Grace Community Church Christmas Concert, Christmas Music, and a Song of Christian Encouragement

Grace Community Church Concert & Christmas Music MP3 Album

Grace Community Church in Southern California has Christmas concerts every year, and this year they are scheduled to stream the one on December 17th.  I look forward to watching the stream online each year.  

The time it is scheduled for is: 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern (U.S.) / 2 AM on the 18th GMT.  Don't miss it!  Look for the choice of Livestream links on the Concert Page Here.

I also discovered a Christmas album on the church's site called A Church Notes Christmas that has a few Christmas songs available.   

Music to Encourage Christians in Troubling Times

The following music has lyrics, so you may be able to sing along!

Christmas Music & Church Music Discernment

Christmas Music

Charlotte Ryerson has an album out that includes a few songs for Christmas (along with a narration by Jack Ryerson).  It's called Friends of The Christ.  I found it worth a listen, and I've listened to the music again since the first time!

You can listen HERE.

Music Churches Should Avoid

In October, a couple of pastors talked with each other on a podcast about what kinds of music should be sung in church (and what music it would be best to avoid).  I recommend this podcast.

Music & The Lord's Day Worship (Nathaniel Jolly & Ekkie Tepsupornchai)

An Old Hymn

I have shared some music by Darby Hughes in the past, and I just found that he has done some new recordings including a couple of Christmas songs.  The following is one of them.  If you like it, you can go to the site to see more.

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"

Random Eclectic Edifying Christian Music

I grew up listening to a lot of music.
A lot of it had the Christian label, and some of the best lyrics came from Steve Camp.
I saw him in concert maybe three or four times, and went up to meet him once at Grace Community Church when he was there.
While at this point I don't believe he is Biblically qualified as a pastor (though I don't blame him for what was not his fault...and realize others don't share my understanding),
I really love a lot of his lyrics from the past.
He is surely a brother in Christ from all I've heard and read, and this is nostalgic for me.
I hope you enjoy it.  If you don't, try the songs below.



I really enjoyed this bit of music.
If you need some soothing, this will help...unless you hate the saxophone!

The lyrics on this song made it worth sharing, though the ending was not my taste in music.
The first verses I can identify with.  I often feel my faith is weak.

God's Not Dead Music Video

This may not be heavy on Theology, but I enjoy listening to this song by the newer Newsboys (which is what I consider them). 

The group is definitely different without Peter Furler, so I'm glad Peter is singing again solo. 
I really enjoy Peter's solo album On Fire from last year (2011). 

Michael Tait has a nice voice, but I still think of him more as a DC Talk singer.

Biblically-Anemic Preaching: The Devastating Consequences of a Watered-Down Message

Churches so often have entertainment to try to bring people in. That can often water down the message to the level of watching an entertaining TV program that may make it seem ludicrous rather than serious. Some church programs and events I feel are actually are more of a turn off or lead to easy believism, and there have been some that I have actually walked out of with the bad language, etc., that upset me. Skits, plays, the social gospel or spending a lot of time on politics and Americanism in an actual church service doesn't help me or anybody else to grow spiritually.

I've been in a couple of churches where the music was so loud that I was afraid my hearing was getting more damaged...literally. It certainly didn't help me to worship better. In fact, I went outside to listen once or twice.
A lot of "worship" songs and even some old hymns out there have shallow and/or unBiblical lyrics which make me cringe.
Some song lyrics are even shallow to the point of devaluing Jesus in the minds of the singers and listeners.
I know there are some good songs out there with Biblical lyrics and tunes...don't get me wrong. The problem is that music directors in churches do not always have the discernment to know which songs are doctrinally sound and which are way off. They also don't all consider what will help the most number of people to actually think about the words instead of being annoyed by the music.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,
and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and
marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 NASB

I found the following article hard hitting and helpful on what to look for in a pastor. It's also very helpful for pastors to read as well...if you know one that you'd like to share it with.
It's about how preaching should be about God and the Bible instead of self, entertainment, and sticking on superficial bandages. Novel idea these days, huh?
Please check out the link:

Biblically-Anemic Preaching: The Devastating Consequences of a Watered-Down Message

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6 NASB