Songwriting is the act of baring one's soul to another in the form of words and music.
Paul is a great example to me of someone who continuously rejoiced in the Lord. There have been times in my life when thinking of the grace of Jesus Christ, his atonement and resurrection and the ability for us to be forgiven through repentance and to be saved…has been the only thing that has given me hope and peace! I am forever grateful for the mercy of God and his Son.
Hope of Israel, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “For the Perfecting of the Saints” studying the book of Ephesians. The Merrill family are the guest singers for this song. Carrie Merrill is my sister-in-law, my husband’s sister, and she has a beautiful family who all sings! As I was looking at the upcoming suggested songs, I knew this one would be perfect to arrange with them. “Hope of Israel” is my first choral arrangement in this series and the sheet music can be found here: https://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/
Teach Me to Walk in the Light, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Walk in the Spirit” studying the book of Galatians. This primary song was also the suggested song for another lesson in the old testament, so this is a repeat from that video with some adjustments. My teenage daughter recorded the first verse for me and I couldn’t convince her to do more than that! But she came up with the arrangement all on her own and I love it.
“Give,” Said the Little Stream, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” studying 2 Corinthians 8–13. This primary song is the one my Dad would choose whenever we needed a nice song to sing for our family meetings growing up (or family home evenings)! It is a favorite amongst the toddlers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel bad because I didn’t realize I was singing the wrong lyric and ended up recorded it that way, but I decided to leave it! The reason I recorded “grass” instead of “field” is because I grew up singing it that way and honestly thought those were the lyrics until after I had already polished the recording. I figured it would be our family’s own special touch on the song. Ha ha
Help Me, Dear Father , is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Be Ye Reconciled to God” studying 2 Corinthians 1–7. This primary song isn’t one of the more well known ones, but it has a simple, sweet and pure message that is relevant to each of us. The style of this arrangement is a simple piano accompaniment that could be used to sing along with.
He Is Risen, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace” studying 1 Corinthians 14–16. This hymn is such a vibrant and joyful creation; and it is most often sung at Easter time. The sheet music for this specific piano arrangement can be found here https://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/.
Love Is Spoken Here, from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Ye Are the Body of Christ” studying 1 Corinthians 8–13. My husband, Brad, reluctantly agreed to sing the male part of this duet with me. 🙂 I am so grateful to him and the good man that he is; he is truly the example in our home of someone who is kind, calm and patient with everyone.
For this week’s song I created a late intermediate (i.e. level of the piano skill required) arrangement of The Lord Gave Me a Temple that can be used as a piano solo or piano accompaniment for a soloist or group of singers.
I Feel My Savior’s Love from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “Overcome Evil with Good” studying Romans 7-16. This song was also published for the Old Testament lesson studying Jeremiah and Lamentations.
When I Am Baptized, from the Children’s Songbook, is the suggested song for the New Testament lesson “The Power of God unto Salvation” studying Romans 1-6. I added a third verse to it, focusing on the sanctification of the Holy Ghost that continues to cleanse and purify us throughout the rest of our lives post baptism.