Sing a New Song!

For Thursday, August 17, 2023:

Psalm 98:1 NLT: “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!”

God is good. To redeem mankind, he emerged victorious over Satan, Put another way, believers are the beneficiaries of God’s victory over the Devil.

Therefore the right thing to do would be to prioritize our worship of the Lord. Prioritize our gratitude. Too often our worship words lack heartfelt meaning. We show up at the same church and say the same prayers, never giving a thought to what the words actually mean. We sing hymns together, concerned with pitch and cadence, forgetting that they’re actually prayers or statements of devotion set to music. The next time you say The Lord’s Prayer, recite it slower, taking time to reflect on what each stanza actually means.

God is encouraging us to go out on a limb, to try something new. Sing a new song, pray a new prayer. Improvise something from your soul. Let your spirit praise God’s spirit, so your worship isn’t just the same-old same-old.

God doesn’t take you for granted, and we shouldn’t take God for granted.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sing a New Song!

For Sunday, July 30, 2023:

Psalm 98:1 TLB: “Sing a new song to the Lord telling about his mighty deeds! For he has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness.”

This is Sunday, the day most Christians gather for worship, and this psalm is suggesting that we sing a new song, that we praise God in a new way. We just need to remember that doing so is never about the song or the worship style. Worship is about lifting up the name of the Lord, exalting Him for his wisdom and for taking good care of us!

In the original language, there’s a hint that this is talking about the future. The “mighty victory” could be a reference to Jesus taking away the sins of the world. It could be about rescue, about redeeming mankind, about making a place for us in the life after this life.

Sin and Satan are bad, but God is Good. That’s why we praise him!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

New Song!

For Saturday, January 15, 2022

Psalm 98:1a NLT: “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.”

God saw everything that he created and declared it to be “very good!” God continues to love us and help us, and drops extraordinary goodness into our lives, sometimes when we least expect it! That’s the permanent God-trend! God is good, all the time!

But even knowing that God is good, he can still surprise us with a new blessing we didn’t see coming. God follows the God-trend; it’s mankind who is freshly amazed! Sometimes we just have to sing a new song to the Lord!

Knowing that God’s love is never-ending fills us with eternal hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Joy of the Lord!

 For Monday, August 10, 2020.

Psalm 70:4a NLT: “May all who search for you, God, be filled with joy and gladness in you.” 

In an effort to be perceived as ‘reverent,’ some people never smile while at church. They sit in straight rows on wooden benches with their heads bowed. They’re forgetting that David ENJOYED worshiping the Lord, and God called David a man after his own heart!

I’ve always thought that going to church should be fun, something we enjoy, something we look forward to. We get to see our ‘church friends,’ and fellowship is certainly a benefit of being a member of the Holy Family. 

The Bible says to sing a “new song” to the Lord. Go ahead – give it a try! David, worship leader first and king second, was always coming up with new ways to praise the Lord. Many are documented in the psalms.

So today and everyday, immerse yourself in the Joy of the Lord! Let that effusive attitude permeate everything in your life! Tell your face! Love the Lord and enjoy it! 

Blessings to you all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Psalms 149 - Sing a New Song!

July 9, 2018 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song of praise when his loyal people meet!” Psalms 149:1b CEV

How should we offer worship to the Lord? Psalm 149 gives us several options.

It’s OK to offer a ‘new’ song to the Lord once in a while. While there’s nothing wrong with the old songs, God gave the gift of creativity to those talented and trained in music, and he delights when that gift is put into motion.

Many traditional hymns were written for classical organ. Nowadays a lot of churches have a contemporary worship band and singers. Either is OK, and neither is better than the other; they’re just different ways of praising the Lord. By the way, the pipe organ hadn’t yet been invented when Jesus walked the earth.

We’re told to “Celebrate and worship.” v5b I’ve always believed that worship should be a celebration, should be fun, should be something we look forward to. Bring your harp and your tambourine – let’s dance for the Lord! v3

See you at church!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, July 15, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Van Dickerson continues our study in Hebrews.

Psalms 98 - Jubilant Gratitude

June 19, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Psalms 98:1a NIV

We ask God to help us; we pray. God answers our prayers, showering us with his blessings. I’m amazed each day at the good things God drops into our lives! Knowing God gives us hope and fills us with the joy of the Lord.

Therefore we rightfully should show gratitude for all God has done. Pray. Shout! Share the Good News with others! Sing a new song to the Lord. If you play a musical instrument, learn to make music for the Lord. Ask your friends to play with you. Accompany any of the Psalms, or write your own words praising God. Then it will be a new song!

“Shout with joy, burst into jubilant song; make music with singing, harps, trumpets and blasts of the ram’s horn!” from Psalms 98:4-6 Nowadays we include guitars, keyboards, and percussion!

The Bible says that Jesus will return to rule the earth. Pray for him to return quickly. He will do much better than any government!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla brings the message, guest worship leader David Boeltl.

Psalms 96 - Sing a New Song!

June 05, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song.” Psalms 96:1a NIV

Since I’ve helped lead worship in churches for over 20 years, the beginning of Psalm 96 holds special meaning for me – and perhaps for you too!

From this verse, I believe that God encourages creativity. While there’s nothing wrong with the old song we’ve sung a hundred times, God wants us to stretch out a little – try something new.

Check out if there’s a different style of music, perhaps a new rhythm that could serve as a bridge to help the next generation connect with the God of their fathers.

Remember that while the genre of music can change, the theology never changes. God is amenable to a variety of musical styles, but unbendable when it comes to the law, which is a good thing. We can take God at his word – we can trust God. His ‘yes’ means yes, and his ‘no’ means no. God is truth, and God does not have alternative facts.

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.” (v11a)

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 11, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. This week, Jesus meets the woman at the well, she gathers up a congregation, and Jesus holds church right there! See you all on Sunday!