The Song Writer Initiative is a resource of the Center for Worship Leaders of Concordia University Irvine, offering Contemporary Worship songs which are strongly influenced by a Lutheran approach to worship and theology.
During this Advent season, the LWF has invited some of its member churches to share hymns from their congregations to show how the communion of churches prepares for Christ’s coming into this world. We want to use this period to reflect on and celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and oneness of God’s gifts to us. Martin Luther wrote: I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone. . . it has been instilled and implanted in all creatures, individually and collectively. For nothing is without sound or harmony. Even the air. . . Visit https://www.lutheranworld.org/advent-hymns
Words
Come To Us
Verse 1
Scattered and broken bent in our way
We are Your people gathered to praise You
A vineyard uprooted narrow in sight
Come Lord of glory come Lord of light
Chorus 1
Come to us O Lord of glory and shine in our hearts
Come to us O Lord of glory and make us anew
Lord we wait for You Lord we wait for You
Lord we wait for You come Lord of glory
(ADVENT CHORUS)
Chorus 2
Come to us O Child of glory be born in our hearts
Come to us O Child of glory and make us anew
We adore You we adore You
We adore You sweet Child of glory
(CHRISTMAS CHORUS)
Verse 2
Come Lord our dayspring come from on high
As we Your people gather to praise You
Unworthy to taste from Your heavenly vine
But Your word will heal us come light divine
Verse 3
Come Root of Jesse come David's son
Come Star of Morning we come to praise You
Hope of creation of all humankind
Reign over body spirit and mind
Lyrics - Traditional
1. Rise, Thou Light of Gentile nations,
Jesus, bright and Morning Star;
Let Thy Word, the gladsome tidings,
Ring out loudly near and far,
Bringing freedom to the captives,
Peace and comfort to the slave,
That the heathen, free from bondage,
May proclaim Thy pow'r to save.
2. See the blindness of the heathen,
Strangers to Thy glorious light,
Straying hopeless till they find Thee,
Wand'ring aimless in the night.
See their pitiful condition;
Lo, gross darkness covers all,
And no ray of hope refreshes
Nor dispels the dreadful pall.
3. If Thou, merciful Redeemer,
Hadst not saved us from this plight,
In like darkness we should languish
Hopeless, helpless, in sin's night.
Lovingly Thou, Lord, didst seek us
In the beauty of Thy grace;
Now with joy we freely serve Thee,
We, Thy blessed, chosen race.
4. Knowing Thee and Thy salvation,
Grateful love dare never cease
To proclaim Thy tender mercies,
Gracious Lord, Thy heav'nly peace.
Sound we forth the Gospel tidings
To the earth's remotest bound
That the sinner has been pardoned
And forgiveness can be found.
5. May our zeal to help the heathen
Be increased from day to day
As we plead in true compassion
And for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds,
For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of Thy name.
6. Savior, shine in all Thy glory
On the nations near and far;
From the highways and the byways
Call them, O Thou Morning Star.
Guide them whom Thy grace hath chosen
Out of Satan's dreadful thrall
To the mansions of Thy Father--
There is room for sinners all.
Hymn #498
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Isaiah 60:1
Author: Hermann Fick, d. 1885
Titled: "Gehe auf, du Trost der Heiden"
Tune: "O du Liebe"
1st Published in: Musikalischer Christenschatz
Town: Basel, 1745
LH 232Rise, Thou light of gentile nations Tune: Rex Gloriae
1Rise, O light of Gentile nations, Jesus, bright and morning star. Let your word, the joyful tidings, ring out loudly near and far, bringing freedom to the captive, peace and comfort to the slave, that all people, free from bondage, may proclaim your power to save.
2Lovingly, Lord, you have sought us, you have saved us by your grace; now with joy we freely serve you, we, your blessed, chosen race. Knowing you and your salvation, grateful love dare never cease to proclaim, as you have asked us, your forgiveness and your peace.
