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Beating Time

Stu and Lou in Wrexham

The William Aston Hall of NEWI, Wrexham, was packed to bursting on October 20 as Stuart Townend and Lou Fellingham, ‘Stu and Lou’, came to town.

In a hopefully first-of-many event put on by ColossiansThreeSixteen, the 900 who managed to get tickets were treated to songs from Stuart’s recently released Monument to Mercy album and Lou’s first solo project Treasure.

Fresh arrangements

The evening was a definite success! The first half was a time to sit back and enjoy being sung to. Starting off with Stuart’s ‘In every day that dawns’, with the fresh and dynamic arrangements that characterise his album, then moving on to the excellent and encouraging ‘Hard pressed’ from Lou. A great start!

The second half had us on our feet and singing together, the song ‘O God of love’ drawing everyone back to their seats. Stuart then led us in a few reflective songs, before we declared the victory of the resurrection in the powerful ‘See what a morning’.

Scriptures and stories

Among the evening’s big encouragements were the Scriptures and stories behind the songs. We heard the inspiration behind ‘Puritan prayer’, a song asking God to work in us through every trial and hardship, to be for further generations a signpost to God’s grace and a monument to mercy. We prayed that prayer together as we sang. Lou also spoke with a down-to-earth honesty about the reality of difficulties in the Christian life, and of the reality of our God who is to us a refuge and our strength.

The cross of Jesus

At the heart of this whole evening was the cross of Jesus. ‘Oh to see the dawn’ reminded us with great impact of the mighty work done for us on the cross.

Finally, we joined in singing ‘In Christ alone’. It was sung like a creed, with the varying denominations proclaiming together all that we believe; the weighty truths of the incarnation, substitutionary death and resurrection life of Christ.

You couldn’t help but be firmly encouraged. As Stuart closed in prayer it was clear to all that the focus was God’s glory and gratitude to him for all he has done and continues to do.

Building up the church

Although free earplugs were available the sound was at a good level for almost everyone, and the excellent music and atmosphere of the evening were aided well by sensitive lighting.

Colossians 3.16 says: ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God’.

And the purpose of the organising team was ‘to promote music which builds up the church to the glory of God’, I’m glad to say it did exactly that.

More information and pictures at http://ColossiansThreeSixteen.org

Simon Sadler

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