Archive for BLENDED WORSHIP

Psalm 51 – “Change My Heart Oh God”

October 3, 2009 at 6:18 pm · Filed under Book II: 42-72, Psalm of the Day ·Tagged , ,

For our Psalm of the day on 10/11, we have combined portions of Psalm 51 with the song “Change My Heart of God” by Eddie Espinosa.  Here is the script that we will follow:

Pastor:  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

All:      Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

 

Pastor:  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

All:      Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

 

Congregation Sings: “Change My Heart Oh God” #33, Chorus

 

Pastor:  O Lord, open my lips,

All:      and my mouth will declare your praise.

 

Pastor:  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

All:      you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

 

Pastor:  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,

All:      Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. – Isa 64:8

 

Congregation Sings:  Chorus, Verse , Chorus

 

For more information on this song, and to hear it, follow this link:

http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/ash-wed-song-choice/

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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Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

September 2, 2009 at 7:30 am · Filed under Book V: 107-150, Psalm of the Day ·Tagged ,

For our blended worship service on 9/13, we will be combining the song “Thy Word” by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith with Psalm 119 as the Psalm of the Day.   Here is the script that we will follow:

Pastor:  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

All:      Oh, how I love your law!  I meditate on it all day long.

Pastor:  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.

All:      I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

 

Congregation Sings: Chorus, Verse 1, Chorus (LAPPY 313)

 

Pastor:  I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

All:      I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

Pastor:  I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

All:      How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 

Congregation Sings: Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, CODA, Chorus (LAPPY 313)

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 Practical Implications of Differing Musical Styles

September 1, 2009 at 4:24 pm · Filed under How to Start, Worship Music ·Tagged

“Some people call it blended worship.  It brings together worship forms that have been tested and tried in Christian churches for centuries and joins them to contemporary musical styles.  Blended worship is one way Lutheran churches can retain public worship’s historic emphasis on gospel proclamation and at the same time accompany that proclamation with music many people understand and enjoy.”

 

“Blending the gospel-proclaiming forms of the church’s past with musical styles that are part of the church’s present may enable us to offer the people of today the timeless message that Jesus saves.”

 

- From “Blended worship that works” by Professor James Tiefel

 

If you find yourself at the crossroads of musical style, here are several paths to consider:

 

  1. Do nothing, stick to the one style you know best. 
    1. This is the easiest route and often the most effective. 
  2. Keep your current musical library but accompany some of the songs with different instruments.
    1. This is most commonly done by accompanying hymns with piano, guitar, flute, violin, tambourine, etc.  It can be very effective if done well but sometimes this requires the hymn to be rearranged or even rewritten a bit.
  3. Rather than do nothing, consider at least an annual alternate styled worship event.  It doesn’t have to be on a Sunday so that your regular worship service is not affected and it can also be combined with a neighboring sister church .
  4. Create an altogether different weekly service, offering two per week for example if you currently hold one service; one traditional and one contemporary. 
    1. This can work, but isn’t it better to be worshiping together?
    2. Consider inviting the usual traditional people to attend a contemporary service and vice versa to encourage an attitude of love and servant hood toward each other and to help build up the body of Christ.
  5. Include a mix of musical styles in any given worship service; perhaps a few organ-backed hymns, a few chants, and a few contemporary pieces. 
    1. This is one form of “blended worship” and literally applies Paul’s words to have musical variety (sing Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs) in one worship service.  This can be a very nice solution.
    2. This elevates musical lyrics and content above “style”, which is a worthy goal.
  6. Alternate styles between traditional weeks and contemporary weeks.
    1. This can also work but could be confusing to some people. 
    2. Can be alternated on an every other week basis or something different, such as one monthly contemporary service and the rest being traditional, for example.
  7. Start up a “sister church” with a different musical style.
    1. Nice!

 

Please consider voting on your favorite choices from the above list in the following anonymous poll.  If you received this document via email or through a reader, you will have to go to the BLOG directly to cast your vote.  Thank you in advance for your time and participation!

