We have missed the fellowship, the young people’s work, and the church fringe. But we’ve also missed singing God’s truth to one another. So, what will you sing after lockdown ends? This review points you in some helpful directions.
At the time of writing it will be just over a year since Christian congregations sang together.
Hot off the press is a Getty, Redman, Boswell, Papa joint venture – Lovingkindness. Its subject matter is God’s covenant love. The words are well crafted, and carried along by a strong rhythm and an Irish folk feel. As a collaboration of well-known songwriters you feel this is written to serve the church.
Collaboration is becoming popular as Christian songwriting collectives spring up. Jubilate hymns in the 1960s were one of the first, and their contemporary arm, Resound Worship, continues the principle of critiquing and honing songs. There are others, like City Alight, The Rend Collective, Emu Music and, a new one to me, New Scottish Hymns. Please forgive me if I’ve not mentioned your favourite – it’s the principle I’d like to encourage!
Not new, but highly recommended
But new is not always best. The most appreciated song in lockdown in our congregation was the 2009 Still, My Soul, Be Still, a Townend/Getty song. The words beautifully express trust in a sovereign God.
As Easter approaches, there is the old American folk-tune version of Isaac Watts’ Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed. The only UK recording I know is on Keswick Convention’s 2013 album, The Transforming Trinity, sung by Jayne Lewis.
Finally, solo songwriters deserve a mention. Sandra McCracken’s We Will Feast in the House of Zion is a great song of hope, and with the talented Andrew Peterson appearing at Keswick this year, let’s hope he sings again his inspiring call-and-answer song, Is He Worthy?
Sing UP!
What is your church like at singing?Anecdotal evidence and the lived experience of many would seem to suggest that …