Song of The Month: August 2015 - "Indescribable" by: Chris Tomlin

"Indescribable" Lyrics

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

"Indescribable" is a song which speaks directly to the heart and proclaims the glory of God. How amazing is our God; how he blesses us in so many ways! This song reminds me of how impossible I find it not to believe. Just look around and see the indescribable work of God but, more importantly, look within and recognize how much we are loved by our creating God. As Chris Tomlin writes: "Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim you are amazing God."



Reflection:

Genesis 1:31 - "God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good."

Ephesians 1:3-6 -  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved."

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Month: July 2015 - "Multiplied" by: NEEDTOBREATHE

"Multiplied" Lyrics

Your love is like radiant diamonds

Bursting inside us we cannot contain

Your love will surely come find us

Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine

I have surrendered to Your design

May this offering stretch across the skies

And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

Your love is like radiant diamonds

Bursting inside us we cannot contain

Your love will surely come find us

Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine

I have surrendered to Your design

May this offering stretch across the skies

And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Multiplied)

(Oh multiplied)

God of mercy sweet love of mine

I have surrendered to Your design

May this offering stretch across the skies

And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

These Halleluiahs be multiplied

(Your love is like radiant diamonds)

(Bursting inside us we cannot contain)

(Your love will surely come find us)

Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

Reflection:

To multiply something is to increase it. In this song, Multiplied, by NeedtoBreathe, what is to be multiplied are the halleluiahs we sing to our saving God, whose love finds us and to whom we are to surrender. The more we surrender to God’s love, which is like radiant diamonds, the more we will be able to lift our voices and sing the halleluiahs God so much deserves. Humility is required to surrender, as well as is the needed recognition that we do nothing alone—it is God who leads us. Let us multiply our praises and embrace the love of God.


Luke 9:16 - “…Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.” 

Romans 8:37-39 - “No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Month: June 2015 - "Vapor" by: The Liturgists

"Vapor" Lyrics

Oh the vapor of it all

It's a chasing of the wind

The powers of the earth so pale and thin

We will set our hearts on you again

Heaven taunts the hearts of men 

We can feel it from within 

The beauty of it all

The mystery

The swelling of a voice 

A rising sea

Holy 

You oh God are Holy

Trees clap their hands for you

Oceans they dance for you

You are holy 

Oh the mystery of it all

I can never peer within 

I'll never find the words or understand 

The fullness of a God

Become a man

Holy 

You oh God are Holy

Trees clap their hands for you

Oceans they dance for you

You are holy 

Infinite and holy

A billion suns rise for you

Clouds paint the skies for you

Mountains stand tall for you

Valleys bow down to you

Everything rising to 

Sing all our songs for you

Holy 

The impossible and holy

Kings become fools for you

Kingdoms to ruins for you

Vapor finds ground in you

Music finds sound for you

Everything rising 

Everything rising 

Come like dawn 

Like waves

Like sunlight 

Bring this world to life 

Come like rain 

Like breath 

Like springtime

Bring this world to life

Reflection:

"Vapor" immediately draws the listener into the overwhelming reality of God's beauty and omnipotence; of how little we are and how big is our God. So much so that for God, "Trees clap their hands. Oceans they dance...A billion suns rise for you. Clouds paint the skies for you. Mountains stand tall for you. Valleys bow down to you." Our hope, as this beautifully haunting song reminds us, is found in setting our hearts on God once again and allowing the Mystery of God's love to unfold within our hearts and to direct our lives.


Psalm 27:4 - "One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple".

Romans 10:15 - "And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!'"



