It was early 1930s and this 21-year-old insurance worker was asked to sing in a coast-to-coast radio talent show. He lost to a yodeler but gained nation wide recognition and $15.00. A few weeks after he experienced this wide spread fame, his mother placed a poem, written by Rhea F. Miller, on her piano. She hoped her son, George, would find the poem and read it. George read the poem and almost immediately a tune came flowing out of him. That same Sunday morning he sang “I’d Rather Have Jesus” in church for the first time. The words influenced him so much that when he was offered a singing contract with NBC radio he turned it down. It was in the midst of the great depression and thousands of young singers would have jumped at this chance for fame and wealth. But because his mother placed that poem in his path it changed his life.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to his dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name.

Of course most of you now know of George Beverly Shea. But not because of NBC radio. You know him because of his work for the Lord with the Billy Graham crusades. George Beverly Shea is still living at the age of 102 years old!

This Sunday morning we will start our time of worship together with I Will Sing of My Redeemer. This song will help us set our minds on what Jesus has done for us.
Then we will sing Come, Now is the Time to Worship. I like the phrase that says, “Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose Him now”. That treasure is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Then, one of my favorite songs, Because We Believe, will unite us in our own belief statements. “We believe in God the Father, We believe in Christ the Son. We believe in the Holy Spirit, we are the Church and we stand as one.
After that we will sing Knowing You, taken from Philippians 3:10 and finally our foundation hymn for the morning, I’d Rather Have Jesus, will bring us to a time of prayer with Pastor Al.
Click below and listen to George Beverly Shea sing I’d Rather Have Jesus.

I hope this will help you prepare for worship.
Pastor Morri