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Wednesday, Third Week Advent: Joy to the World! Hymn of Christmas Coming

December 21, 2017 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Joy to the WORLD! Hymn of Christmas coming announces the Prince of Peace!

My favorite memory of Christmas is when I played Joy to the World during Christmas Eve service with my son and daughter as part of small church orchestra.

This was a one-time event. My son was a senior. His classmate Sarah spent the year composing orchestra pieces for Christmas and Easter services as part of a senior project. (She is now a music teacher in Western Nebraska.)

To many, this might not be a big deal. But it was. You see Trinity Lutheran is a small country church in rural Nebraska. Our congregation is less than 150 people. However, we have an amazing local school music and band program at Elmwood-Murdock High School. About eight youth that practiced many times and never thought it would come together.

Sarah wrote parts for trumpet, tympani, bells, clarinet, saxophone, piano, organ and flute. I played the piano.

At the start, I looked over the piano at Sara, took a breath and we began.

It was AMAZING! It was JOY to the World as the Prince of Peace filled the air with majestic song and the congregation stood and sang with JOY. Every measure was perfect, every note was hit. At the end, I turned and looked at my son, his response was simply “Wow”

Sarah and I continued to play her Joy to the World hymn piano and organ duet for many years until she married and moved away. Last year I played it just on the piano and although the congregation filled me with peace, it wasn’t the same.

This year I will be playing the same Joy to the World duet, but this time with Pastor Kuhlman. I am so looking forward to it again.

How Exciting is This?

The wonderful counselor is going to bring us peace and goodwill to men! I’ve talked about it, how Jesus Christ comes to give us peace through forgiveness of sins. No, not as the peace the world gives but eternal peace. Yes, we want peace on earth. Peace with our family, our marriages, between friends, at work, in our community and world.

But before we can have peace in our world we have to have peace between God and all of us. Imagine if people gave up their sins. Ok, that might not be possible. But we can daily give them up to Jesus and when we do that repeatably we are less likely to repeat them. Daily repentance and prayers of forgiveness to God gives us internal peace.

So JOY TO THE WORLD and Peace Be With You!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLT9dSt8cwg[/embedyt]

Weekly Advent Readings: Wednesday, 3rd Week Advent

Today’s Reading Isaiah 40: 1-11

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40: 18-41: 10; Revelation 8: 1-13

- - - - Higher Things: Dare to Be Lutheran – Wednesday 3rd Week Advent
      - Trinity Lutheran Church Sermon, 3rd Sunday Advent: High Pastoral Care: Blessing! (listen to the audio)
      - Third Wednesday in Advent Sermon: The Prince of Peace (listen to the audio)

Cows are a Fan of the Song Royals by Lorde

August 6, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

I saw this today and I just had to share. I live in Nebraska, majored in Animal Science and yes, cows are curious, it’s hard to get photos of them at the fence as they will come right up to you. So it’s no doubt they would be an apt audience of the song Royals by Lorde. Heck, I’m a fan of the original and all the covers. But this is the best!!

Agriculture has taken a beating in the media for mistreating their animals. I would say these cows are clearly not mistreated, and in fact, I would say probably a little spoiled.

Who would of thought cattle would be such a fan of pop music? Derek Klingenberg is a farmer in Kansas, has quite the sense of humor and takes videotography to another genre. He’s pretty funny and I think this Angus cow below agrees.

The video has gone viral and is hitting all over social media and even Ellen like the cows being serenaded with the Royals by Lorde and tweeted it. How cool is that, what a way to promote ranching and agriculture. Bet this is driving PETA and the HSUS crazy! (don’t worry I’m not linking to them, but to sites that reveal what those organizations really are)

If you like this you can Tweet Derek @KlingenbergFarm, or thank him on Facebook, better yet go to his YouTube page, a lot of ag related parodies to keep you entertained for hours.

If it’s the song Royals by Lorde you’re looking for then here is the original song and even better the piano sheet music. Which, by the way is really fun to play.

Royals (Lorde Cover) (Let Me Live That Fantasy)Lorde – Royals – Easy Piano Sheet Music Royals by Lorde – Violin Cover Royals Video Ap FREE

Original Royals by Lorde Video

More Fun with the Song Royals by Lorde

Cows Come Running To Hear Farmer Play Lorde’s ‘Royals …

Who knew cows loved trombone music so much? In this clip, Farmer Derek Klingenberg manages to attract an entire herd of cattle by simply playing Lorde’s “Royals” on his trombone. If you’re the impatient type, skip ahead …

Exclusive “Weird Al” Yankovic Music Video: FOIL (Parody of …

Exclusive “Weird Al” Yankovic Music Video: FOIL (Parody of “Royals” by Lorde). CollegeHumor. SubscribeSubscribedUnsubscribe 7,585,217. Subscription preferences. Loading… Loading… Working… 14,844,867. 130,285 …

Watch Cows Come to Hear Farmer’s Moo-ving Rendition of Lorde’s “Royals” on …

Sorry Old MacDonald, but cows these days have no interest in your E-I-E-I-O schtick. Luckily, Derek Klingenberg is a modern farmer and farm-centric musical parody artist who has a YouTube channel and some unique ideas for bringing his cows home for the …

Deployed Dad Writes his Daughter a Song

June 20, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

This deployed dad1 knows how hard being away from is on his family, especially his little girl, and he wanted to make her feel better. Most military children understand that Mommy or Daddy is doing a very important job for the country and the other parent takes on not only the double task of parenting but also comforting, reassuring and keeping the connection strong. But it doesn’t make it any less painful or lonely.

