"Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice"
When my children were growing up, we were members of a Moravian Church. I don't know if you are familiar with that early Protestant Denomination. You can read about the Moravians here. I love the Moravian Seal (Our Lamb Has Conquered, Let Us Follow Him). Their music is beautiful with chorals and bands. And the traditions of Lovefeasts, Easter Sunrise Services and Christmas teas draw many visitors to Old Salem. I will share more about that later. This is the kind of lovefeast held in the church services here. Coffee is served in a mug with a plain, but delicious, Moravian bun. Hymns are sung during the service. The candles are trimmed at Christmas, and the Christmas Eve services are beautiful. I just found this picture here. I used to sing this sweet hymn often with the children I taught in Sunday School.
Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice
Jesus makes my heart rejoice, I'm his sheep and know His voice;
He's a shepherd, kind and gracious, And His pastures are delicious;
Constant love to me he shows, Yea, my very name He knows.
Trusting His mild staff always, I go in and out in peace;
He will feed me with the treasure Of His grace in richest measure;
When athirst to Him I cry, Living water He'll supply.
Should not I for gladness leap, Led by Jesus as His sheep?
For when these blest days are over To the arms of my dear Saviour
I shall be conveyed to rest, Amen, yea, my lot is blest.
Words: Henrietta Louise von Hayn (1776)
Music: Herrnhut, Herrnhutter Choralbuch (1735)
Listen to the hymn here. We paused longer after the third and fourth phrases.
Images courtesy of All Posters
14 comments:
Beautiful. Jesus DOES make my heart rejoice!
Thank you, Patricia. Did you see the link I posted to your blog yesterday, about your beautiful Sunday post?
This line in the last verse: yea, my lot is blest.
reminded me of this Bible verse: Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6 which is in the footer on my blog.
Lovely hymn!
I'm curious to see what Mom comments about the Moravian Church and Old Salem. ;o) I'll be checking back!
Jodi, I'm so glad you saw that song. That is a beautiful verse, thank you. That is a very favorite hymn for the Moravians to sing. I just love their music. I wrote a little song "Led Thy Sheep" that sounds like a Moravian song- first verse in my sidebar, I think. That reference to the Moravians also tells about the music.
Your blog is very inspiring & beautiful. I enjoy visiting
What wonderful words about Jesus and so true. I never knew this hymn. Thanks for sharing about the Moravians also. I'm sure your days with them were happy ones. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Nancy, I'm glad to have you visiting. :o)
You are welcome, Maxine. Yes, I love Moravians and especially the wonderful music. I'll be sharing more lovely hymns. :o)
Hi Cathy,
when my daughters were small we lived in Winston Salem passed through Old Salem often we toured it a few times...I always loved going thru Old Salem..
when my husband was recalled into the army I moved into a house with a woman who was Moravian and I always loved the Moravian star and I loved the Moravian Hymns...
I also loved the simple way she decorated at Christmas time
Cathy,
You post such beautiful hymns! I so wish more churches would go back to the old sacred music that appeals to the heart instead of the flesh.
Also, I want to thank you for your visits. I don't get to comment on blogs as much as I'd like, but wanted you to know you are appreciated!
Mimi, that is great, then you understand my love of the beautiful music and traditions. :o) You will enjoy some others I will post too, I'm sure.
Sharon, thank you, and I'm glad you liked the hymn. You are welcome, I enjoy visiting you and know you are busy.
I was waiting for Mimi to tell you we are from that area originally. (Well - not Mimi - lol, only after marriage. But my sister and I were both born there.)
I have the most wonderful memory of visiting Old Salem when we went on a family vacation (back to visit all ... all ... my dad's family. None of them have ever moved away). Anyway, we went into the old bakery where they still bake in the old brick oven and bought the MOST delicious raisin cinnamon sweet rolls EVER known to mankind. I **still** remember how wonderful those rolls were. :o)
I would dearly love to take a vacation back over there with my hubby and kids and Mom and Dad, so Daddy can show the children all the places he went growing up, and they can take the children to all the places they lived after they got married. Maybe some day the Lord will allow that to happen. You can bet if that trip ever happens it will include a swing by the Old Salem Bakery! ;o) Perhaps it could even include a blogging buddy meeting. :o)
Thank you so much for this post, Cathy. You kindled all sorts of memories. I hope you share more about the Moravian Church. :o)
Jodi, by all means, please let me know if that trip ever happens! That is just amazing that your sweet family is from this area. As you know, people come from all over to visit Old Salem every year. It would be wonderful if you could make that trip again.
I haven't bought too much from the Salem Bakery. We love the old Dewey's Bakery for their Moravian buns, Moravian sugar cake ( with lots of butter and brown sugar!),sugar cookies at Christmas and Hot Cross buns, etc.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I will have to do more, especially at Christmas and Easter. :o) And the lovely hymns will definitely continue.
I love my Shepherd...I want to share something I wrote eight years ago about Jesus, My Gentle Shepherd. It is here...
http://www.my.homewithgod.com/mygentleshepherd/
I am so glad that you have this wonderful blog Cathy. It inspires me
Karen, that is very beautiful. Thank you for the kind words. I am so glad you are back, and I'm happy my blog blesses you. :o)
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