3Saviour, shine in all your glory on the nations near and far. From the highways and the byways call them by your guiding star. Lead the lost whom you have chosen out of Satan's evil rule; lead them to the Father's mansions - there is room for sinners all.
Gehe auf, du Trost der Heiden
Hermann Fick 1822-85
Tr composite, Lutheran Church of Australia
based on 'The Lutheran Hymnal' (St Louis), 1941
Song of the month: My Lighthouse by Rend Collection Lyrics Verse 1 In my wrestling and in my doubts In my failures You won't walk out Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Verse 2 In the silence You won't let go In the questions Your truth will hold Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Chorus My Lighthouse my Lighthouse Shining in the darkness I will follow You oh My Lighthouse my Lighthouse I will trust the promise You will carry me safe to shore Safe to shore safe to shore safe to shore Verse 3 I won't fear what tomorrow brings With each morning I'll rise and sing My God's love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Bridge Fire before us You're the brightest You will lead us Through the storms (hey) (REPEAT 3X)
The hymn a mighty fortress is the theme hymn of the Reformation and the Lutheran Church for many years. Recently a number of musicians have taken on the challenge to produce different versions of this hymn. Following are 20 versions of A mighty Fortress is our God.
Dave Ellefson is considered one of the hardest headbangers of heavy metal and he shares his uplifting and empowering memoir about overcoming addiction and discovering a life of faith.
In My Life with Deth, cofounder and bassist of Megadeth David Ellefson reveals the behind-the-scenes details of life in one of the world’s most popular heavy metal bands. If you’re looking for eye-opening revelations, they’re here, including the drug habits that brought the band members to their knees.
But My Life with Deth is far more than just another memoir of debauchery. Ellefson also shares the story of his faith journey, which began when he decided his only choice for survival was to get free from his addiction.
Whether religious or not, you’ll be enthralled and inspired by this tell-all book on discovering meaning in a life of rock and roll. You’ll find insightful comments from some of the biggest names in heavy metal, along with universal life lessons. With a delicate balance between humor and earnestness, anyone “can appreciate Ellefson’s unpretentious tone and the delightful irony of a serious Christian who helped define seriously heavy metal music” (Publisher’s Weekly).
Dave Ellefson is undertaking studies at a Lutheran Seminary towards becoming a pastor.
He also has established Mega Life Ministry, check out the Mega Life facebook page
Association of Lutheran Musicians exists to nurture and equip musicians to serve and lead the church's song. Music is a vital expression of Lutheran worship. The church's song takes many forms and is expressed in many ways. By sharing the knowledge, experience and passion that honor our heritage and inspire our future, ALCM nurtures and equips those who lead music in worship. ALCM offers practical education programs and diverse resources through conferences, publications and fellowship to serve musicians of all types - from paid professionals to volunteers. By connecting servant leaders to one another and by cultivating their musical gifts, ALCM supports worshipping communities in the proclamation of the Gospel. The web site offers:
Kip Fox is a songwriter, a Worship Leader at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, and a nationally recognized Worship Leader and Clinician. His great passion is to inspire people to worship, by writing new songs and more importantly teaching the church to sing them!
As part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, an International Hymn Competition is being held to find a new celebratory Pauline hymn.
The hymn needs to have a focus on St Paul's life, theology or teachings..
The terms and conditions of the Competition are included in the Guidelines attached.
St Paul’s Cathedral acknowledges the generous support of the S. R. Stoneman Foundation in sponsoring this project.
All entries must be submitted by 5pm local Melbourne time on 18 September 2015 to:
Hymn Competition, St Paul’s Cathedral, 209 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
or by email to events@stpaulscathedral.org.au
Together in Song is an Australian Ecumenical Hymn Book. They have released cds of 80 songs played on the pipe organ accompaniments by the organist Siegfried Fanke..
