April 2012
57 posts
Christian Music in Africa: An Overview by Nathan...
Dr. Nathan Corbitt is now the leader of a great organization called BuildaBridge, based in Philadelphia, which promotes community transformation through the arts. www.buildabridge.org
In a previous career, he was a music missionary in parts of Africa. Here’s a brief, selective overview of Christian music in Africa that he wrote in 1994. The 14-page PDF is posted at...
'Good Shepherd' song by Jefferson Airplane (200+...
Ah, the psychedelic 60s. :-) I primarily came to their music a decade later, being but a wee child in the 60s. But I soon came to love the majority of the music.
One band I came to enjoy was countercultural fav Jefferson Airplane. Not usually mentioned in the same breath as “gospel songs,” they in fact did record one on their 1969 LP ‘Volunteers’ - an old gospel song...
Americana Song based on John 9: 'Better Now' by...
The Vespers is an up-and-coming band from Nashville.
“The Vespers are one of those lucky young bands who are becoming a word of mouth sensation though they’ve only quietly self-released two records. With two sisters on lead vocals and two brothers filling out the sound, the foursome are distinguished by an arsenal of instruments and the kind of harmony only siblings can create.”
...
Training in Arts in Mission: 2 Courses in England,...
European Training Programme (ETP) of Wycliffe/SIL: It’s that time of year to shout from the rooftops that the best course in the world is coming up again!!! (Modest, huh?) If you are wondering what ethnoarts-based missions is all about, why not come to England and learn how to encourage communities around the world to communicate God’s message through their own art forms? Just four weeks of...
African Barbershop Beatbox A Capella Dance - Alex...
Alex Boye is a very talented singer that came across my radar not long ago. Here’s his newest song and dance:
He writes,
When Im happy i like to dance. When Im not happy, i dance, then it makes me happy. Its a total win/win situation!! This song is a song of gratitude spoken in 4 different languages expressing my gratitude to God for the goodness of life. The English translation of the...
Kari Jobe - "Somos la Luz"
Kari Jobe released her latest album 2 days ago - thanks to Alyssa for bringing this to my attention!
Donde Te Encuentro is the Spanish-language version of her hit album “Where I Find You.”
The current song being promoted is ‘Somos la Luz.’ Here’s a staged lip-sync version to the audio of the album, though the video and audio are not synchronized very well.
This...
Multicultural Worship for Recent Missions...
Gospel for Muslims is a ministry based in Dallas, Texas. It was founded by Dr. Abraham Sarker, originally from Bangladesh. www.gospelformuslims.com
Once or twice a year they put on a special event, the Muslim Background Believers (MBB) Conference. The global worship ensemble that I co-lead, called ISHQ, was originally formed to lead worship at one of these conferences in 2009. We’ve led...
Song Cycle From Sojourn Worship Leaders Bobby &...
In yesterday’s post I introduced you to the great bluesy singing of Kristen Gilles, part of the Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
Today she released a free 4-song EP, of songs composed by her and husband Bobby.
Get it here: http://noisetrade.com/kristengilles
They write, “We believe these hymns cover themes and Bible stories that aren’t conveyed in many songs...
How Great is Our God (World Edition) Live @...
I profiled the studio version this “world edition” version of this famous song in an earlier post. Here’s a live version.
Languages: Hindi [vocables], Indonesian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Zulu, Africaans, Mandarin
The splendor of the King Clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice Sidney Mohede (Indonesian): Terang-Nya bersinar Kegelapan...
Death Has Lost Its Sting (Celebratory Blues for...
<a href=”http://sojournmusic.bandcamp.com/track/death-has-lost-its-sting” data-mce-href=”http://sojournmusic.bandcamp.com/track/death-has-lost-its-sting”>Death Has Lost Its Sting by Sojourn</a>
This is a great bluesy “retuned hymn” with lyrics based on ‘Psalm 3’ by Isaac Watts.
See a live video here:
...
Carried to the Table (communion song by Leeland)
Here’s a great, recent song for communion.
Leeland is a Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. The band was formed in 2004. Lead singer Leeland Mooring has been writing songs since age 11. The band has released 4 albums so far. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeland_(band)
Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned...
The Church's One Foundation (retuned hymn by Aaron...
Aaron Hale of Kansas City just released this retuned hymn version, Americana style - I like it!