Rev. Gary Janak
Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Month: May 2015 - "In Me": by Casting Crowns

"In Me" Lyrics:

If You ask me to leap

Out of my boat on the crashing waves

If You ask me to go

Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own

But the power of Christ in me makes me strong

Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If you ask me to run

And carry Your light into foreign land

If You ask me to fight

Deliver Your people from satan's hand

I'll go, but I cannot go alone

'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own

But the power of Christ in me makes me strong

Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

To reach out with Your hands

To learn through Your eyes

To love with the love of a savior (the love of a savior)

To feel with Your heart

And to think with Your mind

I'd give my last breath for Your glory (I'd give my last breath for Your glory)

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

When I'm weak, You make me strong

When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me

'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

How refreshing to know You don't need me

How amazing to find that You want me

So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength

Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

The power of Christ in me

Reflection:

We are never alone in this walk of life. The Casting Crowns remind us of this in their song. No matter where we are in life, no matter what we are going through, the tribulations or jubilations of life, Jesus is always with us. At our baptism we were untied to the life of Christ and now his power reigns in us. As the song sings, “I’m nothing on my own, but the power of Christ in me makes me strong.” All we have to do is believe.


2 Corinthians 12:10 – “For when I am weak, then I am made strong.”



Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the



John 15:9 – “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”




Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Cathedral

Song of The Week (4/19 - 4/25) - "Open Me" by: Shawn McDonald

"Open Me" Lyrics:

Would You open up eyes, so I can see

Would You open up my ears, so I can hear

Would You open up my mind, so I can know

Would You open up my heart, so I can love You more

I wanna serve You, my God

I wanna give everything

I wanna serve You, my King, yeah

I wanna serve You, my Lord

I wanna give You everything, yeah

Would You open up eyes, so I can see

Would You open up my ears, so I can hear

Would You open up my mind, so I can know

Would You open up my heart, so I can love You more

I wanna serve You, my God

I wanna give everything

I wanna serve You, my King, yeah

I wanna serve You, my Lord

I wanna give You everything, yeah

Here I am with my arms open wide

Asking for You to come up, up inside

Won't You make me new, won't You make me true

Jesus, won't You make me like You, oh

Will You touch my eyes, so I can see

Will You touch my ears, so I can hear

Will You touch my mind, so I can know

Will You touch my heart, so I can love You more

Won't You open me

Won't You open me

Won't You open me, yeah

Won't You open me

Reflection:

The song this week by Shawn McDonald is also a quite beautiful prayer. The song is a reminder that the closer we are in our relationship to God, the more our eyes, ears, mind, and heart are opened. Once we start thinking, seeing, and loving like God does, we are then fully living-out our Christian identity (our baptismal promises) and are then able to love and serve others because service is at the heart of Christianity. On Holy Thursday, we heard in the gospel reading that what Christ did for the Apostles, we are to do to each other (cf. Jn 13:12-20), i.e. to serve and love one another. Let us pray during this Easter season, may our hearts and minds be opened for us, to know God’s presence within our lives and within every individual, and to serve as Christ served.


John 13:12-15 – “So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow.”


1 Samuel 12:24 – “But you must fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for you have seen the great things the LORD has done among you.”


Mark 10:45 – “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (4/5 - 4/18) - "Because He Lives" by: Matt Maher

"Because He Lives" Lyrics:

I believe in the Son

I believe in the risen One

I believe I overcome

By the power of His blood

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

I was dead in the grave

I was covered in sin and shame

I heard mercy call my name

He rolled the stone away

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives

Every fear is gone

I know He holds my life my future in His hands

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Amen, Amen

I’m alive, I’m alive

Because He lives

Amen, Amen

Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives

Because He lives

*Lyrics and Music are the property of the artists*

Reflection:

Alleluia! Christ has risen! This is the most holiest and glorious time of the year for Christians. I love seeing the Easter lilies at all the churches because not only are they beautiful, but they are a symbol of the resurrection. If Christ wasn’t raised from the tomb, our faith would be in vain. If Christ wasn’t raised from the tomb, then our sins are haven’t been forgiven, which then means we wouldn’t be able to enter into heaven.

However, that’s not the case. Jesus has been raised. Our sins have truly been forgiven and the gates of heaven have been opened for us. As Matt Maher sings, “I’m alive, I’m alive because he lives.” We are genuinely alive because our souls are dead to sin. Christ has defeated death, Alleluia! May all of you have a very blessed and holy Easter season.


