God is with us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-4, 14) Not only did Jesus, our Emmanuel (God with us), come into this world to be with us and to redeem us, Scripture is filled with comfort and conformation that God is indeed with us. “The Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (2 Timothy 1:14). God is with us through His Word. May the songs in this CD give assurance and peace that God dwells with us. And in times when we don’t see, hear, or feel God (“Even When He Is Silent”), may your faith be strengthened by “keeping your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) Mr. Andrew Hanson, AFLBS Music Director and Conductor A word about AFLBS and its choirs from our dean, Pastor Joel Rolf. The Association Free Lutheran Bible School is a two year, college level school of the Bible in suburban Minneapolis, MN, dedicated to “Teaching the Word, Training servants, and Transforming lives”. Located on a beautiful twenty-five acre campus overlooking Medicine Lake, students come from around the world to study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The mission of AFLBS is “to establish students in the eternal and inerrant Word of God for a life of faith in Jesus Christ and faithful service in His kingdom.” High school graduates come to AFLBS to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and grow in that relationship with Jesus Christ through the study of His Word, investing in building a solid biblical foundation for the rest of their lives! Students at AFLBS also study subjects like missions, evangelism and discipleship, and Christian education, and gain practical experience through sharing their faith, assisting in congregations, and a variety of urban ministries. Many students are involved in one of the nine gospel teams that travel to congregations and other places to share the gospel on weekends. Nine summer teams are also trained for Vacation Bible School, Bible camps, and music ministry. We believe that Christ’s Great Commission “to make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20) is for all believers. We desire to glorify God in living and proclaiming the life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ! Much of our student body participates in music ministry. Concert Choir and Proclaim Choir, both under the direction of Andrew Hanson, tour the United States each year. The Concert Choir has also toured several times in Norway and Eastern Europe proclaiming the gospel in song. Director Andrew Hanson is a graduate of St. Olaf College, and has a Master’s degree in choral conducting from St. Cloud State University. Andrew’s passion is for excellence in music, and music that points people to the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is our Savior and hope for our world today. We hope you will hear that message resound in every song on this CD! It is our prayer that the messages of these songs will renew and inspire your faith in Jesus Christ and encourage your soul in the reality of Emmanuel, God with us through life and all eternity! Jesus said, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) Pastor Joel Rolf, AFLBS Dean For further information, contact: Association Free Lutheran Bible School 3134 East Medicine Lake Boulevard, Plymouth, MN 55441 www.aflbs.org 763.544.9501 or 1.877.23.AFLBS Recorded in the AFLBS Chapel Engineer: Doug Geston of Westmark Productions