How Sweet the Sound!

In 1779, the English poet and pastor John Newton first published the words to the hymn Amazing Grace.  Those words were put to a popular tune in the 1800s, and Amazing Grace, as we know it today, was born.  The song grew out of Newton's own conversion experience -- his coming to faith in Christ and his leaving his past life as a slave trader.  It's a song that has appealed to Christians across cultures and across generations.  What does the song say to you?  Do you hear your own story in Newton's stirring words? 

Here is U2 performing Amazing Grace as a lead-in to the song, Where the Streets Have No Name ...

 

Or perhaps you would like to hear the Harlem Gospel Choir's take on this spiritual ... 

Bluegrass great Ralph Stanley "lines" this great hymn, as folks did before written hymn books were common in churches ...

And let's not forget what the bagpipers have done with this classic tune ...

Finally, here is the Soweto Gospel Choir performing Amazing Grace ...

How sweet the sound, indeed!  Join us next week, on May 6, when we reveal the Wesley Award for the category of Best Saying of Jesus.  Until then, friends ... God Bless You