‘As One’ in praise of God

An exciting project to record indigenous worship music for Reading churches has united congregations across the city.

The resulting resource CD of home-grown worship songs goes on sale this December, and features singers and musicians from Greyfriars, The Globe Pentecostal Church, and independent charismatic Brookside Church.
Organiser, Phil Cooke, promises listeners will enjoy a great band, gospel choir and vocalists, recorded and produced by top-drawer recording engineers.

The worship pastor at Greyfriars told the DOOR:
‘It’s very exciting to see this come together. The project is called ‘As One’ for the reason that unity and working together are very much the watchword of the project.’

He says the project reflects a bigger picture of Christians across the city willing to come together in praise of God.
As One grew out of a Greyfriars songwriting forum  aimed at nurturing the songwriting talent that Phil recognised in the congregation. At a weekly meeting with other church pastors it became clear that other churches would love to join in.

Phil says: ‘There are lots of worship music resources on the market, but we wanted to reflect what is going on here and now in Reading. Indigenous song is so powerful in services.’

Music, he believes is an important tool in expressing God’s love:
‘It’s a two-way vehicle. If the worship language is right it is very accessible for people to express their love for God and to hear and understand his love for them.’

He adds: ‘Psalm 133 has been quite an important one for us, and expresses what we are about: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!...”’

And as the united group came together for the final recording in October, Phil says there was a definite sense that God was with them.

Sales of As One’s CD will raise funds for Christian Community Action (CCA) – a local social action charity, expressing the link between worship, witness and wholeness.

The cost is £10 (plus £1 p&p). Call Greyfriars on 0118 951 6711, or see their web site.