The recording project is still underway and we will be having our next rehearsal on 9th November.
I didn’t realise when I started this just how much work was involved, especially when you are not a band playing the songs together on a regular basis. I’ve also struggled to be able to convey my musical ideas to the talented bunch of people who have given up their time to help me on this.
So the recording itself will, in all likelihood not happen this year, but early next year. I do plan on releasing demos and such from the sessions so you can hear how we are getting on.
Here are few photos, all taken by our drummer/keys/photographer, Stephen.
TosinTrevorFrom L to R, Tosin, Sian, Me Shola, Leke.Me, Sian, Tolu and Shola.
On Saturday we have our next worship evening. The theme is based on James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
I will be using a new song as a call to worship and to give everyone a heads up I am sharing it hear. The recording is just me and my phone, but its all that is really needed to learn the song.
Come to me
Come to me all who me who are weary
And I will give you rest
Come to me all who me who are weary
And be revived in me
Come to me….
Come to me…
Come to me all who are thirsty
And drink your fill in me
Come to me all who are thirsty
And be refreshed in me
Come to me….
Come to me…
Lord I am weary
Longing for You
Lord I am thirsty
Thirsty for you
The crowdfunding page for my recording project is now live.
I’m really excited about this because people have been asking me where they can get copies of my songs for a few years now. It will be great to be able to let them know I now have some stuff recorded.
Its a project that needs your support to help make it happen so please give as little or as much as you are able to. Every pound raised will help.
Our next training school is on 6th June. You don’t have to be a member of our church to attend. If its anything like the previous ones it will be a great day.
I’m wondering of I should modernise the lyrics too? This would mean that Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there. D
Would become
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he’ll take and shield you; We will find our solace there.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
The lyrics were written by Joseph Scriven. You can find a biography of him and a list of his other works here.
Another old song that we used quite a lot when I first wrote it in 2003, but not since then.
I remember writing whilst reading from Galatians chapter 2
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.
I was so excited when I’d finished writing it that I rushed round to my neighbours to play it to them. They were barely up when I knocked on their backdoor (their house backs onto theirs), and they smiled nicely as I played it to them. It wasn’t until I finished playing it that I realised how much I had intruded. Thankfully, they were very gracious and I left with their words of encouragement still fresh in my ears.
God of all grace You’ve called me to live and to die for you Taking the cross and all of its pain as my gift from you Turning my cheek and giving my cloak Choosing to bless not to curse Whatever was gain I consider as loss Compared to you compared to you
I have been crucified with Christ And I no longer live, I have been crucified with Christ And Jesus lives in me.
God of all truth This world and its pleasure will fade away Our time on this earth a blink of the eye in eternity But while I’m here and walking your road You’ve called me live and to die for you Taking my cross, enduring its shame To be like you to be like you
We died with him we will live with him; And if we endure, we will reign with him. If we honour him he will honour us Before his fathers throne
God of All Grace
(C) 2003 Richard Stringer CCLI song number 7083009
As we approach the climax of Holy Week, I thought I would share one one of my songs that reflects on the reality of the cross; what Jesus endured for us and what it means for us.
Here, here at the cross I see my sin; I see my shame. I see the price, the price that you paid. All that you did, all that you gave. And I know there is nothing I could say or do There is nothing could earn this gift from you.
The gift of your love The gift of your peace Forgiveness that’s full Forgiveness that’s free Freedom from guilt Freedom from fear Those who were far You have brought near Here at the cross Here at the cross
Here, here at the cross I see the thorns, piercing your brow I see the spear, thrust in your side And I want to run, I want hide For I know there is nothing I could say or do There is nothing could earn this gift from you.
Here, here at the cross I know the truth; you’ve set me free All that was, all I have been The old ways are gone, I am made clean And I know there is nothing I could say or do There is nothing could earn this gift from you.
I wrote this more than five years ago. Its been a popular song over the years but, in my opinion, its never worked to my satisfaction in a congregational setting. Its partly because we can’t get close to this arrangement, but also because I want to sing it in a higher key than is comfortable for a congregation.
It was recorded over a number sessions with the engineering by Leke, who also did the drum programming and plays all the keyboard parts. Additional vocals are by my eldest daughter, Hannah.
The recording is a bit rough and I am looking to get it finalised in the coming months.
I need you, Lord, Oh, how I need you, Lord Like a desert needs rain, like a fire needs a flame In my heart, there is a longing Lord For the deeper things To go beyond my sin Only you can give me what I want Lord Jesus, only you can satisfy
I cry Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me, have mercy on me! (x2)
Lord I know, That I have done some things That I’d rather try hide from the worlds prying eyes But I know, darkness will flee from light And I’m getting quite tired From this everyday fight Only you can give me what I want Lord Jesus, only you can make me clean
I Cry Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me, have mercy on me! (x2)
And it doesn’t really matter what the world may think All that matters is I meet with you today! Yes, it doesn’t really matter what the world may think All that matters is I meet with You, Jesus, that I meet with You today!
Richard Stringer Music 
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