the message of the Gospel

the world was good, all that God created
all taking shape and form just as He had stated...

then came the serpent, crafty and lying
deceiving, distorting, degrading, denying

a taste was taken, then passed to the man
who tasted too, motion now given to the Master plan

sin entered, clouded minds, bringing curse, veiling the divine

sacrifices now required, atonement demanded
blood brought forth, not enough, final life from heaven handed

Jesus sent, as infant enters
fallen world around His life now centers

charges brought, cross erected
Jesus hung, no sin detected

blood streams down
cleansing, saving, unveiling, redeeming

hope restored, life is given
forgiveness won, promise of heaven

death for life
souls now secured
love is seen
eternal life assured

-nettie hogan

He Leadeth Me...

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

-words, Joseph H. Gilmore
-music, William B. Bradbury