Worship and Arts by Young

Text: John Newton, 1725-1807,  stanzas1-4; anonymous, stanza 5

Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835;arr. Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921

Tune: AMAZING GRACE or NEW BRITAIN

Can one man’s passionate conviction indeed change the world?  Yes!

Have you seen the movie Amazing Grace, based on the true story of William Wilberforce (1759-1833)?  In 2010, I was thrilled by the inspiring story of William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament, and William Pitt, the youngest Prime Minister in 1783. Their deep friendship and a driving faith as well as the testimony of John Newton, a former slave shipmaster, touched me deeply.  With Pitt and Newton’s encouragements, Wilberforce led the movement to abolish the slave trade and, finally, in 1807, the first anti-slave trade bill was passed by the British Parliament, ending 400 years of slave trading.  As Wilberforce’s mentor, Newton convinced him that God had given him a powerful position to fulfill “a great change,” citing the Scripture “for such a time as this” from the Old Testament Book of Esther (4:14).  Newton has influenced people to draw closer to Jesus through his autobiographical hymn, “Amazing Grace,” testifying that his wretched life was saved by God’s amazing grace.

“Amazing Grace” was written by John Newton, a slave trader-turned-Anglican minister.  Newton’s mother died when he was seven years old.  At the age of eleven, he began his life as a seaman.  After serving on several ships, Newton eventfully became the captain of a slave trade ship — buying, selling, and transporting slaves.  In 1748, on a voyage back to England from Africa, terrified by a violent storm, Newton began reading a book by Thomas a Kempis titled “The Imitation of Christ,” which happened into his hands.  This moment awakened him to recall his mother’s teachings about Jesus and started his journey towards Christ.

At the age of forty, he was ordained and began his first service at Olney church, a small community of poor farmers and lace makers.  While he was at Olney, one of his great joys was to write hymns to be used for his preaching or for his weekly prayer meetings.  Newton could not find appropriate expressions to inspire people from the usual singing of Psalms due to their dull melody and the lack of personal expressions; therefore, he began writing his own hymns, using the simple expressions of love and faith.  “Amazing Grace” was one of them.  Some believe that  it was written to illustrate a sermon he gave on New Year’s Day of 1773.  He described his spiritual life in the text as verse form, revealing God’s forgiveness and mercy to a sinner.  With William Cowper, a well-known poet, he produced the “Olney Hymns Hymnal” in 1779, including “Amazing Grace.”  He wrote over 280 hymns.

In 1782, after serving 19 years at Olney, he went to St. Mary Woolnoth Church, where he remained the rest of his life. According to Hymnal Companion to the Lutheran Book of Worship, Newton wrote his own epitaph while he was at St. Mary Woolnoth (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981):

John Newton, Clerk,

Once an infidel and libertine.

A servant of slaves in Africa,

Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord

And Savior Jesus Christ,

Preserved, restored, pardoned,

And appointed to preach the faith

He had long labored to destroy,

Near sixteen years at Olney in bucks,

And twenty-eight years in this church.

Even though the tune’s origin is unknown, McKim said in The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion, some claimed that the tune is based on an African melody.  According to Westermeyer in his book Let The People Sing, its text and tune were first joined in William Walker’s The Southern Harmony (New Haven, 1835 ).  Until the time of his death at the age of 82, Newton proclaimed tirelessly that “I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior!”  With its profound message, simple words and singable melody, “Amazing Grace” has influenced not only Wilberforce but many others, including Christian musicians.

Chris Tomlin, a contemporary Christian artist, was moved by an incredible verse that had been omitted from a hymn book: “The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine. But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.” Thinking about what God had done in Newton’s life as well as in ours, he wrote a contemporary version of “Amazing Grace” with the title “My Chains Are Gone.”  Not only did he include the omitted verse but also  added a powerful chorus to tell that God has set us free: ” My chains are gone. I’ve been set free; My God; my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains, unending love, Amazing grace.” This is one of the most sung songs in contemporary worship services.  There is no doubt that people feel the power of forgiveness through this song.

On October 31, 1517, 496 years ago, Martin Luther posted 95 theses for debate on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany; the action changed the world.  Two hundred years ago, Wilberforce succeeded in ending slave trading in Britain.  His drive for abolition changed the world. Can one man’s passionate conviction indeed change the world?  YES! God is looking for one man like Luther or Wilberforce among us to accomplish his purposes.  You will not be alone as God will send helpers like Pitt and Newton for Wilberforce, or Philipp Melanchthon and Friedrich the Wise for Luther. Have you been placed in a position “for such a time as this?” What situation is lying in front of you?  Ask God to help you through the situation.  As we meditate on Newton’s “Amazing Grace,” we can recall Luther’s reformation spirit, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

I humbly say that I have been able to make a difference in our community influenced by Dr. Paul Westermeyer.  I boast that he is my professor and my mentor.  As Newton continues to preach to us today through his hymns, Dr. Westermeyer’s influence will continue by his writings, his students’ works, and his fruitful life.

Soli Deo Gloria, 

Young Hee Chung, a graduate of Luther Seminary with a Master of Sacred Music degree in 2002

Dear Congregation at First Lutheran,

As I move toward  the end of my internship, I would like to express my sincere thanks to each of you.  I have enjoyed working at First Lutheran as Intern Pastor since September 2014. I will be leaving First Lutheran at the end of August, moving on to a new phase of ministry.  When I look back on my ministry here, I realize that I am so blessed. I would like to give thanks for the following:

I am grateful that God gave me a place to serve my internship at First Lutheran.  Thanks for having me serve you and for supporting my ministry, in particular Pastor Jake and the Internship Committee. I have had the privilege of preaching and teaching as well as having worship leadership.  I feel blessed by the opportunities of proclaiming the Good news and leading/assisting worship.

I am grateful that I have had the privilege of caring people. Offering communion service at Good Samaritan and visiting parishioners have become a part of my ministry here. I have found these very meaningful. I feel blessed by the opportunities of offering pastoral care.

I am grateful that I have had opportunities of working with staff, church council, ministries and committees. Without their faithful support, I could not have done what I have done.  Therefore, my sincere thanks go to WELCA, Men’s Fellowship, Altar Guild, Children/Youth ministries, Out Reach, Worship & Music, Consecration Sunday Team, Sound team, Choir, organists, Praise team.  I should not forget to mention the team I worked with to produce the Passion Play. I feel blessed for the opportunities of working side by side, acknowledging that we are created to take our journey together, not alone.

I am grateful that we have woven together and brought precious, memorable moments together. We have built webs of relationships through events, including a Reformation Sunday drama, Advent Festival, “Unforgettable Disciples” in Lent, a Passion play, “The Passion of the Christ from Birth to Death” and The Community Hymn Festival.  These have brought people–young and old, traditional and contemporary musicians, local churches and their communities–together.  I feel blessed by people who put forth their best, sharing their time and gifts.

I am grateful that I have had opportunities to see God’s love through you. Many people have shown kindness by inviting me to their house, maintaining my house, giving gifts, encouraging and appreciating as well as praying. The service I received was not just for me, but that was also to God: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 26:40). I feel blessed by your great love.

I have a strong passion for faith-shaping ministry, helping people engage in a lifelong faith, making Christ known and making a difference in the world. To that end, for my future ministry, I will focus on

• Living the Word: exploring God’s story and bring the story to life in our lives
• Harvesting Faith Story: gathering stories of our lives transformed by vibrant faith and passing them down to the next generation.

I will remember all the beautiful memories woven together through our ministry at First Lutheran. I very much enjoyed my time at First, sharing my gift and growing in my ministry skills. I pray that you dwell in the Word, finding what God is up to in First Lutheran Church.  God’s blessings to each and every one of you.                                         – Soli Deo Gloria-                     .

Intern Pastor Young Chung