Sung by the Wartburg Choir, April 24, 2016, at First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska during the 10:30 Worship Service, . Lee Nelson, Conductor. Tom Trenney, Organist.
This song came to me one night at our church because of a diagnosis of cancer my wife was diagnosed with. It told me that it would be well so it was. She was 36 years old and we had 2 children(still do). Now we are 72 years old and she is still doing great. She had the radical surgery with implants and she is still beautiful, even at 72 (birthday was on june 14). This all occured in sept. 1984 and this song has been a source of encouragement ever since. Sometime later after all this had happened I found out the source of the song and it was born out of tradgedy. What a blessing this song has been to us and especially to the man who wrote it. Praise God for his love and protection for us and his promise of eternal life with Him.
My heart soars when I see and hear this, NOT just because of the organ and the acoustics. Look at the average age in the choir. Look at the average age in the congregation, and then compare that to contemporary styles of services. THIS is "Participatory Worship" with people singing in harmony, not entertainment and it DOES appeal to ALL ages. I was recently speaking with a church Music Director and he indicated that studies have shown a world more hungry for a liturgical style of worship. They WANT the church to be something different. I grew up in an era of Rock & Roll, Classical, and Pop music BUT that doesn't mean that I hate the hymns of the church. Quite the contrary. We are called to "Be In The World, Not Of The World". Churches are dying all over the place as they try to "Emulate" the music of a secular world. You know, the ones with the "Millennial Whoop", eg ooh ooh, ooh ooh; aah aah, aah aah; oh oh, oh oh; etc. The old faithfuls "hang in there" while detesting "un-singable" music where the meter of the words does not match the meter of the music. Those are fine for solo work but not for congregational singing. These old people grin and bear it until they all start dying off and the church closes it doors. Let me be clear. There is a time and a place for everything. The Bible tells us in Psalm 96 to Sing a New Song Unto the Lord. Michael W. Smith, Phillips Craig & Dean, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, etc. can emotionally engage and bring me to tears for all the right reasons. However, most of our church musicians are NOT Michael W. Smith. Music can be such a blessing to the soul and its very often the words of a hymn, which come flooding back to bring us comfort. Many of those hymns reflect scripture directly and help us with scripture memory. Often we can recite the lyrics of several verses without thinking about it. How often does a hymn, sometimes hundreds of years old, come to mind as the pastor is preaching a sermon? Try that with contemporary arrangements that fade into obscurity very quickly as we wait for the NEXT big thing. During this time of pandemic, I know what songs I'll be singing in my heart, including the one presented in this video.
Completely outrageous talent everywhere - the arrangement, the choir, the organist, the conductor - blows my socks off - I must have played it 20 or more times this weekend - please don't stop summing up the praises of creation to our Lord and Saviour! Bravo!
This is a really wonderful performance. Yes, I know there are lots of other performances but this is really good. (I have to be honest and reckon that the Mormons are very impressive too).
My mama died almost 3 weeks ago. This was her favorite hymn. Us grown up kids sang it around her hospice bed, at her Celebration of Life and again at her final resting place.
What an absolutely wonderful performance of "It is Well with my Soul", by the singers in the Wartburg Choir, The blend is terrific. A choir always sounds better when they have the words memorized, so they can concentrate on the conductor doing his job - conducting. The buildup to the end is fantastic, especially the "Amen" at the end with the full organ. This is the best hymn that I've ever heard on the internet. Bravo choir!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the finest performances of this grand old hymn I have ever heard! A talented choir, fantastic organist, a super conductor and a splendid arrangement by Rene Clauson. I REALLY enjoyed this!
@@milaanalog9699 May the angels keep you and your daughter everlastingly together in God's heart and may the delight of both of you know no bounds when you meet again in heaven.
Wartburg, you brought tears to my eyes. That was a most beautiful rendition of a hymn that I have performed many times. You are a cut above. Keep up the good work.
Absolutely sublime. A Pity more churches don't have this kind of music. Modern churches prefer the cheap, hokey, middle school, emotion based, repetitive, clanging music.
A bit of Heaven! So often the truly heartfelt hymns and songs are born of pain or tragedy. Thank you Horatio Spafford, and all who put this beautiful video together. And above all praise and thanks to our Saviour and Lord Jesus! George Hopper UK
That sound! Had to put your performance on full volume. The organ :) Those pipes!! I will listen to this again and again whenever I need to feel God's spirit. Thank you so much for sharing!
