SUNDAY PLAYLISTS
Every week, on this page, you will be able to find a PLAYLIST OF SONGS for your week, corresponding with Dr. Powers' sermon, and what we will be singing in worship on Sundays! Click the links now to listen and reflect throughout your week, as we dive into faith and the ups and downs of life with God through different genres of music, and the stories of authenticity they tell.
In your own worship throughout the rhythms of your week, listen & enjoy!
In your own worship throughout the rhythms of your week, listen & enjoy!
August 2nd: Communion Sunday!
Take a moment before listening to this week's playlist, tailored to Communion Sunday, to read and reflect on the Sermonic Scripture for this week: MATTHEW 14:13-21.
"13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."
Jesus made sure everyone had enough to eat, in the midst of disparity, when there was a concern that there wouldn't be enough resources for the whole group gathered. He did beautiful things with what was there, from the selfless contribution of a small meal for everyone, and this was enough to satisfy the masses that had come to learn from Jesus.
When we receive communion together, we remember what Jesus himself has done for us, in pouring out himself selflessly, that all may have enough and can intake salvation. It shows us that it's possible for everyone to approach this table, and God's salvation is enough for each person. When we read this story in Scripture about Jesus feeding the 5,000, we can remember that Jesus provides for us, too, even when things feel impossible. Our Shepherd will supply our need, our God invites us to the Holy Table, to be united in the Spirit and in mission.
As you go about your week, remember the God who moves mountains and accomplishes the impossible to make sure you are fed. Know that no need is too great, or too small, for God to not lay down God's own life for you on the cross. Thanks be to God.
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
"13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children."
Jesus made sure everyone had enough to eat, in the midst of disparity, when there was a concern that there wouldn't be enough resources for the whole group gathered. He did beautiful things with what was there, from the selfless contribution of a small meal for everyone, and this was enough to satisfy the masses that had come to learn from Jesus.
When we receive communion together, we remember what Jesus himself has done for us, in pouring out himself selflessly, that all may have enough and can intake salvation. It shows us that it's possible for everyone to approach this table, and God's salvation is enough for each person. When we read this story in Scripture about Jesus feeding the 5,000, we can remember that Jesus provides for us, too, even when things feel impossible. Our Shepherd will supply our need, our God invites us to the Holy Table, to be united in the Spirit and in mission.
As you go about your week, remember the God who moves mountains and accomplishes the impossible to make sure you are fed. Know that no need is too great, or too small, for God to not lay down God's own life for you on the cross. Thanks be to God.
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
July 26th: Children's Sunday!
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: JOHN 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.” John 8:12 NIrV
This week in our Children's Ministry, Kingdom Quest VBS taught us these things about God, using the following stories:
1. Jesus is the way (Luke 5:1-11, Jesus calls the disciples)
2. Jesus is with me (Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus walks on the water)
3. Jesus is alive (Luke 23, 24, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection)
4. Jesus makes me new (Matthew 26, Mark 16, John 21, Peter’s Denial & Restoration)
5. The Holy Spirit helps me (Acts 2, Pentecost and the Early Church)
This week, the songs for our playlist are carefully chosen around these themes: that no matter what we go through, in all the ups and downs, Jesus is always with us! Jesus rose from the grave, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do all we are called to do. Thanks be to God!
As you go about your week this week, listen to these playlists, to enjoy some of the music the kids have been learning, and a few additional pieces separate from VBS for your own personal reflection and devotion. Have a blessed week!
~ Rev. Mackenzie Smith
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.” John 8:12 NIrV
This week in our Children's Ministry, Kingdom Quest VBS taught us these things about God, using the following stories:
1. Jesus is the way (Luke 5:1-11, Jesus calls the disciples)
2. Jesus is with me (Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus walks on the water)
3. Jesus is alive (Luke 23, 24, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection)
4. Jesus makes me new (Matthew 26, Mark 16, John 21, Peter’s Denial & Restoration)
5. The Holy Spirit helps me (Acts 2, Pentecost and the Early Church)
This week, the songs for our playlist are carefully chosen around these themes: that no matter what we go through, in all the ups and downs, Jesus is always with us! Jesus rose from the grave, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do all we are called to do. Thanks be to God!
As you go about your week this week, listen to these playlists, to enjoy some of the music the kids have been learning, and a few additional pieces separate from VBS for your own personal reflection and devotion. Have a blessed week!
~ Rev. Mackenzie Smith
July 19th: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-34
SERMON SONG OF THE WEEK: "SPACE ODDITY" by David Bowie
Ground control to Major Tom...
Ground control to Major Tom...
...
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear....
This week, the sermonic passage, another snippet of a much longer Psalm, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24, reminds us that our big, expansive, creator God who made everything, who knit us together, who has searched us and known us from the beginning, is as near to us as our next breath:
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
...
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
In all the things we traverse through, God is with us. God knows us inside and out, and loves us. God holds us, even in places of darkness, and walks with us through them. We know that in this Psalm. We know that in the presence of Jesus, who said "no" to staying in heaven to come down and be born in a stable, and live among us humans in all of our difficulty, and paved the way for light and life with God through His death and resurrection. We know that in the continued presence of God's Spirit, driving us to love others in the midst of their darknesses. God's love is big enough to love each person uniquely and individually, just like in this Psalm, and that love endures forever.