 

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What is a worship leader and what does he or she do?

August 28, 2009 at 4:17 pm · Filed under BLENDED WORSHIP, How to Start, Messiah Lutheran Church ·Tagged

Within our “WELS circles”, the worship leader is the pastor; as it should be.  He is ultimately responsible for the spiritual care of his church’s members.  He is their shepherd.  But in today’s culture, the term “worship leader” now defines a person that assists the Pastor, primarily in the area of music, and is usually a volunteer.  This role has become more prevalent as contemporary and blended worship styles have increased in popularity, but it can also be helpful to the Pastor to have a close worship partner, particularly a Lay person, for traditional services as well.

 

The term “worship leader” is perhaps not the best term; some people refer to this position as “lead worshiper”, which I like a little better, or, “worship coordinator”, which is the term that my local church uses and is in fact my title.

 

I will define the role of this person based on my own personal experiences.  In the general sense, roles may vary depending on church size, doctrinal beliefs, congregational support and your own gifts and abilities.

 

Here are some of the functions that I perform in my role as the worship coordinator:

 

  1. Worked with the Pastor to develop a plan to start using contemporary music in worship.  This included the development of a worship template, or an “Order of Worship” that we follow on blended Sundays.
  2. Choose the contemporary music for use in worship with the Pastor’s review and approval*.
  3. Participate in the choir, the band and schedule practice times*.
  4. Pray for your Pastor, your musical team, your church and your Synod*.
  5. Be the administrator for your CCLI or equivalent copyright license.
  6. Stay abreast of new contemporary Christian music.
  7. Help to run the audio-visual equipment.
  8. Help with liturgical writing and responsive readings to be used in worship.
  9. Create videos for use in worship.
  10. Participate in the children’s message ministry.
  11. Fill-in as guest preacher when needed.

 

I have placed a star next to items 2-4 because these are the most important tasks.

 

As you can see, it is a critical position and a position that requires close coordination with the Pastor and it also requires the person to be in the scriptures and in prayer as much as possible.  I don’t claim to be a model worship leader by any means, but I offer these thoughts for those of you considering this calling.  If you want a role model, consider guys like Kenaniah or Asaph:

 

Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.  – Chr 15:22

 

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petitions, to give thanks, and to praise the lord…  They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals… – 1 Chr 16:4,5

 

Or, let Christ himself be your role model and be an imitator of Christ.

 

In the end, this position is all about works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

 

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.  – Eph 6:7

 

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 84 and “Better is One Day”

July 29, 2009 at 8:00 am · Filed under Book III: 73-89, Matt Redman, Psalm of the Day ·Tagged , ,

The Psalm of the Day for 8/9 is Psalm 84.  Since this is a blended worship service for us, we will be combining a responsive reading of this Psalm with a contemporary song based on the Psalm.  Here is our script:

 

Psalm 84 & “Better is One Day” (Song #23 in the “Best of the Best Songbook”)

 

Pastor:  How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!

All:      My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

 

Pastor: Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

All:      Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

 

> Soloists sing Verse 1 and Chorus

 

Pastor:  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

All:      I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

 

Pastor:  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;

All:       no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

 

> Congregation sings Verse 2 and Chorus

 

Pastor: Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

 All: O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

 

> Soloists sing the “Bridge”

> Congregation sings the Chorus

 

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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Orders of Service for “Blended Worship”

July 23, 2009 at 9:14 pm · Filed under Matt Redman, Orders of Service ·Tagged , ,

One of the most powerful and inspiring examples of congregational worship in the Bible is contained in 2 Chronicles, chapters 5 to 7.