Embedded from http://soundcloud.com/aaronhale/the-churchs-one-foundation
Christ Has Died, Christ Has Risen, Christ Will...
See the outline for this terrific worship service at http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/christ-has-died-christ-has-risen-christ-will-come-again
Sources for materials in this service:
All songs were taken from two sources: AAHH refers to the African American Heritage Hymnal (Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001) SNC refers to Sing! A New Creation (Grand Rapids: CRC Publications,...
Worship During the 50 Days of Eastertide
“Since the good news of Easter can hardly be contained in a single day’s celebration, Easter is the first of fifty days of Eastertide, the “Great Fifty Days” that lead to Pentecost. This season is designed for extended celebration, for exploring the ramifications of Easter for the redemption of all creation, and for joyful Christian living.”
See oodles and oodles of resources at...
Motif Worship Presents: Tengo Libertad
From Jelani Greenidge:
This an anthem of praise en Español by praise-and-worship superstar Marcos Witt, from his 2005 album Dios Es Bueno. And ever since we heard this tune, we couldn’t get it out of our heads… so of course, we had to cover it instead. Tengo Libertad means “I have liberty” … or, more loosely … “I’m free.” It’s a...
The Mission of Worship (forthcoming book by Sandra...
Sandra Van Opstal is the Worship Leader for Urbana, a large missions conference that happens every 3 years in the US with up to 20,000 people (mostly college students). http://urbana.org/urbana-12/whats-urbana/speaker-and-team-bios/urbana-12-speaker/sandra-van-opstal
Sandra’s forthcoming book is called ‘The Mission of Worship.’ Information is at:...
Hark the Voice of Love and Mercy (It Is Finished),...
Words: Jonathan Evans & Benjamin Francis, 1784. Original Music: William Owen, 1852. New Music: Jeff Koonce, 2005.
I was not familiar with this old hymn … but here are two versions of it by contemporary Christian groups. Both have an Americana feel, but the arrangements are somewhat different. And the first one is more guitar-driven while the second one is more piano-driven. I enjoy...
Intercultural Christian Celebrations from Ash...
Sister Doris Tureck has written an excellent article you can download at: http://content.ocp.org/shared/pdf/general/TL092Turek.pdf
The details of celebrations that she describes fit within the Roman Catholic framework. Protestants may find the general ideas to be helpful and adaptable.
Here are some excerpts about some of the celebrations that she describes:
1. Las Tres Caídas (The Three Times...
Rebecca Malope sings "Jesu Ke Matla" (trilingual...
Video caption for this 2004 music video:
“This rich sotho-tswana/english song has always made me worship.It is from Rebecca Malope’s album Amakholwa which i believe it is one of those albums that crowns her as the African Queen of Gospel of all time. Malope’s music is enjoyed by millions of people in South Africa and the whole world.Jesus is the Power,victory over sin and the...
Resources for Cross-Cultural Liturgical Ministry...
“Cross-cultural liturgical ministry demands skills beyond those acquired through liturgical formation and musical competence. The following resources are useful in developing the necessary cultural competence for ministry with ethnic and minority groups in your parish, school, or diocese. Add one or two books from each section to your library.”
Continue reading the bibliography in PDF...
Good Friday Service Order 2012 (Multicultural...
Josh Davis and friends lead Proskuneo, a multicultural worship ministry. They recently became based in Clarkston, Georgia, one of the most multicultural cities in North America.
Josh shared the Worship Service Order for Good Friday (2012) on the Proskuneo blog, here: http://proskuneo.org/2012/04/good-friday-service-order-2012/
We had our first Good Friday service in Clarkston this past week at...
Psalm Festival Mini-grants Program [You want to do...
One of the great treasure from the Calvin Worship Symposium last January was the new Psalter they produced and gave to everyone.
At the beginning of Lent, I planned a service of Penitential Psalms, using this Psalter as a resource.
In a later post I’ll highlight the non-western Psalm settings. For now, you need to know about this fantastic program where you put on a Psalm Festival using...
The Homogeneous Church: Is It Biblical?
Often when you talk about multicultural worship, that will lead to a discussion of a multicultural church.
But how does this relate to the so-called Homogeneous Unit Princple (HUP) as taught by Donald McGavran?
Find out what Donald McGavran really taught, and why he said, “…there is a danger that misapplication of the (HUP) will lead congregations to become exclusive, arrogant, and...
Low in the Grave He Lay (James Ward, New City...
