Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)

Writer(s): Ed Cash , Chris Tomlin , Matt Gilder
Scripture Reference: John 16:21

Chris Tomlin’s version of the song updates the melody and adds a chorus.

Chorus
Joy, unspeakable joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy
Rises in my soul
Never lets me go


The original song "Joy to the World" was written by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 98 in the Bible. The song was first published in 1719 in Watts' collection; The Psalms of David: Imitated in the language of the New Testament, and applied to the Christian state and worship. Watts wrote the words of "Joy to the World" as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a song celebrating His first coming. Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are still used today.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Today Is the Day


Today Is The Day

Lincoln Brewster is one of best guitarist to ever pick up the instrument and he walked away from the promise of rock stardom to take a job at his local church.  You can find a short bio on him on his website.

 

Today is the Day

I'm casting my cares aside
I'm leaving my past behind
I'm setting my heart and mind on you
Jesus

I'm reaching my hand to yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
Is good

Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

And i won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

I putting my fears aside
I'm leaving my doubts behind
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to you
Jesus

I'm reaching my hands to yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
Is good

Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

I will stand upon your truth
I will stand upon your truth
And all my days i?ll live for you
All my days I'll live for you

And i will stand upon your truth
I will stand upon your truth
And all my days I'll live for you
All my days I'll live for you

Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm giving you my fears and sorrows
Where you lead me I will follow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

Lyrics provided by http://www.kovideo.net/

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Favorite Song of 2012 - Your Love Never Fails

My favorite song which I discovered in 2012 is "Your Love Never Fails" which was written back in 2004 by Chris McClarney and Anthony Skinner.  The version that I enjoy the most is done by Jesus Culture.  A version of the song done by Chris can be found here.  

Chris tells in an article on New Release Tuesday website that "One night at church, I began spontaneously singing this line during worship: “All things work together for my good. You make all things work together for my good.” For more than an hour it continued."  The complete article about the song can be found on NRT.

Your Love Never Fails Lyrics

Verse 1:
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But, You have new mercy for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
but joy comes with the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But, I'm not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Thank You Jesus, thank You Jesus, ooh

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Set List for May 27, 2012


STRONG ENOUGH TO SAVE

MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD

  •  Writers: Daniel Carson , Chris Tomlin
  •  Scripture References: Luke 1: 46-49

Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name. 

GOD YOU REIGN

  •  Writers: Mia Fieldes , Lincoln Brewster
  •  Scripture Reference: Psalm 19:1 (The heavens declare the glory of God;     the skies proclaim the work of his hands)

STRONGER

  • Writers: Reuben Morgan , Ben Fielding 
  • Scripture References: Mark 16:6 (Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him)
  • Video - New Song Cafe

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Set List for May 13, 2012 - You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises



BLESSED BE YOUR NAME

STRONG ENOUGH TO SAVE
HOSANNA
  • Writers: Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche
  • Scripture References: Psalms 146:7-10, Matthew 21.9
  • Video: New Song Cafe
  • Song Video Brenton Brown Version (Hosanna)
MIGHTY TO SAVE
  • Writers: Reuben Morgan , Ben Fielding
  • Scripture References: Hebrews 2:10, Ezekiel 38:20

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Set List May 6, 2012


The Fusion (Youth Band) will lead worship this week.

SING SING SING
  • Writers:  Jesse Reeves, Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin, Travis Nunn, Matt Gilder
  • Article from Today's Christian Music:  Sing Sing Sing
  •  Scripture Reference: Psalm 47:6   Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
STIR

GIVE ME FAITH
  • Elevation Worship (Elevation Church)
  • Song Writers: Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Mack Brock & London Gatch and music by Chris Brown
  • Tutorial
BETTER IS ONE DAY
  • Writer: Matt Redman
  •  Scripture References: Psalms 84:10, Psalms 42:1
  • Video

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Set List for April 29, 2012




ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS
  • Writer: Steve Fee
  • Scripture References: Romans 6:11, Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 2
  • Steve Fee tells how this song took over 4 years to complete. Video
MORE THAN ENOUGH
MERCY REIGNS

  • Elevation Worship 
  • Words by Chris Brown, Mack Brock & Wade Joye 
  • Music by Chris Brown & Mack Brock
EVERYTHING GLORIOUS

  • David Crowder Band
  • Writer: David Crowder
  • VideoTells about how the song was written
  • Hebrews 1:3
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

  • Writers: Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash
  • Video:  Tells about how the song was written
  • Scripture Reference(s): Psalm 93:1, Psalm 104:1-3


Saturday, April 21, 2012

ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS


ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS
Writer: Steve Fee
Scripture References: Romans 6:11, Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 2

Steve Fee tells how this song took over 4 years to complete.  
Video

Ephesians 2
 1 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,
 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:--
 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved)

Set List for April 22, 2012

NOT TO US 

  • Writers: Chris Tomlin , Jesse Reeves
  • Scripture References: Hebrews 12:2, Psalms 98:7-8

HE TOOK MY PLACE

  • Writer: Mike Kelly

MEANT TO LIVE


STRONG ENOUGH TO SAVE

  • Tenth Ave North

ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS

  • Writer: Steve Fee
  • Scripture References: Romans 6:11, Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 2
  • Video




Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Set List for April 15, 2012

Songs :

HE TOOK MY PLACE - Mike Kelly

AMAZING GRACE MEDLEY

MIGHTY TO SAVE 
- Hillsong - Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan
                           - Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17
                             The Lord your God in your midst,
                             The Mighty One, will save;
                             He will rejoice over you with gladness,
                             He will quiet you with His love,
                             He will rejoice over you with singing

                           - Video

SOLUTION (CHORUS)  Hillsong - Song Writers: Joel Houston and Matt Crocker

                            - Video 





Sunday, April 8, 2012

Above All - An Honest Prayer

Many great song writers journal and they often work with other writers. The song ¨Above All¨ is an example of how notes became a song, but sharing ideas created a great song.

  • Words and Music by LENNY LeBLANC and PAUL BALOCHE
  • Video (The Story Behind the Song)

For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9 KJV


He Took My Place


A new song titled ¨He Took My Place¨was introduced for Easter. When I first saw the song list for Easter I did not recognize the song. I searched around the internet and found four songs with that title. I later received an mp3 of the song and realized that one of our band members had written this song. He sang it one night during practice and after hearing the recorded version of the song I really fell in love with the words and the way the song was laid out. I wondered what are some of the rules for writing a good song. 


On the Songwriters Guide website I found some interesting tips: 
  • The importance of keeping it simple; keep your song idea simple and focused. 
  • The use of images is a powerful and important tool when writing song lyrics. 
  • Lyrics opening, a strong opening that conveys the meaning of the song and provide a good first impression.
  • Lyrics prosody and meter; this the relation to poetry forms, dictate the amount of syllables to be found in each line and also the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up the line.

From my own point of view I feel the most important aspect of writing Christian music is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Next is to touch the hearts and minds of those who will hear and sing the song while remaining true to the Bible.


The song writer of ¨He Took My Place¨is a wonderful singer and guitar player.  He is also becoming a song writer who takes the words of the Bible and crafts them into art that brings glory to our Lord.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Glorious Day - Behind the Music

The song "Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)" was made famous by the contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns. The lyrics came from the John Wilbur Chapman hymn ¨One Day When Heaven Was Filled With His Praises¨ or more often called ¨One Day¨ which was written in 1909.  The credits for the modern version of the song are Words by J. Wilbur Chapman (1909), Music by Michael Bleecker @ 2008 Word Music.


Behind the Music | Glorious Day - Michael Bleecker


Easter was approaching, and I was having a difficult time finding good Easter songs to sing. As a worship pastor, that can be very disheartening. So I did what any God-fearing worship pastor would do: I Googled "Easter Worship Songs." I browsed around trying to find the right song when my eye caught the word "Hymnal."


I walked over to my stack of hymnals and pulled out the 1939 copy of "The Hymns of Praise - Numbers One and Two Combined" from a church in Kenosha, Wisconsin (I don't know how it got to my bookshelf). I flipped through the yellowed pages and found "One Day." As I carefully pulled back page 172, I read:


Living, He loved me; dying He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He's coming - oh glorious day!



That's the gospel in four creatively written lines. The verses of the song expound each line of the chorus: verse one describes the birth of Christ, verse two the death of Christ, verse three the ascension of Christ and verse four the return of Christ.


I'm grateful for the Presbyterian evangelist Rev. John Wilbur Chapman and his hymn from the late 1800s. From combining his words with a melody the Lord gave me in five minutes, came "Glorious Day." I pray that it be used to teach the gospel and stir the affections of others for Jesus Christ.


- Michael Bleecker (© 2012 The Village Church)


The following is the original song:

One day When Heaven Was Filled with His Praises

One day when heaven was filled with his praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin—
Dwelt amongst men, my example is he!

Living, he loved me; dying, he saved me;
Buried, he carried my sins far away;
Rising, he justified freely, for ever:
One day he's coming—O, glorious day!

One day they led him up Calvary's mountain,
One day they nailed him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is he!

One day they left him alone in the garden,
One day he rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o'er his tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Saviour is he!

One day the grave could conceal him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then he arose, over death he had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!

One day the trumpet will sound for his coming,
One day the skies with his glories will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Saviour, this Jesus is mine!