 

In these chapter we read that the work for the temple had all been done, and in an amazing procession, they brought the ark of the Lord into the temple.  It was an occasion that those present would never have forgotten for the rest of their lives.  There were 120 priests sounding trumpets, cymbal, singers, and other instruments.  It must have been the best band they’d ever heard!  The trumpeters and singers joined in unison and sang, “He is good; his love endures forever.” (5:13)

 

It would have been an amazing sound.  And yet, that wasn’t the thing that impressed itself upon their hearts the most that day.  The life-changing event that day happened next: “… the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” (5:14)

 

The priests were totally overwhelmed by the cloud of God’s presence, so much so that they couldn’t continue to perform their services.  Solomon went on to pray a powerful prayer of dedication.  But that’s not the end of this awesome encounter. Fire comes down from heaven and consumes the burnt offering and sacrifices.  The glory of the Lord fills the temple again (7:1), yet this time seemingly even more powerful, because not only can the priests not carry on ministering, they can’t even enter the temple of the Lord (7:2).  The people worshiped again, sang the song again, made more sacrifices, and the trumpets started up once more. 

There’s a great contemporary song that captures this encounter called “Lord, let your Glory Fall” by Matt Redman.  It’s recalling that ancient day where God met his people so powerfully, and asking that we might see something of that here and now, as God’s people in church.  That we might know what it really is to bring meaningful sacrifices before Him, and that we might also know what it really means to be enveloped in the cloud of God’s presence.  These chapters show congregational worship as an exciting, powerful encounter.  It’s a 2-way event.  Notice the cycle that seems to happen – God’s people respond to who He is, and then the cloud of His presence comes down.  They can’t help but respond again, and He seems to inhabit their praises even more powerfully.  Again, this makes them want to worship Him even more, and they throw their hearts into yet more songs, music and sacrifices.  This is the wonderful, gracious pattern of worship that God invites us to enter into as His people.

 

Source: http://www.worshiptogether.com/resources/bibleStudy.aspx?iid=215760

 

Lord Let Your Glory Fall

 Chorus:

You are good, You are good; And Your love endures.

You are good, You are good; And Your love endures today.

 Verse 1:

Lord let Your glory fall, As on that ancient day.

Songs of enduring love, And then Your glory came.

And as a sign to You, That we would love the same.

Our hearts will sing that song, God let Your glory come.

 Verse 2:

Voices in unison, Giving You thanks and praise.

Joined by the instruments, And then Your glory came.

Your presence like a cloud, Upon that ancient day.

The priests were overwhelmed, Because Your glory came.

 Verse 3:

A sacrifice was made, And then Your fire came.

They knelt upon the ground, And with one voice they praised.

 BRIDGE:

Your anger lasts a moment, But Your favor lasts a lifetime.

 CCLI Song No. 2526728, © 1998 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Matt Redman

 As in the days of King David, Solomon and Nehemiah, the order of worship is of utmost importance.  Our traditional worship services are carefully laid out in our hymnals, but this raises the question, “what order of service should we consider when using a blended format with contemporary music and contemporary instrumentation?”

 Here is the typical Order of Service for the blended services that we hold on a monthly basis at Messiah in South Windsor, CT:

 Pre-Service Music

Pastoral Greeting

Opening Congregational Song of Praise

Call to Worship

Spoken Confession of Sins and Assurance of Forgiveness

Silence for personal reflection

Congregational Song of Praise

Prayer of the Day

OT Lesson

Psalm of the Day (usually read responsively and sometimes includes contemporary music)

Epistle Lesson

Verse of the Day

Gospel Lesson

Children’s Message (based on one of the readings)

Hymn of the Day

Sermon

Offering (accompanied with music)

Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Closing Song of Praise

(The service time is approximately 60 minutes in length)

 -+-

 Isaiah 6 reflects another biblical framework for corporate worship.   God initiates and we respond throughout the model.

