Sojourn Music, Watts, and Advent

Posted by Joe Thorn - 25/10/08

The worship band from Sojourn Community Church lead us on day two of the Acts 29 Bootcamp and Lead for the City Conference. It was God and gospel centered worship - amazing stuff. They led us in singing a few of Isaac Watts lesser known material. I talked to a few people from Sojourn and apparently they are releasing two CDs featuring Watts’ stuff. If what I heard at the conference is any indication of what to expect - it will be stellar. One of the songs we sang was Watts treatment on Psalm 3.

My God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!
Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.

The lying tempter would persuade
There’s no relief in heaven;
And all my swelling sins appear
Too big to be forgiven.

But thou, my glory and my strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread,
Shalt silence all my threatening guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

[I cried, and from his holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father, and my God,
And he subdued my fear.

He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes;
I woke, and wondered at the grace
That guarded my repose.]

What though the hosts of death and hell
All armed against me stood,
Terrors no more shall shake my soul;
My refuge is my God.

Arise, O Lord, fulfil thy grace,
While I thy glory sing;
My God has broke the serpent’s teeth,
And death has lost his sting.

Salvation to the Lord belongs;
His arm alone can save:
Blessings attend thy people here,
And reach beyond the grave.

While we’re waiting for Sojourn Music to release their CD’s featuring Watts stuff, be sure to check out their fantastic Advent Songs.

All The Saints: RF Music

Posted by Joe Thorn - 16/07/08

We have three great worship leaders at Redeemer Fellowship. Recently Chris Walke (one of the three) has been digging up the less familiar hymns and sharing them with the church either for corporate singing, or as a meditative song to accompany the sermon. Below is a hymn he sang a few weeks ago during worship called For All The Saints. It was written in the 19th century by Ralph Vaughn Williams William How. The melody here is not the one most commonly used. Chris played acoustic and sang, and one of our musicians, Aaron, accompanied him on the electric guitar. Unfortunately, you can’t really hear Aaron’s subtle work. Anyway, give it a listen below. I love hymns, but had never heard this one.

For All The Saints

For all the saints who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou in the darkness drear their one true light:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array:
The King of Glory passes on his way:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Friday Photo: Beirut in Chicago

Posted by Joe Thorn - 05/10/07

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Yesterday I met Steve in the Loop. We ate lunch, talked about ministry, took some photos and then headed out for the much anticipated Beirut concert. Steve introduced me to Beirut when their first album came out. They quickly became my favorite band. I’m not a music critic, nor am I a music guru like Steve. All I can tell you is that listening to Beirut takes me to a different place in my mind and heart. It is soulful music that pulls from European folk traditions using a wide variety of traditional/natural instruments. The venue was the Portage Theater in Chicago, with a 1900+ seat auditorium. It was a good thing we bought our tickets early. The show sold out.

Zach Condon and IWe ran into Zach Condon, the principal man behind Beirut, while hanging out before the show, and like the dorks we are we asked if we could get a picture with him. He was beat from the tour, but was happy to chat about those Take Away Shows while we took a couple pics. We also met a couple from Michigan, Travis and Shannon, who came for the show. After chatting for a while we found out they are Christians and favor sound Reformed theology. Another member of Redeemer was at the show as well; Jason the artist/musician/all around great guy. After Alaska in Winter finished “their” set I talked to the Tour Manager, Joe, and he gave me permission to shoot the concert.

Zach Condon / Beirut

Before the Throne

Posted by Joe Thorn - 25/09/07

beforethethrone.jpgI recently got my hands on the new CD, Before the Throne, a worship album put together and performed by members of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY. The album is diverse containing one classic hymn and 10 new songs written by members of Sojourn. Flavors of folk, jazz, and blues are easily identified in this diverse yet cohesive effort. Before the Throne is a God-centered album that leads the listener through seeking and confession. The production is solid and the album is a joy to listen to. I highly recommend the CD and believe it would appeal to a wide audience coming from traditional or contemporary music backgrounds. You can pick it up at the Sojourn Music store.

Matisyahu

Posted by Joe Thorn - 19/02/07

Here are two short videos of Matisyahu: one is of his newest video, Jerusalem, and the other is him beatboxing. I imagine most of my readers are not into hip-hop, reggae, or the interesting combination of both, which is why I thought it would be a good idea to put it out there. Matisyahu is a member of Chabad-Lubavitch, one of the largest branches of Hasidic Judaism, and also a highly respected artist in the hip-hop and rock communities. The fact that he sings about peace, love, justice, hope and YHWH does not seem to negatively impact his growing popularity. Check it out. It’s great stuff.

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