This week we’ll be singing a new song together called “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by Keith and Kristyn Getty featuring Matt Papa.

"This song is a declaration that Christ’s resurrection guarantees our hope every moment of every day, even as we face death. The message is that no matter what a believer is going through, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, the reality of the resurrection transforms every aspect of our lives. We can sing “hallelujah” even when the waves are crashing over our lives, because we know and trust the One who conquered death.

We wrote this song because we are burdened for believers to think biblically about death. Unless Jesus returns first, death is the one experience all people can count on. And yet so few modern songs talk about death. We are convinced that facing the reality of death head on, with the hope that comes from trusting in Christ’s resurrection, is what leads to confidence and assurance in the Christian life. So we wrote this song for our churches and our children, because we want them to find their “only confidence” in the reality that Christ is risen."  Keith Getty

Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?
A: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Verse 1
What is our hope in life and death?  Christ alone, Christ alone.  
What is our only confidence?  That our souls to Him belong.
 Who holds our days within His hand?  What comes, apart from His command?  
And what will keep us to the end?  The love of Christ, in which we stand.

Verse 2
What truth can calm the troubled soul?  God is good, God is good.  
Where is His grace and goodness known?  In our great Redeemer’s blood.
Who holds our faith when fears arise?  Who stands above the stormy trial?  
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh; Unto the shore, the rock of Christ?

Verse 3
Unto the grave, what shall we sing?  “Christ, He lives; Christ, He lives!”  
And what reward will heaven bring? Everlasting life with Him.
There we will rise to meet the Lord,  Then sin and death will be destroyed,  
And we will feast in endless joy,  When Christ is ours forevermore.

Chorus
O sing hallelujah!  Our hope springs eternal;  
O sing hallelujah!  Now and ever we confess  
Christ our hope in life and death.

This week we’ll be singing a new song together called “Hands of Grace” by Exalt Worship. It’s a prayerful, gospel-centered song that’s saturated with truths from Scripture—one of the clearest being Galatians 2:20.

When we repent of our sin and place our hope and faith in Jesus alone for salvation, our lives no longer belong to us—they belong to Him. As Paul says, it is “Christ who lives in me.” That truth drives this song from start to finish.

Verse 1 begins by acknowledging God as our Creator. Apart from Him we are but dust (Psalm 103:14), and everything we are—even in our brokenness—belongs to Him.

Empty hands
All I am is dust without You
Broken heart
Every piece belongs to You

The pre-chorus reminds us that God not only created us—He is also the One who is conforming us to the image of Jesus. As we sing, we’re asking Him to strip away pride and help us find true freedom in the life He gives.

Strip away all pride,
Until I’m truly free
This life is crucified
No longer I, but Christ in me

The chorus declares God’s worthiness of our worship. He is loving, faithful, and merciful. He is the potter and we are the clay, and in His goodness He shapes and molds us for His glory (Romans 8:28–29).

Father, worthy of praise
Your love so faithful, mercy so great
Potter, You break and remake
Lord, have Your way
My heart yields as clay
In Your hands of grace

Verse 2 turns our attention to Calvary. Through the cross, sin and darkness have been defeated—they no longer have the final word (1 Corinthians 15:55). Because of His grace and power, we ask Him to help us live lives of full surrender.

Through the cross
Sin and darkness have no power
By Your grace
Help us live in full surrender

The bridge is essentially a prayer. As we sing it, we’re asking God to take our lives and empower us by His Spirit to live for His glory. We trust that in all He does—in us and through us—He is ultimately working for our good. It’s about His purpose, His will, and being used for His kingdom.

Make me a vessel unto honor
Filled with the Holy Spirit’s power
Trusting that You are working
All things for my good

Continue to mold me as You will
Until Your purpose is fulfilled
Shape me into Your image
In Your hands of grace

My prayer is that as we sing this song together this week—and in the weeks to come—we would, as our mission statement says: be amazed by God’s grace and compelled to reflect the love of Jesus.

The Christmas season is full of traditions like no other time of year. We eat the same treats, watch the same movies, and put up the same decorations—year after year. And honestly, that’s part of the joy. Many of us think, “Yes! I get to do this again. I’ve waited all year.”

Music definitely falls under that nostalgic umbrella—both in the world and in the church. We have so many timeless songs and carols, especially the ones that point us to the hope of our Savior and the triumph of our humble King. I think of the beautiful, resounding “Gloria, in excelsis Deo” in Angels We Have Heard on High, or the quiet comfort of Silent Night with its simple declaration of Christ’s greatness: “Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.” These are just two great faithful Christmas hymns in a long list of great songs for the season—and it’s a list I’d love to see continue to grow.

Psalm 96 calls us to “sing to the LORD a new song… declare his glory among the nations. In other words, we aren’t only meant to treasure the songs we’ve known for generations—we’re also invited to keep expanding our vocabulary of praise. Even at Christmas, we can lift up new songs to the Word made flesh who came to dwell among us.

So this season, we’re introducing a song that simply and beautifully declares that We Have a Savior - which is also the name of the song. It captures who Jesus is: Emmanuel - God with us, the child born to Mary, the King who purchased our freedom from sin, the light of the world. It calls us to respond with adoration, worship, and joyful surrender. And it expresses what flows out of knowing Christ as Savior: hope and joy.

If you’ve never heard the song before, take a moment to listen using the link below. It’s also available on most music streaming platforms.

I’m looking forward to singing this together—right alongside the wonderful hymns we already know and love—throughout this Christmas season!

Verse 1
A child has been given
The King of our freedom
Sing for the light has come
This is Christmas

Verse 2
Come and adore Him
And bring gifts before Him
Joy to the world
Worship the Son
This is Christmas

Chorus
This is Jesus
Emmanuel here with us
Tell all the world
We have a Savior
We have a Savior

We are no longer lost
’Cause He has come down for us
We have a Savior
We have a Savior

Verse 3
Sing with the angels
And lift up your voices
Join in the song of hope
This is Christmas

Bridge
His love will reign forever
His love will reign forever
His love will reign forever

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving—a time to slow down and remember just how much we’ve been blessed. And for followers of Jesus, there’s nothing we’re more thankful for than the cross. Jesus willingly took our place and paid in full the debt our sin deserved.

One passage that beautifully captures this is Ephesians 2:1–10. It reminds us that we weren’t just struggling—we were spiritually dead. Yet God, rich in mercy and overflowing with love, made us alive with Christ. Take a moment to read these incredible words:

What a gift of grace. We who were once enemies have been welcomed into God’s family. And one of the sweetest ways to let those truths sink into our hearts is through music.

This Sunday, we’re going to sing a song that helps us do exactly that—Jesus, Thank You by Sovereign Grace Music. It centers our thanksgiving on the greatest blessing of all: the finished work of Jesus. One line from the chorus has always struck me: “Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table. Jesus, thank You.”

As we prepare for Thanksgiving—and for worship next Sunday—take some time to listen to this song. Let it remind you of the grace, mercy, and love God has poured out on you through Christ.

VERSE 1
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

CHORUS
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

VERSE 2
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

BRIDGE
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You