Hymn Text: Upon the Altar

Title: Upon the Altar
Meter: 7 6 7 6 D

1.
I place upon the altar
The remnants of my pride.
I offer up the anguish
That I have felt inside.

I ask Thee to remove them,
‘Til not one speck remains.
To sanctify my weakness
And purify my stains.

2.
I place upon the altar
The mem’ries of my shame
I offer the transgressions
That keep me from Thy name.

I ask Thee to remove them,
‘Til not one speck remains.
To sanctify my weakness
And purify my stains.

3.
I place upon the altar
The burdens of my soul.
I offer the temptations
That will not make me whole.

I ask Thee to remove them,
‘Til not one speck remains.
To sanctify my weakness
And purify my stains.

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Children’s Text: I’ll Choose to Be Kind

Title: I’ll Choose to Be Kind
Meter: 10 6 10 6 10 10 10 10

1.
If now I can choose to be anything
Why not choose to be kind?
To smile and serve, to laugh and to sing
Now I’ll choose to be kind.

I’ll choose to be kind, no matter the day
I’ll choose to be kind for that is God’s way!

I’ll choose to be kind. My choices are free
I’ll choose to be kind, and live cheerfully.

2.
No matter the things that happen to me
Why not choose to be kind?
The Savior shown the way I should be.
Now I’ll choose to be kind.

I’ll choose to be kind, no matter the day
I’ll choose to be kind for that is God’s way!

I’ll choose to be kind. My choices are free
I’ll choose to be kind, and live cheerfully.

Children’s Text: Shown By a Child

Title: Shown by a Child
Meter: 11 10 11 10 10 6 10 6

1.
I’m never too young to be an example,
I’m never too small to choose what is right.
I’m never too weak to serve in my fam’ly.
I’m never too dim to share of my light.

The Savior once taught everyone to be,
More like a child, like me, (like me!)
The Kingdom of Heaven is plain to see,
Shown by a child, like me.

2.
It’s never too early to do a good deed,
It’s never too late, to show that I care.
It’s never too soon say a kind word.
It’s never too early my heart to prepare.

The Savior once taught everyone to be,
More like a child, like me, (like me!)
The Kingdom of Heaven is plain to see,
Shown by a child, like me.

Hymn Text: Even the Elect

Title: Even the Elect
Meter: 8 6 8 6 D

1.
Without both feet upon the rock
And both hands on the rod.
The sheep may stray far from the flock
And wander from their God.

For even the elect may fall
If we do not defend,
Against the world’s enticing call
And take Christ as our friend.

2.
Without both hands upon the plow,
And both eyes on God’s light.
The saints may falter, even now
And fail to choose the right.

For even the elect may fall
If we do not defend,
Against the world’s enticing call
And take Christ as our friend.

3.
Without a contrite, humble heart,
And both knees bent in pray’r,
The valiant may from faith depart
And sink into despair.

For even the elect may fall
If we do not defend,
Against the world’s enticing call
And take Christ as our friend.

The Song of the Righteous: A Choir Director’s Handbook

After several years of work and waiting, my choir director’s handbook is finally here! In order to create this book, I interviewed dozens of church choir directors and drew on my own experience as a choir director.

The book is intended to help not only with the nuts and bolts of running a church choir, but also to understand the spiritual mindset behind music in the church.

Here’s the description from the back of the book:

The calling of choir director is a sacred stewardship, and those who accept this assignment are tasked with the responsibility of setting a tone of reverence and rejoicing in Church meetings. In The Song of the Righteous, seasoned choir director and Tabernacle Choir member Michael D. Young shares his insights into how to prepare, both spiritually and technically, to fulfill this important calling. Instruction ranges from how to hold a baton to choosing and arranging music to bolstering choir attendance. With an extensive appendix that explains musical terms, suggests warm-up exercises, and provides links to music purchasing options, this book is a must read for choir directors at any experience level.

Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/the-song-of-the-righteous?ref=Grid | Search-1

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYHYFDK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_tI3wCbTEPHZDJ

I hope that this book can be a valuable resource for those who serve in church music. With the new hymnbook and children’s songbook on the way, it is an exciting time to be part of church music!

 

Hymn Text: The Yoke of Christ

Week of March 17th

Title: The Yoke of Christ
Meter: 8 6 8 6

1.
Alone my mortal arm is weak
Why should I lift alone?
The yoke of Christ is mine to seek
Upon His cornerstone.

My mortal burdens can oppress
Until I am weighed down,
His yoke will ease my deep distress
And take from me my frown.

2.
Alone my mortal mind is weak,
Why should I think alone?
The voice of Christ is mine to seek
To make my pathway known.

My mortal questions can confound
Until I cannot see.
His voice will speak a solemn sound
To set my vision free.

3.
Alone my mortal heart is weak
Why should I feel alone?
The peace of Christ is mine to seek
By kneeling at His throne.

My mortal sorrows can enslave
Until I stand in chains.
His peace will liberate and save
‘Til not one link remains.

Hymn Text: God’s Designs

Title: God’s Designs
Meter: 10 8 10 8 10 10

The people I meet are never by chance.
I meet them by holy design.
The trials of this life are not happenstance.
God sends them, my soul to refine.

With God at the helm, my mission is planned.
The greatest designs are the work of His hand.

2.
The places I go are not only fate
God sends me where I can best grow.
The timing of things is never too late.
The seasons are all His to know.

With God at the helm, my mission is planned.
The greatest designs are the work of His hand.

3.
The soul I become is known to the Lord
He patterns me after His face
When all has been built and all is restored
I will see the works of His grace.

With God at the helm, my mission is planned.
The greatest designs are the work of His hand.