How Great Thou Art

I can’t believe I’ve worked at St. Luke’s for over 10 years now! Being the worship director for the contemporary service at St. Luke’s Edmond has been such an honor, and preparing for the Lenten season is one of my favorite times of the year. We get to reflect on life, death, and the eternal and everlasting love that Jesus offers all of us. Without fail, the hymn How Great Thou Art always comes to my mind during this time of year. Even though I absolutely love singing and rocking out to our contemporary worship music, this traditional hymn has always been near and dear to my heart and soul. The words are beautiful, and each verse depicts the story of God’s love for us and our adoration for Him.

Through the years, I have had the privilege to sing for numerous funerals at St. Luke’s. It’s one of the greatest honors to be there and hear the stories of the lives of those we are celebrating and ushering into the kingdom of heaven. I often get to sing How Great Thou Art, and every time we get to the 3rd verse, it touches my soul so much that I have to remind myself to ‘sing’ so as to not get choked up from the beauty of the words. When I sing the 3rd verse, I cannot help but imagine all of us and the loved one we are honoring coming into heaven and being embraced by Jesus; restored, joyful, healed, free, and eternally loved.

That is the story of the cross. The story of life, death, love, resurrection, and the hope that we can all share in heaven.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Savannah White-Lewis, Edmond Campus LifeLight Worship Leader