“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).
The word ‘Grace‘ is often defined by using the five letters contained in the actual word, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense,” however someone also defined ‘Grace’ as, “Everything for nothing to those of us who don’t deserve anything.”
Bono, lead singer of the band U2 once said in an interview, “The most powerful idea that’s entered this world in the last few thousand years, is the idea of Grace and it’s the reason I would like to be a Christian.”
A new band from the borders of Tipperary and Kilkenny, ‘Cephas,’ will launch their new single, entitled ‘Amazing Grace‘ on Sunday April 3rd, (2011) next, at 7.00pm, in St.Fiachra’s Church, Kilkenny City.
The much loved hymn ‘Amazing Grace‘ was written by English poet and clergyman John Henry Newton, published in 1779 with the message that forgiveness and redemption are possible, regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God.
Newton, himself a sailor, wrote these words from personal experience. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. His career in slave trading lasted a few years more, until he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.
A special thanks to Roseland Studios, Moate, Co. Westmeath, and the band, for allowing us to capture some live video footage for you, our readers, taken during their recording of this, their newest single.
I suppose to call ‘Cephas ‘ a new band, is rather misleading, as for those of us pushing the wrong side of forty will remember them with great pleasure, as the successful touring eighties rock band “Sweet Freedom,” who were runners up in RTE’s National Talent competition.
The six performing members of the band, Eddie, John Joe, Marian, Seamus, Noreen and Patricia, all members of the Cullinane family, came out of retirement just prior to Christmas 2008, to form ‘Cephas’ and raised some €6,000 for the Boys Town Orphanage, near Lviv in the Ukraine, recording their first successful album “Faith and Family.”
Thurles.Info is proud to announce, yes folks they’re back again, with their new amazing single ‘Amazing Grace,’ proceeds of the sale of which will go to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
Speaking to the band members they explained their reasons behind the Album “Faith and Family.” They explained, “There are children who do not know such a childhood as ours, nor family comfort, nor a parents caress. They are compelled to bear hunger, cold and the disdain of others. We can only guess how they suffer when they look at their friends playing, walking with their parents or going to school well dressed. Presently 18 children live in this “Boys Town” in the village of Bortnyky near Lviv, Ukraine. Some were found in the streets, where they were alone and begging. These children’s whose ages range from 7-16 years needed financial assistance. We were happy to pool our limited talent and our love of music to offer some little assistance.”
To quote the late Martin Luther King, a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” So if you like the ‘Cephas ‘ rendition of Amazing Grace, why not contact Noreen, Mobile: 087-6729242 or Email noreencullinane@gmail.com for details of how to get your copy.
Leave a Reply