I have added a new feature to my BLOG. At the bottom of the right column is a box where you can download files that I have posted for general use and distribution. There are two files right now. One is the revised lectionary from our Synod that goes with the Hymnal Supplement and the other is an EXCEL database of contemporary songs that has been compiled by BLOG reader and member of Mt. Olive Lutheran in Appleton, WI – John Kehl. John has listed many CCM songs, rated them for their lyrical content, identified themes, and included publisher information. It’s a great resource and thanks go to John for sharing. By the way, John’s band is known as “Joyful Noise” check them out if you are in or near Appleton.
Archive for Resources
Files for Download
Which contemporary songbook?
Has your church considered using a contemporary songbook to supplement your hymnal? These books are great for fellowship events, teen and youth outings, or the occasional contemporary or blended worship service. I’d like to highlight two good songbook candidates; we use both at Messiah. The first is an NPH product called “Let All the People Praise You” (LAPPY). The advantages of this book are:
- The song lyrics have been reviewed by WELS personnel.
- The Pew songbooks include full piano score notation.
- The spiral binder is rugged.
- The songs have been simplified for congregational singing (typically the bridges have been omitted)
The disadvantages of this book are:
- Most of the songs don’t include guitar chords.
- Those that do include chords, have not been transcribed with CAPO recommendations for keys that are difficult to play on the guitar..
Here is a link to this songbook:
http://online.nph.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?10418&productID=033018
The second songbook that I would recommend is “the Best of the Best in Contemporary Praise and Worship” (BOB).
The advantages of this book are:
- Full guitar notation.
- All songs have been transcribed into guitar friendly chords.
The disadvantages are:
- The “perfect bound” book style for the pew edition is not as rugged as the NPH product.
- The pew editions have only lead sheets (melody notation).
Here is a link to this songbook:
http://www.thefellowship.com/FS/fullbob.html
If you haven’t made a purchase yet, my recommendation would be to go with the LAPPY songbook if you only have piano accompaniment but go with the BOB songbook if you have guitars as well.
I was wondering how many WELS churches are using these products. Would you consider taking an anonymous poll by following this link (it’s 3 questions and takes less than one minute)?
http://www.polldaddy.com/s/48BC29EB06072D8D/
“SonSongs”
A worship coordinator at ”Living Word Lutheran Church” in Waukesha, Wisconsin contacted me recently to share a WEB resource that he has been working on. His band is called the “Heralds” and he has been building a library of music which is basically a collection of hymns from our Lutheran Hymnal (Christian Worship) that he has added Praise band accompaniment notation to, including guitar chords and some have bass guitar as well. His library is large and still growing. You will need some software known as “Finale” to read and print music from his site but this is a free download which you can get by following this link:
http://www.finalemusic.com/store/search.aspx?p=3
(choose “Finale Reader” as the product)
The website of new hymn arrangements can be found at this link:
http://www.freewebs.com/sonsongs/
Pastors – please consider sharing this BLOG post with your musicians; especially those “closet guitarists” who have not yet used their musical gifts to bring glory to His name.
