The Sunday Musician

I led worship again on Saturday night, and it had that after-the-party feel.  The dreamy Christmas lights were still up, and it was, as always, a small crowd.  Molly sang with me, and since everyone had gravitated to one side of the room (all 15 of them), we moved the music stands and stools over and faced that way.  After we started, more people came in and sat on the other side.  Oh well. 

Again I went completely unplugged.  We did the Tommy Walker song again:

--How Could I But Love You-- 

(I posted about this song a couple months ago, and threw in a youtube version of the song.  Click here if you missed it.)

Then, by myself I sang an old hymn to a wonderful new melody (by James Ward):

--Rock Of Ages--

I produced a track for a singer many years ago with this new melody, and I kept tearing up during the mixdown, and the song stuck with me.  The new melody completely ressurects the hymn--I highly recommend this for your congregation.  Click on the above link and you can get the CD (not sure which ones it's on).  Anyway, here are the lyrics:

Rock of ages, cleft for me

Let me hid myself in Thee

Let the water and the blood

From thy wounded side, which flowed

Be of sin the double cure

Cleanse me from it’s guilt

And it’s power

 

Nothing in my hands I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling

Naked, come to Thee for dress

Helpless, come to Thee for grace

Foul, I to the fountain fly

Wash me Savior, or I shall die

 

Not the labor of my hands

Could fulfill Thy laws demands

Could my zeal no respite know?

Could my tears forever flow?

All for sin could not atone

Thou must save, and Thou

Yes, Thou alone

 

When I draw my final breath

When my eyes, they close in death

When I soar to worlds unknown

And see Thee on Thy judgment throne

Rock of Ages, cleft for me

Let me hide myself in Thee

 

Then we did another hymn:

--Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty--

And closed with:

--I See The Lord-- (just the chorus)

Another quiet night on the corner of 9th & Central, where God did his thing, and I came away changed a little.

For those of you who love to hear new things, click here for 'Disappointing', by The Mona Reels.  Two of my daughters, and their friend Peter.  I'm so proud of them. 

(This post is part of Fred McKinnon's 'Sunday Set Lists', which you should check out)