Worship Matters

Last week I posted a download and stream of Nail My Glory, one of the live songs from the New Attitude conference in Louisville, KY. I have three more for you today.

Ransomed
The first is the song Ransomed, written by my son Jordan, with original words by John Kent (1827). A number of people commented on the use of the staccato strings, aka pizzicato. It’s not something you hear often in corporate worship but seemed to work well. You can download the song by clicking here, or listen to it below.

All I Have is Christ
We also used a choir of about 70 folks this year for the Monday night meeting. Last year we had a choir of around 90 people, but just a handful were guys. To remedy that situation we made sure that 20 guys were committed to the choir before we even got word out to the ladies. On top of that, when we were at our one and only rehearsal Sunday night, someone had the brilliant idea of calling guys on the spot to join. We rounded up about 5 or 6 more that way. And we had some solid tenors. The first song is All I Have is Christ, this one written entirely by Jordan. I love the whole song, but especially the second verse and chorus.

But as I ran my hell bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

What a thought! My greatest cause for rejoicing is that all ll I have, all I need, and all I want—is Christ. I’m affected every time I realize that Christ truly is my life.

Lead sheet available here. Download here. Listen below. It begins with the chorus.

You can download guitar charts for both these songs, and all the songs from Looked Upon, at the Sovereign Grace Store.

Let Your Kingdom Come
We also used the choir on a song I wrote called “Let Your Kingdom Come.” It’s from one of the Valley of Vision prayers, God’s Cause. Here’s the second verse that convicts and encourages me every time I sing it.

Give us Your strength, Oh God
And courage to speak
Perform Your wondrous deeds
Through those who are weak
Lord, use us as You want
Whatever the test
By grace, we’ll preach Your gospel
Till our dying death.

Download the live track here. Download the guitar chart here. Listen to the live recording below.

Later this week, I’ll answer a question left in the comments last week about using choirs on the worship team.

(Thanks to Dave Mackenzie for recording and providing all these MP3s for download and to Joshua Bergren for the picture.)