Together in Song CD 1 and 2 includes:
1 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
2 All people that on earth do dwell
3 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness
4 From all who dwell beneath the skies
5 Praise the Lord, you heavens adore him
6 All creatures of our God and King
7 Now thank we all our God
8 Now thank we all our God
9 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
10 Praise, my soul, the king of heaven
11 All things bright and beautiful
12 Eternal Father, strong to save
13 Immortal, invisible, God only wise
14 Ye watchers and ye holy ones
15 Joyful, joyful, we adore you
16 God has spoken by his prophets
17 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
18 Praise with joy the world’s Creator
19 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
20 Hark! the herald angels sing
21 Once in royal David’s city
22 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
23 Ride on,ride on in majesty
1 Tune Light’s reddening through the sky
2 Jesus Christ is risen today
3 Christ the Lord is risen today
4 Yours be the glory, risen conquering Son
5 Filled with the Spirit's power, with one accord
6 Christ is made the sure foundation
7 For all the saints who from their labours rest
8 Lord Christ, at your first eucharist you prayed
9 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
10 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
11 Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
12 O perfect love, all human thought transcending
13 Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy
14 Almighty God, lift up our eyes
15 Lord of creation, to you be all praise
16 Lord of the living, in your name assembled
17 May flights of angels lead you way
18 Lord of earth and all creation
19 When the light of first creation
20 Lord God, you now have set your servant free
21 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
22 Worship, honour, glory, blessing
23 In the same night in which he was betrayed
Together in Song CD 3 and 4 includes:
1 God is my strong salvation
2 Our God, our help in ages past
3 Let us with a gladsome mind
4 Sing praise to the Lord
5 We praise, we worship you
6 Praise to the living God
7 You holy angels bright
8 God is the refuge of his saints
9 The God of Abraham praise
10 O worship the king all glorious
11 Praise to the holiest in the height
12 Father all-loving and ruling
13 Let all creation dance
14 Where wide sky rolls down
15 You servants of God
16 Love divine, all loves excelling
17 Glory to God on High
18 I will sing the wondrous story
19 We have a gospel to proclaim
20 When pain and terror strike
21 Joy to the world
1 While shepherds watched
2 At the cross her vigil keeping
3 God is gone up on high
4 Now the green blade rises
5 At the dawning of salvation
6 Lord your almighty word
7 Worship the Lord in the beauty
8 Your hand, O God, has guided
9 The church’s one foundation
10 The day you gave us
11 Rejoice in God’s saints
12 Community of Christ
13 I bind unto myself today
14 Hallelujah! sing to Jesus
15 An upper room
16 I heard the voice of Jesus say
17 What a friend we have in Jesus
18 Jesus Christ is waiting
19 A new commandment
20 Darkness lay upon the waters
Oxford University Press publishes most of the carols the world knows and loves — the one that has just popped into your head is probably one of theirs — with newly-composed Christmas titles added every year. Their top 20 Christmas Carols according to orders and rights requests are: 1. Shepherd’s pipe carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 2. Hark! the herald-angels sing — Mendelssohn arr. David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 3. The twelve days of Christmas — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 4. Star Carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 5. O come, all ye faithful — David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 6. Once in royal David’s city — Gauntlett arr. David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 7. Angels’ Carol — John Rutter 8. Candlelight Carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 5 9. Jingle bells — Pierpont arr. David Willcocks, from 100 Carols for Choirs 10. O little town of Bethlehem — Vaughan Williams, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 11. A merry Christmas — arr. Arthur Warrell, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs 12. Jesus Child — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 13. Nativity carol — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 14. O Holy Night, Adolphe — arr. John Rutter 15. I saw three ships — John Rutter, from Carols for Choirs 3 and 100 Carols for Choirs 16. Ding dong! Merrily on high — David Willcocks, from Carols for Choirs 2 and 100 Carols for Choirs 17. Joy to the world — John Rutter, from 100 Carols for Choirs 18. On Christmas Night – Bob Chilcott 19. What sweeter music — John Rutter 20. The shepherd’s farewell — Hector Berlioz, from Carols for Choirs 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs - For more information visit: Oxford University Press
