Archive for November, 2008

Psalm 71 – Generational Responsive Reading (Selected Verses)

November 28, 2008 at 7:06 pm · Filed under Book II: 42-72, Multi-Part Reading ·Tagged ,

Psalm 71 – Generational Responsive Reading (Selected Verses)

 

According to our Liturgical calendar the “Psalm of the Day” for 12/14/2008 is Psalm 71.  Rather than read this Psalm responsively between the Pastor and the Congregation; try reading it according to age groups.  Our church is fairly small so we will use two age groups.  The readings lend themselves to this style and splitting the readings by age groups will give your youth and teens a more prominent voice in worship.

 

Leader:          In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.  Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

 

Age Group (under 40 years): For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.  From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.  I will ever praise you.  I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.  My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

 

Age Group (over 40 years): Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.  Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.

 

Leader:          But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.  I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

 

Age Group (under 40 years): Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

 

Age Group (over 40 years): Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

 

Leader:          Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things.  Who, O God, is like you?

 

Age Group (over 40 years): Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

 

 All:  My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

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The Top Ten Reasons to Use Stringed Instruements in Worship

November 27, 2008 at 12:50 am · Filed under Guitar, Music, Worship Music ·Tagged

  1. “The music of the strings makes you glad.” – Psalm 45:8
  2. “Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.” – Psalm 33:2
  3. “Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” – Psalm 57:8
  4. “I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.”  - Psalm 71:22
  5. “Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.”  - Psalm 81:2
  6. “I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,” – Psalm 144:9
  7. “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,” – Psalm 150:3
  8. “The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.” – Isaiah 38:20
  9. “At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.” – Nehemiah 12:28
  10. He will rejoice over you with singing” – Zephaniah 3:17

 

“Differing musical styles allows people of differing backgrounds, ages and experiences to worship God wholeheartedly together.” –Bob Kauflin

 

—

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

 

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Did you feel the mountains tremble?

November 23, 2008 at 12:29 pm · Filed under Messiah Lutheran Church ·Tagged , ,

Did you hear the mountains tremble?  Did you hear the oceans roar?  No, I’m not talking about the popular song; I’m talking about the new WELS “Christian Worship Hymnal Supplement.”  We had the introductory workshop at our church on 11/22 and it was so exciting, refreshing and invigorating to see excitement about new music.  The new supplement has four songs by the contemporary songwriting team of Keith Getty and Stuart Townwend as well as several other contemporary pieces including “There is a Redeemer” and “What is this Bread?”  For me, it was too good to be true and it was prayers answered to see two of our Pastors excited about some songwriters who are still alive and who write music that’s meant for piano/guitar/Praise band.  And its not just these two guys, it’s spreading throughout the WELS.  “In Christ Alone” is taking the WELS by storm.  See what Pastor Johnold Strey is saying about it here:

 

http://pastorstrey.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/its-about-substance/

 

and Jeremiah Gumm here:

 

http://shepherdstudy.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/in-christ-alone/

 

 

And finally, I posted about this song here:

 

http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/a-modern-day-hymn/

 

There is a renewed energy in the air and the amazing thing is that this is only the beginning.  There are other songwriters out there today that are being inspired by God to write Christ-centered, Biblical, God Exalting, Christ Glorifying, Edifying music for the church.  Graham Kendrick, Twila Paris, Michael Card, Bob Kauflin, Steve Altrogge, Steve & Vicki Cook and Dan Schutte are a few; but there are many others.

 

If you are a WELS Pastor reading this BLOG you need to consider jumping on this train because it’s bound for glory and Christ’s kingdom will benefit.

 

Special thanks go to Pastors Paul Meier and Tom Mielke for a job well done and for sharing the excitment. 

