Lead Me to the Cross

W.O.W. – Faith United Methodist Church “Way of Worship” Vol. 1. No. 2

Welcome to the second edition of the “Faith UMC Way of Worship (W.O.W.),” a mid-week communication designed to encourage us as we seek to incorporate worship into our daily lives – at work, at school, at home, or wherever we may be!  Generally, it will be a meditation focused on the lyrics of a particular song, along with some relevant Scripture.  When possible, I’ll provide a link to the song so you can hear it and will post the lyrics so you can follow along.  Even if you prefer traditional songs to contemporary worship selections, I think you’ll find these messages encouraging.

Lead Me to the Cross

This week’s “Way of Worship” meditation is built around the song “Lead Me to the Cross” by Brooke Fraser and the Hillsong United group.  The following link will take you to a YouTube video that pairs the song’s lyrics with scenes from the The Passion of the Christ.  Though conceived and directed by a flawed man, this film is the most powerful, unsettling, and moving depiction of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that I’ve ever seen.  I’ll warn you that some of the scenes in this video are difficult to watch.  Crucifixion isn’t pretty.  Our own sins and shortcomings that were conquered on that cross are not pretty.

Sometimes the season of Lent can bring up difficult emotions as we reflect on the true meaning of the cross.  There were dark moments before the triumphant resurrection, but the words of this song remind us that it’s a real part of the Christian story.  The lyrics encourage us to present ourselves to God with a mindfulness of the sacrifice of Calvary.  It’s the place where Christ suffered for you.  And for me.  For every single individual human life.  And he still would have done it if you were the only one on earth.  It’s breathtaking when we pause to reflect on it.

At the core, this song is about letting go of all those earthly things we are tempted to cling to – the things we think bring us comfort and meaning.  A career.  A nice car.  A great house.  The right social group.  An impressive list of personal accomplishments.  Any of these things can become idols when they begin to shape our identity.  As we humble ourselves before God and ask him to lead us back to the cross, we must empty ourselves and ask those difficult questions about identity.  Who am I?  Whose am I?  As we reflect on “Lead Me to the Cross” my prayer is that the God of mercy would lead us back to his heart for what really matters in the shadow of the greatest sacrifice of love in human history.

Many blessings,
Scott

Lead Me to the Cross

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you’re risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

(Scott Bomar is the Contemporary Worship & Praise Leader at Faith UMC in Torrance, CA)

Next FX this Saturday at 5pm!

Hello FX family,

Just want to remind you that our Christmas FX is this Sat., Dec.13, 5pm. Hope you can make it and invite a friend.

I would also like to take this opportunity to ask for your prayers.  Many of you have heard about the jet plane that crashed into a few homes in San Diego a couple days ago.  The people killed (a mother, two daughters (15 mo. and 2 mo.), and grandmother) were members of my previous church.

They are holding a special service at the church in San Diego tonight.  Please pray.  Please specifically pray for the father (the lone survivor in the family).  If you go to the KNX1070 website, http://www.knx1070.com/Widower-Seeks-Help-After-Jet-Crash-Kills-Family/3471595, you can see or hear the father share.  The “play” button on top of the video gives you the sound of Mr. Yoon’s full press conference.

Great faith, great grief.  Thank you for your prayers, and I look forward to worshiping with you all on Sat.

Trusting in the Everlasting Light,
Rev. Ken

next fX worship: Sat August 9 @ 5pm

Hello, fX family!!

 

Our next fX Worship Service will be Saturday, August 9 beginning at 5pm. We will continue our Summer Roots series with ”Summer Roots: Healing Our Hearts”

 

The text is taken from Mark 7:1-23 where Jesus teaches about inner purity, and how we need to be clean from within. 

 

There’s a lot in our hearts that needs to be worked on; and we need to be touched by God.  There is a neediness in our hearts – sometimes we are just “going through the motions” and our hearts are left untouched by God. 

 

 

We hope to see you August 9. Please click on the “About FX Worship” tab for details.

 

Peace and blessings,

The fX team