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Welcome Into this Place

Scripture References

Further Reflections on Scripture References

Frequently we are referred to as “broken vessels” that God welcomes into his presence. See I Corinthians 1:18-31 and II Corinthians 4:7-12.

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

God calls his children from many sources, languages, nations, and from a variety of social standings and personal needs. The Confessions are very clear on this. Belgic Confession teaches in Article 27, “This holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain people.” Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 30 reminds us, “The Spirit gathers people from every tongue, tribe and nation...” and in paragraph 34 teaches that “all are welcome…the homeless…the broken…the sinner…the despised…the least…and the last…”

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Welcome Into this Place

Words of Praise

Optional readings (from 2 Cor. 4:7; Ps. 22:3)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us.
You are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the one Israel praises.
— Lift Up Your Hearts (http://www.liftupyourheartshymnal.org)
530

Welcome Into this Place

Tune Information

Name
WELCOME INTO THIS PLACE
Key
F Major
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Welcome Into this Place

Composer Information

James Abbington is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and was a student of the late Dr. Wendell P. Whalum and Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson. He earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees in Church Music and Organ from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he was a student of Marilyn Mason.
 
Dr. Abbington served as Minister of Music and Church Organist of the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit from 1983–1996. He was National Director of Music for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. from 1990–1994 and National Music Director for the NAACP from 1988–1992.
 
Abbington is currently Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA, was previously a professor of music in the Department of Fine Arts at Morgan State University. Prior to his tenure in Baltimore he was Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC (1998–2003). He is also the Executive Editor of the African American Church Music Series published by GIA Publications, Inc. of Chicago and has served as co-director of the annual Hampton University Ministers’ and Musicians’ Conference since 2000.
 
Dr. Abbington is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, as well as a member of the Grants Advisory Board for the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, funded by the Lily Endowment.
 
Abbington is known especially for his research, publications, and promotion of the treasures of African American song for use in worship. He is the author of Let Mt. Zion Rejoice! Music in the African American Church (Judson Press), Readings in African American Church Music and Worship (GIA Publications, Inc.), co-author of Waiting to Go! African American Church Worship Resources from Advent through Pentecost (GIA), and Going to Wait! African American Church Worship Resources between Pentecost and Advent (GIA); he edited Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker’s Spirits that Dwell in Deep Woods: The Prayer and Praise Hymns of the Black Religious Experience (GIA), is an associate editor of the best-selling African American Heritage Hymnal (GIA) and compiled and edited New Wine In Old Wineskins: A Contemporary Congregational Song Supplement (GIA).
— GIA Publications, Inc. (http://www.giamusic.com)

Author and Composer Information

Orlando Juarez serves as the founding and senior pastor of The Bridge in Bixby, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa. Prior to being the senior pastor of The Bridge, Orlando served for five years as the Associate Pastor and Worship Pastor of The Crossing Church in The Woodlands, Texas. Preceding his time at The Crossing, Orlando served as the Worship Minister at Grace Church for 13 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Orlando and his wife, Kim, were married in July 1982. They have three children
and two grandchildren.
— The Bridge Church (http://thebridgebixby.com/our-team-2/)

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