Voices-only Wednesday: ‘May The Presence of the Lord Go With You’ — and a sendoff for a longtime song leader

Welcome to Voices-only Wednesday, when we scour the Internet to bring you the best a cappella videos we can find.

Here’s a new song (including shape notes — bonus!) from Keith Lancaster and Acappella’s “Praise & Harmony” series. It’s called “May The Presence of the Lord Go With You.” It sounds like it would be a great “closing hymn” in the style of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” 

The song is the last one (appropriately enough) on the “Righteous God” album. Purchase the album (or sheet music for the songs) here. And tell them The Christian Chronicle sent you!

Speaking of closing hymns, the Granny White Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn., (which meets next door to Lipscomb University) is honoring longtime worship leader Paul Brown, who has led singing for 70 years. Wow!

A community-wide celebration is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Granny White church, 3805 Granny White Pike, Nashville, TN. The celebration will mark Brown’s “retirement” from song leading — most recently for the Vultee Church of Christ in Nashville.

What’s your favorite “closing hymn?” Please post in the comments below.

Growing up in Macon, Ga., my family and I attended the Central Church of Christ for a few years (now the North Macon Church of Christ). Aubrey Yearwood was the longtime song leader.

Without fail, he ended every single Sunday morning service with the first verse of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” 

To this day, I have the urge to stand every time I hear it.