Classic Worship

[carguy1]

Ok, the service I am leading is being labelled a "Classic" service. This means a fair amount of hymns, but there are many choruses that would be appropriate for this service as well. I am having trouble finding resources for this type of service, other then my trusty hymnal. So, any body got any suggestions for songs/ choruses that might work well for this type of service, or anybody know of any resources for this type of music. Thanks.

[Stevie Nature]

Do you mean songs that have a classical feel to them? In other words, would your church wouldn't appreciate things like heavy strums on a guitar or drums?

A few songs that might work well for you are "In Christ Alone", "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" both by Getty. I know that Townsend worked with Getty on "In Christ Alone"...not sure about "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." Also, "Before the Throne of God Above." Awesome song.

You may also want to check out the RUF Hymnbook http://www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/home.html. It has a lot of hymns that may not be in your hymnal. There's demo tracks as well. I'll have to warn you, you may not particularly like all of the musicality, but it's a good jumping off point.

[carguy1]

Well, I have to get with pastor and solidify what his vision for this service is. right now I am looking to see what kind of resources are available to me and what some other's thoughts are on "classic" worship. Thanks for your input.

[russhutto]

I do think you need to define "classic" just to make sure...

TO me (a 30 year old) classic worship would include music that was popular from the 80s & early 90s such as:

ANY and ALL of Keith Green's repertoire (slower worship songs: Oh Lord, You're Beautiful; I Want To Be More Like You; Lord, I'm Gonna Follow You)
Majesty
I worship You
I Exalt Thee
Lord, You Are More Precious Than Silver
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord (Hosanna)
More Love, More Power
and songs of the like

To someone a bit older than me classic worship might include more of an inclusion of hymns such as:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Lord God Almighty)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
and songs of the like...

I guess it would depend on who the target audience/congregants is and what THEIR definition of classic is...heh.

[carguy1]

You have hit the crux of my dilemma. I am 32 and, therefore, have a similar idea of what Classic worship is. I guess it comes back to me sitting down with pastor to bring our visions in line. I see a combination of hymns along with what the stuff from the 80’s and early 90’s. So, assuming I wanted to do some of this 80’s and early 90’s stuff, what would be a good source for getting recordings, chord charts, and sheet music? Thanks.

[russhutto]

My best guess would be to try and find some worship leaders ON THIS forum who have experience with some of that music. I may have some sheet music I can send you.

Also, I would strongly suggest signing up with SongSelect if you haven't. It's not free, but it's a great resource for finding these songs. In most cases if it's a popular song (or was) it'll be in the library.

If for some reason you can't find the chords for it there, you can always check pwarchive.com or do a google search for tab/chords and you'll find just about everything. As far as recordings go, you'll just have to really dig for those.

[twc_admin]

Hey,
Also ... take a handful of your "classics" to lunch. Listen 99% and speak 1%. Hear their stories. Ask them for input on some of their most beloved songs ...

If you were to go in and lead a service with those songs for that crowd, you'd be the most loved person on the planet!

[carguy1]

I love that idea. So simple yet could be SOOO effective. Thanks, I will have to do that.

[travisham]

Something else that's really cool here: potential. What I mean is that there some old hymns that don't usually get sung (like some of those mentioned over at the rufhymnal site) that are so stinkin' good and go so much deeper than many (but certainly not all) of the popular more "standard" hymns. Here's the thought: there are a ton of great songs out there with super-rich lyrics that you have the opportunity to use in a service like this that wouldn't fly in a more contemporary service, but because of who wrote them and when they were written you can get away with using them. I share this because it's something that I've been doing with our early service. I've been using the songs like the original version of "Jesus I My Cross Have Taken" along with Indelible Grace's versions of "Psalm 130" and "Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul". They've all gone over *real* well.

[Stevie Nature]

I absolutely love a lot of Indelible Grace's stuff. Many the less familiar hymns. I didn't grow up with hymns so a lot of them are unfamiliar to me. One song you need to to look at is, "Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted." Best lyrics I've heard in a long time. I don't particularly like the 3/4 timing that IG uses, though. We do it 4/4...it's awesome, especially for communion.