Facing a Task Unfinished – Deluxe Digital Edition
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This is the first album of mostly new material from the pre-eminent modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty since 2012’s Hymns for the Christian Life (though they have released a Christmas album, live album, an EP and a live Christmas album since that time). The studio album, recorded in Nashville’s historic Ocean Way Recording studio, champions mission and congregational singing, features the Getty’s excellent band, live congregational singing and a few special guest appearances (Chris Tomlin, Fernando Ortega, John Patitucci and Ladysmith Black Mambazo). The album is produced by Nathan Nockels.

The Deluxe digital edition features 17 songs. Here are a few brief comments about each of these wonderful songs, a true gift to the church:

Facing a Task Unfinished – This hymn was originally written in 1931 by China Inland Mission (now OMF International) worker Frank Houghton with music by Samuel Wesley. The Getty’s were asked by OMF to add a new chorus to the hymn, and they were joined by Ed Cash, and Fionan de Barra. An estimated one million believers in more than 5,000 churches in 100 countries joined together to sing this new hymn on February 21. The chorus below was added to the original hymn, and the recording features some excellent congregational singing:

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

May the Peoples Praise You – This is an upbeat hymn that features the Getty’s “green grass” band feel.  Inspired by Psalm 67, this hymn is a call to worship and mission.

May the peoples praise You
Let the nations be glad
All Your blessing comes
That we may praise
May praise the Name of Jesus

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Music News:

• Live Your Song. Jon Foreman TEDx. In this inspiring performance and talk, Jon Foreman sings “Only Hope,” “Terminal,” and “Dare You to Move.” Between songs he delivers an encouraging message that dares us all to live out the purpose for which we were born.
• Jesus Muzik. Enjoy this classic video of Lecrae’s song “Jesus Muzik”, featuring Trip Lee. I use the song for my ringtone.
• New Tedashii Song. Check out Tedashii’s latest single “808”.
• NBA MVP Steph Curry with Lecrae. Lecrae invited Steph Curry to join him on stage for a performance of “I’m Turnt”.
• Michael W. Smith Interview. In this two-minute video, Smitty talks about what album he would re-make, given new technology.

Music Quotes:

• Does everybody’s fire alarm look like this? David Crowder
• Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. Thank God He can correct vision. Lecrae
• There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine – Bought with the precious blood of Christ. “In Christ Alone” Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Facing a Task Unfinished by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Watch this video to hear Keith and Kristyn Getty tell the story behind this song. Listen to the song here.

Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that, undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known

Where other lords beside Thee
Hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying
For life, and love, and light
Unnumbered souls are dying
And pass into the night

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

We bear the torch that flaming
Fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming
That Jesus died and rose
Ours is the same commission
The same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition
To Thee we yield our powers

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

O Father who sustained them
O Spirit who inspired
Saviour, whose love constrained them
To toil with zeal untired
From cowardice defend us
From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us
To labor for Thy sake

We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord

We go to all the world
His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord