Sing with Gusto
Richard Rogers

Paul declared as much when he said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16). This is but one of the many passages in the Bible that speaks about the importance of music in worship.

1. WE ARE TO SING WITH PURPOSE.

Singing is a means of admonishing, inspiring, and encouraging one another. One of the great needs of people today is to be encouraged and lifted up. They are defeated and downcast by the pressures of life. Through singing we lift and strengthen those around us.

2. WE ARE TO SING WITH THE HEART.

When we sing with grace in our hearts, we are singing with gratitude and thanksgiving, Toscanini, the great conductor, said quite often to his orchestra as he rehearsed them, "Men, don't play with your instruments, play with your hearts." The people in this church ought likewise to be admonished often to sing with their hearts, not just with their lips.

3. WE ARE TO SING WITH DEVOTION.

Singing is unto the Lord. We do not sing primarily for the ear of man, but for the ear of God. We do not sing primarily to display our vocal ability or our musical skills. We sing rather to glorify the Lord. This means that a person does not have to have exceptional (or any) music ability in order to sing effectively. Music is vital if we are going to wake up the worship to make it praise unto God. Let's sing with gusto.❧

A Look Back...

Here are some interesting facts and figures you might be interested in:

Also in 2002 we had:

5   baptisms
8   placed membership
5   wayward members were restored
2   deaths of attending members.

Our hearts go out in sympathy to Elsie Chambers and her family in the death of her brother, Leslie Hudson, in Athens, Alabama this past week. Keep Elsie in your daily prayers.

FSOP Extension Class
The Florida School of Preaching class offered here at Orange Street will begin on this Thursday, January 9^th. The class is taught by Bob Bauer and meets each Thursday evening from 7-9:30 in the annex. This semester’s subject is “Denominational Doctrine”. There is a $5 registration fee.

Fishers of Men
The students of the Fishers of Men program will meet tomorrow (Monday) at 7:00 p.m in the annex. See Bob Faneuf for info.

Youth Devo
Our youth group is scheduled to meet tonight after worship services in the home of Eddie and Renee Hurn. See Matt for details.

The story is of a blind man in a large city with a lighted lantern beside him. When asked about it he replied, "I have it so that no one may stumble over me." Have you ever thought of how easy it would be for others to stumble over you, if you let you light from God go out?

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Jan 19 - Orange Street
Guest Speaker - Tim Kidwell

• Jan 18-19 - Springhead coC, Plant City
50^th Homecoming Celebration

• Jan 20-23 - Fla. School of Preaching
28th Annual Lecturship.
"Do You Understand Fellowship"
Complete schedules are posted online

• Feb 15 - Sebring Parkway coC
Ladies’ Day - “Keeping Your Balance”

• February 21, 22 - Orange Street coC
“Marriage Seminar” w/Garry Colley -

• Mar 14, 15 - “Relay For Life”
See Wanda or Ora Lee for details