Okay, so I’m a bit proud…
After months and months of careful work I am so pleased to announce that Lamb of God’s very first worship album is completed.
Very big thanks and cudos to our own Ben Stamper. He is a true utility man. He wrote 9 of the 11 songs. He played and sang on every song, he produced, engineered and like a father nursed this project from the earliest idea to hand delivering it to the disc maker last week. I can’t tell you how many hours he put in on it, but the number is crazy. I know for a fact during the last week of mixdown and mastering he spent at least one all-nighter working on bringing the project in on time. Ben, I love you man, great, great work.
There are many others to thank. Of course the worship team, and all the guests players and a huge contribution from Vesper in terms of vocals and vocal arrangements. Thanks Vesper!
The brilliant multi-instrumentalist Jake Armerding laid down some really tasty fiddle and mandolin. The guy is a real genius on his instruments. Bill Stauffer (West Essex Baptist) did some sweet piano work, and Milton Hobbs (New Covenant Church) played some great Hammond B-3 on the recording. Jenny Shannon turned in a steller performance on Page Malbrough’s song ‘Wave after Wave’ - thanks Jenny! I’m not going to mention every single person who contributed (they are credited on the CD), but it was a team effort, for sure.
Not the least, in terms of contribution was made by Todd Polyniak who helped to raise the funds necessary to make this thing a reality. Lamb of God’s studio called ‘Dust and Guitars’ (the two things is has lots of) became a reality in a large part because of Todd’s commitment to make it happen. Thanks bro!
But the thing that makes me most happy is that these songs represent a snapshot of our life as a worshipping community. We actually sing these songs. They are a picture of who we are and where we are at as a community. They reflect a deeper commitment to prayer, to seeking God for revival and to a move toward greater intimacy with Jesus. This recording (which I think is excellent, but you judge for yourself), is a document of a worshipping community, and that gives me great delight. The songs say, each in their own way - Jesus, we love you and welcome you to do your will among us! The songs glorify God, and point the heart and mind toward Him. There are moments in the recording where - bam! something of heaven breaks through and it lifts you out of this world and into the presence of the Lord.
We will have the CD’s available next Sunday (April 13th). We have made a commitment to tithe on the proceeds from the sale, and devote that money to missions. Remaining proceeds from the sale of the CD will also be used to pave the way for the next Worship CD which we hope to begin working on sometime in late 2008, early 2009.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
What a beautiful and mysterious God we have, who would delight in the praises of His people. When we sing, or make a glad noise of any kind, the infinite and holy God-man is filled with total pleasure. Listen to this:
“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.” Luke 12.37-38
Fall down before Him then, and let the flask of your life shatter at His feet, and the costly oil pour out at His feet, how beautiful are the feet of our Rabbi and Messiah. There is none to compare Him to, so let your will be “wasted” in adoration of the master, the Bridegroom who is coming with eyes aflame and a sharp sword coming out of His mouth and seven stars in His hand. This same one pursues you in your weakness. Surrender to the Lion who is the Lamb. Wait expectantly for the Lamb who is the Lion. He rides forth on a white horse with a name inscribed that no one knows but He himself. His robe is dipped in the blood of His enemies, and a heavenly host rides behind Him dressed in pure linen. We are the Bride of Christ the King! Let us worship Him alone with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.
April 5th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Let me tell you what a privilege it is to be connected to such wonderful group of amazing people. In my life I have loved a lot of Christians who didn’t go to my church, but I have never before been so blessed by so many people from one church. The Lord is at work at Lamb (as if you needed me to tell you that!)
Playing on the album was a treat, but it’s really only the tip of the iceberg. God let’s me hang with Troy an Noelle every week and learn from them as they love on kids. God let’s me pray with Troy, Scott, and Ben every week (and many others of you not quite so often) and seek the face of the Father together. God let’s me be shaped as a worshiper and worship leader through listening to and playing with Ben, Vesper, Kevin, Scott, Eve, Kyle, Yvonne, Scott B, Seton, Noelle - you get the idea.
By God’s grace and mercy I am a better pastor, a more honest man, a deeper-loving husband, and a simpler, more wide-eyed child of God because of knowing all of you at Lamb and serving Jesus with you.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
April 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Bill S. - one cool guy.