Here’s a rousing Easter anthem composed by James Ward, New City Fellowship Chattanooga. This video is from Redeemer Jackson.
For full score, lyrics and mp3 go to http://ncfmusic.com/songs/
Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws (Bruce Cockburn)
Bruce Cockburn - one of my heroes for songwriting, musicianship, and for social activism.
This 1979 LP had a profound impact on my artistic and spiritual life. The entire album, indeed, every single song, has long been considered a masterpiece.
Here’s the song “Hills of Morning” which has the lyrics from which the album title was drawn:
“just beyond the range of normal...
Sonnet by Malcolm Guite: Easter Dawn
Malcolm Guite is a poet and singer-songwriter living in Cambridge. He is a priest, chaplain, teacher and author of various essays and articles a book about contemporary Christianity, and a new book on Theology and Imagination called Faith Hope and Poetry,published by Ashgate in September 2010. He was born in Nigeria.
He’s the best poet I know who is writing a series of sonnets for the...
Death Metal for Easter: Blood Comes Cleansing -...
My sons used to like this genre so I can handle it, haha. This song is great for Holy Weekend, courtesy of Marquis.
He Rose (CCM ballad by Deluge)
Get the leadsheet here: http://www.jonmanna.com/2011/04/06/easter-song/
The Victor (Keith Green)
A performance of a perfect Easter song, from 1978.
Easter Weekend 2012 music at a multicultural...
One of my “multicultural hero churches” is New City Fellowship in St. Louis, where Kirk Ward is Worship Pastor.
The church is using songs in multiple languages from various countries, go here for his full commentary.
http://worshipinthecity.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/2012-ncf-good-fridayres-sunday-music-preview/
Here’s an excerpt:
For Good Friday this year, we are focusing on...
Jesus, Thank You (Easter/communion song, David...
Lyrics & Music by Pat Sczebel, © 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music), Arrangement by David Bailey
This gospel music-style version is from David Bailey’s brand-new CD of multicultural worship music, “Arrabon.” http://arrabon.bandcamp.com/track/jesus-thank-you and http://www.wearearrabon.com/
It’s a terrific song for Easter...
My Song Is Love Unknown (Palm Sunday/Easter song,...
My Song Is Love Unknown is a hymn by Samuel Crossman, written in 1664.
<a href=”http://redeemerknoxville.bandcamp.com/track/my-song-is-love-unknown-feat-james-trimble” data-mce-href=”http://redeemerknoxville.bandcamp.com/track/my-song-is-love-unknown-feat-james-trimble”>My Song is Love Unknown [feat. James Trimble] by Redeemer Church of Knoxville...
“It is Finished” songs for Good Friday (Bruce...
Bruce Benedict recommends 8 songs here:
http://cardiphonia.org/2012/04/06/it-is-finished-songs-for-good-friday/
Willie Nelson - Were You There When They Crucified...
'Death Has Ended' by James Ward
This is my all-time favorite Easter song for gospel choir - all the excitement one could want!
James Ward was a popular CCM artist in previous decades, and is now primarily a church music director and composer.
James has served in ministry to his home church, New City Fellowship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, since its beginning over 30 years ago. He currently works full time at New City...
14 Sonnets for the Stations of the Cross, for Good...
Malcolm Guite has created what you might consider a poetic masterpiece of 14 sonnets, each one corresponding with the 14 Stations of the Cross. Read them here. http://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/good-friday-the-stations-of-the-cross/
and hear Malcolm read each one by clicking the “play” button for each streaming recording.
If you want a very powerful devotion, read all 14...
Gethsemane hymn – Tis Midnight and On Olive’s Brow
<a href=”http://redeemerknoxville.bandcamp.com/track/tis-midnight-and-on-olives-brow-feat-amy-porter” data-mce-href=”http://redeemerknoxville.bandcamp.com/track/tis-midnight-and-on-olives-brow-feat-amy-porter”>’Tis Midnight; and on Olive’s Brow [feat. Amy Porter] by Redeemer Church of Knoxville & Friends</a>
1 ‘Tis midnight; and on Olive’s...
'Oh the Blood' performed by Dan Adler
Written by Darlene Czshech and performed by Dan Adler in this live unplugged version from his CD “Songs for the Battle” available on ITunes, CDBaby and www.heartofthecity.org. I prefer Dan’s version to Darlene’s original, for my aesthetics.
