Deb and I lead worship in the Upper Room at Calvary yesterday. I got through it OK. It was tough emotionally because I was 1-inch away from losing it several times.

We did an opening music set with Eric Guyer leading us. We did several old hymns during communion and the offering: What a Friend We Have in Jesus, I Will Sing of My Redeemer, and O, The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus.

I shared about what I’ve been dealing with related to Steve’s death. Deb and I read scriptures that express deep struggling emotions, and God’s responses to them. I encouraged the congregation to enage with one another as the Body of Christ, especially when we are dealing with hard and difficult things in our lives.

We listened to “Now Is The Time For Tears” – a song from an album called “Corem Deo” produced by Charlie Peacock.

Lyrics:

Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words
There’s nothing you could say
To take this pain away
Don’t try so hard
You can just simply be
Cry with me don’t try to fix me friend
That’s how you’ll comfort me

Heavenly father, cover this child with mercy
You are my Abba through this time of trail and pain
Silence the lips of the people with all of the answers
Gently show them now is the time
Now is the time for tears

Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words
Now is the time for tears
Don’t speak, save your words

Then we did Fernando Ortega’s song: Lord of Eternity, the chorus of which reads:

Lord of Eternity, Father of mercy
Look on my fainting soul,
Keeper of all the stars
Friend of the poorest heart,
Touch me and make me whole.