"Alive In South Africa" for Praise & Worship Teams, Part 1
Israel Houghton is a prolific songwriter, and in my opinion, the 2005 album "Alive In South Africa" was one of his best, if not the best. A two-disc live album with hits from top to bottom - and of course, lots of ideas for praise and worship leaders. We're going to try a different tactic on this blog post, and pick out all the songs that we think would be beneficial for you guys to use as praise and worship leaders (if you aren't using some already). Edit: We realised there are so many gems on this album, that this will only be part 1 - part 2 will come next week! Let us know what you think in the comments below - have you tried any of the below? How did it go?
Intro Idea #2: Surely - Israel & New Breed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiAWbfa2Zk
If you want to keep it mellow, just use the first 2 minutes of the track, keep it at that inversion and sing the chorus round twice.
If you want it to end it on a high, do the chorus once, then build it from the word 'place' and tag on the 'oh-oh-oh' at 2:55 and then sing the rest of the track from then on out.
Of course, you can do the whole thing, with the verse, but that's a very long intro - the track runs for nearly 5 minutes!
Lyrics:
Chorus:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely You won't forsake the ones who seek Your face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Chorus:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely You won't forsake the ones who seek Your face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Verse:
In Your presence there is fullness of joy and laughter
He rejoices over us with singing and we are changed
As we welcome the heart of the Master
And the heavenlies are ringing out with praise in one accord
Praise to the Lord
Chorus:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Surely You won't forsake the ones who seek Your face
Surely the presence of the Lord is
Chords for musicians: http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0052542
Offering Idea #1: Turn It Around - Israel & New Breed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia5Qe_iEnFc
Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and put Me to the proof now herewith,” saith the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open to you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
This one may be a bit complex - so to simplify, you can run the verse in unison both times, and then the chorus once in unison (and once in parts if you're feeling adventurous). The vamp can be run from 3:05 to 3:49, or again, if you feel like pushing the boat out, the whole thing - this may be difficult for a congregation to follow!
Verse:
All things are possible for you all things are possible
nothing's too difficult for you nothing's too difficult
I'm ready for change ready for rain ready for favor I know you able to
Chorus:
Turn it around open the windows of Heaven
pour out a blessing overflow
turn it around open the windows of Heaven
pour out a blessing we cannot contain let it rain let it rain
Vamp:
You have turned my mourning to dancing
you've turned my sorrow to joy
you have turned my whole life around
thank you thank you Lord
Chords for musicians:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/i/israel_houghton/turn_it_around_crd.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVM-D_lnnCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4At0JU1nCkg
Praise and Worship Idea #1: It's Raining - Israel & New Breed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGDY1tJxftw
Isaiah 54:8 - "Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it."
Zechariah 10:1 - "Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain-- The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man." (spiritual application of rain being the outpouring of the Spirit)
Beautiful song about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This can be used as a worship ballad towards the end of a set - this song definitely needs a lead though!
Suggested running order if you're teaching to the congregation: 1) Verse in unison twice, 2) Chorus in unison (mellow), 3) Verse in unison (do the parts towards the end), 4) Chorus in parts (build - repeat twice) 5) Vamp (unison first, then parts) 6) Vamp up a semitone 7) End on Overflow (similar to 5:31)
Lyrics:
Verse:
It's raining, it's pouring, the spirit is flowing
I feel the anointing for healing and miracles
It's raining and pouring over me
Verse:
It's raining, it's pouring, the spirit is flowing
I feel the anointing for healing and miracles
It's raining and pouring over me
Chorus:
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, let it rain
Verse:
It's raining, it's pouring, the spirit is flowing
I feel the anointing for healing and miracles
It's raining and pouring over me
Chorus:
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, let it rain
Vamp:
Healing water flow over my soul
Healing water overflow, overflow, overflow
Healing water flow over my soul
Healing water overflow, over
Healing water flow over my soul
Healing water overflow, over
Healing water flow over my soul
Healing water overflow, overflow
Overflow, overflow, overflow, overflow, overflow
Overflow, overflow, overflow, overflow, overflow
Chorus:
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, let it rain
Praise and Worship Idea #2: To Worship You I Live - Israel & New Breed
Original Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWENUK96aBM - unless you're going to get a lead to do this (and even then, seems a bit long to do that whole intro before everyone joins in), you should probably do the last part (i.e. from 3:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ol9WHSUUq0 - idea of how to do it- should probably twin it with another song so it doesn't become too repetitive.
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
Away away from the noise
alone with you
away away to hear your voice
and meet with you
nothing else matters my one desire is
Chorus:
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
Vamp:
oh oh oh oh (Repeat)
Verse 2:
Away away, away away from the noise alone with you
Away away to hear your voice and meet with you
It's been a while but hear my heart cry again
Chorus:
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
To worship you I live
to worship you I live I live to worship you
Vamp:
oh oh oh oh (Repeat)