March 28, 2008 by Stacy McDonald
Sweet Fellowship
I feel so refreshed! We just had the most wonderful visit (unfortunately not long enough!) with our dear friends, the Serven Family. Pastor Marcus Serven serves as pastor of Covenant Family Church of the RPCGA and has been in full time Christian ministry for 28 years. Visiting with them was a breath of fresh air!
We first met Marcus and Cheryl years ago in Houston, Texas, when they were visiting from their then-home in California. They immediately struck us as “real people” with an amazing family – a family who loved God with all their hearts, souls, and strength. Like us, they loved the Psalms; and singing with them “way back when” was one of the most distinct memories of that first visit!
Providentially, we now live just a few hours away from one another here in the Midwest. Yet pastoral duties and ministerial demands make these cherished get-togethers far and few between. Still, we’ve all agreed to make frequent visits a priority in the future. Christian fellowship is so important – and sometimes these types of recharging fellowships provide crucial ministry to our weary, battle-worn souls.
Late night talks
Their family arrived yesterday and our time together simply flew by! Food, fellowship, singing, relaxation, and ministering to one another – I think we need more days like these! Thank you, Jesus!
What a blessing to sing Psalms and praise God with good friends! The harmony filled the room and calmed our hearts.
During family worship, have you ever wished there was a CD that was specifically designed to accompany your singing, and help your family hit the right notes? If so, check out the Servens‘ new CD, Hymns for Kith and Kin: Piano Accompaniment for Family Worship. If you’re not “musically inclined” (and even if you are), you’ll appreciate the musical help this beautiful CD gives families in their efforts to sing praises to God (on key!) during family worship.
Also, if you’re not aware of the Serven’s last CD, “Oh Sing a New Song,” (available with or without the Book of Psalms for Singing) you’re going to want to check it out! This set is designed to teach church congregations and families to sing in four-part harmony. Each CD introduces 10 magnificent Psalms. First, all parts sing together, then each part (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) is featured separately, so your family can practice the harmony and praise the Lord with beautiful music!
And you can read HERE about their latest recording project:
Oh Sing a New Song!
Beth and Tiffany discussing profound things, I’m sure.
We are praising God for His mercy, goodness, and providential timing of the Serven’s visit. We know that God plans all things well, but there are times when it’s more obvious to us than others. Servens, thank you for your ministry to our family this weekend. We praise God for your friendship.
Similar Posts:
16 Responses to “Sweet Fellowship”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
I have a couple questions about the CDs you mention in your post. I am interested in the hymn accompaniment CD but would like to know which hymns it contains.
Also, what are the differences between The Book of Psalms for Singing and the Trinity Psalter?
Thank you for your help.
Carolyn
I had to go back and look, but you were right; I called it the Trinity Psalter! LOL I fixed that, thanks! It’s the Book of Psalms for Singing. We us the Trinity Hymnal – thus my mix up.
Hymns included on the CD are:
A Mighty Fortress
Amazing Grace
And Can it Be
Be Thou My Vision
Come Thou Almighty King
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Doxology
For All the Saints
Great is Thy Faithfulnes
Hallelujah Praise Jehovah, O My Soul
Holy, Holy, Holy
How Great Thou Art
Immortal, Invisible
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
Soul Adorn Yourself with Gladness
When Peace Like a River
Your families both glow with Truth and Love. Isn’t it amazing what good fellowship can do for a tired spirit?
God bless-
Amanda
http://iammommy.typepad.com/
You are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends! Glad to hear you enjoyed this time of precious fellowship. :)
Thank you also for the info on their CD’s! Sounds like something our family would enjoy ~~ we love to sing the old timeless hymns!
Blessings~~~
gloria
I was blessed with my family a few years back to be blessed to meet the Servens and have them stay overnight at our house. We had such a wonderful visit and would love to visit with them again! It sounds like a wonderful refreshing visit!
It’s so encouraging to read about your fellowship with the Servens. I’m so glad you are prioritizing that. I know the Lord will continue to use it to refresh both you and them.
I haven’t visited your blog for a few weeks. I just LOVE all your new widgets and pictures (bookshelf, catechism, slideshow, links for your posts and for your husbands’, etc.). Everything looks great, Stacy!!
Molly Evert
This looks like a wonderful weekend! Glad you had a great time! Sometimes these are the best weekends and you come away so encouraged and refreshed!
Blessings…
Thank you so very much for your help. I teach at a small Christian school and it is difficult to play, sing, and keep an eye on the kiddos all at the same time.
This would be such a help with hymn time, as well as give me a place to start in teaching the older ones to sing harmony.
Carolyn
What a lovely visit that must have been! We had the opportunity to meet the Servens and attend worship at the church a couple years back, after the Uniting Church and Family conference in St. Louis. What a wonderfully encouraging family they are! God is using them in a very special way to bless many families nationwide.
Bonnie in FL
Dear Mrs. McDonald,
That was so sweet of you to post on our visit! : } We’ve not had time to put up pictures yet of our adventures, but hope to over the next couple of days. Beginning our trip with a visit in your home relaxed our family for the entire weekend. Thanks for your kind hospitality!
In Christ,
Rebecca for the Serven Clan
Looks like you had a great time together. How wonderful.
I wanted to let you know that I am having a book giveaway. To enter all you need to do is post ten struggles you face as a Christian woman and also your age. If you have a few minutes, come check out my blog. Thanks and God bless.
Hi,
I was just reading a post on your husband’s blog about Malachi 4:6 and how the LORD arrested his heart. May I ask how the LORD was working in your heart before or during that time. My heart desires a more pure walk in the outward and inward life. I am very attracted to the books and resources you promote. I have shared things like these items with my husband before and it doesn’t appeal to him. I follow and support my husband in the things where he thinks we should spend our time, but struggle with discontentment when I see blogs like yours. I appreciate any insight you could offer.
Thanks,
Erin in FL
Our family ordered these (CD’s and book) and just received them today! My daughters and I have already been practicing! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
Tha Sabo Family
Dear Candace,
Praise God! I’m glad you are enjoying them! I can’t wait for their new CD to come out!
Hi Erin,
Contentment is certainly something we all struggle with, but we need to remember it’s a heart issue. I remember a time when I struggled as I watched other Christian families living a life I truly wanted, but God had not yet ordained for me. Pray, study, walk in the life God has provided for you, and know that He has ordained your steps. God is sovereign. Wherever He has you, He will use you.
Since you are married, He calls you to help, pray for, and submit to your husband. Pray for him to have the wisdom and discernment he needs to lead your family. Pray for his leadership and communicate with him as God shows you His truths, but don’t try to control or manipulate him. Rest in the place that God has you. He is in control.
And if visiting my blog causes you to struggle with discontentment, perhaps you shouldn’t visit. As much as I’d love to have you, I want you to be content with where God has you!
May God richly bless you and your family.
I am so excited about their new CD!! I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival :-)
Christian fellowship is so important! We move around as a military family but God has always drawn us to the right group of people that we need to be with.
God bless,
Sallie