Okay. I think I might be part Irish.

I had no idea that Keith and Kristyn Getty (Keith is the co-author with Stuart Townend of "In Christ Alone") were Irish, but Irish they are, and their part of tonight's Night of Worship concert was nothing short of remarkable. Uilleann pipes (Google it), an Irish flute, one of those Irish hand drum things you play with a stick thing, and a fiddle, plus drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, synth and acoustic piano, all backed by the NWLC conference choir, fronted by Kristyn Getty on lead vocals--the sound was big, the cadences were infectious, and these guys are creating what I suppose you would describe as hymns for a new generation. They are passionate for corporate worship, and they are creating songs that are truly cross-generational in style.

My own dubious Irish ancestry notwithstanding, I really liked the Gettys. I was taken by their authenticity--something that isn't always readily discernible in some artists, but which just shines in others. I believe that they are doing a hymn writing session this week, and I might just be there, if for no other reason than to hear those Irish accents again.

The Gettys occupied the last segment of the night--they were preceded by Pastor Steve Berger of Grace Chapel, who spoke from Psalm 40 about how God ministers to people in pain. He lost his 19-year-old son to an automobile accident about this time last year, and has written a book (Have Heart: Bridging the Gulf Between Heaven and Earth) about heaven. His talk was heart-rending and encouraging at the same time. He brought along the gifted Grace Chapel worship team, who led a remarkable worship set after Berger's talk.

The first artist of the night was Phil Wickham, who kicked off the evening with a great set, accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. Kudos to the sound crew for mixing his Taylor big and full, and to Phil for his tasteful, innovative, beautiful playing. (He's an amazing singer as well, and he wove several of his own worship songs together in a set that had great "flow" as we worship leaders are wont to say.) In what one Tweet during the set described as a "humble and powerful way to begin," he led the crowd in "How Great Thou Art," arranged in an updated style that just worked very well. Wickham knows his way around a worship set.

I was pleased to see my good friend, Phil and his wife Penny--I hadn't seen Phil (a fine keyboard player and singer I worked with years ago) for years, and he showed up in the parking lot next to me at last year's conference. I hadn't seen him since last year, but was glad to see his name tag on the registration table this afternoon, and he somehow found his way to my row in the darkened auditorium a few minutes after the festivities started tonight.

That's all for now--it's after midnight and I've got to hit the road early tomorrow for Day 2. Catch you later.