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  - Col 3:16

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Thanksgiving Reponsive Reading

November 22, 2008 at 12:22 pm · Filed under Book IV: 90-106, Book V: 107-150, Thanksgiving ·Tagged , ,

Thanksgiving Reponsive Reading (from WELS.net):

 

(Psalms 100 & 150)

 

M:  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

C:  Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

 

M:  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

C:  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

 

M:  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

C:  Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise him with the harp and lyre.

 

M:  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

C:  Praise him with tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flute.

 

M:  Give thanks to him and praise his name.

C:  Praise him with the clash of symbols; praise him with resounding cymbals.

 

M:  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.  His faithfulness continues through all generations.

C:  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

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God Will Make a Way

November 19, 2008 at 12:00 pm · Filed under All Others ·Tagged , ,

On Dec 7, we will be singing the song “God Will Make a Way” by Don Moen.  This is a congregational favorite.  When I first heard this song I was enamored by the opening lyric: “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.”  I immediately wanted to use it in worship.  But then I got to the verse and I was stymied by the lyric “Heaven and earth will fade”.  I didn’t understand when or why heaven would fade – until I read 2 Peter 3; then it became clear.  Our Epistle reading on 12/7 is 2 Peter 3:8-14, hence the occasion to sing this inspiring song.

 

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar…”

 

Chorus:

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength

For each new day

He will make a way

He will make a way

 

Verse:

By a roadway in the wilderness

He’ll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see

Heaven and earth will fade

But His Word will still remain

He will do something new today

 

CCLI Song No. 458620

© 1990 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Don Moen

 

Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”

 

This song also draws from Is 43:19 “I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”  But I think that people really like it because of it’s’ tie with Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”

 

Sometimes when we have exhausted all of our own resources, God is about to show us that He is not limited to our small ideas and solutions.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

 

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A Thanksgiving Litany

November 12, 2008 at 9:33 pm · Filed under Thanksgiving ·Tagged , , ,

A Thanksgiving Litany

 

Instructions: The following is a responsive reading for a Thanksgiving service which starts out being thankful for the ‘big picture items’ but  progresses down into some close and personal items that we need to be thankful (to God) for.  I wrote this for use at our local church, but it could easily be modified to your local needs.  The congregational responses are all based on scripture.

 

Pastor:  God, today we are thankful, most of all, for YOU.  Without you, we cannot even breathe.  You provide rhythm to our hearts and lives.  You are our protector, our guide, our strength, our creator and our redeemer.  We are thankful for your very presence at this time.

All: We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near.  (Ps 75:1)

 

Pastor: God, you created this wonderful terrestrial ball known as the planet Earth and the entire galaxy that surrounds it.  You are the provider and the sustainer of all life, for all time and in all continuums.

Men: I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. (Ps 9:1)

Women: All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.  (Ps 66:4)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for this great Nation – the United States of America.  We are thankful for our liberties, for our freedoms; and especially the ability to worship You as guided by your very WORD without being hindered by our government or other adversaries.

All: May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.  (Ps 67:4)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for the leadership of this great Country.  Continue to guide our leaders and keep us safe.

All: Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.  (Ps 4:6b)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for the state of CT, for the wonderful changing of the seasons, and for the bountiful harvests and plentiful jobs.

Men: You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.  (Ps 65: 9)

Women: You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.  (Ps 65:11)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for community services; for community shelters, food banks, nursing homes, police and fire protection, churches, schools, hospitals and libraries.

All: You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.  (Ps 68:35)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for our local church and our governing Synod.  Keep us true and steadfast to your Word.

All: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under his care.  (Ps 95:6)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for all who serve in our church, our Pastor, the secretary, the Church Council, the Altar Guild, the Sunday School teachers, the Ushers, those who clean and maintain the property, those who provide music for our worship services, those who pray, those who need our prayers and all those who attend this church.

All: I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.  (Ps 111:1)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for each other, for our families and for our homes.

All:  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.  (Ps 30:12b)

 

Pastor: We are thankful for the many blessings which you have provided for each one of us; food, shelter, clothing, employment , health and an education.

