to has been a unique blessing. But to be here in this place for five days with you dear brethren, and not just necessarily me, having fellowship with each and every one of you, though I hope I got to speak to all of you, if not most of you, I watch from the sidelines and just see how engaged you are in your fellowship and in the joy that is brought to this place in this time. We are blessed. Wednesday evening is always a high point. Film sales in the old days, remember the cameras that had the film in it that you took pictures with?

Film sales in the area of the general convention went through the roof. But now we just have the little digital phones and Sweet Memories are recorded, and they are very precious, and tonight we have a precious choir. I’ve heard them practicing. Don’t get nervous, guys.

No, get nervous. Be nervous. You’ll perform better. We’re looking forward to them singing and rejoicing in the Lord tonight.

And I have something to read to you that explains tonight’s choir performance.

Are you ready?

This group of young people.

I’m going to go off script. Is one of the most diverse that we’ve ever had. Normally we have like three or four different groups. Tonight, they’re all together as one. Their ages range from nine to 17.

Did I get that right? 17. Nine to 17, good. They’re the only group that’s going to sing in tonight’s service. So you may recognize most of the songs, but just in case.

Here we go. The first was written in 1966, and it’s called the Long Road to Freedom. That’s one of my favorites.

The next song is Based on Luke 19, verses 1 through 8, and it’s about a short man who became a disciple. You may think of Zacchaeus as a very short man, but who was the one. Who was the shoe height? Bill, dad. The shoe height.

I think the short. It’s a bad joke. A dad joke. I’m sorry, Bill, Dad. The shoe height.

But you’ll recognize the song about Zacchaeus. It’s a great song. Love it. The third song, written in 1772, may be one of the most well known and beloved hymns in Christian hymnology, and of course, you’ll recognize it immediately if you haven’t already presupposed what the title of this amazing song about grace is, One of the first songs you may have learned to sing.

Is the fourth song for this service, written in 1859, and tonight it will be sung as a lullaby.

The fifth song, written in the 1860s, right before the Civil War broke out, at a time when this nation felt like it was carrying a heavy burden, was on the verge of crumbling.

It is titled down by the Riverside.

I like to take my burden down by the riverside and leave it there.

The final song was written in 1967 by a sister who wanted to teach her children the entire plan of God in only three verses and a chorus. It was first sung at the Bloomington General Convention in 1968. The Sister who wrote it, Carmelita Fernetz.

And if her daughter can get through it without crying too much, you will enjoy it very much. The song is called Father Adam, and now, my friends, my young friends, please come forward and make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Sister Charlene, please.

Ram.

There.

Sam.

Keep us awful.

Sa.

Ram.

We.

Close.

He.

By the riverside there down by the riverside down by the riverside Wanna lay down my sword shield there down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study more no more I ain’t gonna study more no more Ain’t gonna study more no more Ain’t gonna study more no more Ain’t gonna study one no more.

Lord.

No more Ain’t going to study war no more Ain’t going to study war no more.

When the church has gotten younger Jesus came when was born in 2000 years you and he gave his life for Adam Come ahead For you and me what a way God has forgiven his precious promises in the holy shadow.

When the church has gone up yonder.

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