Darlene Zschech - The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering
STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 173686-27718 LABEL: Integrity 0000768718520 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RELEASE DATE: 2018-10-26 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
In truth, if this had been released bearing the name of an unknown artist rather than the renowned Australian worship leader this set would have attracted little attention or sales. But such is Darlene's status in the modern worshipping community, even though it's been seven years since she and her husband departed from Hillsong to start the Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC), that this will no doubt be a must-stock item in Christian retailers around the world. Here Darlene presents a batch of carols ("Silent Night", "Away In A Manger", "O Holy Night"), a couple of well-known Christmas songs ("Do You Hear What I Hear" and "Little Drummer Boy" - the latter with a lead vocal from Pati Telea) and a couple of originals. There are some highlights, the stately title track has an uplifting blend of Darlene and choir and the extemporised closing section of "Come All Ye Faithful (Come & Adore)" where Darlene truly enters into worship. Elsewhere though this album is a rather lacklustre affair, sounding for all the world like another Christian music artist making a predictably unimaginative Christmas set.
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Product Description
Beloved Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech – known for penning “Shout To The Lord,” “Victor’s Crown” and “Worthy Is The Lamb” – has a deep conviction about the role of community in the lives of Christ-followers and as a beacon to the lost. Over the past few years, Darlene and her husband Mark have been Pastoring Hope Unlimited Church (HopeUC) on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. With Christmas being a season of family, Darlene wanted to share the platform of her Christmas album with the HopeUC worship team.
Building 'longer tables' and 'lower walls' - welcoming all to Jesus has been a passion of the HopeUC team and together they have created a warm, organic Christmas collection. Led by Darlene, this team of worship leaders have captured the warmth of a family of believers gathering together to worship around the birth of our Saviour.
With the concept of “the table” as a Christmas gathering place, Darlene and her Hope Unlimited Church family welcome you to a Christmas worship celebration with a warm, organic collection of Christmas classics and original songs. From traditional Christmas classics, blended with new original songs from Darlene and her church team, this is a great worship experience for the Christmas season.