Leadworship.com’s Great Resources

Song/Hymn-writer Paul Baloche’s website, www.leadworship.com, is an anamoly in the world of commercially successful Christian artists.  Like a precious few others, he likes to offer songs and lead sheets for free!  He seems to get it, that these songs of worship – as in the days of Watts, Wesley and Fanny Crosby, need to be “out there” for the Body to use.  He also has a heart for making sure people learn from him, so he has many good “Thoughts on Worship”.

I want to specifically point you to his free songbook page.  For the non-musician, he has many full tracks you can listen to and be encouraged by (and may I encourage you to then go and buy one of his CDs, because you will be glad you did!).  For the church or private musician, most of his songs have available chord charts and lead sheets to download and use.  Of course, if you use them in worship, please be sure to give him proper credit and report the use to CCLI.

One of the neatest things about the songbook online is Paul’s sense of the seasonal.  He has placed songs for the Easter Season right there on top so you can access them.  A personal favorite right now is Great Redeemer, but there are many others worth giving a listen to!

Be blessed and equipped by this great resource!

A Series from the Psalms #3: “Meet with You” (Psalm 22, 42:1-2)

Even as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, hailed as king with loud choruses of “Hosanna”, I am sure the loneliness of Gethsemane (and, ultimately, of the Father’s face turning away as He hung upon the cross) began to weigh on Him.

• Listen to “Meet with You” featuring Kim Baysinger.
• Print and save the sheet music for “Meet with You”.

That brings me to this, perhaps the loneliest, most yearning and honest of all the songs I’ve yet written. I wrote it for a friend who was going through a very tough time – sitting in an Ohio prison and full of questions for God. I know I could never get into his shoes quite enough to do that experience justice, but this was my humble attempt.

Thankfully, as I write this, my friend is out of prison, in a good church and a healthy relationship, has a job and has seen God’s mercy work wonders in his life. Perhaps, however, with the reminder that Jesus does indeed understand – and care about – our loneliness, this song will minister to someone you know…

In His Peace,
Fisher

A Series from the Psalms #2: “Maker” (Psalm 121)

• Listen to “Maker”.
• Print the lead sheet for “Maker”.

Before I had ever heard anyone else do Psalm 121 (“I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from?”), I wrote this, rather early both in my songwriting and Christian life. In fact, it’s the second song I ever finished writing for the LORD.  My good friend, Tom Helm, helped me with the bridge.

I find it amusing that – having written it as a bit of a rocker, and one derivative of Jethro Tull! – all other renditions of Psalm 121 are done slowly, with reverence and not a hint of 70s art-rock!

Ah, well! Here’s to a different take on the Psalm. Enjoy.

A Series from the Psalms: “A Meditation on Psalm 119″

I’ve been inspired – as have many songwriters – to write songs based on a number of the Psalms. I decided that this, the second half of Lent, would be a great time to introduce them in a short series. I think I’ll try to do several in the next week or two, as Lent fades into Holy Week…

Today’s song is called “A Meditation on Psalm 119″:

• Listen to “A Meditation on Psalm 119″

• Chord chart for “A Meditation on Psalm 119″

• Transcription of the flute part

I wrote this song waaaaaay back in 1999, while we were living and serving at Chicago’s Holy Trinity Church. As I’ve said before, the pastors, David Helm and Jon Dennis were amazingly forward-thinking in utilizing the gifts and talents of almost everybody at the church – certainly everyone who was willing. I am eternally thankful for that kind of encouragement.

I had been reading Psalm 119, thinking it would make great fertile soil for a song – or a whole album!

When I recorded it, I was blessed to be accompanied by two amazing talents: Jennifer Atala on the flute and the wonderful voice of my good friend, Gwen Camera. I’ve sung this song with others, but this original version has a special place in my heart.

A Meditation on Psalm 119 by Thomas George Fisher is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://blendedworship.wordpress.com.

