Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

learn the Psalms and sing them well fromour hearts with meaning! "By Him,therefore, let us offer the sacrifice ofpraise to God continually, that is, the fruitof our lips, giving thanks to His name"(Heb. 13:15). The human voice is the finestmusical instrument that has ever beenmade! In most cases, it needs to be trainedand it would be to God's glory to improvemost congregational singing. God requiresthe use of the very best in His worship!To Leader:(l) Catechism questions 49 and 51.(2) Memory Psalms for Unit: Psalm 95:vv. 1-6, p. 231; Psalm 122: vv. 1-3, p. 316.Assign several verses each meeting andreview.(3) Sing in meeting: Psalms 100: vv. 1-4,p.237; 8: vv. 1,3,4, p. 12; 65: vv. 1,2, p. 156;48: vv. 1,7,10, p. 122.(4) "Worship Verse" — Psalm 119:105(write in notebook)(5) Start on "Worship Notebook" — labelfront — use a picture of an open Bible orpraying hands.(6) Have Juniors tell and write out theirfavorite Psalms that begin (a) with theword praise (b) a call to worship.Questions and Answers: (Vos, BibleTruths for Young Christians)(1) Why do we sing praises to God as away of worshiping Him? Because God inHis Word has commanded us to do this.(Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16)(2) Do we have a right to worship God inany way we please? No. When we worshipGod, our aim must be to please Him, notourselves. We have no right to worshipHim in any other way than what He hastold us in His Word is pleasing to Him.(3) What songs has God appointed for usto sing in worshiping Him? God has appointedthe Psalms of the Bible to be sungin His worship.(4) Where are the Psalms of the Biblefound, and how many are there? There are150 Psalms, and they are found in thePsalter, or Book of Psalms, in the OldTestament. These have been translatedfrom the original Hebrew into poetry, inmany languages, for singing in religiousservices.(5) What songs did our Savior Jesus Christsing in worship when He was here onearth? Our Savior sang only the Psalms ofthe Bible in worship, as did all godly Jewsof that time.(6) Should a Christian sing only thePsalms of the Bible in praising God? Yes.God has commanded us to sing them andwe have no right to sing any other songs inthe worship of God.(7) Why does the Covenanter Church notuse any instrumental music in worshipingGod? Our church does not use any instrumentalmusic in worshiping Godbecause God has not appointed instrumentalmusic to be used in the church,and it is not necessary because we canlearn to sing well without it.(8) Did the Jews in the Old Testament usemusical instruments in worship? Yes, inthe Temple where sacrifices were offered;not since Jesus' crucifixion.Prayer MeetingTopicFor April", 1971The Example of Jesus in PrayerRev. Donald WeilersbacherScripture: Mark 1:35; 6:45,46;Praise: Psalm 5:1-3, p. 8We know that there were a number ofoccasions when Jesus was tired, but Hedidn't have time to rest. It is also quite truethat many times He was hungry, but Heeither couldn't or wouldn't stop to eat. YetJesus always found time to pray! It mightbe early in the morning before anyone elsewas awake. Or He might leave themultitude to whom He was ministeringand go off by Himself to commune with theFather. Sometimes He even spent theentire night in prayer. This teaches us theimportance which Jesus attached toprayer. As suchit is very convicting whenwe consider our own lack of priority in thisarea.A study of the Scriptures also revealsthat Jesus prayed by Himself, with othersin small groups, and with the congregationof God's people in the house of God.Following His example, we do well toconsider our own emphasis in these areas.How much time do I normally spend inpersonal prayer each day? Do I lookforward to praying together as a family orwith a small group of brothers and sistersin Christ? How much of the averageprayer meeting is really devoted toprayer? Is there any reason why prayermeeting has to be on Wednesday night at7:30 at the church? Why not considerhaving three prayer groups each week:one on Tuesday morning, one on Wednesdayafternoon, and one on Thursdayevening at various homes? In that wayperhaps more people could and would planto attend according to their schedule andinterest! Do I consider the prayers utteredon Sabbath day as an essential part of theservices and a real challenge to me as Ipray along with whoever is leading? Do Ialways pray in generalities because I lackthe fact to be specific''Discussion:Prayer:Praise: Psalm 116:1-4, p. 282UNITED PRAYER CONFERENCEMay 9-16TOPIC: THE FAMILYSponsored byNational CY StaffLook for programsthe last week of MarchCHRISTIAN TEACHERSINFLUENCE GROWS!Christian teachers and educators inthe public schools of America are unitingin greater numbers and showing steadysigns of an increasing influence on theeducational pattern of this country. Keyindicator of this trend back to moral andspiritual values in the classroom isNational Educators Fellowship, the onlynational professional organization forChristians in public education.The past year witnessed significantadvancements in the scope and outreach ofNational Educators Fellowship. One wasthe acquisition of a permanentheadquarters building located at 1410 WestColorado, Pasadena, California 91105. Thenew national offices are ideal for currentneeds and adaptable to accommodatefuture growth demands.Another important event in thesecond decade of NEF history was anational convention during the summer of1970. It was this country's first nationalconvention exclusively for Christianteachers and educators of non-parochialschools. It was so successful, however,that a second one is planned for August 3-6,1971, at the famous Asilomar ConferenceGrounds on the Monterey Peninsula Coastnear San Francisco.The NEF magazine, Vision, is now inits 17th year of publication. This magazine,one of the EPA group, is circulated freeeach month to NEF members only. It isavailable in no other wayNational Educators Fellowshippublishes other witnessing aids and keepsin communication with thousands ofChristian educators across the country.Teachers will also be happy to know thatarrangements have now been completedso that one unit, graduate level credit maybe obtained through attendance at NEFconferences.MARCH 10, 197113