An Easy Way To Find Hymns For Family Worship

I didn't learn many hymns growing up. Our family rarely attended church.

But as a dad I am increasingly seeing the importance of exposing my children to the sacred music of our faith. Not just K-Love. I mean the God-centered worship songs form former generations who really knew God.

That's why I was excited to find the Reformed University Fellowship online hymnbook. They host a directory of hundred of solid Christ-exalting hymns. These are complete with lead sheets and Mp3 demonstrations. These are actual recordings of the first verse by a female soloist with an guitar accompaniment. This is a beautiful way to make these available to modern worship leaders. HT: Generations. Here is an example:

Be Thou My Vision

• Demo MP3
• Lead Sheet
• Overhead
• Chord Chart

1. Be Thou my vision,
O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me,
save that Thou art
Thou my best thought,
by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping,
Thy presence my light.

2. Be Thou my wisdom,
and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and
Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father,
and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling,
and I with Thee one.

3. Riches I heed not,
nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance,
now and always:
Thou and Thou only,
first in my heart,
High king of heaven,
my treasure Thou art.

4. High king of heaven,
my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys,
O bright heaven's sun!
Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
Still be my vision,
O ruler of all.

Public Domain

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Best Children's Worship I've Ever Heard

The Reformed Children's Pastor and wise parents are always looking for Children's Worship music that demonstrates both theological and musical excellence. I was thrilled this week when I found the Awesome God project from Sovereign Grace Music.

Their website has audio samples for every song. My CD arrived three days later. I hope to post more as we begin to use these songs at church.

Here is Dr. Bruce Ware (SBTS) raving about this CD:

SovereignGraceKids has produced an exceptionally rich and deeply edifying collection of children's music in its CD "Awesome God." The selections display a delightful variety of musical styles, all of which are very appealing and enjoyable. But despite this variety, there are two constants that run throughout all the songs: high quality and glorious, faithful biblical theology. The quality of musical composition, texts, voices, instrumentalists, soloists, group singing speak for themselves. Give this CD a 15 second test and you'll hear what is true throughout! It is an exceptionally well-done production, from beginning to end. But equally exceptional is the theology of these texts that have been written for our children to learn. I am thrilled to think of thousands of children hearing and singing and memorizing these song texts. They exalt God, they teach the gospel, they inspire faith, they humble human pride, and they bring great honor to Christ. Without a doubt, these are the kinds of songs our children – not to mention their parents! – can most benefit from. With all my heart, I commend "Awesome God" and its array of Bible-saturated beauty for the ears and hearts of Christian children.

Will The Next Generation Treasure Christ? is a dialog on reforming children’s ministry and equipping parents - for the glory of Christ and the joy of our children.

Singing the Psalms & Catechism

Here are two great CDs for family and private worship by Jim Scott Orrick. Dr. Orrick is Professor of Literature and Culture at Boyce College of Southern Baptist Seminary. BoyceCollege.com says, "Dr. Orrick's professional and academic careers have run in two confluent streams. For nearly 25 years he has been preaching and teaching the Bible, and he has served as pastor of churches in West Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri. At the same time his lifelong love for Literature and Language Arts has enriched his appreciation for God's Word and also enhanced his ability to interpret and communicate the Truth. He has taught in several colleges and universities."

Psalms for Worship Today, Psalm 27-34 verbatim.
Dr. Orrick writes, "It is my prayer that the LORD will once again hear millions of His people not just reading but singing His inspired Psalms in both public and private worship.” Samples available here. Also available is “plead” Psalm 35, 36 and 37 verbatim

Baptist Catechism Set to Music by Jim Scott Orrick CD | Founders Press$16.50 at Founders.org - Two CD's, with all 114 questions of the Baptist Catechism (a Reformed and Baptistic question & answer teaching tool) put to music, by a gifted songwriter. An excellent way to plant Biblical doctrine in your young child's heart. Note: many of these music pieces are very brief - just long enough to serve as a memory aid to the questions and answers. See text of the Baptist Catechism at: http://founders.org/library/pcat.html (written in 1813 by the Charleston Association) Dr. Orrick writes, "For most people it is much easier to memorize a text if it is set to music. In composing the tunes for The Baptist Catechism I have endeavored to make each tune simple, suited to the text, and capable of being sung without musical accompaniment. I have also tried to compose music that children and young people will enjoy singing." Samples are available here.

These CD's are also for sale at the SBTS bookstore.

I memorized the Baptist Catechism by simply listening in the car. What a treasure! They have been a great help for me at Seminary, in parenting and in ministry. I just purchased the psalms 27 – 34 CD and have already been blessed by it.

Review: Here I am to Worship for Kids (CD)

When I bought this CD I expected that it would help my kids to worship. What I didn’t expect was that it would provide a deep worship experience for me as well. I have been introducing these songs in our Children’s Church. They are age appropriate arrangements of many of the same modern worship songs our church loves. Another benefit was the reaction of my kids worship adult volunteers. With other music they had participated mainly to set a good example for the children. With these songs the grown-ups have a meaningful worship experience.

I would recommend this CD for family worship, children’s church or for the car. Songs include: Samples are available from the Amazon website.

1. Open The Eyes


2. He Reigns


3. Here I Am To Worship


4. Breathe


5. Better Is One Day


6. God Of Wonders


7. You Are My King


8. Above All


9. He Is Exalted


10. The Heart Of Worship