'Gethsemane' by Loretta Lynn
Playlist for Holy Week by Sojourners
Sojourners has posted a playlist of song recordings for Holy Week. A number of the songs are about Gethsemane.
http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/04/05/maundy-thursday-last-supper-and-gethsemane#.T33DmbwbCoI.facebook
Psalm 22 (by the Psalm Project, Holland)
The Psalm Project is an astonishingly good ensemble from The Netherlands. They took many of the old Genevan Psalms, versified by John Calvin, and updated them. Read more at http://www.thepsalmproject.com/
Here is Psalm 22 … which was read at my church on Thursday evening as the altar was stripped. They sing this Psalm in English and Dutch.
Get the score here:...
Communion Songs for Easter (suggested by...
Go here for a short essay on communion and suggested songs for communion on Easter. http://cardiphonia.org/2012/04/04/communion-songs-for-easter/
The post is by Bruce Benedict. At the bottom you’ll find links to two lengthy articles. I especially like this one by Tim Keller:
Changing the World through the Lord’s Supper
'At the Lambs High Feast' (song for communion...
What terrific lyrics! Need a great communion song for Holy Week? Take a listen to this one.
Music: Wen Reagan, 2011 Words: Unknown author, probably 6th century (Ad regias Agni dapes) Translated from Latin to English by Robert Campbell, 1849; Word arrangement by Wen Reagan.
One of many great songs on the 2011 album “Songs for the Supper” by Cardiphonia (Bruce Benedict and friends).
...
Holy Week Album: "Rise O Buried Lord"
I recently obtained this album and really like it.
“A folk album of re-imagined hymns about the last week of Jesus’ life from the musicians of Redeemer Church of Knoxville and guest artists from the Knoxville community.”
Here’s a video interview that gives an overview.
“There is a diversity of style here that is encouraging: ‘O Come and Mourn with Me A While’...
'The Silence of God' (song by Andrew Peterson) -...
“My God, My God - why have you forsaken me?”
It’s enough to drive a man crazy; it’ll break a man’s faith It’s enough to make him wonder if he’s ever been sane When he’s bleating for comfort from Thy staff and Thy rod And the heaven’s only answer is the silence of God It’ll shake a man’s timbers when he loses his heart When he...
Sonnet for Maundy Thursday (Malcolm Guite)
Malcom Guite is writing so many sonnets for the liturgical calendar that I can hardly keep up with them all!
I think that the one published on Wednesday, for Maundy Thursday, is one of his best:
Maundy Thursday
Here is the source of every sacrament, The all-transforming presence of the Lord, Replenishing our every element Remaking us in his creative Word. For here the earth herself...
Songs for a Foot-Washing Service on Maundy...
Greg Scheer, friend at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, has this suggestion:
“As you scramble for that last minute footwashing or Easter Vigil song, don’t forget a few tricks hymnary.org has up its sleeve. You can search by topic (http://www.hymnary.org/texts?qu=topics%3Afootwashing), by scripture (http://www.hymnary.org/texts?qu=scripture%3Ajohn+13), or even full text...
My Song in the Night (rocker referencing...
Learn From This Maundy Thursday-Good Friday Hymn by Isaac Watts
Go to http://mysonginthenight.com/2012/03/01/learn-from-this-maundy-thursday-good-friday-hymn-by-isaac-watts/
to read the original, full post - here’s an introductory excerpt:
Bobby Gilles, writes, “When Kristen and I were writing My Song In The Night, one of our goals was to compose a modern hymn for Good Friday and...
(Mostly) Korean Choir Sings Swahili Worship Song
[Gracias Choir]Tazama Wewe ni Bwana / Swahili Song -2010.07 Korea
From YouTube description:
“Gracias” in Spanish means, “Thanks.” The Gracias Choir sings songs of thankfulness for the love it has received in its heart. The Choir’s music has the power to change sadness to joy, deeply moving the hearts of all listeners. The Gracias Choir was formed in the year 2000,...
free album of "reimagined hymns for Easter" by...
http://blog.pagecxvi.com/ currently has an album for free download. It’s 6 common hymns, all with lyrics that work well for Easter, and a Doxology remixed by Derek Webb.
If you didn’t catch the blog post about some of their earlier albums … this group is not of the folksy variety often highlighted on this blog. Their musical sound relies on keyboards and guitars but is not...
