NO. 09 | the beatitudes (2022)
A New Liturgy No 9: The Beatitudes invites us to center ourselves in the center of Jesus' way. Even as the container of modern Christianity wobbles and crumbles, Christ's invitation holds firm. He simply says "Follow me". The the beatitudes are a brilliant map of the pathway.
This 22 minute liturgy begins with a new song by Aaron Niequist called "Follow Me". (Sung by the amazing Ben Kilgore). From this expansive beginning, we are guided into a contemplative engagement with The Beatitudes through music, scripture, and the wisdom of Mark Scandrette. May the Spirit of Christ speak to us through the words of Christ. The final movement helps us collect the experience and offer ourselves to God, in the way of Jesus, for the sake of the world.
BONUS: We have also included a 12 minute expanded meditation, guided by Mark Scandrette.
Credits:
Produced by Aaron Niequist
Recorded at GTS and many places
Mixed by Nathan Yaccino.
Mastered by Joe Causey at Voyager Mastering.
“Follow Me”, “Teach Me Your Ways” and “Beatitudes Collect” written by Aaron Niequist
“Beatitudes Meditation” adapted from The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes (IVP 2021) by Mark Scandrette (markscandrette.com), and from The Ninefold Path Notebook(Mark Scandrette with Danielle Welch) - a NINE BEATS Collective resource, published by Lifewords. (9beats.org & ninefoldpath.org)
Musicians:
Aaron Niequist — piano, keyboards, guided invitation, vocals
David Gungor — Bass guitar
Brennan Smiley — Acoustic and Electric Guitar
James McAlister — Drums and perc
Ben Kilgore — Lead vocal on “Follow Me”
Kate Gungor — Lead vocal on “Beatitudes Meditation”
Lisha Epperson — Scripture reading and Beatitudes Collect
Mark Scandrette — Guided Beatitudes Mediation
Bea, Evie, Kate, and David Gungor, Michael DeLashmutt — gang vocal
LYRICS
follow me | Aaron Niequist
Humanity moans and creation weeps — Jesus
The heavens declare while the church just sleeps — Jesus
Still you say “Follow me…”
You never told us to be right for you — Jesus
You never said to sing or to fight for you — Jesus
But you said "Follow me…”
Follow me into a new life
Do what I do make the world right
Love who I love and then be crucified
Follow me into a new life
We long to be strong in our certainty — Jesus
You show us how to swim in your mystery —Jesus
When you say "Follow me…”
Follow me into a new life
Do what I do make the world right
Love who I love and then be crucified
Follow me into a new life
Follow me into a new life
Learning to lose is the new fight
Break yourself open and learn how to die
Follow me into a new life
Dance and be free as you lay down your rights
For all who are weary, my burden is light
Follow me into a new life.
You can download all the lyrics, the sheet music for “follow Me”, and the text of Mark scandrette’s beatitudes meditation.
Join us for a 4-episode exploration of The Beatitudes: In the first episode, Aaron shares the heart behind the project and why the neighbor-loving, peace-making Way of Christ is the only hope for our world. He also plays numerous clips of the new liturgy recording, along with stories about the process and reflections on how to engage the liturgy.
You can find The Eternal Current Podcast on iTunes or on most formats.