All piano books are on sale right now until September 6th at Bible Truth Music.

One of my favorite books from Bible Truth is Wonderful Grace of Jesus (piano duos). Two of these books are being sold for only $16.95!  Two copies are necessary to play two pianos unless you have two pianos side by side plus a pianist with super eyesight

I also discovered another neat site where you can purchase individual piano arrangements. I’ll have to share this information soon!

I announced earlier about the soon coming release of my book entitled: Showers of Blessing. This piano arrangement book is now available through Soundforth. Soundforth did an excellent job putting the book together!

The book contains eight early intermediate sacred arrangements. The final arrangement is a peppy piano duet of Stepping in the Light.

Here are sample audios for each arrangement…

America the Beautiful

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

Come Thou Fount

It is Well with My Soul

Onward Christian Soldiers

Showers of Blessing

Stepping in the Light  (duet)

What Child is This

I’m excited about the upcoming release of my first piano arrangement book being published by Soundforth.  The piano book entitled, Showers of Blessing,  contains seven early intermediate arrangements (six solos and one piano duet).

The arrangements will work well for pianists with small hands.

Audio samples will be provided very soon.  Stay tuned for publication notice.

 I always enjoy finding more piano arrangements for offertories!  The following audio samples are taken from the book entitled: Playing Piano Praises Volume One by Glenn & Jan Christianson.  The arrangements from this book are available in downloadable pdf format.  Another neat feature is…you can purchase the arrangements individually or as a whole book!

Come Christians Join to Sing

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Rock of Ages

In the Garden (one of my favorites!)

Medley: Hallelujah for the Cross! with At the Cross (sounds militant enough for a patriotic offertory)  

Hope you enjoy sampling the audios of these  piano arrangements.  Click here to view the actual music…Playing Piano Piano Praises  Volume One.

I’m adding a new website to my blogroll list!  Bible Truth Music contains a nice selection of resources  that will benefit the church pianist.

I recently purchased one of their new piano duo books entitled Wonderful Grace of Jesus.  The arrangements are fairly easy to learn but sound wonderful! The piano arrangements can also be purchased individually from this book in downloadable pdf format!  Sunshine and I are playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”  for July 4th Sunday. I will provide sample audios of this book in an upcoming article.

Here’s a list of audio excerpts from several of their piano books:

Audio Excerpts:

Playing Piano Praises   (early advanced) arranged by Glenn & Jan Christianson

In the Garden 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Joyful Melodies Three   (early intermediate)  arranged by Jennifer Hall

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Power in the Blood

Songs of Invitation  (early advanced) arranged by Harold DeCou

Almost Persuaded

Just as I Am

More sample audios and book titles will appear in the next few articles.  Bible Truth Music plans to have all of their piano books available in pdf format very soon!  Hop on over and see what they have as of now.  I plan to purchase several of their books very soon to add to my offertory repertoire.

Church pianists of all levels will benefit from this website! 

Ken Renfrow is one of my favorite arrangers for sacred piano arrangements. His latest book, Sacred Favorites Book One, is an excellent resource for the church pianist. This book features familiar hymns that are rarely seen in piano arrangement books. 

A  must have for church pianists looking for offertories!

Sacred Favorites Book One  (Advanced piano solos) by Ken Renfrow

One of my church pianist readers recently asked if I knew of any nice intermediate level piano offertory books.

Try the following…

Lost in Wonder by Jim Lucas

Intermediate Collection #1 by Jenifer Cook

Hymn Medleys by Phillip Keveren  (recommended by a friend)

A Sacred Collection by Ken Renfrow

Hymns with Style by Jerry Ray

Sacred Silhouettes by Dennis Alexander

I just thought I’d share a couple of sacred piano arrangement books with my church pianist readers that I use quite frequently.

Fairest Lord Jesus  by Dan Forrest (favorite arrangements: “Fairest Lord Jesus, Lead Me to Calvary and Hiding in Thee”)  *Intermediate

Have Thine Own Way Mary Ann Van Geldren (favorite arrangements: all of them!)   *Late intermediate

Draw Me Nearer by Faye Lopez  (favorite arrangements: all of them) *Advanced

As a church pianist, I’m always looking for new/old piano offertory books.  I will share more  offertory books with you soon!

Ever been nervous while playing an offertory?  I’ve never met a church pianist who hasn’t dealt with this issue. (including myself).

A question from one of my readers…

How do you address the issue of nerves with your students? I am completely comfortable playing congregationals, but as soon as it is time for the offertory my hands start shaking!

A music professor shared some sound advice with me several years ago, about my being nervous to play or sing at church.  I’m human too

He said, being nervous reflects on self.. thinking about how I will sound or look when I’m playing or singing in front of others.  Then he said what I didn’t want to hear….PRIDE.  I know…pride is a sin and therefore…well…

So true!  If you think about it…being nervous hinders us as church pianists from being effective communicators through music.

I still get nervous at times, but this wise man’s words have rung in my ears many times… as a gentle reminder to forget self and focus on the message of the song.  Ultimately, I should rely on God to help me convey His message of truth in song.

I also find it easier to play for congregational singing as opposed to playing for an offertory.  During the offering, the church pianist is more on display right?  :)  Just forget about all those eyes watching you and focus on the message of the song. I like to sing along in my head as I play…which draws me into the song.  Just ask God to give you peace.

Either my parents or piano teacher once advised me to imagine myself just playing in my own livingroom when having to play in church.  I found this helped me to forget the audience and focus on what I was playing.

I will have to say that experience over time does wonders to ease the nerves.  I’ve been playing for church since about age eleven.  I’m ancient now!  Well…just 46.   But…long enough to have gained some experience.

God has a way of keeping me humble if I get too prideful

There is another side to being nervous.  Maybe the pianist hasn’t prepared enough and therefore he or she is nervous.  Valid reason! Or…it could simply be…the pianist has chosen a piece above his or her level.  If you can’t play it at home without struggling after sufficient practice…then don’t play it.  It’s better to play a simple piece well than to play a fancy piece poorly.

In closing, I’d like to  encourage all church pianists, including myself, to focus on pleasing God with our music and so much will just fall into place.

Thanks for your visits and comments!  I pray for you all as you seek to please the Lord with the talents He has blessed you with.

Many of you may not be familar with my background of music and what music writers influenced my life. Today, I’ll share a video featuring a couple that greatly influenced my style of music through my high school years.

Ron and Shelly Hamilton is that couple.  Shelly’s parents, Frank and Flora Jean Garlock were also a great influence.  I’m so thankful for their godly example through the years and their faithful diligence in sharing the music God gave to them.

I came across a video today that presents the testimony of the Hamiltons.  Ron went through a great trial that God used to thrust him into the music production arena that has influenced the lives of many children, including mine.

God gave Ron a song from his valley experience entitled “O Rejoice in the Lord”.  What a blessing this song has been to me and many others!  I will also share a video of him singing this song after his testimony video below.

Now….to a touching story of God’s grace…