I remember this practice, too, Staci, and as a musician I remember the anticipation of whether someone would pick a really hard song to play! But I, too, really enjoyed this. Maybe now churches could have a "Song Request Box" in the back of church, and members could drop in a paper with a song they'd like to sing. The worship leader/planner could try to incorporate these requests as much as possible. It would give people new ownership and involvement in the worship, wouldn't it?
How about books to read with children that form their faith? Like the Chronicles of Narnia? Or the Psalms - the excellent collection by Bob & Laura Keeley, Psalms for Families. I know a lot of people like The Jesus Storybook for young kids, but I always liked My First Message by Eugene Peterson.
Rory Nolan taught a song at a Willow Creek Conference quite a few years ago when I was a young worship leader, and I have started almost every day since then with these words. I call it my 'shower song'.
He is Able (title)
He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.
Paul was also a prayer warrior, and when he was here at the denominational building delivering mail and good cheer, he also made sure he attended two prayer groups. And he loved music - one of the ways he loved to participate in prayer was when we would sing a short chorus together - He is Lord, Father I Adore you, or Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying. I love to think of Paul singing now, a new song of the redeemed, and without struggling for breath!
Thanks for being so concise and honest about this rather complicated subject, Staci. It's important but hard to really grasp all the implications sometimes for us in ministry. If people want more info related to worship and copyrights - especially music, projection, etc, here are a few more articles they can check out. Copyright Info-Clearing Up the Confusion (Maybe!)
Amen! Thank you for just tellin' it like it is. You'd think Christians would get this better than non-Christians because we believe in a God who created and then rested. But instead, it seems like our love for the Lord and ministry makes us work even harder!
My daughter's favorite was from the Music Machine - "Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry!". So I'm definitely not against new choruses. I also love the 'goldie oldies', Psalms refrains, and global choruses with simple percussion!
When I used to plan for an upcoming season of ministry with Story Hour kids (preschoolers), we would have a core set of a few songs we wanted to use all year, and then we would accent that short list with songs that told the biblical story - so we would start with a few creation songs in September, then teach a few O.T. songs of God's care, and by advent we could sing about Jesus coming to earth. January let us sing songs about Jesus' life and ministry, and then (you got it!) - as Lent began we could sing about Jesus' death and resurrection. It always worked for us because Story Hour includes the whole biblical narrative each year. But you could do this with any theme you were working with. The fun thing is that the favorites can be brought back any time.
You've got this Brenda! Maybe in a few months you could post your kids' favorites!
I love this story, Christy. Thanks for sharing it. God has his way of surprising us, doesn't he? Sometimes as musicians or worship leaders we think we have to have it all together, and we beat ourselves up for the smallest mistake. And then God shows us what's really important - his amazing love and grace!
Along with ability of music to heal, minister peace or convey emotion, it is true that words combined with music (melody, rhythm, harmony) have a way of embedding truth deep in our hearts and minds that the spoken word alone does not. Music in worship invites us to participate, which adds another level of learning (heightening the importance of the songs that are chosen). And of course, those who have studied child development know that physical activity combined with melody helps place a song into a child's long-term memory. (holding up 1 finger is naturally connected to the song, "This Little Light of Mine" for those of us who learned it as a child).
Your decision to fast from music in worship is surprising, but interesting in the fact that I'm sure you had to think deeply about how to express truth and emotion in other ways. It makes me wonder about something else thing that we take for granted in worship - the spoken word. Did you also think about 'fasting' from speaking? It would be challenging, but also interesting, to think of how to communicate the entire service using only music (sung and/or played), visual arts, and movement.
I love the text of a relatively new advent hymn in Lift Up Your Hearts - #64 - O Shepherd, Hear and Lead Your Flock. This is a beautiful pairing of the text of Psalm 80 to the familiar tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem. The imagery in the first verse of the Shepherd (God) and we as lambs makes this such a beautiful blend of text and tune. But then, a definite teaching moment occurs in verse two - the words, "Our selfish prayers deserve God's wrath, our pride, a sudden burst; we have but stones to serve as bread, and tears to quell our thirst. Restore, O God Almighty, the radiance of your face to lighten and reveal the gift of your redeeming grace."
Posted in: Does Your Worship Team Take Song Requests?
I remember this practice, too, Staci, and as a musician I remember the anticipation of whether someone would pick a really hard song to play! But I, too, really enjoyed this. Maybe now churches could have a "Song Request Box" in the back of church, and members could drop in a paper with a song they'd like to sing. The worship leader/planner could try to incorporate these requests as much as possible. It would give people new ownership and involvement in the worship, wouldn't it?