Give the playlists above a listen, particularly to the numerous different "Psalm 139" songs that are included in it, that all tell the "story" of this Psalm a little differently. Sometimes, hearing the same words spoken in different ways, in this case put to different melodies and in the context of different chords, can help us feel the impact of them in a new way. May this music help you experience the depth of God's love for you anew, and feel God's presence ever closer as you go about your week!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
Ground control to Major Tom...
Ground control to Major Tom...
...
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear....
This week, the sermonic passage, another snippet of a much longer Psalm, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24, reminds us that our big, expansive, creator God who made everything, who knit us together, who has searched us and known us from the beginning, is as near to us as our next breath:
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
...
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
In all the things we traverse through, God is with us. God knows us inside and out, and loves us. God holds us, even in places of darkness, and walks with us through them. We know that in this Psalm. We know that in the presence of Jesus, who said "no" to staying in heaven to come down and be born in a stable, and live among us humans in all of our difficulty, and paved the way for light and life with God through His death and resurrection. We know that in the continued presence of God's Spirit, driving us to love others in the midst of their darknesses. God's love is big enough to love each person uniquely and individually, just like in this Psalm, and that love endures forever.
Give the playlists above a listen, particularly to the numerous different "Psalm 139" songs that are included in it, that all tell the "story" of this Psalm a little differently. Sometimes, hearing the same words spoken in different ways, in this case put to different melodies and in the context of different chords, can help us feel the impact of them in a new way. May this music help you experience the depth of God's love for you anew, and feel God's presence ever closer as you go about your week!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
July 12th: Psalm 119:105-112
SERMON SONG OF THE WEEK: "The Long and Winding Road" by The Beatles
The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door...
This week, we reflect on a small part of a very long Psalm, Psalm 119:105-112. Take some time to click on one of the playlist links above, and listen. Think about what God's light looks like--- where you have seen God working for good, what it means that Jesus is the light of the world, how you can too be a light...and reflect on this part of the Psalm:
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
Hear the good news:
Jesus, the Word, the Light of the World, comes to live in community with us. Through the Holy Spirit, we come to know God's ways, decrees, statutes, and can make it the foundation of all we do. God has revealed the Word in Jesus, in love, in living as Christ's body with all God's people. So we get to make our lives look like the One who denied heaven and took on the form of a servant, we get to follow Jesus into light, a light that drives out darkness, so that God's people can know that in their darknesses, they are not alone.
If you want to continue listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Lead me to you door...
This week, we reflect on a small part of a very long Psalm, Psalm 119:105-112. Take some time to click on one of the playlist links above, and listen. Think about what God's light looks like--- where you have seen God working for good, what it means that Jesus is the light of the world, how you can too be a light...and reflect on this part of the Psalm:
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
Hear the good news:
Jesus, the Word, the Light of the World, comes to live in community with us. Through the Holy Spirit, we come to know God's ways, decrees, statutes, and can make it the foundation of all we do. God has revealed the Word in Jesus, in love, in living as Christ's body with all God's people. So we get to make our lives look like the One who denied heaven and took on the form of a servant, we get to follow Jesus into light, a light that drives out darkness, so that God's people can know that in their darknesses, they are not alone.
If you want to continue listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
July 5th: Psalm 145
SERMON SONG OF THE WEEK: "LEAN ON ME" by Bill Whithers
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
This week, we reflect on a Psalm of Praise, for our God is with us when we are not strong, our Friend when we need help to make it through. So, the Psalmist gives an outpouring of praise in Psalm 145. Take a look:
.....
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
.....
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
.....
Hear the good news:
As we look to tomorrow, in the midst of pain and sorrow, we find a God who we can lean on. That is worth having joy for: knowing our God does all these things for the downtrodden, and lends a helping hand through it all!
If you want to continue listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
This week, we reflect on a Psalm of Praise, for our God is with us when we are not strong, our Friend when we need help to make it through. So, the Psalmist gives an outpouring of praise in Psalm 145. Take a look:
.....
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
.....
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
.....
Hear the good news:
As we look to tomorrow, in the midst of pain and sorrow, we find a God who we can lean on. That is worth having joy for: knowing our God does all these things for the downtrodden, and lends a helping hand through it all!
If you want to continue listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
June 28: Psalm 13
SERMON SONG OF THE WEEK: "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King
...The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away from me
Thrill is gone, baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although, I'll still live on baby
But so lonely I'll be...
The thrill is gone, the lament is deep, so the Psalmist cries out to God. Psalm 13 says:
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me."
But hear the good news: God is there in our lament, just as much as God is there in our joy. In every season, God is there.
If you want to begin listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith
...The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away from me
Thrill is gone, baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although, I'll still live on baby
But so lonely I'll be...
The thrill is gone, the lament is deep, so the Psalmist cries out to God. Psalm 13 says:
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me."
But hear the good news: God is there in our lament, just as much as God is there in our joy. In every season, God is there.
If you want to begin listening and reflecting on this Psalm through music before Sunday, give the playlists above a listen!
~Rev. Mackenzie Smith