Recently, our church community experienced a welcome surprise when we uncovered a special recording dedicated to Bethany Lutheran by the renowned songwriter Ray Hildebrand. In 2012, Hildebrand visited us at the request of Ray Rudden, during which he composed the heartfelt song "Our Church of Love." This beautiful piece was recorded in Nashville, featuring the talents of esteemed artists Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and the Jordanaires, making it a truly remarkable gift to our congregation.
The story behind this recording is one of lost treasures. After its creation, the CD was intended for a feature article that unfortunately never came to fruition, leaving the recording in limbo for years. However, thanks to Jody McKesson’s recent discovery, we now have the chance to reconnect with Hildebrand's work. Copies of the CD have been made, and we would like to share this music with our congregation.
To celebrate this rediscovery, we are exploring the possibility of transcribing the lyrics of "Our Church of Love" into a handout for our congregation. We plan to offer copies of the CD along with this handout, encouraging free will donations to support the Bethany Art Series. This initiative not only honors Hildebrand's memory but also enriches our church community through music and creativity.
Ray Hildebrand's musical journey began in Joshua, Texas, where he partnered with Jill Jackson during their college years. Their hit song "Hey Paula" skyrocketed them to fame in the early 1960s, reaching number one on the Billboard charts. Despite his success, Hildebrand chose to step away from the spotlight to pursue his education and eventually found his calling in Christian music, crafting songs that touched many lives.
Hildebrand's legacy continues to resonate through his music, and we are grateful to share this connection with him at Bethany Lutheran. As we move forward with plans to make his music accessible to our congregation, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the spirit of love and community that Hildebrand so beautifully captured in his work. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project!
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