Jeff Ling

I’m so grateful for that handful of places that provide resources for worship so generously to the church. Paul Baloche’s website, LeadWorship.com is one and if you haven’t visited, you need to. The song chart area is laid out well and all of it freely available for download.  Today, I have been enjoying the U.K. site ResoundWorship.org. What a gift to the church! The “About” section contains the following:

“RESOUNDworship.org is an exciting free resource for churches worldwide, providing fresh worship songs containing strong, Biblical lyrics supported by singable, contemporary music. You might like to register with the site - it only takes a few seconds and gives you free access to download all the mp3s, chord charts and lead sheets on the site.”

And do they ever deliver. I listened to several of the original Christmas songs offered and I am impressed by their biblical faithfulness, creative imagery and sing-ability. The  site makes it so easy to preview and acquire the music. Look at the image below:

The links worked flawlessly and all the charts are well produced PDFs.  They also offer an mp3 of the song and even a backing track! Wait… they also want to give you a free video of the song. Who does that? They do!

Miracle Child from Sam Hargreaves on Vimeo.

The song above, Miracle Child, is one we’ll be using for Christmas Eve. Check it out along with On Christmas Day, which contains this imaginative lyric:

The hands that once split night from day
now feebly clutch a blade of hay,
this is Immanuel.
Majestic king, now small and weak,
the Word of God must learn to speak,
this is Immanuel.

Thank you ResoundWorship. You’re generosity and high quality are appreciated!

So… I was taking a stab at writing an Advent verse for the hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful. The first verse is what I came up with and the second was contributed by my friend Mark Weaver.

What would you add?

O Come Holy Savior
Ruler of all nations
Set free this groaning earth
From sin’s dark domain

Conquering Jesus!
Come and reign victorious

O come again in glory
O come again in glory
O come again in glory
Christ the Lord

O Come, King Of Glory
Robed in righteous splendor
Take up Your throne within
My heart now and reign.

Govern me fully.
Help me yield my all to You.

O come and rule within me.
O come and rule within me.
O come and rule within me!
Christ the Lord!

“Every Sunday night in the Dining Commons of Oral Roberts University, hundreds of students gather together to share, worship, and celebrate the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. It is out of this community of believers that we would like to offer this album as an expression of our love for the Lord Jesus and for you. Many of these songs are hymns that have become favorites within the community while others were written by individuals as personal expressions of their love for the Master. Our community echoes those men from Greece who approached Phillip in John’s Gospel with the plea, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’ As we gaze upon Him our lives are transformed and our hearts break out in praise. Join us as we worship the King. Open our Eyes Lord! We want to see Jesus.” – From the back of the album cover.

The Vespers Choir
Robin Raboy, John Nowacki, Susan McElroy, John Fickett, Ann Tittle, Tom Gilley, Carole King, Greg Wojohn, Diana Hanson, Todd Pettygrove. Chuck Wilson. Glenndy Ose, Gary Left, Sandy Dryden, Karen Deal, Melissa Hubble, Doug Sanders, Dan Borgstadt, Dave Knudson, Lynn Bernsdorf

Side 1

Open Our Eyes 

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Written by Bob Cull. Soloists: Todd Pettygrove, Greg Wojohn and Sandy Dryden
The second verse is not part of the original song. Pretty sure it originated with someone on campus.
1976 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
CCCM Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

Oh Give Thanks

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Written by Karen Deal. Vocals by Karen Deal and Susan Copenhaver
Copyright 1978 by Karen Deal. All rights reserved. Karen has gone on to be a very successful conductor: http://www.karendeal.com/

Hosanna to the Lord’s Majesty

 Hosanna to the Lord’s Majesty

Written by Sandy Dryden, Solo vocals: Tom Gilley, Diana Hanson, Sandy Dryden and Jeff Ling
Copyright 1978 by Sandy Dryden. All rights reserved.
Sandy has become an accomplished educator: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=566687482&sk=info

I Am Redeemed

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Written and sung by Mary Scott.
Copyright 1978 by Mary Scott. All rights reserved.

Ha-la-la-la

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This song certainly showed the innocence and simple joy that was part of the time. Perhaps to childish for today’s worship leaders but we sang it with joy. Interesting side note, the song was written by David Graham who helped to found the YWAM base in Lakeside Montana. For the past 20+ years I have been going to the base to teach on worship in their School of Worship. David and I have not yet met.

Written by David Graham. 1978 C.A. Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Side 2

Lift High the Banners of Love

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Solo vocals: Chuck Wilson, Sandy Dryden, Diana Hanson, Greg Wojohn

One of the really popular songs that originated in the Catholic Charismatic Movement.
Written by Richard Gillard. 1975 West Wind Music. Used by Permission

In Green Pastures

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Written and Sung by Janelle Causey
Copyright 1978 by Janelle Causey. All rights reserved.

I Am Risen

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Written by Dave Stackable, Vocals by Dave Stackable and Robin Raboy
Copyright 1978 by David Stackable. All rights reserved.

Abba Father

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Written and Sung by Jeff Ling.
Copyright 1978 by Jeff Ling. All rights reserved.
Wish I could tell you who the bass and lead players are on this song and the rest of the album. Suffice it to say they’ve recorded with Keith Green, Andrae Crouch and many others. Union regulations wouldn’t let us list them.

Our God Reigns

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One of the great praise songs of the time. The original has 8 verses but hardly anyone knows that. Most churches and this recording only included the first verse and chorus. The song ends with a cross fade into a string reprise of Open Our Eyes including a soft “Amen” by Chuck Wilson at the end.

Written by Leonard E. Smith Jr. Used by Permission.
1974, 1978 New Jerusalem Music (Admin. by New Jerusalem Music)

 
Credits:
Executive: Producer Jeff ling
Producer: Larry Benson
Associate Producer: Chuck Wilson
Choir Director: Jeff ling
Session Director: Larry Benson
Guitars: Doug Sanders, Dan Borgstadt, Dave Knudson
Flutes: Karen Deal, Melissa Hubble
Accordian: Lynn Bernsdorf
Piano: Larry Benson
… and the Benson Sound Musicians
String and Brass Arrangements and Conductor: Barry Kelsey
Engineers David Cline, Gary Duggan
Recorded at Benson Sound Studio, Oklahoma City
Photography and Cover Design: Chilton &. Rhodes, Inc.

This is the new video for Christ Be in My Waking by Stuart Townend from his album The Journey. Wonderful lyrics, beautiful melody and pretty creative video!

CHRIST BE IN MY WAKING,
As the sun is rising,
In my day of working,
With me every hour.
Christ be in my resting,
As the day is ending,
Calming and refreshing,
Watching through the night.

Christ be in my thinking,
And my understanding,
Guarding me from evil,
Walking in the light.
Christ be in my speaking,
Every word a blessing,
Pure and not deceiving,
Grace to all who hear.

Jesus, this is my devotion,
All my life to know You,
Every day to walk with You.
Saviour, You’re my deepest longing,
You’re the One I live for,
Teach me, Lord, to walk with You.

Christ be in my gladness
For the joy of living,
Thankful for the goodness
Of the Father’s hand.
Christ be in my sorrow,
In my day of darkness,
Knowing that I follow
In the steps He trod.

Christ when hope has faded,
Nothing left to cling to,
Every pleasure jaded,
Every well is dry.
Christ the loving Shepherd
Draws me with His kindness,
Leads me from the desert
To the streams of life.

Stuart Townend & Simon Brading
Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music

“Contemplate the multitude of the redeemed around the eternal throne. They are very many; no stretch of mind can count them. They all were once transgressors upon earth, stained by innumerable sins. Now they are all whiter than the whitest snow.

How has their loathsome blackness vanished? They have all washed in the one laver of cleansing; they are all pure by the application of the one blood of the one Jesus. Their filthy garments are all removed, they are arrayed in fitness for their high abode. Where was this lovely apparel won? They drew near, and by the hand of faith put on the righteousness which Jesus alone wrought.

They all sing one song; it is ever new, it can never weary. It is thanksgiving, honor, praise, and power, unto God who sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”

— Henry Law
Gleanings from the Book of Life