Each week, you may find information here about the music in the traditional worship services at First United Methodist Church in Lewisville, Texas. Some of this information is original; most of it is copied from other websites such as Wikipedia, GBOD, and hymnary.org. It is my hope that this information will enhance your understanding and enrich your worship experience.
About the Organ Music:
Jesus and the Children - Austin Lovelace
(c.1957, H. W. Gray)
"Jesus Loves Me" was written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel called Say and Seal, written by her older sister Susan Warner (1819–1885), in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. The tune was added in 1862 by William Bradbury (1816–1868). Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus "Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus Loves me" After publication as a song it became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world, especially among children.
Anna’s family home was quite close to the United States Military Academy at West Point, in New York, in the era just before the Civil War. Each Sunday Anna taught Bible classes to the cadets. Her remains are buried in the military cemetery, and her family home is now a museum on the grounds of the United States Military Academy.
Her original poem follows:
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak but He is strong.
Jesus loves me! Loves me still,
Tho I'm very weak and ill,
That I might from sin be free,
Bled and died upon the tree.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way.
Thou hast bled and died for me;
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Austin C. Lovelace (1919-2010) was called by many the Dean of American Church music. Lovelace got his first job as a church organist when he was 15 and went on to do workshops and recitals in 45 states and six countries. He received his A.B. from High Point College in 1939 and his M.S.M. and D.S.M. from the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1941 and 1950, respectively. He was Past President and a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. Dr. Lovelace was Minister of Music Emeritus at Wellshire Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colorado. Over many years he worked at a number of Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Colorado, North Carolina, Illinois, and Nebraska. He also worked at Union Theological Seminary in N.Y.C., Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He traveled widely as a Director of Music for general conferences, lecturer, and consultant. He was the organist for the Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 1954. He believed in cradle-to-grave music programs, fostering children, youth, and adult choirs. Known for his sense of humor, Lovelace wrote five books, including Hymns That Jesus Would Not Have Liked, which included gems he unearthed such as “When the Bells of Hell Go Ting-a-Ling for You and Not for Me”. He was a prolific writer and composer with over 800 compositions for church in print, as well as numerous articles and books on church hymnody.
About the Hymns:
Suffer the Children to Come
Mary Breck Sleight (c.1837–1928) was the daughter of newspaper publisher and Civil War hero Henry Sleight. Most of her hymns are for or about children. She also wrote biographies of famous women, fiction books for children, and religious poetry. “Suffer the Children” was first published in Gospel Echoes (Oskaloosa, Iowa: Central Book Concern, 1877).
There is no sweeter story told In all the blessed Book
Than how the Lord within His arms The little children took.
We love Him for the tender touch That made the leper whole;
And for the wondrous words that healed The tired, sin-sick soul.
But, closer to His loving self Our human hearts are brought,
When for the little children’s sake, Love’s sweetest spell is wrought.
For their young eyes His sorr’wing face A smile of gladness wore;
A smile that for His little ones, It weareth evermore.
Refrain:
“Suffer the children to come unto Me,” Jesus still speaks it, O parents, to thee;
“Do not forbid them from coming,” said He, “Of such is the kingdom of heav’n.”
About the Modern Band Music:
Abide - Aaron Keyes, Aaron Williams, and Jake Fauber
(c2024, Aaronwilliamsmusic, Integrity Worship Music, and WellWithYouMusic)
Aaron Williams is a Franklin, Tennessee-based artist, songwriter, and founder of The Way of Worship, an organization helping train and mentor worship leaders from all over the United States. One of his outstanding songs is “Abide,” a worship anthem that has been resonating with many church communities, bringing it to chart at #58 in CCLI in late 2024.
Williams is passionate about helping people discover and develop an abiding relationship with Jesus. With his organization, The Way of Worship, whether it is through thoughtful songwriting, intentional investment in others, or heartfelt worship leading, his aim is the same: to creatively lead people to know and love Jesus with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
For.my.waking.breath,.for.my.daily.bread I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You
For.the.sun.to.rise,.for.my.sleep.at.night I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You
You’re.the.way.the.truth.and.the.life You’re.the.well.that.never.runs.dry
I’m.the.branch.and.You.are.the.vine Draw.me.close.and.teach.me.to.abide
Where.the.Spirit.leads,.as.I’m.following I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You
For.the.victories,.still.in.front.of.me I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You
You’re.the.way.the.truth.and.the.life You’re.the.well.that.never.runs.dry
I’m.the.branch.and.You.are.the.vine Draw.me.close.and.teach.me.to.abide
Be.my.strength,.my.song.in.the.night Be.my.all,.my.treasure,.my.prize
I.am.Yours,.for.-.ever.You’re.mine Draw.me.close.and.teach.me.to.abide
When.I.pass.through.death,.as.I.enter.rest I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You
For.eternal.life,.to.be.raised.with.Christ I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You.
Would.You.teach.me,.would.You.teach.me.to.abide
I.depend.on.You,.I.depend.on.You.
Lord I Need You -Daniel Carson, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, and Jesse Reeves
(c.2011, Sweater Weather Music, Valley Of Songs Music, and Thankyou Music)
Matthew Guion Maher (b.1974) is a Canadian Catholic contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter, and worship leader based in the United States. Three of his nine albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard chart and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. His notable writing credits include "Your Grace Is Enough", "I Will Rise", "Because He Lives (Amen)", "Christ Is Risen", and "Lord I Need You". Maher has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards in his career and was awarded the Songwriter of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards.
Lord I come I confess Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart You're the one that guides my heart
Lord I need You oh I need You Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where you are
And where you are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me
And where you are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me
Lord I need You oh I need You Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You
So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus You're my hope and stay
Lord I need You oh I need You Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You
First United Methodist Church, Lewisville, Texas
A Community of Everyday People Learning to Love Like Jesus
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