Contemporary Devotional Songs for a Family Reunion
July 10, 2014 11:32 AM   Subscribe

I will be attending my annual family reunion this weekend, and have been asked by family members to lead the devotional hymn. I play acoustic guitar and pick up songs by ear fairly easily, but I have no idea what I am looking for. I regularly attend church, and am familiar with many of the traditional hymns, but I am striking out on contemporary devotional songs with a focus on family gathering. It's a long shot, but anyone have suggestions?
posted by Benway to Grab Bag (15 answers total)
 
Best answer: A few popular and easy to play praise choruses I assume a family crowd would know:

Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Our God (is an Awesome God)
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Shout to the Lord
You are My All in All
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:50 AM on July 10, 2014 [2 favorites]


Here's a long-shot answer, since it's pretty personal to the singer/writer, but it might be suitable:
First Family by Rich Mullins.
posted by The Deej at 11:51 AM on July 10, 2014


I'm not too familiar with the gospel scene, but I likes me some Fred Hammond
posted by GrapeApiary at 11:57 AM on July 10, 2014


This little light of mine?
posted by tchemgrrl at 12:05 PM on July 10, 2014


Maybe check out The Welcome Wagon? The pages linked include a bunch of lead sheets, as well as MP3s. They're contemporary, yet traditional.
posted by Gilbert at 12:46 PM on July 10, 2014


I have heard Marty Haugen – All Are Welcome and David Haas – We Are Called
used for this sort of thing. They are both good tunes that would hold up well with just a guitar. (I would play "We Are Called" about 50% faster than they do in that video, though.) You wouldn't have too much trouble finding a lead sheet for either online, I think.
posted by Zephyrial at 12:51 PM on July 10, 2014 [1 favorite]


I like Gather Us In by Marty Haugen and think it would be great for a family reunion.
(Sorry no link, posting from mobile).
posted by pril at 1:20 PM on July 10, 2014 [2 favorites]


I second ThePinkSuperhero's list, although I cannot stand Awesome God myself. Also Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is pretty great to play/sing on guitar.
posted by yeti at 1:33 PM on July 10, 2014 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Jesus Won't You Come By Here is a great 12 bar blues/spiritual, that isn't contemporary but definitely outside the standard "church" songs I personally grew up with.
posted by yeti at 1:36 PM on July 10, 2014


Best answer: Mindy Smith - Come to Jesus
posted by soelo at 1:37 PM on July 10, 2014 [1 favorite]


"A Common Love" is standard in the churches I've attended. And "Bind Us Together, Lord."
posted by tacodave at 3:59 PM on July 10, 2014


Welllllllllll father Abraham, had many sons, many sons had father Abraham! And I am one of them! (Except that I'm a girl) and so are you! (Unless you are also a girl) so let's just praise the Lord! Right hand, left foot, shake your head, faaaaather Abraham!

your family reunion may vary
posted by heatherann at 5:37 PM on July 10, 2014 [2 favorites]


Mindy Smith would be amazing, as would It's A Gift to Be Simple or This Little Light of Mine, please no Marty Haugen ;)
posted by PinkMoose at 7:02 PM on July 10, 2014


oh, i just had a great idea, what about come home, junebug suggests its possible as a family hymn ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO6RwS3BBu8
posted by PinkMoose at 7:14 PM on July 10, 2014


TPSH has it. (I know all those!)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 8:01 PM on July 10, 2014


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