Sharing a song for Good Friday

It is Good Friday, and I was blessed earlier this week  to have Nichole Nordeman's rendition of How Deep the Father's Love For Us come up on my playlist. The powerful lyrics accompanied by her soft, almost wounded voice, do a great job in cutting right to the heart:

   

May this Easter weekend be a time of deep reflection, as well as a joyful time with friends and family!

Tuesday's Tunes: Come All Ye Faithful

O come let us adore Him!

Merry Christmas!

Song of encouragement: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

I faced the unenviable task of choosing songs for worship this past Sunday morning that would compliment the theme of "Joy" for our Advent series, a task complicated by those in our congregation (and our nation as a whole) still in shock and grieving for all those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT. In my head, I knew that the level of participation of the congregants would run from "I'll sing anything that's put on the screen" to "I want to smash that guitar over your head for forcing me to sing these happy sounding songs when I'm anything but..." and everything in between.

I struggled to find an appropriate response song that would both point to the Lord to be our Comforter and Keeper in our time of confusion and need, as well as touch up what is the heart of this season of Advent: the expectation and preparation for Jesus' coming, and stumbled upon the hymn Come Thou Long Expected Jesus:

   

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Tuesday's Tunes: Glory in the Highest

Thanksgiving is typically the time I dust off my Christmas playlist, and upload it for the car ride down to my family in NY. Let's ease into the Christmas music season with Glory in the Highest, from Chris Tomlin's Christmas worship album of the same name. It's a song that really works any time of the year, I hope you enjoy it:

Tuesday's Tunes: All the Poor and Powerless

I'm always excited to find a solid contemporary worship album, especially if it has multiple songs that are appropriate to small or medium sized churches. Take that as a critique on the recent Hillsong and Passion albums, which have great inspirational songs to listen to, performance pieces if you will, but don't translate well to a smaller band setting, or are downright unsingable to the average congregant.

Anyhow, I can't recommend enough All Sons & Daughters album Season One, where today's selections "All the Poor and Powerless" come from:

Tuesday's Tunes: It Is Well With My Soul

It Is Well With My Soul, cover by Chris Rice

Link: "When Worship Songs Go Blank"

I really enjoyed this April entry from the blog "Stuff Christians Like": When Worship Songs Go Blank

It reminds me of the one-year period where basically it was me vs. the audio AND visual equipment. A fellow worship leader at church suggested the equipment might have been demon-possessed, and after awhile, I really considered that possibility. In the end, it was a good character building experience that every musician faces at one point or another, but on a spiritual level, reminded me that our worship experience is more than the lights and the sound, and comes back to the heart.

Also, here's a bonus image taken during Sunday afternoon rehearsal back in the Spring: 

Tuesday's Tunes: Furious

Furious
By: Jeremy Riddle

Nothing can tear us from
The grip of His mighty love
We’ve only glimpsed, His vast affection
Heard whispers of, His heart and passion
It’s pouring out…

His love is deep, His love is wide
And it covers us
His love is fierce, His love is strong
It is furious
His love is sweet, His love is wild
And it's waking hearts to life

The Father loves and sends His son
The Son lays down His life for all
He lavishes His love upon us
He calls us now, His sons and daughters
He’s reaching out…

… and its waking hearts to life
He is waking hearts to life
He is waking hearts to life

Tuesday's Tunes: The Lost Are Found (Live)

The Lost Are Found
By: Sam Knock, Ben Fielding

Verse 1
Everlasting while earthly ages fade
In mercy our God Your kingdom reigns

Chorus
Lord over everything You are near
All of the universe at Your feet

Verse 2
In the Saviour injustice brought to right
For Your glory that Your Name be lifted high

Bridge
The lost are found
The blind will see
The lame will walk
The dead will live
And You our God forever You will reign

Tuesday's Tunes: The Digital Age

While the David Crowder*Band is no more (*sniff*), Crowder's bandmates have come together with a very exciting project of their own: The Digital Age! Check out some of their recently posted rehearsal footage, I'm really looking for their first album to release:


The Digital Age - Rehearsals - "Oh My God / I Am A Seed" 
 


The Digital Age - Rehearsals - "After All (Holy)"

Tuesday's Tunes: Beautiful Lord

Beautiful Lord
By: Leeland Mooring, Marc Byrd

Verse 1
When the storm is raging all around me
You are the peace that calms my troubled sea
When the cares of this world darken my day
You are the light that shines and shows me the way

Pre-Chorus
Oh the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me

Chorus
Beautiful Lord, awesome and mighty
I’m captured by this love I see.
Beautiful Lord,  tender and holy
Your mercy brings me to my knees
It’s Your mer - cy that has made me free
Beautiful Lord

Verse 2
When my sin   is all that I can see
Your grace remains the shelter that I seek
And when my weakness is all I can give
Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again

Bridge
And I am lifted by Your love to sing
It’s Your mercy that has made me free
And I am lifted by Your love to sing
It’s Your mercy that has made me free

Ending
You're beautiful,  my Lord.

