New Requests:
Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Ellen Moore, Teresa Gibson,
Weddington baby, Larry Carrington
Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, William Jordan, Angie Bussell, Tara
McCann, Kathy Sower, Ruth Hurst, Edith Westfall, Billy Barbour, Lottie Cook,
Odist Riley, Karen Flannigan, Alexandra Mason
REMINDERS
Sunday Night Services—Comparison of Religions
Birthdays January 30 Sam Love
February 1 Jacqui Cordle
McCann, Kathy Sower, Ruth Hurst, Edith Westfall, Billy Barbour, Lottie Cook,
Odist Riley, Karen Flannigan, Alexandra Mason
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst,
Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald Lykins, Sr., Lance
O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, Marie Drexell, Louella Ruark
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
Praise From Whom All Blessings Flow
Thomas Ken (1637-1711) was an Englishman and an ordained Anglican priest. He served as Rector of several parishes, was briefly chaplain to Princess Mary, and later to the British fleet. He published many poems, along with a Manual of Prayers.
After his parents died, Thomas was enrolled by his sister into an all- boy’s school, Winchester College. He would return to the same school as Chaplain many years later. In order to motivate his students in their devotions, Thomas wrote a three stanza hymn — one verse to be sung upon waking and one before bed. The third verse was to be sung at midnight, if a boy found sleep difficult.
Today, the writing of this hymn may seem an innovative way to motivate teenage boys. In Thomas’ day however, the writing of this hymn for such a purpose was somewhat revolutionary. For centuries hymns of the church were sung only by monks. Although at this point in history protestant churches in some countries were beginning to introduce hymns into congregational singing, it would be several years before England would officially sanction the practice (See: History of Hymns). For this reason, Thomas Ken has been called ‘England’s first hymnist.’
The refrain to all three verses of Thomas’ hymn has since become one of the most widely-sung songs in the world, and is referred to in many circles simply as, The Doxology
Towards the end of his life, Thomas Ken was imprisoned by King James II, for his forward Protestant thinking. Upon his release, he quietly retired from the priesthood and went to live with some friends until his death, on March 11, 1711. When he was buried at sunrise, The Doxologywas sung at his funeral.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow(The Doxology)
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
Praise To My Lord
When You were planning my sojourn on earth,
You determined the time and place of my birth.
Thank You, dear Lord for placing me here,
In a country You’ve blessed and I live without fear.
When I accepted Jesus, You already knew,
The day and the time I’d surrender to You.
You knew as a Christian, my growth would be slow,
Thank You for Your patience ~ now I’m ready to grow.
You are the potter Lord; I am the clay.
Mold me and shape me Your own special way.
Make me in a way I will magnify You.
And I will live daily, as You want me to.
With each breath You give, I’ll praise You each day.
Your spirit will guide me to walk in Your way.
Daily I will strive to abide in Your will,
And give You the glory for each task I fulfill.
You are my Master ~ You’re still on Your throne.
You’re always with me ~ I’m never alone.
I want to serve You ~ You are my King.
I love and adore You ~ Your praises I sing.
Thank You dear Lord for Your mercy and grace.
Thank You sweet Jesus for taking my place.
When You hung on that cross, You were thinking of me.
I praise You each day ~ Your death set me free.
When I arise each morning, the first thing I do,
Is lift up my arms and give praises to You.
I ask that Your Spirit overflow in my soul
So all that I meet, will know it’s You I behold.
© 2012, Aills Christian Church. All rights reserved.