Posted in: Go-to Books on Nurturing the Faith of Children
How about books to read with children that form their faith? Like the Chronicles of Narnia? Or the Psalms - the excellent collection by Bob & Laura Keeley, Psalms for Families. I know a lot of people like The Jesus Storybook for young kids, but I always liked My First Message by Eugene Peterson.
Posted in: What Song Inspires Your Mission?
Rory Nolan taught a song at a Willow Creek Conference quite a few years ago when I was a young worship leader, and I have started almost every day since then with these words. I call it my 'shower song'.
He is Able (title)
He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today
He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way
He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream
He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.
Posted in: The Joy of the Lord Was Paul’s Strength
Paul was also a prayer warrior, and when he was here at the denominational building delivering mail and good cheer, he also made sure he attended two prayer groups. And he loved music - one of the ways he loved to participate in prayer was when we would sing a short chorus together - He is Lord, Father I Adore you, or Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying. I love to think of Paul singing now, a new song of the redeemed, and without struggling for breath!
Posted in: Copyright Confusion? Basic Tips for Churches
Thanks for being so concise and honest about this rather complicated subject, Staci. It's important but hard to really grasp all the implications sometimes for us in ministry. If people want more info related to worship and copyrights - especially music, projection, etc, here are a few more articles they can check out.
Copyright Info-Clearing Up the Confusion (Maybe!)
Is Your Church Breaking Copyright Law?
How to Project and Reprint Legally
Posted in: The Power and Need of Rest
Amen! Thank you for just tellin' it like it is. You'd think Christians would get this better than non-Christians because we believe in a God who created and then rested. But instead, it seems like our love for the Lord and ministry makes us work even harder!
Posted in: Top 10 Children's Worship Songs? Top 20? Current, Catchy, or Compelling?
My daughter's favorite was from the Music Machine - "Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry!". So I'm definitely not against new choruses. I also love the 'goldie oldies', Psalms refrains, and global choruses with simple percussion!
When I used to plan for an upcoming season of ministry with Story Hour kids (preschoolers), we would have a core set of a few songs we wanted to use all year, and then we would accent that short list with songs that told the biblical story - so we would start with a few creation songs in September, then teach a few O.T. songs of God's care, and by advent we could sing about Jesus coming to earth. January let us sing songs about Jesus' life and ministry, and then (you got it!) - as Lent began we could sing about Jesus' death and resurrection. It always worked for us because Story Hour includes the whole biblical narrative each year. But you could do this with any theme you were working with. The fun thing is that the favorites can be brought back any time.
You've got this Brenda! Maybe in a few months you could post your kids' favorites!
Posted in: God's Work Through a Worship Team Goes Way Beyond Sunday
I love this story, Christy. Thanks for sharing it. God has his way of surprising us, doesn't he? Sometimes as musicians or worship leaders we think we have to have it all together, and we beat ourselves up for the smallest mistake. And then God shows us what's really important - his amazing love and grace!
Posted in: Music Fasting
Along with ability of music to heal, minister peace or convey emotion, it is true that words combined with music (melody, rhythm, harmony) have a way of embedding truth deep in our hearts and minds that the spoken word alone does not. Music in worship invites us to participate, which adds another level of learning (heightening the importance of the songs that are chosen). And of course, those who have studied child development know that physical activity combined with melody helps place a song into a child's long-term memory. (holding up 1 finger is naturally connected to the song, "This Little Light of Mine" for those of us who learned it as a child).
Your decision to fast from music in worship is surprising, but interesting in the fact that I'm sure you had to think deeply about how to express truth and emotion in other ways. It makes me wonder about something else thing that we take for granted in worship - the spoken word. Did you also think about 'fasting' from speaking? It would be challenging, but also interesting, to think of how to communicate the entire service using only music (sung and/or played), visual arts, and movement.
Posted in: You Write the Caption!
Hey Dad!!!
Posted in: You Write the Caption!
The future of the CRC is in good hands!
Posted in: Letting God Teach Through Advent and Christmas Songs
I love the text of a relatively new advent hymn in Lift Up Your Hearts - #64 - O Shepherd, Hear and Lead Your Flock. This is a beautiful pairing of the text of Psalm 80 to the familiar tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem. The imagery in the first verse of the Shepherd (God) and we as lambs makes this such a beautiful blend of text and tune. But then, a definite teaching moment occurs in verse two - the words, "Our selfish prayers deserve God's wrath, our pride, a sudden burst; we have but stones to serve as bread, and tears to quell our thirst. Restore, O God Almighty, the radiance of your face to lighten and reveal the gift of your redeeming grace."