Get the chords and lyrics at worshiptogether.com

Tuesday's Tunes: One Thing Remains

One Thing Remains
By: Brian Johnson, Christa Black & Jeremy Riddle

Verse 1
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Chorus
Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Verse 2
On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains

Bridge
In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

Tuesday's Tunes: Worlds Apart

Worlds Apart
By: Jars of Clay

I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die

To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache

Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow

To love you - take my world apart
To need you - I am on my knees
To love you - take my world apart
To need you - broken on my knees

All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me

Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart

I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart
take it now, take it now
and serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain
take the selfish, take the weak
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
take my world apart

Christ is risen from the dead

He is Risen indeed! This song is relatively new to me, but really listen for the bridge, which has the victorious cry of "O death, where is your sting?/O hell, where is your victory?" it just gives me goosebumps!

May today be a joyous Easter Day wherever you are!

Christ is Risen
By: Matt Maher

Verse 1
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him
Who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You’ve bled for us

Chorus
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake 
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Verse 2
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven’s will
No scheme of hell
No scoffer's crown
No burden great
Can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim

Bridge
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting
O hell, where is your victory
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!

Get the chords and lyrics at worshiptogether.com

Good Friday

Whether you're at work or have the day off, may you be able to carve out some time for reflection on the Jesus' sacrifice on the cross this Good Friday. Sharing this great song to hopefully help with that.

Sweetly Broken
By: Jeremy Riddle

Verse 1
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

Verse 2
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Bridge
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

Tuesday's Tunes: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
By: Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin

Chorus
Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

Verse 1
The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing 
When the evening comes

Verse 2
You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

Verse 3
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore

Get the chords and lyrics at worshiptogether.com

Palm Sunday

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, Hosanna in the highest!

Hosanna

By: Brooke Fraser

Verse 1
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing



Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Verse 2
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees


Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Tuesday's Tunes: Revelation Song

Revelation Song - Shane and Shane


Although this song has already been around for the last few years, I had the wonderful opportunity to introduce this at the morning service for CCFC two weeks ago and in my limited perspective, was received well by the congregation. Much like my selection from last week, this is another great song for corporate worship, enjoy! 

Revelation Song
By Marc Edwin Allen, Nathan Barcalow, Derek Doherty, Alejandro M. Linares, Randy Strohmeyer

Verse 1
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Chorus
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Verse 2
Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Verse 3
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

And as a bonus, here's the original version by Kari Jobe with the Gateway Worship team:

Tuesday's Tunes: Here For You

Today I'm sharing with you a great worship song I've been listening to, "Here For You." It has some truly powerful lyrics, especially in the context of corporate worship. As this song slowly builds to the final chorus of "We welcome You with praise...," my heart can't help but well up hearing/saying the words of sheer adoration to the Lord. I hope you enjoy it as well, lyrics are provided below.

Here For You
By: Jesse Reeves, Tim Wanstall, Matt Maher, Matt Redman

Verse 1
Let our praise be Your welcome
Let our songs be a sign
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your breath come from heaven
Fill our hearts with Your life
We are here for You, we are here for You

Chorus
To You our hearts are open
Nothing here is hidden
You are our one desire
You alone are holy
Only You are worthy
God, let Your fire fall down

Verse 2
Let our shout be Your anthem
Your renown fill the skies
We are here for You, we are here for You
Let Your Word move in power
Let what's dead come to life
We are here for You, we are here for You

Bridge
We welcome You with praise
We welcome You with praise
Almighty God of love
Be welcomed in this place
Let every heart adore
Let every soul awake
Almighty God of love
Be welcomed in this place

Want the chords and additional information? Visit worshiptogether.com, a great resource for worship leaders and worshipers alike.

Tuesday's Tunes: I Lift My Hands

This one's been on repeat a lot as of late, enjoy!

I Lift My Hands
By: Matt Maher , Louie Giglio , Chris Tomlin

Verse 1
Be still, there is a Healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy is unfailing
His arms, a fortress for the weak

Pre-Chorus
Let faith arise, let faith arise

Chorus
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Verse 2
Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's Tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Your grace that washes over me

Pre-Chorus
Let faith arise, let faith arise

Bridge
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes