Worship Songs for February 15

We start a new series this Sunday - "Church in the Mirror". It's taken from James 1:22-24: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." I'm praying our people will become DOERS, not just HEARERS! We've got too many people sitting on the sidelines, taking it in, observing and consuming instead of participating and contributing and serving! Let's get busy!

First Baptist Church of Euless – BEHIND THE PRAISE
Worship songs
February 15th , 2009

“Blessed Be the Name” (an adaptation for the hymn “O For A Thousand Tongues to sing”) 9:15am

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing is a Christian hymn written by Charles Wesley. Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns, many of which were subsequently reprinted, frequently with alterations, in hymnals, particularly those of the Methodist Church.
Charles Wesley was suffering a bout of pleurisy in May, 1738, while he and his brother were studying under the Moravian scholar Peter Böhler in London. At the time, Wesley was plagued by extreme doubts about his faith. Taken to bed with the sickness on May 21 Wesley was attended by a group of Christians who offered him testimony and basic care, and he was deeply affected by this. He read from his Bibe and found himself deeply affected by the words, and at peace with God. Shortly his strength began to return. He wrote of this experience in his journal and counted it as a renewal of his faith; when his brother John had a similar experience on the 24th, the two men met and sang a hymn Wesley had written in praise of his renewal.
One year from the experience, Wesley was taken with the urge to write another hymn, this one in commemoration of his renewal of faith. This hymn took the form of an 18-stanza poem, beginning with the opening lines 'Glory to God, and praise, and love,/Be ever, ever given' and was published in 1740 and entitled 'For the anniversary day of one's conversion'. The seventh verse, which begins, 'O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing', and which now is invariably the first verse of a shorter hymn recalls the words of Peter Bohler who said, 'Had I a thousand tongues I would praise Him with them all.' The hymn was placed first in John Wesley's A Collection of Hymns for the People Called Methodists published in 1780. It appeared first in every (Wesleyan) Methodist hymnal from that time until the publication of Hymns and Psalms in 1983 (Watson and Trickett: Companion to Hymns and Psalms, 1988). Most recently, the popular Christian group David Crowder Band created a rock version of the hymn for their CD entitled Remedy.
Today the hymn is often condensed into 6-8 stanzas. In Great Britain, editors of various of hymnals have muddled the logical order of the first three verses (O for a thousand tongues to sing; My gracious Master and my God; Jesus, the name that charms our fears) and broken the continuity of thought between them. In some places, including the USA, the hymn is commonly sung to Lowell Mason’s 1839 arrangement of the tune AZMON, written by Carl G. Glaser in 1828. Mason's arrangement was written as a setting for this hymn. In Great Britain the tune LYDIA by Thomas Phillips or RICHMOND by Thomas Haweis are commonly used, though in larger congregations Thomas Jarman's stirring tune LYNGHAM is favoured.
Here is the text of the hymn, as found in the Anglican hymn book Common Praise (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2000). The suggested tunes are SELBY or RICHMOND.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life and health and peace.

Click here for a bluegrass arrangement of the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcjM-i0CMdE

Click here for a midi version:
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Blessed_Be_the_Name_of_the_Lord/midi/

“Rock of Ages” 9:15am

This song was written by Rita Baloche. Rita is a singer/songwriter who has penned many of today's well-loved choruses, including "I Will Celebrate", "Rock Of Ages", "Sing to the Lord", "But For Your Grace", and the 2005 Dove Award-nominated song "Arms Open Wide", sung by David Phelps on his debut solo project "Revelation". Her latest song, "Follow that Star" is featured on the 2008 Christmas project "The Purpose of Christmas" by Rick Warren. This book/CD project is available exclusively at Walmart. Rita's voice can be heard on numerous praise and worship projects by Integrity Music and Maranatha! Music as well as background vocals for country singer Leann Rhimes.

There is no rock
There is no god like our God
No other name worthy of all our praise
The Rock of Salvation that cannot be moved
He's proven Himself to be faithful and true
There is no rock
There is no god like ours

Rock of Ages
Jesus is the Rock
Rock of Ages
Jesus is the Rock
Rock of Ages
Jesus is the Rock
There is no rock
There is no god like ours

Click here to learn more about Rita:
www.leadworship.com/paul/rita.html

Click here to worship through the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqZOMGLjKds

“Immortal Invisible, God only Wise” 9:15am

Based on I Timothy 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever", "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" reminds us of the awe and reverence that we need to have as we worship our God. Even as we cannot see the sun, we see merely the light reflected by the hot gases surrounding the sun, so God’s glory is hid from our eyes. Even the angels cover their faces in God’s presence (Isaiah 6:2) because they cannot look on God’s full glory.
"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" draws from other Scriptural references as well. "The Ancient of Days" from stanza one is from Daniel 7:9. "Thy justice like mountains" from stanza two is from Psalm 36:6. Originally written with six stanzas, stanza four referenced II Corinthians 3:15-16. The original stanzas four and five were combined to make the contemporary fourth stanza.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee,
And so let thy glory, almighty, impart,
Through Christ in his story, thy Christ to the heart.

"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" was first published in Hymns of Christ and Christian Life, (1876). The text was altered by the author and published in W. Garrett Horder’s Congregational Hymns. (1884)

Click here to worship along: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR1Kxcvq_hM

Click here for a finger picking guitar arrangement: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Tmq_B2eIg

Click here for a tower bell arrangement: www.youtube.com/watchv=Jodz3Muw8i8&feature=related

Click here for a newer arrangement by Daniel Rodriguez: www.youtube.com/watchv=kiV3ODJA9Ik

“Indescribable” 9:15am

On June 14, 2007, Tomlin's recording of the song "Indescribable" was used as the official wake-up call for Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester on Space Shuttle mission STS-117.

This song is all about how great our God is. The artist of this song is Chris Tomlin and originally written by Laura Story. Laura Story holds the CCLI copyright of this song.

Like the twists and turns of a mountain road, Laura Story’s life has held its share of unexpected moments – some exhilarating, some terrifying, and some simply beautiful to behold. Leaning solely on her faith in the sovereignty of God, Story has learned that no matter what comes around the next bend it’s going to be an incredible view.

Once an aspiring symphony conductor, Story didn’t even know she could sing – much less write songs – until she was in her early twenties. Today, Story is not only a gifted vocalist and worship leader but also the composer of one of the most beloved worship songs of our generation – “Indescribable”. The song has topped the charts and been recorded by multiple artists.

Click here to worship along with Chris:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PTvr755V8s

Click here for a moving DVD with the song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmTxZAl7ceU

"How Great is our God" 9:15am

This worship song was written by Chris Tomlin. Chris said he almost apologized to the Lord for writing such a simple song, but felt that the English language could only go so far in describing the greatness of our God. After writing the song he felt in his spirit that he had written a song that would be embraced by the church around the world.
Chris received his first guitar from his father, Connie, at the age of eleven after contracting a case of mono. Then, Tomlin wrote his first worship song at age fourteen. He entered college planning to study medicine, but he stated that he felt God's calling to something else and did not pursue that career. In the mid-1990's Tomlin spent time leading worship at the Dawson McAllister Youth Conferences, as well as at various camps around the state of Texas. Following college, at Texas A&M University Tomlin continued to play and write songs, and in 1997, Louie Giglio asked if he would be interested in working with the Passion Conferences. Tomlin agreed, and he has played a key role ever since. His first nationally released solo project, entitled The Noise We Make, was released in 2001, which saw the emergence of songs "Forever" (his most famous song other than "How Great Is Our God"), "Be Glorified", and "Kindness", all of which made the top 200 in the CCLI 2005 top 500 worship songs.
According to Christian Copyright Licensing International's list of the top 25 worship songs in the United States as of August 2007, Tomlin held 5 spots with songs he has either written or co-written with other songwriters: "How Great Is Our God" (#1), "Forever" (#5), "Holy Is the Lord" (#7), "We Fall Down" (#12),and "Indescribable" (#22).

Click here to listen to the story behind the song: www.theheartofworship.org/stories/Story-302-HowGreatisOurGod-Tomlin.mp3

Click here to listen to Chris share about how the song came about on newsong café: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpfKli_4LQ0&mode=related&search=

Click here to worship along with Chris:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjxPG_mRHDs&feature=related

Click here to learn more about Chris’ ministry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Tomlin#Biography

Click here to visit Chris’ website:
www.christomlin.com

Click here to visit Chris’ myspace:
www.myspace.com/christomlin

“I Never Lost My Praise” 9:15 & 10:45

This gospel song was written by Trumaine Hawkins.