1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”


1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he who in his great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; a birth to an imperishable inheritance, incapable of fading or defilement, which is kept in heaven for you who are guarded with God’s power through faith; a birth to a salvation which stands ready to be revealed in the last days.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (3/29 - 4/4) Holy Week - "At The Cross" by: Hillsong

CLICK THE LINK to download "At The Cross" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mighty-to-save-live/id716227384

"At The Cross" Lyrics:

Oh Lord You've searched me

You know my way

Even when I fail You

I know You love me

Your holy presence

Surrounding me

In every season

I know You love me

I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now

You go before me

You shield my way

Your hand upholds me

I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades

Falls from my eyes

And You stand before me

I know You love me

I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me

There's no greater love than this

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

You tore the veil

You made a way

When You said that it is done

Reflection:

As we enter into Holy Week, this song, "At The Cross," encourages us to recognize the depth of God's love for us, even when we fail. Through Christ, we have freedom from our sins and a personal invitation to newness of life. In humility, we are to bow down, as Hillsong sings so beautifully, for "At the cross I bow my knee. Where your blood was shed for me. There's no greater love than this. You have overcome the grave. Your glory fills the highest place. What can separate me now." Let us open our hearts to Jesus, on this Holy Week journey, and be filled with His love.



Romans 8: 31-39 - "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (3/22 - 3/28) - "40 Days" by: Matt Maher

CLICK THE LINK to download "40 Days" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/welcome-to-life/id464900288

"40 Days" Lyrics:

Forty days to wander

Forty days to die to self

Forty days to grow stronger

As faith breaks open the gates of hell

The jubilee is over

But grace is far from gone

In the hearts of the faithful

Broken on the wheels of love

'Cause in the dessert of temptation

Lies the storm of true conversion

Where springs of living water drown and refresh you

And as the Jordan pours out change

Your true self is all that remains

Where springs of living water bind and break you

Bind and break you

Forty days to remember

The Paschal Sacrifice

Forty days to discover

His passion calls us to new life

The jubilee is over

But mercy's far from gone

In the arms of the Father

As the wayward child comes home

'Cause in the dessert of temptation

Lies the storm of true conversion

Where springs of living water drown and refresh you

And as the Jordan pours out change

Your true self is all that remains

Where springs of living water bind and break you

Bind and break you

Bind and break you

Bind and break you

Reflection:

So, how's your Lenten journey? Forty days of taking on something extra or giving up something enjoyable is not always easy. In fact, it can be down right difficult! Yet, with sacrifice comes learning and with learning comes a new beginning. As Matt Maher sings in his song, 40 Days, we have "forty days to wander, forty days to die to self and forty days to grow stronger." In his desert experience, Jesus teaches us how those forty days can be transforming. Our Savior shows us how we can overcome temptation and find ways to seek comfort from God alone. Yes, as Matt writes and sings so well, "in the desert of temptation lies the storm of true conversion...And as the Jordan pours out change, your true self is all that remains." Lent is about transformation; Lent is about discovering our true self. These forty days are not merely some kind of endurance test. These forty days are an opportunity to "die to self...to grow stronger." Thanks, Matt, for singing the Truth!

Hosea 13:5 - "I fed you in the wilderness, in the parched land"

Isaiah 48:21 - "They did not thirst when he led them through dry lands; Water from the rock he set flowing for them; he cleft the rock and waters welled forth"

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (3/8 - 3/21) - "Sweetly Broken" by: Jeremy Riddle

CLICK THE LINK to download "Sweetly Broken" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sweetly-broken/id122659373

"Sweetly Broken" Lyrics:

To the cross, I look, and to the cross, I cling

Of it's suffering, I do drink, of its work, I do sing

On it, my Savior, both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is love and God is just

At the cross, You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees

And I am lost for words, so lost in love

Im sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

Yeah, yeah, oh Lord

What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given through Christ crucified

Youve called me out of death

Youve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now, through the cross, Im reconciled

Ooh, and at the cross, You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees

