Love Divine: Songs of Charles Wesley
When it comes to fathers of the modern worship movement, some of them are way older than you’d think. Take Charles Wesley (1707-1788): prolific, profound and as powerful today as ever. Love Divine: The Hymns of Charles Wesley for Today's Generation is a new compilation that unites this great father of worship with some of his descendants.
From ‘I Know That My Redeemer Lives’ to ‘O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing’ and ‘Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus’, Love Divine shows that while nearly 300 years may have passed since Wesley’s songs were first shared, they remain as powerful as ever today!
Each of the thirteen tracks on Love Divine has been written and arranged by Chris Eaton and John Hartley, and recorded by some of the leading contemporary singers/worship leaders today, including: Tim Hughes, Brenton Brown, Aaron Keyes, Brian and Jenn Johnson (Bethel Live), Chris Eaton, Chris McClarney, Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala (Jesus Culture), Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Jason Roy (Building 429), John Ellis (Tree63), and Mark Roach.
“Our church society throughout the world has maybe become too ‘familiar’ in our expression of worship at times,” says Chris Eaton. “I longed to paint a musical picture in production of these new melodies that truly enhances the text, born out of great liturgy, so that our modern experience of worship links us directly to the passion of the early hymn writers. John Hartley shared my vision, and we set about finding great hymns of faith and writing new music to enhance worship experiences of each personal heart, within local church congregations. I believe that God will powerfully use music such as this to change our hearts, and our world.”
“Each of the singers on the resulting recording drank deep from Wesley’s well and came up with some stunning covers,” says John Hartley, who also produced the album. “Wesley’s legacy remains a powerful force for good upon the church.”
Having written and published well over six thousand songs during his lifetime, 150 of Wesley’s songs are found in the Methodist Hymns and Psalms hymnbook, and in the three centuries that have passed since his birth, few hymn writers have exceeded his output. Charles Wesley’s hymns enabled the church of the time to remember and experience the Bible, even if they were unable to read it.
“Love Divine unites a distant age and contemporary society,” continues Hartley. “This album has plenty of curb appeal, but dive into the tracks themselves and the real power is clear. Love Divine may be rooted in a time before the Industrial Revolution, but Wesley’s songs can be communicated with just as much passion and purpose as when they were first aired.”
“Charles Wesley is such an inspiration to any modern songwriter. The depth and power of his songs continue to be relevant and inspiring for worshippers today.” –Tim Hughes
“This project gave us the express opportunity to release the powerful truths that Charles Wesley preached, in the context of worship.”
–Brian and Jenn Johnson
“I am so happy to be a part of this project and to sing a hymn by the legendary Charles Wesley!” –Leigh Nash
“So many of Wesley’s hymns absolutely wreck me; I literally can hardly sing through them without breaking into tears. I’m so grateful for these new and fresh arrangements of such rich and ancient content.”
–Aaron Keyes
Love Divine:The Songs of Charles Wesley for Today's Generation includes:
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives – Tim Hughes• Rejoice! The Lord Is King – John Ellis• And Can It Be – Jason Roy• Jesus, We Look to Thee – Kim Walker-Smith• Jesus, Lover of My Soul – Chris Eaton• Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – Brian Johnson• Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above – Leigh Nash• Jesus, the Name High over All – Chris Quilala• O for a Thousand Tongues To Sing – Chris McClarney• Love Divine – Jenn Johnson• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today – Aaron Keyes• Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies – Mark Roach• Oh, For A Heart to Praise My God – Brenton Brown
We pray these songs will find a welcome home in your church's worship repertoire!
Info
Your FREE download includes:
• full audio recordings and• SuperChart lead sheets (in all 12 keys) for these FOUR songs:
REJOICE! THE LORD IS KING
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES
PRAISE THE LORD WHO REIGNS ABOVE, and
JESUS, THE NAME HIGH OVER ALL–
as well as lyric sheets for all 13 songs!
Links
Buy the full project on CD at Kingsway Music Store.
Buy individual tracks or SuperCharts (annotated lead sheets in all 12 keys!) for all 13 songs at LifeWayWorship.com.
Check out all the worship resources Kingsway has to offer at Kingswayworship.com!
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