NEW WORSHIP FRIDAY: Matt Redman, Anchor Hymns, Philippa Hanna, ICF Worship & REVERE Unscripted

Matt Redman introduces new single 'Son of Suffering' announcing an upcoming album. The song was penned by Redman alongside worship leaders and writers David Funk, Aaron Moses, and Nate Moore. 'Son of Suffering', recorded live at the historic Catholic Mission San Juan Capistrano, encapsulates the mysterious beauty of Christ’s blood and tears, as Redman notes that, "as well as taking us to the cross and celebrating how Jesus fought for our salvation there, this song is also about His solidarity with us in our own pain." The new single brings remembrance to the Church that Jesus didn’t just look down upon the world’s pain but came down and met us in our struggle. A sense of divine acquaintance with grief and suffering shines through the song, painting a worshipful picture of Jesus’ humility and compassion.

Philippa Hanna releases the second single from her upcoming live acoustic EP, 'Loved Me First'. The song first appeared on her 2020 debut worship album 'Stained Glass Stories' as a pop-infused track, which the UK artist now strips back as a dynamic acoustic version. 'Loved Me First' echoes with the encouragement of 1 John 4:19, reminding listeners that God’s love isn’t the outcome of being good enough, but it is found in trusting in his goodness. "As someone who always wants to give their best, I can easily fall into the trap of trying to ‘do it all’ perfectly," Philippa says, "This song is a confession that God’s grace is enough for me." 'Loved Me First' features simple drums, acoustic guitar, bass, grand piano, a mandolin, and a hammered dulcimer. Commenting on the latter, Philippa says "I’m really enjoying exploring the way instrumentation can elevate our expressions of worship," something she demonstrates beautifully with this new project.

'Be Unto Your Name' is the debut EP from Anchor Hymns, a community of Integrity Music songwriters and artists who care deeply about the theology and the craft of the songs the Church sings. This initial project was inspired by old hymns that have carried the Church for generations and across denominations. 'Be Unto Your Name' references the kind of music loved by this collective but rarely heard in church; full of soul and groove, these songs are unafraid to tackle the sounds of suffering and grief, as well as joy and celebration. The new project is full of songs that are for funerals and home churches alike, in both traditional and modern houses of worship worldwide.

Zürich-based band ICF Worship release a new EP in German. After many projects in English, 'Treuer Gott' (meaning ‘Faithful God’) is focussing specifically on the German-speaking parts of the Church in and around Switzerland. "The world - whether our personal sphere or globally - looks bleak sometimes. Yet we are excited about what God is doing in and around us, and about his faithfulness to us," says band leader Dave Kull. ICF Worship’s new EP is their statement that through it all, they are set on keeping Jesus in focus and never stopping to celebrate the Giver of Life. 'Treuer Gott' presents five translated songs that emerged from the band’s previous two English projects and are sung in their local church week after week. The title track sets the scene by reminding the Church of God’s unconditional love and that our only appropriate response is to praise him accordingly. "It is an invitation to dance away our worries and look to the Lord; the eternal and faithful God," Dave adds. The new German-language project carries on ICF Worship’s international voice and contagious energy.

'Onipotente/Omnipotent' was written and recorded when a gathering of worship leaders from all over the world met up and began to express their shared passion in glorifying and honoring God through reverential worship. Gabi Sampaio, from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Lucy Grimble from London, UK, and Laura Hackett Park of Kansas City, USA met at the recent REVERE gathering when they crafted language to describe our mighty God. 'Onipotente/Omnipotent' is a house of prayer-style song that declares God’s majesty, reminding the Church that we serve an omnipotent God whose power and might are unlimited and unmatched. The blend of voices, grand piano, and emotive cello lines capture the organic essence of the unscripted worship night during which the single was recorded. This song goes back and forth between the two languages in a unique and reverential way.