Set List April 8, 2012 - GLORIOUS DAY

The set list for Easter April 8, 2012 at Stafford Crossing
  • ALL THE EARTH WILL SING YOUR PRAISES
    • Song Writer: Paul Baloche
  • GLORIOUS DAY
  • HE TOOK MY PLACE
  • REVELATION SONG

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Blessed Be Your Name

The song ¨Blessed be Your Name¨ was written by Matt and Beth Redman soon after 9/11. Matt and his wife were scheduled to leave for the US on September 12, but they had to wait until international flights resumed before coming over from England. The song was written in response to what Matt and his wife saw here in the US after this tragedy and as a simple worship offering about choosing to worship and trust God no matter what the season. 

My references comes from an article in Christianity Today titled How Christian Leader Have Changed Since 9/11, September 2011, Vol. 55, No. 9.

Scripture References for the song are Genesis 14:20, Psalms 9:1-2 (Worshiptogether.com)

Our God is Greater - Our God is Stronger


The set list for April 1, 2012 will be a collection of songs that speak to God´s Mercy, Grace, Power and Beauty:

Saturday, March 24, 2012

ENOUGH

Pastor Louie Giglio journals a lot and he works closely with singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin. Louie gave Chris some of his journal notes and from those notes was born the song that says: (Lord) All of You is more than enough for all of me. A video of the story of ENOUGH and how to play the song is located on worshiptogether.com.

SongWriters: Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Strong Enough to Save

We will introduce a new song this Sunday titled ¨Strong Enough to Save¨.   Here's a video of Mike Donehy from Tenth Avenue North talking about their new song "Strong Enough to Save" playing now on The House FM. The video talks about our fears of sharing the good news of Christ with others.  

You made me to sing, you made me to laugh

Mike Kelly explains the story behind his song "For Your Pleasure"

The inspiration behind the song "For Your Pleasure" is the book "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. If you take a look at the first four chapters of the book, you'll see where most of the lyrics come from. 

Several years ago I started reading that book and ended up writing a song about it. I wanted the song to serve as a reminder to me because I tend to be kind of down on myself at times. It's actually a bit odd that I would have written a song that declares "You made me to sing, you made me to laugh" because my struggles with depression often left me feeling anything like singing or laughing. However, the truth is the truth regardless of how I feel. The song reminds me that I am "here for a reason" and have a unique purpose to fulfill in this life. My feelings do not define me. Rather it is my position as a believer in Christ that defines me. The song itself doesn't directly reference any specific scriptures, but I think it speaks to an important truth none the less. That believers are here for a purpose and that our lives bring pleasure to God when we walk in His ways and fulfill our purpose.


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

We have all we need in You

The music list at Stafford Crossing for March 25, 2012 is FOR YOUR PLEASURESTRONG ENOUGH TO SAVE, MORE THAN ENOUGH, and ALL WE NEED.  The song ¨All We Need¨ was written by Charlie Hall. He said the inspiration for the song came during a walk. He noted during his walk he was thinking about his life and what he had and did not have at that time. Also he was thinking about his dreams and as he walked he was talking with God about his life. When he returned home he started tinkering on the piano and wrote the words and music to this song. A video interview can be found on Worshiptogether.com.


Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.







Wednesday, March 14, 2012

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

We will be featuring the song ¨Beautiful One¨ this week during Sunday Celebration.  I had always believed the song was written by Jeremy Camp, but I was wrong; the song was written by Tim Hughes.  Tim notes that the song was inspired by Isaiah 53 and how when Jesus lived on earth his beauty was not recognized and how this shocked him.  He goes on to say the song was written to tell Jesus that we do love you, you are beautiful and we do adore you.


Isaiah 53
 1 Who has believed our message 
   and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, 
   and like a root out of dry ground. 
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, 
   nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, 
   a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. 
Like one from whom people hide their faces 
   he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
A interview with Tim and how he plays the song is located at:


Video about the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJj6fiJ2aW8
Tim Hughes: http://www.kingsway.co.uk/tim-hughes-3/

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Famous One



One of my favorite songs we do that Mike Kelly leads is Famous One.  I could not find any background information for the song. The song writers for this song are Jesses Reeves and Chris Tomlin and they listed Revelation 4:8,9 and 5:11-14 as references for the song.

Friday, March 2, 2012

I Am Not Skilled to Understand


3/17/2012 8:22:27 PM

My Savior My God by Aaron Shust is one of the songs that we will be presenting for worship this week for Sunday Celebration. The verses for song came from an old hymn and the chorus for the song was written at a red light?

A video telling the story behind the song can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKfJhTXwSCM (Aaron Shust - My Savior My God - Story Behind The Song)
I AM NOT SKILLED TO UNDERSTAND (Original Hymn)
Words: Dor­o­thy Green­well, Songs of Sal­va­tion, 1873.
 
I am not skilled to understand 
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
Stands One who is my Savior.

I take Him at His word indeed:
"Christ died for sinners"--this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Savior!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I
Before I knew my Savior!

And, oh, that He fulfilled may see
The travail of His soul in me,
And with His work contented be,
As I with my dear Savior!

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring-
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior!