I've been hinting for a while that someone should buy a new album for me. Stephen proved to be a good friend and picked up on my not-so-subtle hint. He "gifted" the album to me on i-Tunes. The Decemberists are an interesting band out of Portland. Their new album is a concept album. The music does not stop. Each song leads into the next song. The entire album is a story told through 17 tracks. It is different and I am learning to appreciate the story. Thanks Stephen.
1. Why the radio chooses to play the worst song from an album of otherwise good songs.
I hope you enjoy the bonus track. I know many of you have downloaded the entire Christmas album and we are glad we could help make your holidays so much more enjoyable.
We really love you all and want to give you the very best. We held nothing back for this song and truly hope that you savor every note.
Even though the snow here is too powdery to pack into a snowman you may have the right kind of snow for such a personified winter creature. If so, be warned. The thing may come to life.
Sorry for the delay. We were piled under snow again yesterday and I was unable to get to my computer (maybe). I hope this has not caused any trauma for our fans. Because of the delay we will release one bonus track on the final day.
This song goes out to our good friends - The Carrolls.
The popularity of our Christmas album has been much greater than we ever expected. Who would have ever expected that we would have received such publicity. This will certainly help the sales of our album (and future albums).
Ring-a-ling, hear us sing
Soon it will be Christmas time
And you will have to pay for these downloads.
As the weather forecast indicates, the next several days will not go above zero. The likelihood of a White Christmas is nearly 100%. The free download of the day is quite appropriate.
The entire realm of Nearly, Canada is under a Blizzard Warning and we have been advised not to travel. As law-abiding citizens, the leaders of our church decided to postpone church until next Sunday at the same time. Never fear though because the free download today includes the very best of CyberHymnal. So, whether you are stuck at home or on your way to church count yourself blessed to be able to sing along with the churchiest of songs.
We are preparing for a blizzard here in Nearly Canada and it seemed only appropriate to give you the gift of this song today. Please pass on the joy to your friends and family.
Free Download #1 - Feliz Navidad
The following song has been on constant repeat in my head for the last week. Last night I went to our Good Friday service and we sang this song. There aren't too many contemporary hymn writers that do this well.
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
Recently there have been a few issues for discussion at our church about worship (through music). Some of the discussions have not been easy. I decided to begin reading through Worship by the Book. I bought this book a few years ago and never started reading it until now. This morning I read chapter 4 - "Reformed Worship in the Global City" by Timothy Keller. It was extremely helpful in many areas and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has thought through the purpose of worship (through music). Keller moves through historical traditions of worship as well as contemporary practices. He provides a few outlines of the services at Redeemer Presbyterian Church and gives rationale for each element in the service.
Although this has not really been part of the discussion at Trinity Church I found Keller's section on contemporary and historic worship insightful. In this section he lists the problems in strictly promoting one or the other.
Problems in promoting strictly contemporary worship:What say ye? What are your thoughts? Would you add any "problems" to his list?
First, some popular music does have severe limitations for corporate worship.
Second, when we ignore historic tradition, we break our solidarity with Christians of the past. Part of the richness of our identity as Christians is that we are saved into a historic people.
Finally, any corporate worship that is strictly contemporary will become dated very quickly. When [someone] says we should "plug in" to contemporary culture, which contemporary culture does he mean? White, black, Latino, urban, suburban, "Boomer," or "Gen X" contemporary culture?
Problems in promoting strictly traditional, historical worship:
First, historical worship advocates cannot really dodge the charge of cultural elitism. Much of high culture music takes a great deal of instruction to appreciate, so that, especially in the United States, a strong emphasis on such music and art will probably only appeal to college-educated elites.
Second, any proponent of "historic" corporate worship will have to answer the questions, "Whose history?" Much of what is called "traditional" worship is very rooted in northern European culture.