Song of the Week: “Thanks Be to God”

done

Thanks Be to God – Lead Sheet for Voice and Guitar

I lead music in three of the four chapel services we have weekly at our school: lower elementary, upper elementary and middle school (the high school, for better or for worse, is pretty much doing it on their own).

In our liturgically-starved environment, I like to bring little moments of reverence and consistency into the worship setting, and it’s surprisingly easy and well-received.

At my first-ever Anglican church experience (Church of the Resurrection, near Chicago) my then-girlfriend/now-wife, Anne led children’s church. It was an odd, yet rich and beautiful experience for me to see. One of the things I learned was how the kids were led into and out of the reading of God’s Word, with a little song – “This is the word of the Lord, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks be to God” (before) and “Thanks be to God for the reading of His Word; thank You, God, thank You, God” (after).

For the youngest group at our school, I began using that exact tune (which I’ll post sometime, because it’s really sweet and easy for the kiddos to learn!), but for the upper elementary, I wanted something a little less sing-songy, so I created the simple tune you hear on the video above.

It’s the first of several liturgical songs I’ll post in the coming weeks. I hope you can use them or – better – be inspired to sing these ancient words with your own tune!

In His Peace,
Tom

Song of the… week… “Even Now”

Okay, I’ve been busy and not had much chance to upload songs as consistently as I wanted.  But, as we moved into the second week of Advent and our thoughts turn to Christmas, I thought I should share my Christmas songs.  I wrote this song more than a decade ago.  It’s a bit of journey back to the manger, and the many blessed visitors of our Lord.  I hope it blesses you.  If you find an opportunity to use it, sing it during the Advent / Christmas season, I’d love to hear about it!  In His Peace…

tom-fisher-even-now (Listen)
even-now (Sheet music)

Even now, He is enthroned in His mama Mary’s arms,
Little Child, tiny King, crowned in softest heaven’s light.

Even now, He is enshrined there in Joseph’s joyful eyes;
So much more is this Gift than this pair shall ever know.

Baby Child, from the pure womb of Love,
Born into a world so cold,
Bring the warm light of heaven even now, even now.

Even now, His people come with meager gifts and precious gold;
Little thought have they all of the gift He brings the soul.

Even now, the blessed come, the poor in spirit, cold and weak;
For the meek come to see that which herald angels speak:

Holy Child, eternal Word of God,
In swaddling clothes, the Word made flesh,
Speak the words of salvation, even now…

For even now, the Tree is growing,
Where He’ll one day give His life;
And even now, the hill Golgotha
Waits with darkest patience, biding time;
And even now, the crowds in cradles,
Who will one day cry,
“Crucify, crucify, crucify!”
And even now, He is the perfect sacrifice.

And even now, in prophecy*, the ages hear their longing call:
Hope newborn, love given form, this little Child is Lord of all.
From the Throne to flesh and bone, this little Child is Lord of all.

(Lord of all, Lord of all, Lord of all, even now.)

Words and Music by Tom Fisher
(To see copyright [cc] info, please see below.)

Prayer with Avery: an excerpt

Okay, so we’re doing our Saturday morning prayer time.  Avery says, “I have a song.”  Okeedokee, I think.  This oughta be good (as it usually is; though adopted, she has my songwriting gene).

“This is my Father’s world, so sing to Him a prayer.  The trees and bees, but we don’t know bees, so sing hallelula.  This is my Father’s work, so to tell Him all your problems.  The bees they sing, but we don’t know bees, so sing your song to the Lord.” (and of course, “Lord” is pronounced with a “w”).

And on, and on, and on.  Apparently, my theology had been devoid of the non-knowledge of bees all this time!  Thank you, daughter.

Songwriters (and NONsongwriters) wanted…

Hi! If you are on Facebook (or if you would like to be), I’d like to invite folks to a) join my Group of Worship Songwriters and b) participate in a little songwriting experiment (no songwriting experience or musical talent required; just a heart for God!).

Click on over to this Facebook discussion to join the experiment! Thanks!