Seriously the very best rendition on RU-vid. I looked forever for a version that wasn't sped up or taken over by people trying to "spice it up" and finally I find this version which keeps it simple and elegant and very true to the way I remember it being performed. Thank you so much for your awesome performance.
Yes, enough good cannot be said about this setting. Here's a link to most of this arrangement performed in dress rehearsal with all five of the Concordia College choral groups and orchestra under the direction of René Clausen. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tAHxjpRzQmY.html
What? No "Praise band?" No drums? No synth and electric guitar? No big screen on the wall with the words? No blue LED mood lighting and fog machines? Wow, now we have to actually listen to the song instead of watch the "production" What is this world coming to? but Seriously we need to get back to beautiful music and leave all the vocal gymnastic to the talent shows.
As a member of one of the “production” type churches, a lover and player of guitars, drums and bass in our worship team........... I loooved this choir!! Brilliant music to God’s glory. Pure voices, on pitch. Majestic organ and professionalism on display. And YES I love Christian rock music also 😄.
@@kleinzak8437 Healthy attitude comments and confirms there is more than way or type of music with which to worship God. I love good choirs but I also play bass guitar, piano and keyboard(not all the same time!) in our church praise band which includes lots of contemporary songs and I'm 72.😀
This has to be the most beautiful performance of this song that I've EVER heard! This is my husband's favorite song, and I will be sharing it with him when he returns to the house shortly. Brought tears to my eyes, and I'm now listening to it again! Sending love to all who were a part of this!
Very wonderful performance. Love that the chorus has memorized the words and music so it can concentrate on responding to the conductor during its performance without distraction.
Also, very much like the arrangement of the singers....boy, girl, boy.....that’s how all choirs should perform...no one depending on the person next to them in their own section !!
Heavenly inspiring rendition....... I dedicate the beautiful hymn to the memories of all souls lost to the pandemic 0f the Covid-19......which laid bare the frailty of the human clay.
Lovely arrangement, lovely singing, lovely accompanying. I wish I had known of this arrangement before I *purchased* another arrangement!! Thanks for such musical singing/playing.
Absolutely exquisite and formidable in it's amazing composure and control. The best of the best of the best. This is what discipline, talent, hard work and the anointing of the Holy Spirit yields. Thank you!
Absolutely glorious singing! This was my grandmother's favourite hymn. It was sung at her funeral. Just the way I heard it sung when I was kid going to church with my mother and other siblings. Other renditions I've heard on the internet seem to be too fast. God Bless to Wartburg Choir!
in 1871, Chicago was largely destroyed by fire. During reconstruction, Mr. H. G. Spafford sent his wife and four daughters on a trip to Europe, but the ship on which his family sailed never reached further than half way across the Atlantic, when in the middle of a November night the ship was rammed by a sailing vessel and cut in two. Mrs. Spafford saw all four of her daughters swept away by angry waves. A falling mast knocked her unconsciense. She was rescued and taken to Wales, from there she cabled two words to her husband.... saved... alone. Mr. Spafford took the first ship available and asked the Captain to notify him when they reached the spot where his daughters lay. It was 3 am when the skipper knocked at his door and said "in ten minutes,.... we'll be at your spot." Mr. Spafford dressed and went to the bow. As the ship passed over the watery graves of his daughters,..... he wrote on the back of an envelope,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, these words.... When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,,, it is well ,, it is well, with my soul.
Thats is a beautifull hymn and a great rendition of a powerful hymn that many especially Lutherans like for funeral said memorial hymns as it well testifies to our faith and absolute trust in Christ's have alone.
I have so many versions of this very moving hymn. This one is as perfect fro me as I can find, quality of voices, moving harmonies, arrangement...all wonderful. Thank you. Alderley
Beautiful song, thank you Lord. At times like these, I need to hear this song. Today has not been a good one so far, my temperament is getting anxious. This virus is hard to deal with. OH Lord, my help in hard days like this, help me Jesus.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin-oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!- My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live: If Jordan above me shall roll, No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.
84yrs old, choir member. Wife passed on Feb14, 2020. Sang this hymn at her memorial. This is by far the best rendition of this hymn I have ever heard -- balanced, spiritual and inspiring. Thank you as I type through my tears. Aloha, in Christ!
