Weekend Edition

Friday (14th) O Sacred Head Now Wounded
Today's hymn, "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," is so old that historians are not sure to whom to attribute the writing. Most people believe that an monk abbot by the name of Bernard (1091-1153) of Clairvaux, France was the man who put it together. It was first found in the Latin and the words can be found in a medieval poem which had seven parts. Each part of the poem would address a certain part of Christ's body, (feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face.) These words were from the 7th part and was first entitled, "To the Suffering Face of Jesus Christ." Years later it was translated into English by James Alexander, and the music was written by a German composer during the Renaissance period. There are some people who do not care for hymns like this one which are written in a minor key and sound so sad. But read the words carefully; the message to us is very powerful.

Saturday (15th) Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
The hymn, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?” originally read “Shall Simon bear the cross alone, and other saints be free.” Thomas Shepherd, the author, used his hymn after preaching about Simon Peter, who was believed to have been crucified upside down. Later, the hymn was altered to refer to Jesus. The hymn was written in 1693 and a year later, Shepherd made his own decision to take up the cross and follow Jesus. He left the Church of England, where he was pastor in a beautiful church building and became an independent preacher in Nottingham barn. He felt he could proclaim the true gospel of Christ.

Sunday (16th) Room at the Cross for You
"The basic reason I have written songs is that I love God and Christ has loved me. Most of my songs are the outgrowth of real experiences with Christ. I think they appeal to people because I have had trials, heartaches, and sorrow in my own life, and I know what I write about." At the age of 17, Ira Stanphill (1914 - )wrote his first gospel song. He traveled with evangelists, playing the piano, organ, ukulele and accordion. At one of these meetings the sermon was entitled, Room at the Cross. Stanphill wrote the words down on a scrap of paper. Later, after finding the words again, he was quickly wrote the tune and words for the hymn, "Room At The Cross For You."

from: http://schaefer-family.com/hymns.htm