God reveals himself:

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.  (Is 6:1)

 Worship & Praise responds by the Seraphim:

 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another:  ”Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  (Is 6:2-3)

 We confess:

“Woe to me!” I cried.  “I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”   (Is 6:5)

 God expiates:

 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.   With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”   (Is 6:6-7)

 God Proclaims:

 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Is 6:8a)

 We Respond:

 And I said, “Here am I.   Send me!” (Is 6:8b)

 God commissions:

“Go and tell this people”  (Is 6:9)

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

 -+-

 Here is another blended order of service obtained from: http://blendedworshipresource.wordpress.com that is used at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in DePere, WI:

 Gathering for Praise:

Opening Praise Songs (2)

Greeting

Gathering for Forgiveness:

Forgive Us, Renew Us, Lead Us

Response song

Gathering around the Word:

Scripture readings

Mission Statement

Praise song/hymn

Sermon/message

Creed

Gathering for Thanksgiving:

Offering

Prayers

Praise Song

Q & A period or The Supper

Gathering for Dismissal:

Announcements

Benediction

Closing Praise Song

(approximately 75 minutes based on the gatherings used in worship in the early church 150-300 AD)

 -+-

 And here is a third order of service, used at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, also found at:

 http://blendedworshipresource.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/blended-worship-liturgy/

 1. Service information

a) Theme

b) Welcome and visitor information

c) Today’s worship paragraph

 2. Come, Let Us Worship the Lord

a) Greetings/silent prayer

b) Opening song of praise

c) Invocation

d) Responsive reading

 3. We Confess our Sins and Rejoice in God’s Forgiveness

a) Confession options

b) Response song

c) Prayer of the Day options

 4. God Speaks to Us Through His Word

a) Three readings, including introductory line

b) Statement of Faith

c) Song of the Day options

d) Today’s meditation

 5. We Offer to God our Thanks and Praise

a) Sermon response (if no communion)

b) Offering and friendship register paragraph

c) Lord’s Prayer

 6. God Comes to us Through His Holy Supper

a) Responsive intro and song response

b) Words of institution and response

c) Distribution song

d) Thanksgiving

e) Prayer

 7. God Sends Us With His Blessing

a) Responsive theme closing

b) Benediction

c) Closing song

(from “Blended Worship: Where Do We Start?” by Pastor Rob Raasch.)

 -+-

 And finally, here are two orders of service recently used at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Middleton / Waunakee , WI

 Example 1 (with Communion)

 Gathering

Pre-service music (piano)

Pastoral greeting

Congregational song of praise

Pastoral prayer of confession

Silence for personal prayers of repentance

Spoken assurance of forgiveness

Congregational song of response/praise (additional stanzas/refrains of opening song)

Time for worshipers to greet each other

 Word

Old Testament reading

Gospel reading

New Testament reading

Children’s devotion (based on sermon text/theme)

Sermon

Nicene Creed

 Sacrament

Spoken sursum corda (“The Lord be with you…”)

Sanctus song of praise (“Holy, holy holy…”)

Words of Institution

Words of Invitation

Agnus Dei song (“Lamb of God, you take away…”)

Distribution of the Lord’s Supper

Two congregational songs during distribution

 Thanksgiving

Offering

Prayers of God’s people

The Lord’s Prayer

 Sending

The Lord’s Blessing

Congregational sending song

Announcements

Time for greeting each other

-+-

Example 2 (includes the WELS Connection Video)

 Gathering

Pre-service music (woodwind ensemble, piano)

Pastoral greeting

Opening congregational medley of praise

Pastor prayer of confession

Congregational song of confession

Silence for personal prayers of repentance

Spoken assurance of forgiveness

Congregational medley of response/praise

 Word

Gospel reading

Children’s devotion (based on Gospel reading)

Congregational “sermon hymn”

Sermon

 Thanksgiving

Offering (with WELS Connection video)

Prayers of God’s people

The Lord’s Prayer

 Sending

The Lord’s Blessing

Congregational sending song

Announcements

Time to greet each other

 I would like to thank Kristen Koepsell of St. Andrew’s, John Kehl and Pastor Robert Raasch of Mt. Olive, and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for providing their orders of blended worship.

 It’s very interesting to me that these are all similar and keep many of the elements that are contained in our “traditional” service even though they use contemporary music.

