Promises of God

1. The Rainbow (Soloists: Jim Shoemaker, Greg Storkan, and Tom Sitzler)

from Genesis 9:8, 11, 13, 14, 16 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: Never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. I have set my bow in the clouds. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature that is on the earth.

2. Baruch ata Adonai Elohaynu (Soloist: Jennifer Clodi)

Genesis 15:18; 22:17-18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates ... I will indeed bless you, and I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the seashore; and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth gain blessings for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.

3. Honor Thy Father and Mother (Soloist: Jim Shoemaker)

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents: for this is right. Honor your father and mother--this is the first commandment with a promise; so that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.

4. I Will Be Their God

from Jeremiah 31:32-34 This shall be my covenant with the house of Israel in the days to come, saith the Lord: I will write my law upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no more shall they need to teach about me, and no more will they ask, "Do you know the Lord?" for everyone shall know about me, and I will remember their sin no more.

5. I Will Heal Their Land

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

7. My Holy Mountain (Trio: Tom Sitzler, Greg Storkan, and George Van Hare)

Isaiah 65:19-25 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people: no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days or an old person who does not live out a lifetime... They shall build houses, and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and eat their fruit... for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.... Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, but the serpent-its food shall be dust. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.

6. Promise of the Messiah (Soloist: Connie Torretta)

Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me: I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Mark 1:7 The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. John 1:26 I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.

8. The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-10 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted; blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth; blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled; blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy; blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God; blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God; blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

9. Everlasting Life

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

10. Lo, I Am With You Alway (Soloists: Caetlyn VanBuren and Mike Kaberline)

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

11. I Go to Prepare a Place

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

12. This Same Jesus (Soloists: Tom Sitzler and Stephanie Ball)

Acts 1:7-11 It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

13. Dona Nobis Pacem (Soloist: Stephanie Ball)

Dona nobis pacem, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae.

Grant us peace, now, and in the hour of our death.

Sopranos Stephanie Ball Laura Brady Sharon Carter Jennifer Clodi Martha Kneib LaNae Sager Caetlyn VanBuren Connie Westhoff Altos Margy Brown Judy Brust Bonnie Carmichael Karen Coletti Ann Gaadt Roberta McBride Amanda Meinen Kathy Milligan Connie Torretta Nancy Wagoner Tenors David Carmichael Patrick Courtney Todd Kneib Elaine Pontious Brian Schroer Jim Shoemaker Basses Mike Kaberline Bill Morgan Tom Sitzler Greg Storkan George Van Hare Larry Westhoff

Organ Dr. Bill Wade, CAGO Trumpet Robert Souza Bass Guitar George Van Hare Bongos Stephanie Ball Piano Ann Gaadt Reader Dr. Dan Anderson-Little Conductor Victoria Carmichael Chorusmasters Victoria Carmichael Sharon Carter Karen Coletti Ann Gaadt Jim Shoemaker

Acknowledgements:

• A huge thank you to Music Director Henry Glass and University United Methodist Church for the hospitality they have provided.
• Thank you to Jim Shoemaker for sharing his music, donating scores and consulting on rehearsals throughout.
• Thanks to Dr. Dan Anderson-Little, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, for reading today.
• Many thanks to Sharon Carter, Ann Gaadt, Karen Coletti, Jim Shoemaker and Bill Wade for leading rehearsals.
• Thanks to Liz Nelson and Bill Wade for administrative help.
• Thanks to Pat Courtney for designing publicity fliers.

 

Promises of God was written "to Fr. Laurence Biondi, SJ, President, Saint Louis University, for his courage and faithfulness."