And I am lost for words, so lost in love

Im sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

At the cross, You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees

And I am lost for words, so lost in love

Im sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

And in awe of the cross, I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love

And how great is Your faithfulness

At the cross, You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees

And I am lost for words, so lost in love

Im sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

At the cross, You, You've beckoned me

You draw me gently to my knees

And I am lost for words, so lost in love

Im sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

Yeah, yeah, I'm broken for you

I'm broken for you, my Lord, yeah

Jesus, Your love is there

I am sweetly broken

Reflection:

I love the title of this song, “Sweetly Broken.” It honestly sounds like an oxymoron because when do we gaze upon something broken and think, “that’s pretty.” If you knock over a picture frame in the house and the glass shatters and the picture is torn, you don’t think “oh, now it’s lovely.” Of course not. However, that’s exactly how God sees us. That despite our brokenness, our sinfulness, our weakness, our limitations, etc., God sees through our humanity and our sins and still thinks of us as His beautiful creatures. At the crucifixion, Jesus took our sins and nailed them to cross and then completed redeeming us by rising from the grave. We are still sinners because we are human, we still make mistakes and offend God. But, we have been redeemed and our sins have been forgiven. God still sees our goodness and beauty within us. How sweetly broken indeed we are. What God said about Jesus at his baptism and the transfiguration, God says to all of us, “You are my beloved son/daughter. With you, I am well pleased.”


Mark 1:11 – “And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”


1 Peter 2:24 – “In his own body he brought your sins to the cross, so that all of us, dead to sin, could live in accord with God’s will. By his wounds, you were healed.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (3/1 - 3/7) - "Because of Your Love" by: Phil Wickham

CLICK THE LINK to download "Because of Your Love" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heaven-earth-expanded-edition/id388244223

"Because of Your Love" Lyrics:

Jesus you endured my pain

Savior you bore all my shame

All because of your love

All because of your love

Maker of the universe

Broken for the sins of the earth

All because of your love

All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of you blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life, I freely give

Because of your love, Because of your love I live

Innocent and Holy king

You died to set the captive free

All because of your love

Lord you gave your life for me

So I will give my life for you

All because of your love

All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of your blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life I freely give

Because of your love, because your love I live

You did it for me, you did it for love

I'ts your victory, Jesus you are enough

Reflection:

"You did it for me; you did it for love." What powerful Truth is revealed by these simple words in Phil Wickham's song, Because of Your Love. He remind us that we are never forsaken; never alone. We are loved and, because we are loved by God, we are empowered with the ability to love. Sometimes we find love to be difficult in either accepting it or sharing it. It is not difficult for God for "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Yes, Jesus has endured our pain and our shame for love of us. In this time of Lent, let us open our hearts to God's love and choose to share it with each other.

1 John 4:9-12: "In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."


Romans 5:8: "...and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."

Galatians 2:20: "...yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me."

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (2/22 - 2/28) - "Desert Song" by: Hillsong

CLICK THE LINK to download "Desert Song" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/across-earth-tear-down-walls/id716167167

"Desert Song" Lyrics:

This is my prayer in the desert

When all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in my hunger and need

My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved

Of more worth than gold

So refine me, Lord, through the flame

And I will bring praise

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle

When triumph is still on its way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I'll stand

And I will bring praise

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

And I will bring praise

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be emptied again

The seed I've received I will sow

Reflection:

In this time of Lent, we often think about the desert, where Jesus sent forty day and nights tempted by Satan. Jesus refused to be mastered by sin and our Lord assures us that, when we turn to him, we too, in the power found in His Name, we can turn away from sin. In "Desert Song" Hillsong sings of that prayer in the desert, when "all that's within feels dry." We all experience spiritual dryness at times, but Lent reminds us of the refreshing mercy and grace Jesus brings to us. Indeed, "this is my prayer in my hunger and need. My God is the God who provides." As we seek to draw closer to Christ, during these forty days of Lent, let us rejoice that "no weapon formed against me shall remain. I will rejoice. I will declare. God is my victory and He is here."

Mark 1:12-13 - "At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him."


