Genre-bending acoustic quartet Act of Congress releases “Welcome To The Heart of God” at digital and streaming outlets everywhere via https://linktr.ee/actofcongress and through Centricity Music’s distribution arm, Residence Music.
Co-written by Act of Congress members and Michael Farren (Reba McEntire, Walker Hayes, Lauren Daigle) and produced and mixed by Thomas Dulin (Drew and Ellie Holcomb), “Welcome To The Heart of God” is the first in a cascade of new original singles coming from Act of Congress this year. The single shares the gospel’s open invitation to everyone in the world.
“Much of Jesus’ ministry recorded in scripture takes place around a shared meal, at a table,” muses Act of Congress members Connie Skellie (violin, vocals), Adam Wright (mandolin, vocals), Chris Griffin (guitars) and Tim Carroll (bass) collectively while referencing Luke 14:15-23, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 2:13-17 and other scriptures. “He was constantly being chastised by the religious elite for sharing meals with ‘sinners.’ It seems like showing mercy to those who felt like they didn’t belong was a core tenet of the ministry of Jesus, a pillar of ‘the kingdom of God.’”
“Through the years, the gospel has rung true, especially during those aha moments – through parenting kids with their failures and triumphs and through my own despair and joyful highs,” shares Skellie whose sons were born with an incurable eye disease. “I now realize there’s never been a time when Christ wasn’t pursuing me.”
“I think about the simplicity of a hymn like ‘Amazing Grace,’ and hope that this song communicates those same truths,” adds Wright. “We have to see our need, that we’ve not measured up, that we’re the wretch in the story, and that we must find help. But we also have to see how God has met that need beautifully and perfectly in the gospel, in the sending of his perfect Son, Jesus, who has laid down his own life for those who acknowledge they can’t save themselves.”
“God is a safe place, and he loves us,” confirms Griffin, who knew the song was special after looking up and seeing the rest of the band with tears in their eyes during the writing session for the song.
“It was a very emotional moment for me as the lyrics were being crafted about how I am accepted regardless,” reflects Carroll, awed by the realization that the same gift is true for everyone. “It’s such a great message that I need to hear every day.”
CHORUS:
What if I told you I know a place where
We sit at one table, we all belong
What if I told you everyone’s welcome
You can come as you are
Welcome to the heart of God
The new single follows the Act of Congress release The Hymns That Made Us, a full-length album that reimagines timeless classics, inviting listeners to worship with thanksgiving, confession, prayer, lament and praise.
With at least three new songs to be revealed before the end of this year and more new music slated for early 2025, all the latest Act of Congress tour, music, news and more information can be found at https://actofcongressmusic.
About Act of Congress:
With its unique blend of pop, folk, gospel and bluegrass, Dave Higgs of NPR’s Bluegrass Breakdown calls Act of Congress “one of the freshest sounding, exuberant bands in all of the known acoustic universe.” Based in Birmingham, AL, the group has released five full length albums and two acclaimed Christmas EPs. Their songs have received Showtime and Google placements, they are consistently voted a “Must See Live Act of Alabama” and have been the featured artist in the state’s “Keep Alabama Beautiful” campaign.
Performing at SXSW and the International Newgrass Festival where their full set is still in regular rotation on National Public Television, their global audience has also continued to grow after completing five tours as U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors in countries such as Thailand, Oman, Palau, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Philippines, Bali, Liberia and Jordan.
Playing on stages with Toby Keith, John Mayer, Sara Evans, Edwin McCain, Taylor Hicks and many others, Act of Congress is regularly invited to play with symphonies, having put together a must-see Christmas show and a “Bluejeans and Bluegrass” pops concert. They have also been featured guests on the nationally syndicated Rick & Bubba Show and Woodsongs Old Time Radio on SiriusXM.
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For additional information, music, interviews, etc., contact: Rick Hoganson, Hoganson Media Relations, 615-542-4459, Hoganson@comcast.net.
