Monthly Worship Song
Songs that make our worship resonate from the heart
Words of True Parents
With regard to songs of praise sang in church services, many beautiful hymns were composed in the New Testament Age
as people waited for Jesus to return as he had promised. <“Shall We Gather at the River” is a hymn of faith>
that was composed during a time of oppression and expresses Christians’ resolve even to die as they looked forward to the day they could once again meet the Messiah.
Two thousand years ago, back then, I believe the Jordan River must have been a big river. I visited it in the 70s, even in 1968.
During those visits, the Jordan River was more like a brook. That’s how much it has changed.
So looking at such historical facts,
I envisioned what life would be like in the future as we attend Heavenly Parent in the kingdom of heaven on earth. It was with this in mind that I called David Eaton to come to Korea.
He was deeply involved in cultural activities at the time we were conducting the work of God’s global providence, based in the United States.
When I encounter the most beautiful masterpieces around the world, many songs express through their lyrics and melodies the feelings or sensations experienced in a particular place.
There are, for instance, beautiful songs written about Naples in Italy.
1 These songs express the environment and atmosphere of those times as well. Germany is another example, I think…?
[Mother sings] A bodhi tree stands by the well in front of the castle gate
Under the shade of that tree I had a sweet dream
I engraved words of hope on its branches
Tis’ under the tree that I go to in times of happiness and sadness
Tis’ under the tree that I go
You can all feel the atmosphere through the lyrics of this song, can’t you?
In this era of Cheon Il Guk when we are attending Heavenly Parent and living with True Parents,
our songs of praise should also change accordingly. (skip)
To that end, there are many beautiful concepts in these songs of praise, in the hymns of the New Testament era. As well as marching songs, there are many famous songs,
which is the reason for creating a hyojeong cultural center in this era of Cheon Il Guk. Since we have to create the culture of Cheon Il Guk,
even if you do not have any professional knowledge,
you are all waiting for the day when you will be able to dedicate your life to the present moment, in oneness with True Parents—and moreover, the temple where you can directly attend Heavenly Parent.
I hope that through your devotion and effort many treasures will emerge that can be praised in song in front of God.
In the beginning, I was alone, but now that you are here, I will try to advance in hope.
Under the shade of that tree I had a sweet dream
I engraved words of hope on its branches
Tis’ under the tree that I go to in times of happiness and sadness
Tis’ under the tree that I go
In this era of Cheon Il Guk when we are attending Heavenly Parent and living with True Parents,
our songs of praise should also change accordingly. (skip)
To that end, there are many beautiful concepts in these songs of praise, in the hymns of the New Testament era. As well as marching songs, there are many famous songs,
which is the reason for creating a hyojeong cultural center in this era of Cheon Il Guk. Since we have to create the culture of Cheon Il Guk,
even if you do not have any professional knowledge,
you are all waiting for the day when you will be able to dedicate your life to the present moment, in oneness with True Parents—and moreover, the temple where you can directly attend Heavenly Parent.
I hope that through your devotion and effort many treasures will emerge that can be praised in song in front of God.
In the beginning, I was alone, but now that you are here, I will try to advance in hope.