Kim Gentes

The new album "All Sons and Daughters: Live" is a beautiful collection of fresh songs, done with wholehearted devotion. [a full review of this album will be coming soon to this blog]

One of my favorite songs on that album is "My God My King". A simple song of devotion, declaration and Psalm-like surrender from our heart to the King. As with other songs on this album, I found myself getting out my guitar and playing along. As the crisp lyrics rose of out my heart I was reminded of Psalm 9 and the similar theme and words used there to express thanks and praise.

I love where it echos that thanksgiving for God's goodness :

For You've been good always
You're good always

I encourage you to download BOTH the mp3 and the chord chart and engage with this song. Many thanks to my friends at Integrity Music for giving us permission to post this.

Below you will find download links for both the PDF chord chart and the mp3 audio file.

Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "My God My King" from Integrity Music

"My God My King" Already in WorshipTeam.com

This song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes 

[This free download has expired.]

As one looks through the Biblical record, we see an amazing series of real lives. Some resounding with hope, some with triumph, some hurting and some broken. Amidst these poignant moments, we see the real story of God's love and power bursting on to the scene, intervening to bring His presence and justice.

It is this thread of mercy and justice that rises up in us, as God gives us strength that gives songs like "All the Poor and Powerless". This is a song pointing us to a desire to see the justice of the kingdom come to the aid of the poor and powerless. And for the hearts of every human, regardless of their place in life to come to a recognition of the Holy One and sing out "Hallelujah". David Leonard and Leslie Jordan have penned this melancholy tune that displays both of the need of humanity and holy and worth character of God.

What really gripped me about this song, was getting out my guitar and starting to play along and sing this song. The lyrics begin to leap off the page and you realize what you are singing. It sinks deep into your heart and flows back up as a declaration, and a realization that on that day :

We will sing out "Hallelujah".

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Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments below) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "All the Poor and Powerless" from Integrity Music

"All the Poor and Powerless" Already in WorshipTeam.com

This song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes 

This week I was researching in preparation for Easter, hoping to find some great resources that we could highlight here. One resource that I found is a truly great new song from our friends at Hillsong Australia. The song called "Man of Sorrows" is a brilliant combination of theological verses about the betrayed, suffering, killed and finally ressurected Christ, who is glorified with praise in a vibrant chorus

"Now my soul cries out
'Hallelujah! Praise and honour unto Thee.'"

"Man of Sorrows" is a single they are going to release on an album later in July of this year. But, they have released the song early since it is really an Easter song. I love it. Musically, this song is arranged straightforward, cadenced slightly with guitar overlays that make it "hymn-like", if that can be a style. Very singable, but with a style and lyrics that resound to the authority of Christ as He rises from the grave in the triumph of Easter. The lyrics borrow from allusions to Philip Bliss' "Hallelujah What a Savior" and tacitly to George Bernard's "The Old Rugged Cross". But more than direct quotes, "Man of Sorrows" uses punctuated lingual style and phrases of the hymns ("to that tree", "on Jesus laid", "honour unto Thee", "is free indeed", "His own betrayed") that will endear the song both to those who love traditional hymn-style and to the newer power of the great modern choruses.

This is a wonderful song that can be opened up to full engagement by a congregation, whether just with a guitar or a full band or a whole choir- a wonderful worship experience. It is a standout strong song, that can easily be adapted and used in most churches. This is especially true with Easter Sunday just a couple weeks away. Something to definitely consider for that "big Easter" song that everyone can join in with, be surprised  (shouldn't there be some "surprise" in our Easter!) with and celebrate the Resurrection with!

Below you will find download links for both the PDF lead line sheet music and the mp3 audio file.

We hope you find it helpful for this season.

Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments below) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "Man of Sorrows" from Hillsong

"Man of Sorrows" Already in WorshipTeam.com

This song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes 

Our friends at Hillsong Australia contacted us this week wondering if our readers might be interested in getting a free MP3 and sheet music copy of their new song "Cornerstone".

Of course, I was happy to say "yes!"

Based on the hymn "The Solid Rock", Cornerstone is a brilliant anthem of Christ's Lordship, which is perfect for the glorious celebrations coming up for our Easter Sunday's.

Below you will find download links for both the PDF lead line sheet music and the mp3 audio file.

We hope you find it helpful for this season.

Be sure to chime in and let us know what you thought (post comments below) and you are welcome to share this with friends on Facebook and twitter with your friends. 

Free Song Download "Cornerstone" from Hillsong

"Cornerstone" Already in WorshipTeam.com

Thanks to our friends at Hillsong Australia, this song has been pre-loaded for all those who use Worshipteam.com for their worship planning. You can include it in your set planning this week! If you are a member, simply login and find it in the song database, or under "New Songs" tab. If you aren't a member, you can check out Worshipteam.com for free for a month (more info here).

Article by Kim Gentes 

We are all too often carried away by the complexities of modern music production and arrangements, and drawn away from the simplicity of both a song lyric and melody.  The purpose of a song is, after all, to draw lyric and music into a partnership and deliver a singular, powerful message. When a song does this, it becomes our song, our anthem, our community script for things we previously lacked the ability to say well together.

As Advent Season is upon us, I had the opportunity to hear a beautiful song that so perfectly punctuates the clarity of this season it instantly captured my heart in worship.  Through the song I was drawn up in waiting, in desire and returned powerfully to the coming kingship of the Christ as the song became my declaration of preparation for Emmanuel.  Because the song is so poignant and timely, I asked the writer, Darrell Harris, if I could share it with others. He graciously consented, and so I am delighted to present his song "As We Wait" below for you.

Simple, yearning, stark- its a delightful song in the hopeful pattern of the advent season. Feel free to use this resource. Below are three links: the mp3 audio demonstration, a basic PDF leadsheet, and the PDF SATB sheet music. If you choose to use this song, please respect the request of the authors and record any usage of this song in your regular CCLI reports.

As We Wait
by Darrell Harris & Tyra Neftzger
© 2011 Fields of Gold Publishing, Inc. and Petaluma Music ASCAP.  ALLRIGHTS RESERVED

• Listening Audio Demonstration (Download MP3)
• Basic Lead Sheet (Download PDF)
• SATB Sheet Music (Download PDF)

Again, a heartfelt "Thank you" to Darrell Harris for sharing his fine song for the blessing of the broader church! 

With you in Hope 
Kim Gentes