This is a song by the band, Sibling Harmony. The lyrics to this song are included at the end of this post. Sibling Harmony is a contemporary music band made up of LCMS church workers, Kim, Kurtis, & Kevin Bueltmann. These siblings are passionate about writing songs of faith for all ages. Kim, the lead singer of the group, works with youth, families, and music as a Deaconess in Champaign, IL. Kurtis, a former camp director and now pastor in Bellvidere, IL, designed a special drum set and plays standing up. Kevin, a former camp director and DCE, writes VBS songs for CPH, and is currently at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. The name “Sibling Harmony” does not only refer to the fact that the band members are siblings, but also to the fact that they are brothers and sisters in Christ.  They just released their 2nd CD.

“Sibling Harmony uses guitars, drums, vocal harmonies, and a multi-media presentation to involve audience members and encourage them in their faith.  Kim, Kurtis, & Kevin Bueltmann write songs for all ages and are passionate about bringing fun, energy and depth to their concerts geared for the entire family” (from their website).

The following Blind Review follows the outline of the Song Evaluation Tool. This song is open for discussion.

A Tool to Evaluate Worship Songs for Use in the Lutheran Congregation

Name of hymn/song:

Broken and Poured Out

Source of hymn/song (hymnal or songbook, etc.):

Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQWBSNGtcko

Suitable for faithful use:

   X  Yes

     No
Comments:

More suited to a special musical presentation by a prepared group than to congregational worship singing

1. What is the primary focus of the hymn/song? In other words, what is its ESSENCE? What does the hymn/song primarily refer to?

   X  Justification/Gospel (what God has done for us in Christ)
     Sanctification (works of faith)
     Both justification and sanctification
     Other . . .

It is . . .
   X  Christ-centered
     human-centered

Comments:

The song focuses on the Words of Institution and the Gospel promises contained in them

2. Is the Gospel clearly stated? If not, why not?

   X  Yes
     No

Comments:

Stated? Yes, in the Words of the Institution. But the song doesn’t make any further Gospel application.

3. Is there a confusion of Law and Gospel? (E.g., “All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart . . . .”) If so, describe how Law and Gospel are confused.

     Yes
  X   No

Comments:

The law is not clearly stated, but merely implied by several references to forgiveness.

4. How are the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) treated in this hymn/song?

     Not at all
     As God’s work of grace (correct view of Baptism)
     As a good work or decision we make (incorrect view of Baptism)
   X  As body & blood of Christ (correct view of Lord’s Supper)
     As symbols of body & blood (incorrect view of Lord’s Supper)
     Other . . .

Comments:

5. How would you classify this particular hymn/song? What is its FORM?

     Traditional-classical
   X  Contemporary
   X  Folk
     Spiritual
     Jazz
   X  Soft-Rock
     Hard-Rock
     Other . . .
6. What is the FUNCTION of the hymn/song? Check as many as you think characterize the hymn/song. More than one may apply.

   X  To proclaim the Gospel to the world
   X  To teach the Gospel
   X  To praise God
   X  To tell a biblical story
   X  To comfort consciences burdened by sin
     To encourage
     To edify
     Other . . .

7. Does the hymn/song promote good order and decorum? In other words, does the hymn/song draw the worshiper to focus clearly on the Gospel, and not just on the style of music? If there is frivolity or offense, explain why.

   X  Yes
     No, it contains . . .
     frivolity
     offense

Why? . . .

It is a clear recounting of the Words of Institution and recalling of the event of the Last Supper.

8. Is there anything you would change about the hymn/song?

   X  Its wording There are a few inconsistencies, i.e. mixing “thee” and “you,” and in places the rhyming seems contrived
     Its music /difficult to sing / distracts from the Gospel
     Its length / too long or too short
     No change

This “Tool to Evaluate Worship Songs” is described in more detail in  A Simplified Guide to Worshiping As Lutherans. By James Alan Waddell. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2009.

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Broken & Poured Out
Copyright © 2008 by Sibling Harmony

Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-29

Chords: Am  F  G  Am-G-Am-G

Solo:  While they were eating, Jesus took the bread,
Gave thanks and broke it, and then He said:
“This is my body given just for thee.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

Chorus:   Broken – Poured out.
Broken and Poured out all for me.
Broken – Poured out.
Broken and Poured out all for you. (Words of Institution first 2 times)

Spoken:  “Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread and when he had given thanks He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take. Eat. This is my body which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

Solo: Then he took the cup, gave thanks for it too.
Offered it to them, “Drink from it. All of you.”
This is my blood of the covenant,
Poured out for all to forgive your sin.  Chorus

Spoken:  “In the same way also, He took the cup after supper and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you. This cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

All:  Is this not the bread? Is this not the wine?
From a simple loaf and the fruit of the vine?
This is His body. This is His blood.
This is His forgiveness and this is His love.   Chorus

All:  Truly I will say, His presence is so real
When we come together and join in this meal.
When you eat this bread, When you drink this cup,
You proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.   Chorus

+ sdg +