I've always admired David, the first songwriter-music director. It is so endearing the way he gets the people involved, especially when he 'put forward' the little tribe of Benjamin up front in the big procession. Such an organizer he is! Here it is in Psalm 68.

• Singers are in front, musicians behind;
  between them are young women playing tambourines.
  
  
• Praise God, all you people of Israel; 
  praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life.
  
  
• Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way.
  Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.

It always gives us pleasure to bring the people in the congregation forward, get them involved. They sing so well and with meaning, if we as music directors provide the back up for them--the confidence that a strong piano or organ or instruments is faithfully with them as they sing, serving them, helping them, to worship. Are they functioning as 'the audience' while the theatrically oriented service looks to the stage for the center of attention? Not so! The center must always be the people themselves sending their praises upward for the ear of our Lord to hear.

When I plan music for a congregation, then observe them as they quietly gather at the appointed hour, many times I feel a deep compassion for them as I think of the conditions from which they may have come. There are those who were tempted to just stay home. Too tired...too heavy a load. But then, they got ready and came anyway, harboring in their hearts some heavy burden or great need. But not a word will be heard from them about it.

Here's where we can help. They need to rekindle that communication with their God. Once the introduction to a great hymn or praise song is played, it is music to my ears to hear their voices rising up around my shoulders past my ears and into the heavens. There! It is happening once again.

The hymn accompaniments on www.HymnServe.com are made to help the people to be able to sing with meaning and confidence as described above. Your selections can be made to correspond with what you know about the theme of the day to be. If you don't know that, you can always ask for wisdom in prayer to be able to select the best ones for that time. When you are ready to order from the website, click beside the accompaniments you want, and follow the directions on through the web site. Once you see the songs on your computer after you have downloaded them, you will need to burn a cd, put it in your cd player or sound system, and you are ready to go. Feel free to email us at orders@hymnserve.com if you have any questions.

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A New Music CD for the Sick, the Depressed, Older Persons, or those Grieving

To introduce to you the new CD, "A New Song in the Morning," I want to turn back toward David again. David, is a fine role model for all of us as music directors. You may have arrived at your position in a similar way that he did. One has only to know that he had hours and hours of time out alone with the sheep as a boy. There he could practice on his 'guitar' or older type stringed instrument, the harp.

David's skill borne of those hours of practice out in the fields found its mark years later when the King Solomon would get so agitated that his staff didn't know what to do. Even back then, they knew the power of inspired music. They would call David to play his harp and calm would settle over the King.

We have observed this unusual occurrence too. While the anxiety of people rages in the day in which we live, they can receive healing, comfort, and uplift from certain music. "A New Song in the Morning" is a new CD that is helping those who are dealing with an extreme stress, either their own or that of a loved one.

These gentle songs have been placed in hospital gift shops and in hospice locations and are being used by Stephen ministries in churches. We feel helpless sometimes as to what we can bring as a gift to people in these situations. "A New Song in the Morning" CD is an ideal possibility. Some people get multiple copies, one for every member of their family and certain friends.

When this group of songs was recorded, it was just a matter of a door opening and obeying by walking through it. Now, it is becoming more clear what the purpose is for this music. Most of the songs you haven't heard before. They were gifts from Above during some times in my life that were filled with difficulty. I never aspired to be a composer or songwriter. No, they just dropped into my thinking by the Great Comforter, words from Jesus, just for me. They will always be sung, just for Him. And now, these words can comfort others too. You can download all or some the songs from the CD on this website. If you would like the CD itself you can find it at www.Amazon.com. Those who need to get multiple copies at bulk rate can contact us at orders@hymnserve.com.