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Even before it began, the 11th annual Stoneleigh event was set to be a landmark occasion. For this convention, the largest
single-site Bible Week in Europe, was also to be the last. However, instead of it being a time of sorrow at things coming to an end, it was seen as signifying a time of change and exciting new possibilities, seeking God for the
direction forward.
Musically the event serves to bring to the wider Church the very best in recent songs of congregational worship through this hour-plus record of passionate, intimate praise. Unlike some past
Stoneleigh output, the major part of The Father's Embrace consists of songs composed
within this group's own ranks. Thus we find gorgeous modern hymns written and sung by the likes of Kate Simmonds and Stuart Townend, whose 'In Christ Alone' is destined to be a classic, if it isn't seen as such already!
Other infectious songs come from the pens of Tim Hughes, Darlene Zschech and Ireland's Brian Houston, who's rhythmic, country-flavoured 'Your whisper' adapts delightfully to church settings like this. But it's Phatfish's
rendition of their own stunning praise anthem 'There is a day' that wins this
day - hope-soaked lyrics, steady beat, rising atmosphere, and Louise's soaring vocals all add to create a most moving experience. A downside though, is that, while nearly all these songs are no more than one year old, most have in fact appeared elsewhere first; indeed four showed up on the comparable
In Christ Alone earlier this year.
Nevertheless, this is a terrific set of fresh church songs, relayed here with compelling vibrancy. Ever a missions-oriented group, Stoneleigh
end this series with a 6-minute reading of 'The nations of the world', reminding us of 'the breadth of our calling, and the extent of the task before us'. A sobering call to intercession - urging us to accept the
challenge to 'Go'.
Review by tom lennie |
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