In 1969, Lady Tramaine joined the Edwin Hawkins Singers and was a part of the Gospel Music Revolution via the recording of Oh Happy Day the first million-selling Gospel single to top the Pop record charts as well as the first cross over hit, in all cross-sections of the world. Lady Tramaine then moved on to the Los Angeles area to join Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, where she sang lead vocals on the Grammy nominated single "Christian People". After sharing her gifts with Andrea Crouch and the Disciples, Lady Tramaine returned to the Oakland area where she rejoined the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Lady Tramaine can be heard singing lead vocals on the Love Alive Series with Walter Hawkins and The Love Center Choir and also with The Hawkins Family in the 70's and 80's.

Click here to worship along with Trumaine:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkwUKn_gfc

Go here to listen to the song on Trumaines’ myspace standalone player
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85236027

“I will never be the same again” 9:15 & 10:45am

This worship song was written by Geoff Bullock, former worship leader with the Hillsongs church in Sydney Australia. After ministering with the Hillsongs ministry, Geoff went through a valley of depression and dispair. He lost his marriage, his witness and his testimony. He has spent the last few years rebuilding his life and putting the pieces back together. A part of that process has been to actually re-write several of the worship songs he wrote.
The main reason for the rewrites is to simply take the focus from "what we do for God" to give us a sense of spiritual affirmation and placing it firmly on "what God has done and is doing for us". I am convinced that what I think, do or say about God will always prove my inability to be anything else but grace dependant. However, what God "thinks, does and says" about me is a miracle that can never be fully grasped. It is simply too wonderful. How could we ask this of the Creator of the universe. Thinking about it just spins me out. God.. do we really understand the enormity of those three letters…. God reduces himself to humanity so we can know and say:
"You have walked my path,You have run my raceSo I may never be the same again."
I just cannot say or sing it the other way anymore. I am totally stuffed if I do the walking and running. There’s nothing to celebrate about my actions… but, what God does… can’t stop celebrating.. just blows me away, and I have to ask myself whether we really understand it at all!!!
See below a comparison of the two lyrics, one in 1995 and the new one in 2004.

Click here to read more about Geoffs’ story.
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4734.htm

Click here to read more about Geoffs’ ministry
http://www.geoffbullock.com/

Click here to read more about Geoff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Bullock

Click here to read Geoffs’ blog
http://geoffbullock.blogspot.com/

Click here to worship along with Geoff Bullock
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcC_7EMYkhc&feature=related

“Holy is the Lord” 10:45am

Chris Tomlin wrote this song after meditating on Isaiah 6. He was intrigued by the passage where the angels called to one another. The phrase “Holy is the Lord and the earth is filled with his glory” kept ringing in his mind. He met up with Louie Giglio who had been meditating on the passage in Nehemiah where after Israel rebuilt the wall they built a wooden tower and opened the word of the lord. When this happened the people stood and lifted their hands then also bowed down. Louie was struck by the picture in his mind and wrote the following phrase in his journal:

“It’s rising up all around, it’s the anthem of the Lord’s renown”

Click here to listen to Chris & Louie Giglio talk about how the song came about:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv6hSdbfo2E

Click here to worship and sing-along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSKN5PX_3a0&feature=related

Click here to worship along with Chris Tomlin
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X4CwGGJQMI

"The Lord Reigns" 10:45

Here is Klaus' testimony in his own words:

There are moments in each person’s life that shape us and cause us to change our course. One such moment in my life happened in the spring of 2003 at an “Encounter” event in Mexico. I attended the conference to help with worship and ended up with an encounter that would change my life. The word I received that weekend from Lindell was that I had not been forgotten, the Lord had need of me in this hour, and that a fountain for the nations was about to open up. Soon after, I received an invitation to be the Worship Leader at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. From the fall of 2003 through the spring of 2005 I had the privilege of entering into the presence each morning with about 1000 students who were hungry to see God move in their life. That season also opened up the opportunity to produce two CFNI Worship projects,"Glorious" and "Overtaken". I was born in Germany, but by the time I was ten, my family ended up in Canada after several years in Chicago and Michigan. At the age of five I began taking piano lessons and continued training in classical and jazz until I was about 18. I remember hearing Keith Green for the first time and being captivated by the sound of his heart. A lot of other influences weighed in to shape my musical mindset. In 1984 I left Canada and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Christ For The Nations, Institute. Soon after graduating, I married Julie, who is an amazing woman and my best friend. We have three children, Candace, 11, Aaron Judah, 2, and Olivia Grace, born June 20th of last year. After a number of years in music ministry in Plano, Texas, we felt a season of change coming into our lives. In 1995 I left the church where I was leading Worship and began getting involved with real estate and remodeling homes. Through the years I have continued traveling and Leading Worship while building custom homes in McKinney, Texas. In the spring of 2005 I left Christ For The Nations and started Pure Worship Ministries. We are producing Worship that I believe, touches the heart of God and ministers to His people. The best is yet to come.

Click here to learn more about Klaus Kuehn:
www.klausmusic.com

Click here to listen online:
www.imeem.com/atst/music/c1gewWR1/klaus_kuehn_the_lord_reigns/

Click here to worship along with Klaus:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaWrJtY4fYY&feature=related

“O Praise Him” 10:45am

When David Crowder was attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas in the mid 90's, he learned that more than half of the 14,000 students enrolled in the college were not attending church. This was very disturbing to Crowder, and after many conversations with a friend of his, they decided to start a church that was college friendly. Thus, University Baptist Church was born. That was 1996. Today, almost a decade later, nearly 1,000 people, most of which are college students, are attending the church. Although David Crowder's music ministry has grown significantly since then, he can still be found leading worship there on many Sundays.Crowder deeply wanted to find a way to connect these college students to the heart of God, so he began writing songs that he hoped the students at his school could relate to. A band began to form, and a few years and some new members later, the current lineup came into being and they all commited themselves completely to the ministry.This song was written while David and his band were flying back from Atlanta to Waco. It was the sound of wind on a plane that stirred his soul to a phrase “All this for the King”. David took a pencil and a piece of paper and wrote the following lyrics:

Turn your ear To Heaven and hear The noise inside
The sound of angels awe The sound of angels songs
And all this for a King We could join and sing
'All for Christ our King!'

How constant How divine This song of ours will rise
Oh, how constant How divine This love of ours will rise Will rise...

CHORUS: Oh praise Him! Oh praise Him! He is Holy! He is Holy!

Click here to listen to David share how the song came about: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2fbX4dRLO0&feature=related

Click here to worship along with David Crowder: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2qfCynlTVg

“Healer” 10:45am

This is an article from the Hillsong church webpage about the Healer Story. Initially it seemed that Mike Guglielmucci wrote the song and then was healed, but after further investigation it came out that Mike had made up the story. It doesn’t minimize the message of the song or the healing power of the Lord.
Removal of a song from the album This Is Our GodOn August 20, 2008, Michael Guglielmucci, a former Planetshakers pastor who composed a number of songs for Hillsong, including “Healer” from the album This Is Our God - a song about his cancer struggle - admitted he had lied about ever having cancer in the first place. Representatives of churches with which Mr. Guglielmucci had affiliations told the press they were totally unaware of the situation. In an e-mail sent to Hillsong members, the church’s general manager George Aghajanian said the news was even a shock to Mr Guglielmucci’s own family and that the suspended pastor was seeking professional help. A statement is expected to be read at congregations affiliated with Australian Christian Churches on Sunday, August 24, 2008. The ACC promised that all money donated by listeners inspired by the song will be returned or donated to charity, and is currently auditing Mr. Guglielmucci’s bank accounts to determine the amount of funds raised. The track “Healer” was promptly removed from the tracklist of the album This Is Our God on Hillsong’s website where one can buy MP3 tracks , and there are plans to revoke CDs and DVDs that contain the song.

Click here to watch a news report on CNN about the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei7v2b2lEyQ&feature=related

Click here to hear Brian Houston share his thoughts on the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1SsMbckSUo&feature=related

Click here to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug&feature=related

Click here to worship along with Israel Houghton: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnXO2FGrygM&feature=related