1 Corinthians - "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (2/15 - 2/21) - "Start A Fire" by: Unspoken

CLICK THE LINK to download "Start A Fire" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/unspoken/id845288782

"Start A Fire" Lyrics

This world can be cold and bitter

Feels like we're in the dead of winter

Waiting on something better

But am I really gonna hide forever?

Over and over again

I hear Your voice in my head

Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see

Start a fire in my soul

Fan the flame and make it grow

So there’s no doubt or denying

Let it burn so brightly

That everyone around can see

That it’s You, that it’s You that we need

Start a fire in me

You only need a spark to start a whole blaze

It only takes a little faith

Let it start right here in this city

So these old walls will never be the same

Over and over again

I hear Your voice in my head

They need to know

I need to go

Spirit won't You fall on my heart now

Start a fire in my soul

Fan the flame and make it grow

So there’s no doubt or denying

Let it burn so brightly

That everyone around can see

That it’s You, that it’s You that we need

Start a fire in me

You are the fire You are the flame

You are the light on the darkest day

We have the hope we bear Your name

We carry the news that You have come to save

Only You can save

Start a fire in my soul

Fan the flame and make it grow

So there’s no doubt or denying

Let it burn so brightly

That everyone around can see

That it’s You, that it’s You that we need

Start a fire in me

Reflection:

Too often it seems we’re always waiting on God to do something. We may be waiting on God to give us the grace to persevere through a difficult day or simply the grace to love better. So we might pray and beg God to come to us and let us know He is with us. Now, that is actually a beautiful prayer and nothing wrong with it. But if we keep waiting on God to come to us, we may miss the realization that God is already with us. We are never alone. The first stanza of this song recognizes the evil in the world. Then they sing, “Waiting on something better. But am I really going to hide forever?”  We’re waiting on God to destroy the evil from the world, but the reality is that God has already given us the tools to make the world a better place. At our baptism, we are given the gifts of faith, hope, and love. We can bring God to others through our loving and charitable acts. These acts, though that may appear simple, can truly transform the world. Just think how our faith began. The eleven Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and preached the teachings and life of Christ. Their love for Christ drove them out into the world and into doing acts of love and charity. And here we are, 2,000 years later still celebrating the Christian faith. Love can and will transform the world and God has given us the ability to do so.


Matthew 17:20 – “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”


Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (2/8 - 2/14) - "God of This City" by: Chris Tomlin

CLICK THE LINK to download "God of This City" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-love-with-bonus-track/id716328267

"God of This City" Lyrics:

You're the God of this City 

You're the King of these people 

You're the Lord of this nation 

You are 

You're the Light in this darkness 

You're the Hope to the hopeless 

You're the Peace to the restless 

You are 

There is no one like our God 

There is no one like our God 

For greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done in this City 

Greater thing have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done in this City 

There is no one like our God 

There is no one like our God 

For greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done in this City 

Greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done here 

There is no one like our god 

There is no one like our God 

Greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done in this City 

Greater things have yet to come 

And greater things are still to be done here

Reflection:

My favorite lines from this week’s song are: “Greater things are still to come. Greater things are yet to be done.” This seems to echo all of the teachings of Pope Francis. The pope is constantly calling all Christians to not grow weary in our faith. We can never reach a point and think there’s nothing left for me. Our entire lives are about getting closer to God, knowing him better, and loving him better. This is never finished. As long we’re working at it, greater things are definitely still to come.


Jeremiah 10:6 – “No one is like you, LORD, you are great, great and mighty is your name.”


Luke 1:49 – “The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name.”


Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (2/1 - 2/7) - "Let It Fade" by: Jeremy Camp

CLICK THE LINK to download "Let It Fade" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id719000810?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

"Let It Fade" Lyrics:

Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain?

Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty?

You can't live this way too long.

There's more than this, more than this.

Have you been standing on your own feet too long?

Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

You can rest, you will find rest.

You can rest, you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace. 

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade. 

Have you been holding on to what this world has offered? 

Have you been giving in to all these masquerades?

