Supplement 33 recorded LIVE at Crossway, Melbourne

"Above All" is the latest Resource release - the "Best of the Best" praise and worship songs, chosen from several hundred of the latest songs from Australia and worldwide.
It was recorded live with a mass choir and a congregation of about 800 people at Crossway Baptist in Melbourne. The songs are refreshing, inspiring, contemporary, a reflection of the dynamic praise and worship that has swept into churches of all denominations in recent years.

They are available in the usual CD, cassette, music book (full piano plus simplified), split track CD, midi file and words sheet, plus a video put together by the Crossway audio / visual team. OHPTs and Bb/Eb music are also available - you can now "make your own" from a CD-ROM.

After the event the choir was surveyed to see which were the favourite songs. While several songs stood out (as is usually the case) it was obvious that people have widely varying tastes, and not only related to age bracket.

The top five songs were, in order:

Above All, Agnus Dei, Worthy is the Lamb, You are My World and Cry Holy.

The full listing is below. Don't put off ordering your copy - click here or contact our office and we will send the material ASAP. May God pour his blessing and anointing on you as you listen to the songs and make his praise great.

929 Forever Chris Tomlin
A response song based on Psalm 107:1. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever". A good opening song of thanks and praise. Not difficult, bright, up-tempo.

930 Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing) Brenton Brown and Brian Doerksen
From Vineyard. Medium fast, focusing on the wonder of God's love. "Your love makes me sing, Hallelujah!"

931 God is Great Marty Sampson
In the congregational friendly key of F J The chorus is filled with simple excitement over the greatness of God. Fast, from Hillsong.

932 Send Me Michael Dalton
A strong mission focused song reminding that the onus for spreading the gospel is on us. Michael Dalton is a pastor from Norfolk Island. He wrote the popular "The Word is Out". Up tempo.

933 In Your Presence Mark Cullen
Also from OZ, a pretty song with a lilting melody, taking joy in the presence of God and his "haven of grace". Up tempo.

934 When All Is Said and Done Tommy Walker
Slow song, focusing on our desire to be with God. Touching words, typical of this inspiring writer.

935 Hear the Song of Heaven Nolene Prince
This song links the song of angels in heaven with our song on earth, reminding us of the big picture. Profound and moving. Medium pace.

936 Cry Holy Benjy Gaither and Marshall Hall
A strong, passionate chorus that sweeps you into its heart's cry: "All I can do is fall down on my knees and cry Holy!" Medium slow.

937 With One Voice Carl Laurens and Judson Field
Declaring the Lordship of Jesus and all that he is. Medium pace.

938 You are my world Marty Sampson
Particularly strong chorus, placing God at the centre of our existence. Medium pace, from Hillsong.

939 Worthy is the Lamb Darlene Zschech
A wonderful song, totally Christ centered. It reminds us of the cost to heaven for Jesus (the Darling of heaven) to be crucified.

940 Above All Paul Baloche and Lenny Le Blanc
A lovely, moving song, the choir's favourite. Strong and beautiful lyrics draw a picture of Jesus - above all, yet rejected and alone, trampled like a rose on the ground.

941 Agnus Dei Michael W Smith
Meaning "Lamb of God" this song has lain "dormant" for over 10 years, and is now an inspiration to worshippers everywhere. A lovely melody that gives such power to these simple words from the book of Revelation.

There are the songs! It is such a privilege to share them with you and to know that thousands of saints across Australia and other countries will use them to worship the one true God with one loud voice.

Dennis Prince

THE MAGIC OF A LIVE RECORDING

People who are in the know would march for a day to experience another live recording. If you can excuse the word, there is magic in the air. That magic, when it boils down, is of course the power of the Holy Spirit. Our souls crave for that blessed glory that falls so consistently when people unite to sing powerful songs of praise to God.

The unity is a key element - many people working together, giving their best for a great purpose, to record a bunch of songs that will inspire and bless thousands of people out there.

Months of preparation have gone into the event. Hundreds of songs sifted through to find the best, hours spent discussing their merits, their suitability for congregations, word content, musical qualities. Choir and piano arrangements worked out, demo tapes prepared and mailed to the volunteer choir. Musicians and singers carefully rehearsed. Mistakes are a no-no in live recordings.

What a buzz! Jesus is lifted up right from the start and the whole church responds in clapping and praising and singing. True rejoicing. In heaven it will probably be this way all the time, and much greater.

Meanwhile on earth we treasure these times and strive to make them our week by week experience.

Thanks to Crossway Baptist for hosting this recording "Above All". It was a glorious night. One visitor who had little experience visiting churches found the songs "very inspiring". He commented that he had never seen so many happy faces in one place and wondered if they would still be that way on Monday morning.

Our thoughts stray to Ephesians 5:18, 19 - "do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery, instead be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs." The world's best known way of getting happy is by drinking wine, which has its problems. Hangovers and cages of addiction lurk just around the corner. The Holy Spirit brings a glow without hangover and a freedom without equal.

So don't miss a live recording if you can avoid it, or any opportunity to worship God. It is our highest calling and offers great blessings from the hand of God for us to enjoy.