John Newton grew up on a Mediterranean merchant ship that his father captained. He later became the captain of his own ship, a slave trading vessel. Hardly the story you would expect from the man who wrote the lyrics to probably the most famous hymn of all time. However, it was on one of those slave trade voyages that his life forever changed. He was sure that the end was near for him and his crew during an intense and violent storm. He dropped to his knees and pleaded to the Lord for mercy. At that instant, the sky calmed and the sea became like glass. It was from that day on that John Newton received what he would later call his "great deliverance". Over the next several years he became a preacher and prolific writer of hymns and religious verse. He taught himself Greek and Hebrew and came to know the teachings of John Wesley. It was during that time that he wrote Amazing Grace...
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like
me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears
relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first
believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He
will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the
sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first
begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like
me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
It is that time again. Time to prayerfully consider your church, your church family, and the Amazing Grace that God bestows upon us each and every day of our lives.
A 2010 Pledge Card is online here». Please return it to the office, or place it in the Sunday offering by November 15 so that we may prepare the budget for next year.
Thank you, and get your voices ready... we’ve all got some singing to do.
Blessings,
Your Finance Committee
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