Today is Friday and many people use this day to remind others that our military is still deployed overseas in countries far away from their family.

In this day of technology, cell phones, iPads, internet, Facebook overseas communication is much easier and faster than years ago when you waited for a letter in the mail or the rare phone call. Facetime, Snapchat, and Skype are sometimes nightly rituals with servicemen and women to stay in contact with their families. They might use it to help their children with homework, watch a birthday party, or even the birth of a new baby.

He is currently a Fort Drum soldier on deployment in Afghanistan and enlisted the help of his fellow soldiers to sing a song to his daughter who is missing him back in Watertown, NY. Sgt. First Class Jamie McIntyre is on his fifth deployment to Afghanistan and says his 5-year-old daughter Jessie, was missing her dad and having a tough time dealing with him being away from home.

To cheer her up, McIntyre asked some fellow soldiers to help him write and sing a song to Jessie using Facetime. In the video, McIntyre – who is of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team with the 10th Mountain Division – is the soldier positioned third from the left.

Thank you to all the deployed Dads and Moms and everyone in the military who serve our great country. You sacrifice your lives, and have found ways to endure, carry on and keep the bonds strong at home.

Carrie Underwood: Keep Us Safe

May 22, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Salute to Our Troops

If you’re going to release a song dedicated to the military and American troops what better time to release a patriotic song than at the ACM Salute to our Troops show? Carrie Underwood did just that when she put in special request to write an original song just for this all star event and donate the proceeds “Keep it Safe” to ACM Lifting Lives.

Please feel free to download the song here.

Remember, Memorial Day is not just about barbeques, picnics, and family celebrations. Take time to remember what the weekend and day is all about. Freedom is not free as the wall at the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC states.(Taken my trip in 2010)

Visit a cemetery, attend a parade, stand up and salute the veterans as they walk by, look at the American flag and think of all the people who have fought for our freedom over the years.

Keep Us Safe because Freedome is Not Free — Korean War Memorial: Washington DC on Memorial Day

There are men and women in today’s military training and fighting to Keep Us Safe, taking time out of their lives to serve our country, prepared, in case an attack threatens our freedom. Let us not remember the veterans who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lyrics to Keep Us Safe

“Deserts grow cold
Rivers run dry
We give up on each other without thinking twice
Hope gets lost
Can’t see the dawn
When the storm just won’t let up, give us the faith to carry on
When we get scared
Let this be our prayer
God keep us safe tonight
Keep our eyes toward the skies
Send down an army of angels
To make us brave
And keep us strong and unafraid
God keep us safe
We walk a thousand steps in the wrong direction
Broken and bruised, wearing tattered shoes
Asking Him a thousand questions
But we go on
Trying to get back home
Through the struggles and the troubles I know we don’t walk alone
Even when we get lost through the valleys we crossed
God keep us safe, safe tonight
Keep our eyes toward the skies
Send down an army of angels
To make us brave
And keep us strong and unafraid
God keep us safe
God keep us safe
Oh God keep us safe
Unafraid
And keep our eyes on the heavens and give us grace
Send us an army of angels
To make us brave
Keep us strong and unafraid
Keep us strong and unafraid
God keep us safe
Keep us safe”

What will you do this weekend? In my rural Nebraska town we start off the weekend by raising the flags in the cemetery, it is a cross generational event with kids and boy scouts placing flags on the tombstones marking our veterans with parents and grandparents helping hoist the flagpoles.

Learn More about Carrie Underwood song Keep Us Safe

Carrie Underwood: ‘Keep Us Safe’ Full Song & Lyrics – Listen Now!

Carrie Underwood: ‘Keep Us Safe‘ Full Song & Lyrics – Listen Now! Carrie Underwood: ‘Keep Us Safe‘ Full Song & Lyrics – Listen Now! Check out your first listen of Carrie Underwood’s brand new song “Keep Us Safe”! The 31-year-old country singer debuted …

Carrie Underwood Talks About New Song ‘Keep Us Safe’

At the ‘ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops’ taping last month Carrie Underwood debuted a brand new song called ‘Keep Us Safe.’