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Blended Worship Resource

June 18, 2009 at 10:23 pm · Filed under BLENDED WORSHIP, New BLOG, WELS ·Tagged

There is a new BLOG by a fellow WELS guitarist and on-line friend of mine named John Kehl.  John plays in a band known as “Joyful Noise” at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI and has been a dedicated reader, subscriber and commenter at my BLOG.  If you like the content of this BLOG, you will also enjoy what John is doing at “Blended Worship Resource.”  You can find his BLOG at this link:

http://blendedworshipresource.wordpress.com

God’s blessings on your website John!

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“Lord I Lift Your Name On High” – A song for many occasions

May 31, 2009 at 11:19 am · Filed under All Others, Using Videos ·Tagged ,

The song, “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” has been around for 20 years now, perhaps long enough to knock it out of the “contemporary” genre but its popularity is still high.  I think that one reason for this is its broad application for the Christmas through Ascension church year that’s summarized in its short and simple chorus as shown below:

 

You came from heaven to earth – reference to Christmas (Christ’s birth)

To show the way

From the earth to the cross – reference to Lent

My debt to pay

From the cross to the grave – reference to Good Friday

From the grave to the sky – reference to Easter & Ascension

Lord I lift Your name on high

 

It has a verse as well:

 

Verse:

Lord I lift Your name on high

Lord I love to sing Your praises

I’m so glad You’re in my life

I’m so glad You came to save us

 

CCLI Song #117947

© 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc.

By Rick Founds

 

I like to use this song when I know there will be a lot of unchurched visitors and children because it captures a lot of information about Jesus’ life in a memorable and singable format and is easy to comprehend.  I’ve specifically used this at our worship service that concludes our Summer VBS where a lot of visitors are in attendance. 

 

As Lutherans, we tend to like a lot of words, some doctrine, and some theology packed into our music.  This song doesn’t do much of that, although it contains the Gospel and is specific in its references to Christ.  It’s not a hymn, but sometimes, keeping it simple is a good idea.  Sometimes we need to see what the creatures do to praise God that were made specifically for that purpose.  Consider the Seraphims for example, they call back and forth to each other, in the presence of God, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full with His glory.”  As far as I know, they are still repeating this today. 

 

If you aren’t familliar with this song, you can hear it here:

This particular version is sung by Paul Baloche.  This is also an example of Integrity’s worship videos that can be used for congregational singing during worship.

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Thinking about either starting or joining a contemporary praise band?

April 17, 2009 at 4:10 pm · Filed under How to Start, Praise Band ·Tagged

We are indeed in the midst of a worship revolution.  Many WELS churches are starting to supplement and complement their traditional organ-based music with new contemporary praise bands.

 

Most people who volunteer to serve in these bands have gotten their experience by playing in a variety of secular music bands, be it folk, rock, jazz, country, classical or a school marching band and soon find out that things are a bit different.  This is new to most of us, because in the past, if someone decided to learn to play the organ, it was most likely for only one purpose – to play in church.  Following is a list of experiences you will most likely run across as you participate in a Praise Band:

 