Men: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  (Ps 4:8)

Women: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.  (Ps 23:1)

 

All: I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.  (Ps 7:17)

 

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

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How to Change Guitar Strings

November 10, 2008 at 10:40 pm · Filed under Maintenance ·Tagged

Fellow Guitarists,

 

I own three guitars, a 6 string acoustic, a 12 string acoustic and an electric.  I’ve been playing for over 30 years and I seem to always be changing my strings.  I came across a video from Taylor guitars recently on how to change your strings.  I thought that I knew it all when it came to strings, but I actually learned a few things from watching this video.

 

They say that a day never goes by without learning something new …

And here’s more info:

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Parlez Vous Francais?

November 9, 2008 at 12:29 pm · Filed under Missions, Paul & Rita Baloche ·Tagged , ,

 

Today’s post is meant to be used in a Mission Festival service.  At these Mission-themed services, we like to pick a Country where we have Mission workers and focus part of our worship on that culture.  Often times, we’ll try to get the Missionary serving in that land to guest preach.

 

Paul Baloche is a very generous worship leader and Pastor.  He offers most of his music available for free at his website:  http://leadworship.com.  However, if your church has a CCLI license, I would recommend that you report any of his music that you use.

 

I’d like to bring the song “Praise Adonai” to your attention.  Paul has recently released a version of this great song with the lyrics in French.  Even if your band or choir has no French speaking members, I recommend that you give this a try.  It’s an excellent practice to sing in another language as it does wonders to focus your singers on proper diction.  Paul has three resources available to help you including:

 

An Mp3:

http://www.leadworship.com/media/PraiseAdonai_French.mp3

 

Piano Score:

http://www.leadworship.com/resources/pdf/PraiseAdonai_PC.pdf

 

Video:

 

Help your people to realize that the very God whom we worship week after week in English is also being worshiped all over the entire world.

Our Synodical website also has some wonderful resources for Mission services.  Here’s the home page:

http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?bhm/bhmIndex

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Never say Never – Unless you’re God

November 7, 2008 at 11:12 am · Filed under All Others ·Tagged

Revelation Song
 
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.  And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.  And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.  A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.  Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.  Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.  These are the seven spirits of God.  Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
 
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.
 
And here’s my favorite part:
 
Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”  Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
 
OK, this one’s a favorite as well:
 
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,  for you created all things,  and by your will they were created and have their being.”
 
“Never” is an interesting choice of words.  Guess what you will hear when you get to heaven?  These amazing creatures saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”  How can we be so sure?  It’s that word “Never”.  Never do they stop.  They’re still doing it today.  That’s what “never” means.    This tells us something about using repetition in worship doesn’t it?
 
There’s a wonderful song based on this passage called “Revelation Song”.  If you’ve never heard this song (no pun intended), you need to listen to it for two reasons.  First, because it’s based on this powerful passage.  Second, and this is hard to explain, the accent is on the wrong note.  You’ll know what I  mean from the very first line.  All I can say is that it works.
 
Listen to it here:
 

 
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

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Psalm 90

November 3, 2008 at 11:15 am · Filed under Book IV: 90-106 ·Tagged ,

Psalm 90 – Read Responsively (This is our Psalm of the day for 11/9/2008)

 

This morning’s responsive Psalm is “A prayer of Moses”.  Note the responsive divisions where Pastor is always talking to God on our behalf and we are always responding as a corporate assembly of believers.
 
Pastor:  Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
 
All:                Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
 
Pastor:  You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
 
All:                For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
 
Pastor:           You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning- though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.
 
All:      We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.
 
Pastor:           You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
 
All:                All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.   The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
 
Pastor:           Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
 
All:                Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
 
Pastor:           Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
 
Men:             Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
 
Women:       Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
 
Pastor’s Blessing:                 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.  May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
 
Men:   establish the work of our hands for us—
 
Women:          yes, establish the work of our hands.
 
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of International Bible Society

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