News - August 2002

August 2002: READY STEADY ACT NOW

A 109 page drama booklet photocopiable resource for drama groups of all ages. Click into Drama Section to download this.

Sermon and School Assembly ideas will follow soon.

A new musical for Christmas 2000+ 'THE CHRISTMAS STORY' by Revd Sheila Hamil.

Comprising :-15 new songs on side A, sung by the choir of Central Middle School, St Peter's Road, Wallsend. Tyne and Wear. + backing track (karaoke style) on side B. Also words for the O.H.P.+ drama script/mime + music + words for choirs. Only £10.00 + £1.50 p&p School tel no:- (0191 200 7233)

At last! Musicals I set my mind to over fifteen years ago ! First Easter now it's the turn of Christmas. Who knows perhaps school assemblies tunes next.

I would like to thank Dave McRae for his support, for his keyboard skills and for singing the 'Herod' vocals. Also his arrangements of my songs, and printing the music out for me. Les Watts for mixing and producing our sound tape, and of course for some additional keyboards. Ken Hawker, composer of the tune Light of Christ. Martin Brunton, (former pupil) keyboard player in 'Herod was a Nasty Man' Frank Wappat of Radio Newcastle for his encouragement and support. Renn Hunter of Axis Audio. My thanks also to Mr S A Hickson and the Central Middle School for recognising the value of this project and for helping to fund this project.

My thanks to the choir of Central Middle School, Wallsend, especially soloists, Sarah Blakey, Kim Porter, Meisha Wallace, John Paul Campbell, Daniel Storr and Shaun Davidson, who sang so beautifully. I would also like to thank the puppeteers who performed the five assembly mimes with such enthusiasm, and last, but not least, the Art Squad who helped me to make our life-size puppets.

I hope that your children, your youth clubs and/or churches enjoy performing it too, and that God will bless you as you re-enact this wonderful story ! All songs copyright Sheila Hamil 2000

Also available on tape, and C.D. on request :-

The Easter Story Giving It All To You Called To Serve The Best of United Folk (Tapes £5.00 +£1.00 p&p C.D. £7.00 +£1.50 p&p)

Also free 80 page drama book called READY, STEADY, ACT NOW.(£3.00 p&p)

All profits to go Charity (home and abroad)

These are three of my favourite songs from the musical which you can download on MP3s.

Opening Medley (click for MP3)
This first song is a medley, and much of its text is taken from the start of John's gospel. It opens mystically, at the beginning of all time. The second part has something to say about the light of Christ descending upon a world of darkness to give it a light that would never be extinguished. A friend of mine Ken Hawker, wrote the music to this one, the 'Light of Christ', many years ago and the words which I added then were my first attempts at song writing! Ken is delighted that the song has at last been put to good use. I especially love the scripture verses to the last part of this medley, John 3v16, where we are reminded of those wonderful words,'God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.'

In the beginning was the word, And the word was-with God, And the Word was God. In the beginning all things were made, And without- Him, Nothing was made.

In Him was life, light of all humankind, In Him was light, author of day. And to the darkness came this wondrous light, A light the dark could never chase away. In the beginning, in the beginning, in the beginning……

To the darkness came God's light, Light of men was that life, There at the beginning was the Word of God. He was coming to the world, as a child, as its light. Word made flesh, who dwelt with us, full of grace and truth. Chorus:- Light of Christ come shine in us, Lead us on, light the way. Let your flame forever burn, then will your love grow.

Holy child of Bethlehem, ray of hope, light divine, You came down from glory in humility, You who grew into a king, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, You came down to save us, came to set us free. (ch)

God so loved the world that He gave, God so loved the world that He gave, God so loved the world that He gave, His only begotten Son.

So that every--one who believes, shall not die Every--one who believes, shall not die Every--one who believes, shall not die But have everlasting life===everlasting life===LIFE.

Herod was a nasty man (click for MP3)
Herod was a Nasty Man, was the children's favourite song when we recorded it, and when we performed The Christmas Story in the week leading up to Christmas. I think they enjoyed the heavy metal approach to it, which was played and arranged for us by former pupil Martin Brunton. The puppets certainly looked as though they were enjoying themselves too, especially Herod's henchman, who played a real mean solo guitar in the instrumental verse.
Herod was a nasty man He was king of all the land, Heard the tale the wise men told, And his smiling eyes grew cold. Herod was a nasty man, king of all the land

"We have come to see the king, We have come to worship him, May we see him, homage pay? Then we'll travel on our way, We have come to see the child, King of all the land."

He was jealous; he was mean, Turned a sickly shade of green, "Let my scribes and wisest men, Search the scrolls and tell me when, Will this king be born and where, I must search throughout the land!"

"See my Lord, 'tis written down, Bethlehem it is the town!" Turned he to the kings once more, By this time his head was sore, Mind all filled with blood and gore, for the child king of the land.

"When you find him, let me know, I must journey, I must go. To gaze upon this new born king, Give to him MY OFFERING, Herod was a worried man, king of all the land.

The Flight To Egypt (click for MP3)
This song has a haunting melody to it, and it describes one aspect of the Christmas Story we don't often hear about, and that is the Flight into Egypt. Meisha Wallace sings this beautifully, and she is only ten years old.

Journey on your way, Son of God, on the long, dusty road, Leaving far behind the town of Bethlehem. Off into a cold, lonely night, while the stars twinkle on, Don't come back for a while, don't come back for a while, Take your flight.

Journey on your way, Son of God, though the night closes in, Loving arms will hold you, keep you safe from harm. You'll find shelter soon, little one, in a far distant land. You'll be there for a while, you'll be there for a while, Sleep tight.

Journey on your way, Son of God, You'll be back one fine day. When the time is right, your parents will be told. In the meantime, shine little one, though the darkness has come. This world needs such a smile, this world needs your bright light, Journey on.

If you have enjoyed these three songs, then why not buy a pack for your local school, church or youth club? So many of these songs are written directly from scripture, and God promises that his holy words, once distributed, will never return to him empty, without accomplishing his purposes. Isaiah 55vv10-11

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