It will be gone, forever gone.

It will be gone, it will be gone

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace. 

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade. 

Let it fade.

Are you carrying the weight too much?, are you running from the call?

Let it fade, Oh yeah.

You can rest, you will find rest.

You can rest you will find rest.

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Let this new life offered be your saving grace. 

Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade. 

Let this old life crumble, let it fade.

Have you been standing on your own feet too long?

Have you been looking for a place where you belong?

Reflection:

When we take time for self-reflection, we often discover that, just as Jeremy Camp sings in Let it Fade, we have "been walking on a surface that's uncertain"...helping ourselves "to everything that's empty." We "can't live this way too long" for God wants us to discover that "there's more than this." When we let go of this way of life, which leads only to further emptiness, we will discover that Christ offers us a new life, through his grace. Therefore, whatever we are holding on to that brings us only more emptiness, let it fade. Indeed, as Jeremy sings, "Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade."


Proverbs 3:5-6 -"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths".

2 Corinthians 5:17 -"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come".



Rev. Gary Janak
Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (1/25 - 1/31) - "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" by: Casting Crowns

CLICK THE LINK to download "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/come-to-the-well/id470669414

"Jesus, Friend of Sinners" Lyrics:

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Yeah...

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

***Song lyrics are property of the owners. We are not the owners***

Reflection:

When I first saw the title of this song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” I assumed it was another uplifting song about Jesus dying and rising for our sins. However, if you listen to the words carefully, it’s actually more than that. The song is challenging us to consider if we’re helping or hurting the spread of God’s love on earth. In the first stanza, the author sings: “The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me. Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded.
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided.” It’s real easy to think at times, “I’m a good Christian. I don’t cause physical harm to others, I don’t lie, I’m not a criminal, etc.” While yes that’s true. It’s easy to see the faults of criminals and terrorists. However, just because we may not be those people doesn’t mean it’s not possible I may be keeping the kingdom of God from spreading. How do I treat others? Do I gossip or talk negatively about someone? Do I get irritated easily with people at work or school? Am I impatient? Am I loving towards my spouse, kids or siblings? We all have flaws and moments of weakness. But no matter our struggle, Jesus remains faithful to us and is our friend. He is truly a friend of sinners, no matter how big or small our sins may be. Therefore, as this song challenges us, where do I need God in my life to help the spread of his kingdom?


Psalm 136:1 – “Praise the LORD for he is good; for His mercy endures forever.”

Luke 6:37 – “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”

Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (1/18 - 1/24) - "With Everything" by Hillsong

CLICK THE LINK to download "With Everything" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/this-is-our-god-live/id716146936

"With Everything" Lyrics:

Open our hearts,

To see the things

That make Your heart cry,

To be the church

The You would desire.

Light to be seen.

Break down our pride,

And all the walls

We've built up inside,

Our earthly crowns

And all our desires,

We lay at Your feet.

So let hope rise,

And darkness tremble

In Your holy light,

And every eye will see

Jesus, our God,

Great and mighty to be praised.

God of all days,

Glorious in all of Your ways.

Your majesty, the wonder and grace,

In the light of Your name.

With everything,

With everything,

We will shout for your glory.

With everything,

With everything,

We will shout forth your praise.

Our hearts will cry

Be glorified,

Be lifted high,

Above all names.

For You our King,

With everything,

We will shout forth your praise.

Reflection:

How often do we see with the eyes of faith?  This is the continuous struggle we have throughout our life.  Whether it’s a particular sin we struggle with, or getting along with people at work or school, or even wondering where God is during a difficult time, we can forget to see with the eyes of faith.  When that happens, things can look really bleak and we can feel alone.  But with the eyes of faith, we know we are never alone.  This song is a plea to God to open those eyes; to see how God sees and to love how God loves.  This is the goal of the Christian life.  Once God begins to reign in our hearts, then our eyes are open and we become the church, the people, which he desires.

Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Acts 26:18 – “To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been consecrated by faith in me.”

Deacon Scott Hill 

Our Lady of Victory Parish