Something very different at South Bersted

Wow! What a fantastic and very different service I took part in yesterday morning. I only did one song live, although I did do ‘Wolfy Wolfy’ and ‘Bigger Barn’ for the children…although as usual the adults seemed to love joining in as much as the children.

It made a nice change to join in the churches worship rather than leading it myself.

The Vicar Tim just asked me the following questions, (see below) and I gave answers and stories to each question, many of which surprised everyone. I then followed by telling the story of Jairus emphasising what good decisions he made as a father. The service lasted for just over an hour but the congregation did enjoy a full English brekkie before the service.

My main theme was of course on how wonderful Father God is.

Although I was asked to do this specifically because it is Father’s Day, because a lot of people know the song it is something that could add something a little different to any service or meeting at any time.

And if you have not already guessed which one song I sang (twice) it was of course ‘Father God I Wonder’ once before the Q & A and once after.

Thank all of you who responded to my post earlier on how this song has influenced you.

Ish Questions about ‘Father God I Wonder’

What inspired you to write the song ‘Father God I Wonder’, how did it happen, was there an exact moment? Was it a melody, a lyric, or a specific theological understanding that came first?

What artistic choices did you make that led it to it being such a well-known anthem in contemporary worship?

What stories have you heard about how God has used this song over the last 40+ years?

Did you have any sense that this particular song would connect with so many people?

How does it feel to hear large crowds singing lyrics that you have written in praise of God?

What does God being a Father, mean to you?

How has this been especially helpful to you and others during your/their cancer journey?

Looking back, is the core message of the song still what you intended, or has the meaning changed for you over the years?

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