Out on the barren margins of Babylonian exile, the great Psalmist suggests their captors are actually asking for a song of joy. Imagine that. Is it possible to sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? Christians today find themselves caught up in the massive sweep of secularizing culture. Do we have a joyful song to sing anymore? Do we know what our song has been throughout history? Could we possibly sing as a mighty choir, just perhaps igniting spiritual renewal for our world--and for each one of us as well? This book proposes the possibility of finding a new song for our time.

A collection of original musical compositions for unaccompanied chorus.

Apart from the Lord's Prayer and the Serenity Prayer, the Prayer of St. Francis is, perhaps, the most recognized and appreciated prayer in all of religious literature. Dedicated to individuals of all races, religions, and cultures who hear and respond to the voice of God calling them to be instruments of His peace, this book by speaker, counselor and author Dr. Charles E. Smith brings to life the timeless teachings of St. Francis as practical solutions for today's troubled times. Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Ministry in family studies and is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. His seminars and books on topics ranging from self-esteem to grief have brought comfort and inspiration to people across the nation.

Even as worship wars in the church and music controversies in society at large continue to rage, many people do not realize that conflict over music goes back to the earliest Christians as they sought to live out the "new song" of their faith. In A New Song for an Old World Calvin Stapert challenges contemporary Christians to learn from the wisdom of the early church in the area of music. Stapert draws parallels between the pagan cultures of the early Christian era and our own multicultural realities, enabling readers to comprehend the musical ideas of early Christian thinkers, from Clement and Tertullian to John Chrysostom and Augustine. Stapert's expert treatment of the attitudes of the early church toward psalms and hymns on the one hand, and pagan music on the other, is ideal for scholars of early Christianity, church musicians, and all Christians seeking an ancient yet relevant perspective on music in their worship and lives today.