O Word of God Incarnate

This powerful prayer penned by William How in 1867 brings themes to congregational worship that need to be sung. He emphasizes the Trinity, the Holy Scriptures, and the Church in this theologically-packed text. He appeals to the power and majesty of Christ (the Word of God incarnate) and more thoroughly, the inspired written Word of God to transform His people into the light of the world and the bearers of truth to the nations. Because it is written as a prayer, it allows the gathered congregation to pray passionately together for God to make this transformation happen in their midst.

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Suggestions for Reformation Sunday

This coming Sunday, October 31st, is celebrated as "Reformation Sunday" by many protestant churches. This is a day when we take time to acknowledge and give gratitude to God for the sacrifices made and doctrine defended during the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe. If you've never publicly acknowledged the Reformation during a worship service, let me make two suggestions. The first one is simple: use hymns from Martin Luther. His famous hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God has been called the battle hymn of the reformation and includes several of the biblical principles that Luther fought to return to the church. Another popular hymn text from Martin Luther is From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee. I set an alternate English translation into a more traditional sounding tune in the song By Grace Alone. Indelible Grace also has a contemporary tune for this hymn.

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What the Bible Has to Say About Singing, Part 5

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
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New Sheet Music for O Weary Saint

O Weary Saint is a hymn text that Eric Schumacher and I wrote a couple of years ago on songwriting retreat. After writing it for the tune "Love Unknown" by John Ireland, we found that it was still under copyright. The John Ireland Trust graciously allowed us to use it, and the song has been a blessing to me, Eric, and many others as well. To prepare for our upcoming release concert I created a score that follows the arrangement that appears on our latest album, Merciful to Me. The three page score contains piano, cello, and flute and could be adapted for use with other instruments as well (at the concert we won't have a cellist so I've transposed the cello part for violin). You can grab the score on the right-hand side of the song page for O Weary Saint. I created a separate post about this because such a small change to the song would likely fall below the radar of most readers, and if you have any use for a full piano score that sounds like the recording this should be helpful.

What the Bible Has to Say About Singing, Part 4

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
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Giveaway Contest Results

Earlier in September we started a giveaway contest. To enter you simply had to spread the word about our new album via a variety of social media outlets. We're grateful for the many people who took us up on our offer and entered, and for anyone else who spread the word without actually entering the contest. We're glad to announce the 5 winners, chosen at random. Each has been contacted via email:

1st - Jason Delgado
2nd - Nick Smith
3rd - Deon Bell VanNostrand
4th - Aaron Wilson
5th - Kimberly Davidson

Even though the contest is over, we'd still really appreciate your help in spreading the word about this album. If you believe in what we're doing, or just like the music, please spread the word!

What the Bible Has to Say About Singing, Part 3

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
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Official Release Concert

We're proud to announce an official release concert for the new album Merciful to Me. On Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 many of the artists who appeared on the new album will join together for a night of worship through song. Come enjoy 13 old and new hymns set to a variety of music and performed by some outstanding musicians. Our special guest is Jake Armerding. The Boston Globe calls singer-violinist Jake Armerding “the most gifted and promising songwriter to emerge from the Boston folk scene in years.”
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You Are My Righteousness

This is a song about how we need Jesus to be more than simply a payment voucher to cover the debt we owe to God because of our rebellion. Even if our record were wiped clean of offenses, we wouldn't have any goodness, credit, or merit with which we might be made acceptable to God. The Christian life is a battle to remain on the way of grace, a battle where we are continually stumbling off the path into one of two ditches. First, we tend to wallow in what looks like contrition, but is actually unbelief that God would forgive us simply because of what Jesus has done. We think that by our tears we can somehow prove that we are sorry enough for God to forgive us. We can also fall away from grace by acting as if we don't need it - because we've got our lives under control and are, essentially, pleasing God by being faithful. We can overlook certain sins and feel proud that we're not flagrantly committing others. The song is a cry for help, a cry that God would give us faith to believe that Jesus is our only hope to be made acceptable before God. By His death He bore the penalty for our failure, and by His perfect life, the credit for which He gives us by faith, His success becomes ours.

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Merciful to Me Now Shipping

Just a short post to broadcast the great news - the physical CDs are now shipping! Thanks for your patience as the manufacturing process takes quite a while. It was worth the wait as the digipaks came out great - the graphics and layout look stunning. Kent Swecker of A New Machine did a fantastic job and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for any print, web, or music design projects. I've attached a copy of the web-quality PDF of the packaging for you to check out - it should appear as a PDF icon in the right-hand column.

Even if you already have the digital version, consider purchasing a copy or two as gifts. Use and enjoy our album to the glory of God!