Blessings to you Mr. Howes in this still-fresh loss of your wife. My sweet husband transitioned nearly 5 years ago on Earth Day. A dear friend played her ukulele and sang this at his Memorial Service. She had done it previously for us at a community going away potluck just before we left our home in Kansas for a lengthy stay in Houston for his treatment at MD Anderson. So this song is special to me too. This arrangement, choir, conductor and organist are THE BEST! Soul nourishing ... especially in these challenging days.
My deepest sympathy to you, Mr. Howes. May the memories of your beloved wife, along with all the beautiful hymns you have sung, fill your heart with comfort and peace. Easter blessings to you and your family. ❤️🙏
God bless you. Good morning. I am harry kim from Jinju city, east southern part of south korea. I am alone christian in my family. Would you pray for my hometown Jinju city? Because Jin ju has lowest christian rate in our country.(Only 2.2% are christians) Not many church and gospel band. So We need prayer to revive this city and to break the chain(Jinju city is mostly filled with buddism and sharmanism idolatry-worshiping dead anscestor). Especially, My father is forcing me to deny faith for Jesus Christ. It's too hard. Would you pray for me to keep the faith? Thank you, sir.
When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate And has shed His own blood for my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought (a thought) My sin, not in part, but the whole (every bit, every bit, all of it) Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more (yes!) Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul Sing it as well It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul! It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul Sing up to Jesus, it is well! It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
Heavenly, sublime... A beautiful rendition of a beautiful hymn. I've always loved Spafford's turn of phrase in the second verse: "That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul".
Excellent choral work, the blend is perfect, even sounds from the men and women. Marvelous! All eyes on the director, memorized and following every cue. Perfect ending consonant sounds. Very articulate director. Choral perfection!
I hope so too. I am in a very small town in Mexico and I so miss this music. I am so happy to have found this you tube video. I don't feel so lonely when I listen to this beautiful love and praise filled music.
I loved the arrangement. Prof. Rene Clausen was a choir director when I was a graduate student at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas. I was a member of the university singers under the direction of Dr. Harrison Boughton during my two years at WSU. It was a pleasure to know Prof. Clausen. Scott Vangilder, MM Trumpet performance WSU 1980
This conductor is lifting them up to heaven .. assisted by the organist... the descants clinching it at the very end! As a choir director in my diocese in Calcutta India I can say this is the best version I have heard!
In January 1986, my Pastor at the time lost his wife and two children in a fire at our parsonage. At the funeral where around 400 attended, this song was sung by the congregation and I will never forget how those words and music moved through me that day! It was very sad, but God was very real to me and spoke through that song! “When sorrows like sea billows roll… whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well! It is well with my soul!! Hallelujah!! Great singing and instrumentation! Actually phenomenal!
Are you aware of the song's origin? The pastor who wrote the song lost his wife and children by a shipwreck. I believe it was after the Great Chicago fire and he had stayed to tend to the damage done to his church.
@@dianet.5750 I didn't at the time, but someone in our church read the story later and I then understood why that song, in particular was sung at their funeral.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul It is well With my soul It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul It is well (it is well) With my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul
Interesting placement of the chorus. Intermixed guy, girl. I wonder if the conductor has specific divisions of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass or if they are in a "Scramble" arrangement where you can not be standing close to someone else in your voice part. What causes me to ask this is the appearance at 2:55 of a female wearing blazer and tie like the guys. Could she be a female Tenor? Wartburg Choir a fine representative of ELCA colleges. Very moving performance.
Conductor probably has arranged choir in quartets, one of each part. Creates a better blend, because sopranos and tenors often overpower other parts. This technique certainly worked in this magnificent video. I also loved the organ, a wonderful instrument beautifully played!
My favorite hymn beautifully sung in a wonderful arrangement brought peace to my soul - especially needed today. Looking forward to the day when our choirs can be back singing again. Blessings on you.
Here is a church choir that is a 'cut above'. Lovely to hear - and fine arrangement from Rene Clausen. (It's unfortunate the organist felt he had the prerogative to drown out the choir - instead of balancing it.)
