9/14 - Blessed are those Who Mourn

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

One of the most powerful things music can do in worship is carry us on a journey. This week, our worship follows the path of Jesus’ words: through mourning into comfort, through grief into peace.

We begin with the Gathering Song, “Holy, Holy, Holy / Santo, Santo, Santo” (TFWS 2007), proclaiming the holiness of God in both English and Spanish. It is important that we start here—rooted in God’s majesty—before we take the tender step into sorrow. From there, our Opening Hymn, “Be Still My Soul,” invites us into trust, even when life feels stormy.

At the heart of worship comes our Centering Song, “Agnus Dei” by Michael W. Smith—a quiet cry to Christ, the Lamb of God, who meets us in our mourning. From that place of honesty, the choir will offer an anthem, “You Raise Me Up with Be Still My Soul,” reminding us of God’s strength to lift us up and steady our souls when grief feels too heavy to bear.

And finally, we close with one of the great hymns of the faith, “When Peace Like a River (It Is Well with My Soul).” This hymn, written out of deep loss, proclaims with courage, “It is well with my soul.” For verse two, the choir will sing alone. The music will shift, creating a sense of tension and discomfort—echoing the way grief often feels unsettling and heavy. We invite you to listen in that moment, not to rush past it, but to recognize it as part of the journey of mourning. Then, together, we will all lift our voices again on the refrain, proclaiming the peace of Christ that holds us through every storm.

This Sunday, the music is not just something to listen to—it is a prayer to walk through. Whether you are carrying your own grief or standing beside someone else who mourns, may this week’s worship give you space to name sorrow honestly and to discover again the comfort Christ promises.

See you Sunday,

Music Tom