Carrie Underwood Honors Soldiers With Song Written For …

ACMLiftingLives.org. ACM, ACM Presents An All-Star Salute To The Troops, Carrie Underwood, Keep Us Safe · Superstars Miranda Lambert And Carrie Underwood To Perform “Somethin’ Bad” Duet On 2014 CMT Music …

MUSICinsideU: Keep Us Safe – Carrie Underwood

The Meaning of Carrie Underwood’s Keep Us Safe is a prayer, with all five parts. 1. When things get dark (“rivers run dry… hope gets lost… the storm just won’t let up”) we start to pray – we stop playing superhero and get down on our knees …

God’s Blessings and Easter Miracle Stories

April 20, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Easter Miracle Stories Can Happen

I believe in Gods’ blessings and the Easter miracle stories because I witnessed a personal Easter miracle.

Miracles from Heaven: A Little Girl and Her Amazing Story of Healing

Many of you hear of Easter miracles, stories testimonials and casually dismiss their validity. You may patiently listen, smile, and nod your head. But truly not believe.

I did the same. But no longer. My father was dying in a hospital. The doctors and nurses were saying any minute, any hour. But I witnessed my own miracle on Easter.

All we need to do is believe and have faith. It’s that simple. Christ died for us on Good Friday many years ago and through the miracle of his Resurrection showed how we can have everlasting life.

For by Grace you have been saved through faith and it is not your doing, but a Gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).

Easter has a special meaning for me and the traditional Easter hymns bring me back to certain times in my life when I have witnessed miracles.

There are true life miracle stories that happen every day. Stories that have no explanation that can only be attributed to the grace of God.

My Easter Miracle Story

In 1995 I received a call from my Mother on Good Friday. Dad was in the hospital and not expected to make it through the weekend.

I immediately flew 1500 miles to Connecticut and we started a 24-hour bedside vigil.

The years of emphysema and COPD had taken a toll, Dad was laying in the hospital bed, nonresponsive and hooked to machines that beeped his life story.

I had the overnight shift on Saturday night and spent the hours repeatedly putting his oxygen mask back on his face, as he kept pulling it down. The nurses came in and asked me what I wanted them to do if he stopped breathing.

They did not expect my Father to live through the night.

I just gave them a stern and outraged look and said, “He can hear you, we aren’t going to talk about it.” You see, my Father had not yet met his brand new granddaughter, who had just been born a few months earlier.

The next morning was Easter, and I left the hospital when I Mom arrived to attend Easter Service at my home church of Grace Episcopal in Broad Brook CT. Traditional Easter songs have always moved me in ways I can’t explain.

I sat in the back, in one of the Mother rocking chairs with my baby girl, and listened to the traditional Easter hymns in that small church. I prayed, I held my baby girl, rocked her, and wept. The He’s Risen hymn touched my heart and soul and I can’t explain the feeling I felt.

It was a warmth, a radiating “tingle” throughout my entire body that did not cease. I tried to sing, but could not because of the lump in my throat.

Pretty Flower Christian Happy Easter Card
by ChristianGiftIdea

I prayed for an Easter miracle.

After church, I went anxiously to the hospital. My Dad was sitting up and drinking coffee.

I have no explanation except as an example of the many Easter miracle stories that abound. Afterward, I learned he was on seven prayer lists that morning.

Thank you for that Easter miracle and those last few days with my Dad. Christ is Risen indeed, and Jesus gives life.

Add Church Name to Easter Button
by ChristianGiftIdea

Hymns to Enjoy this Happy Easter

To me, these hymns are Easter. They are my favorite traditional hymns and I look forward to singing Jesus Christ is Risen Today hymn during church every Easter morning. I do have to admit there is always a lump in my throat as I remember sitting in my hometown Episcopal church praying for my Father.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today Hymn

Traditional Easter songs cross over various denominations. The following Christian hymns and music are sung in churches of various denominations including Episcopal, Lutheran and Catholic churches.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today Hymn

My favorite traditional Easter hymn is “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” It reminds me of not only my own Easter miracle story but God’s grace in my life every day.

He’s Risen, He’s Risen Hymn

Another favorite hymn in both the Lutheran and Episcopal church is the He’s Risen Hymn. It’s also one of mine. The majesty of the He’s Risen hymn played by an organ is magnificent and will send a chill through your soul.

Thank you for reading and listening. If you have a favorite Easter Hymn or Easter miracle stories please share them, below.

Remember Easter is not just one day, but all year round. Christ is Risen!

Have a Happy Easter and look for Easter miracle stories in your life, not just on Easter, but every day.

If you love the traditional Easter songs and are looking for Easter hymns and sheet music for the piano try the music books below.

Lorie Line – The Heritage Collection Volume 6 – Piano Solo Personality Heritage Collection 2 by Lorie Line (2000-09-29)Christ Is Risen! – 26 Easter Songs Celebrating the Resurrection A Month of Sundays: Easter and Lent (Sacred Performer Collections)