Friends:

Welcome to the First Pres Contemporary Music email/blog, dedicated to enhancing your Contemporary Christian music experience!  We’re open to ideas about music items, so send them on.

In Christ,

Mark

mb@markbeccue.com

THIS WEEK: full team on!

SONG OF THE WEEK This week’s feature song is YOUR LOVE IS STRONG by Jon Foreman. From one of his four simultaneously released solo albums, SPRING, Foreman is the frontman of the groovy surf rock CCM band SWITCHFOOT. Are you ready for acoustic guitar and cello?  Musically I love the way this song builds and pays off during each chorus and then through the end of the song.   I was in the car one day when I caught the tail end of this song and it got my attention really quick, because it’s a prayer.  No really, literally a prayer – this guy had the chutzpah to weave the Lord’s Prayer into this song as the climax ending.  So here Foreman reminds us that God is all that we need.  My favorite part (other than the great build through the Lord’s Prayer) is the verse where he talks about what he sees and hears – the unparalleled beauty of God’s creation – an echo of Jesus’ famous “Lilies of the Field” conversation (Matthew 6:28), essentially the inspiration for the whole song.

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

(Chorus 3x)

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

You can hear YOUR LOVE IS STRONG here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301S7NgAkLs

SONGS THIS WEEK: Partial list includes BLESSED BE YOUR NAME, EVERY MOVE MEDLEY, SHOWER THE PEOPLE, WHO AM I

VERSE OF THE WEEK:

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?      – Matthew 6:28-30

SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS: No musical guests this week

FEATURED MUSIC Songs we are listening to – some for church, and some for just the fun of it.  Let us know what you think of them!

Seabird — DON’T YOU KNOW YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig6lbZKcFdQ

Joy Williams – ONE OF THOSE DAYS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynyA6qPjUpo

UPCOMING CONCERTS

HAITI RELIEF CONCERT with BARLOW GIRL, STELLAR KART, & VOTA – March 18, St. Andrews United Methodist Church Brandon, 813.689.6849

NEEDTOBREATHE – March 11, St. Pete.

JEREMY CAMP – March 19, Chasco Fiesta, New Port Richey, March 20 Victory Church Lakeland  1-866-440-7880

BECKAH SHAE –  April 10, Berean Academy, Lutz, 695-9255

First Pres’ own David Dunkel plays 70s era inspired Christian rock with SHEPHERD’S VIEW.  Check http://www.shepherdsview.com/schedule.php