Wow. Blown away by this choir!! What a stunning job. Was in choir for years and sang this song too (different variation). Can appreciate the work that goes into this performance! Bravo!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
from Karen: well, I wonder if it is possible to get tired of listening to this stunningly perfect arrangement and performance of this perfect piece - I will let you know - I cannot stop playing this. Simple and majestic - well done all. My heart aches with pain and joy at the same time.
Thoughtful musically beautiful arrangement ,artistically sung, sensitively directed and performed on Holy Ground at First Plymouth with an inspiring saint of church music on Organ. Amen and Amen
Why Do We Sing? -First of all... We sing to praise God. -This was the case under the Old Testament and still is the case today under the New Testament. -Ps 28:6-7, Ps 69:30, Ps 144:9,15 -Eph 5:19, Col 3:16 - "to the Lord" -Secondly, We sing to teach and admonish one another. -This is not something new: Deut 31:16-22 - Song of Moses -When we sing, we must pay attention to the words: -They teach us, encourage us, motivate us, warn us. An Authority Issue: The topic of singing is actually an issue rooted in the topic of authority. -Col 3:17 -God has specified singing for N.T. worship. People who are in favor of using instrumental music in their worship will say..."GOD DIDN'T SAY NOT TO, SO IT'S OK" What they mean is this: There isn’t a “Thou shalt not” statement in reference to mechanical instruments of music. But, that doesn’t mean that God has not prohibited their use. When God specifies ONE thing, all other options are eliminated. God is very specific in His word, when He says, Sing, that means sing, that means that's all He asks for. The instrument or music that is to be played is the heart..Eph 5:19, Col 3:16 Why do we worship on the first day of the week? Is there a statement that explicitly says, “Thou shalt not worship on other days of the week”? We rightfully worship upon the first day of the week because that is the pattern established in the N.T. scriptures for N.T. worship - Acts 20:7. Therefore, a “Thou shalt not” statement is not necessary in regards to the other days of the week. Some don’t think that the addition of mechanical instruments of music is a big deal. -Rev 22:18-19 - Lev 10:1-2 - the example of Nadab and Abihu (Rom 15:4). Old Testament References / Book of Revelation Those who argue for the use of mechanical instruments in worship commonly appeal to Old Testament praqctices - i.e. King David. and say, David played an instrument for God, Yes, he did But David lived under the Old Law, We do not, David offered animal sacrifices, used incense, observed particular feasts and festivals, etc. We would never dream of trying to justify such worship practices today by saying such silly things as.. “BUT DAVID DID IT" It isn’t an issue of what David did. It is an issue of what we are authorized and commanded to by God in the N.T. scriptures. But, what about the book of Revelation? Rev 14:1-3 -We must remember that this passage contains figurative language and that it is describing a scene in heaven, not on earth. To try to force a literal meaning upon the harps here is to abuse this passage. literal names written on foreheads? literal beasts? literal Lamb? etc... Again, we’re looking in the scriptures for God’s specific instructions (pattern) for N.T. worship here on earth. That which has been authorized by God is singing. So to add other types of music such as mechanical instruments without God's authority is to do so without any reguards to God's headship, and it is dishonoring Him. -Entertainment Issue Most, if not all, of us realize that there has been a greater emphasis placed on entertainment. This takes the focus away from God and puts it more on people. Rather than reverently worshipping God, more people are being entertained. God is the primary audience for our worship. Worship is to be directed to Him. We are to be reverently praising, honoring, glorifying and thanking our Almighty God, not praising and honoring performers. Singing is something that we all are commanded to do -It’s not about whether or not we’re in the right key and hitting the right note. -It’s about whether or not we’re focused on our worship to God, singing with sincere hearts and paying attention to the messages contained in the songs. Singing is specifically authorized by God. By following His specific pattern, we can offer worship that is acceptable and pleasing in His sight. -As a result, we can properly glorify His name and honor Him. Amos 5:20-27 - 20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light- pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? 21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! 25 “Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel? 26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god - which you made for yourselves. 27 Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty. -What was the problem? They were simply going through the motions. They weren’t allowing their worship to bring them closer to God. It was a technicality for them -something they were required to do. But, while going through those motions they were living lives of sin.You see, they failed to combine proper worship with proper living. What about you? Are you living obediently to God?
That was done really well. With this staging of parts, you better know yours, or you will be lost. I did not see one lost person. Gave me chills. Thank you for posting and sharing.
