This is from Psalm 90. Time slips by, but the LORD is our rock and dwelling place, through all generations and eternity.

Songs and Hymns New and Old vol 1

One Year as a Thousand

This is two short songs I wrote separately, then put together as a medley. "I'm not ashamed of the Good News of Jesus: God sends people to tell it and uses this telling to save people.

I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel

These lyrics remind us that God sent Jesus to save us not when we were  doing good but when we were his enemies. (Rom. 5:8-10) I wrote the interlude while Joyous Celebration was crossing the Everglades in Florida, 1973.

Celebrate

Consider

Marion's rendition of this lovely song was always soulful. We did it on the first take at Seattle-West Studio in the summer of 1973. My wife Pat, and Pam Edmunds did the "doo-wops" in the background. Actually it's a song of great comfort for those who need to be reassured of God's love. I think thousands of people took the message to heart as she sang it during hundreds of Joyous Celebration concerts in the 70's.

People Get Together

God Cares

Marion Preyer taught us this song and sings it on this recording.  She added a certain element to our traveling band that somehow wasn't there without her. (Those who remember her understand that!)

He is Able

Words of comfort and encouragement from Jesus. Dan Nelson sings the solo here and Mili Nelson assists with vocals. Many people are oppressed by various things and situations in life. I hope these words of Jesus can be heard by them, whether spoken or in music.

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

Confidence and happiness - - these are things we all want, and they come from Jesus Christ. After years of continuing in his word, I'm glad Jesus still gives me confidence and forgiveness, even in the midst of challenges. This tune and its first lyric phrases were bumping around in my head in the middle of the night, and figured I'd better wake up and write them down.

Preserves

Forever Family

The title "He Took a Chance" is meant to convey the total vulnerability Jesus Christ had in going to the cross. Though he was King of Creation, he became the servant of all and poured it all out. He held nothing back. When I call that to mind these days I just shake my head in wonder. -- My brother Bob wrote this song and I enjoyed singing it on the various Joyous Celebration tours. I use it from time to time still, but am mainly involved teaching music to children.

He Took a Chance

Dan Nelson composed this great setting of Psalm 8, a classic from the Hebrew Scriptures that's quoted in the New Testament. One can't appreciate the New Testament well without seeing the many references to the Old Testament.  Marcion, an ancient false teacher, went off the rails, saying that the God of the Old Testament was different than the God of the New. Not so!  (See Hebrews 2:5-9).

How Excellent Is Thy Name - Ps. 8

I composed this when Joyous Celebration was in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, in the summer of 1973. It was one of those moments when the rest of the band was out doing something together, but I felt that "inner urge" to sit down at the piano and put something together. The lyrics are directly from scripture.

Psalm 150

Mainly instrumental jazz. Vocals give invitation to "come to a joyous celebration", so this was sort of a theme song for our group. I composed it in Burnably, BC, Canada.

Joyous Theme

Kathy Herivel did a great job on the vocals here. (Thanks Kathy!) Driving solo with pulsating jazz in a bit of a blues harmonic setting.

I Will Sing a New Song

Pat sang this song at Hollywood Bowl:  25th Anniversary celebration of Billy Graham's Ministry. September of 1974. It was televised nationally about 2 months later.

Marion (Mathews) Preyer recorded this in Tokyo with Joyous Celebration. She learned it in her home church in Seattle's Central Area around 1965. Touring with Joyous Celebration in Japan in the fall of 1971, she sang it often.

Joyous Celebration

Anyhow

Linda Ginrich did a beautiful job bringing this song to life. She solos on this track, beginning and ending with a soprano, "floating" type of melody which evokes a feeling of longing for heaven and being with the Lord. Psalm 84 describes the loveliness of that place where the Lord will always be with his people, using the imagery of the "birds of the air" also feeling safe there.

Psalm 84

I'm in love with my wife of 45 years. Enjoy my kids and grandkids. Grateful to Jesus for life. Glad for gifts of music, health, and friends. Teach music at home and at the Martin Luther School.

John William Lee

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