  1. Your Praise band is open to all members.   If your church is large, you will be doing some occasional auditioning for replacement or additional band members and the requirements for being a band member are much different than in the secular world.  You might end up with some odd combinations – such as a two-piece band: piano and saxophone.  In the church world, one important characteristic is “heart.”  Each musician needs to have the heart of a worshipper.  Each musician needs to see their participation as an offering and as a service to the church.  Pastors and worship leaders need to value spiritual character over gifting when it comes to selecting musicians.  Pursuing musical excellence and a tight sound are still important but become secondary issues. 
  2. There is no need for an elevated platform, no need for special lights, no exclusive backstage area; in fact, the best place for the band is in the back where nobody sees you.  Your mindset needs to be, “make more of Jesus and less of me.”  Be willing to release that which you have, that you might become God’s channel of blessing in the life of another.   “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Mt 10:8b
  3. There is little to no need for long showy instrumental solos; OK a little riff or musical segue or turnaround here or there between the vocals can be done well and can be God glorifying but the motivation and mindset of the musician has to be right.
  4. The band is driven, and takes its direction, not from the band leader per say, but from God’s word, from the Pastor, and from the Worship Leader (who might also be a band member).
  5. Most secular bands concentrate on a particular set of music where they practice these songs over and over.  This enables them to perfect the songs and memorize the lyrics.  In the church world, this is usually not possible.  In fact, you will typically be playing new and different music each week.
  6. Pop bands have a following and a specific clientele or age group or demographic that they cater to.  In the church environment, your audience first and foremost is God.  But you also have a roomful of people, ranging in age from newborn to pushing 100,  and for the most part, the same people attend week-to-week; hopefully with a few new additions as well.
  7. You’re job is not to entertain.  You are there to help lead worship.  It is a high Calling.  Since you are helping to lead worship; church membership, adherence to doctrinal beliefs, and fellowship with your congregation is a must.

 

If you are a musician considering this high calling; first get your heart in the right place.   Here’s some help:

 

  1. Grow in the knowledge of God.  Being a church musician has implications of studying God’s word and listening to hymns, Psalms and spiritual songs in your leisure time.
  2. Pray regularly for things like musical proficiency, discernment of song lyrics, leadership skills, your Pastor and your other band members, and also to thank God for the gifts he has given to you.
  3. Be humble, boast only in Christ, because all things were created through Him and for His glorification.  You can do nothing without Him.   “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  - John 15:5
  4. You are part of a team.  This requires cooperation and teamwork.  Be prompt and diligent in your work.  Listen carefully as you play and make every effort to fit in and blend musically with your fellow musicians.
  5.  Realize that your part in leading worship is exclusively dependent and is grounded on Christ’s finished work at the cross.   “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”  - Colossians 1:18-20
  6. Seek the edification and opinions of others.  Receive criticism graciously.

 

This doesn’t seem like a very rosy picture for church musicians.  It seems so “Lutheran.”  But the truth is that playing music in church and accompanying God’s people in songs of praise is an extremely rewarding experience.  I look forward to it all week long and as soon as the Sunday service is over, I eagerly anticipate next week’s service.  If you pursue church music, God will stir a hunger and a passion in your heart, and you will feel God’s presence in your heart.  There aren’t too many feelings like it on this earth.

 

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  - 1 Peter 4:10

 

A Prayer for Church Musicians and Artists

 

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer Source: Adapted from “The Book of Common Prayer”

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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Divine Bookends

April 1, 2009 at 4:05 pm · Filed under Openers and Closers ·Tagged , , ,

With a new Pastor, comes some new ideas & new practices.

 

One of the things that our new Pastor has instructed me to do is to consider beginning each service with a song that has a message that helps to prepare us for worship.   He does this with hymns and my task is to do it with contemporary music as well.  Unfortunately our songbook’s thematic index does not have this as a category, so I paged though the songs and found the following song choices to be appropriate as opening music:

 

“All Over Again” by Michael Zehnder

“Because of Your Love” by Paul Baloche

“Celebrate the Lord of Love” by Paul Baloche and Ed Kerr

“Come and Behold Him” by John Chisum

“Come and See” by Lenny Leblanc

“Enter In” by Billy Christopher

“Here in This Place” by Bobbly L. Schroeder

“I Want to be Where You Are” by Don Moen

“Let it Rise” by Holland Davis

“Lift Him Up” by Billy Funk

“Only by Grace” by Gerrit Gustafson

 

While I’m at it, here are some contemporary songs that have closing or benediction-like messages:

 

“Everyday a Celebration of His Love” by DeGarmo & Key

“May the Peace” by Keith Getty

“Peace be Yours” by Blaire A’Hearn

“the Hope of Your Call” by Don Chapman

“the Lord Bless You” by Don Chapman

 

These songs are “divine bookends” for our worship.

 

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