Invitation

Invitation is the title of a new CD being produced and distributed by Third Way Media, a merger of Mennonite Media, and Third Way Cafe. This CD, as are many others, is a reproduction of some of the music that was sung by the Mennonite Hour Chorus, Triple Trio, and Men's Quartet. The Mennonite Hour radio broadcast began in 1952 and continued until the late 1970's.

All of the music sung by the Mennonite Hour musical groups was done acapella. Much of the music was of the most familiar hymns that many people knew and which were sung in the churches of many of the listeners. This made the music something that people liked to listened to, and with which they could identify.

Through the years Mennonite Media took some of these hymns and reproduced them on CDs. We have some of them in our home and truly enjoy listening to them. In the November 3, 2009 issue of The Mennonite, a magazine distributed widely by our denomination, a new CD entitled, Invitation, was introduced. Brochures announcing this new CD have been printed and distributed widely.

This new CD is of special interest to me for a couple of reasons. One, the promotion in The Mennonite included a quote with my name attached. I was surprised at this and contacted Third Way Media to see if it was indeed from me. I was assured that it was and that it had come from one of my blogs. In checking it out I found it to be from my blog done on January 31, 2009. In the new brochure for Invitation the quotation reads: "Mennonite Media had done a very good job in taking the old recordings and making good quality CDs from them. I have learned through the years to enjoy many different kinds of music, but I never tire of the old hymns. There just seems to be something about the words and music that have endured through the years that touches my soul in a deeper way...."

Some of the songs included on this CD are: Open the Wells of Salvation, Spirit of Holiness Descend, The Love of God, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Redeemed, I'm Pressing on the Upward Way, and 19 other great songs of the faith. This CD may be purchased online at ThirdWayMedia.org or by mail at, Third Way Media, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2434. The price for one CD is $12.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. If you like good acapella, four-part singing you'll enjoy this CD.

I these good old hymns and they help me in my journey of faith. And so it is that I remain-

Pilgrim on the way