Sunday Setlist 3/27

Wow. What a service. God never disappoints. As worship leaders, we always pray for the people who come, for our services, for the Spirit to be poured out and move during them. We do it so often, that sometimes we take it for granted. Then....it happens. The Spirit is so prevalent in the service that EVERYBODY takes notice.

While preparations are a huge part of it, times like this show me how unimportant our plans can be. At our church, we try to set the stage. We try to be a place where people can feel free to worship, feel free to respond, and feel the love of the Spirit. Melissa prayerfully selects songs for their content and songs that tie in with the message. We all work very hard and presenting our music the best way we know how. It's like a perfect storm of preparation, prayer, willing hearts, a complete surrender in worship, and, as Hannibal says on the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Today's set list was nothing extraordinary, it was just... one of those times. We sang:
Meet With Me (G)
Today (G/A)

Offertory

Hosanna (E)
Our God Reigns (A)

It was our first time performing Hosanna on a Sunday morning, and it went well. We've been piecing that one together for a few months now, and honestly I was getting a little tired of it. We also hadn't performed it with the full team. It seems like at every practice, someone was out. BUT, in that way that God does, He made it something special today. Everyone really enjoyed it, and I know that song will be a blessing for many.

The other thing that stuck out to me was our last song. I can't remember the last time we sang it, but man, the congregation singing was SO powerful. Sometimes I take my in-ear monitor out so I can hear them better, but I didn't need to today. That song was just on another level today. Fantastic.

We had a guest speaker today, Dr. James Dill. He came to us in order to bring a message regarding "growing our church." There was a different feel to the service from the beginning. Maybe it was the guest speaker, maybe it was just a good day, maybe it was a combination.

Something is happening at Grace Fellowship Church. Don't miss it.

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-140/

Sunday setlist & Sermon thoughts 3/20

As always, you can view our services live or on our Ustream page.

Holy is the Lord (G)
Today is the Day (C)

Offertory

It is You (D)
How Great is Our God (G)
Fairest Lord Jesus (C/D)

It was a fun music set this week. I was on drums again this week accompanying Melissa on piano. Bo and Bob were out this week, so we tried to keep it simple. The congregation was really responding today, a few different times I pulled my ear monitor out just to hear them sing along. Good times.

The sermon today came from Mark 4, Jesus' Parable of the Sower. Here's some of my notes:

There are 4 types or recipients out there, and only 1 type that pleases Him.
1-Indifferent: Someone that has hardened their heart
2-Emotional: No depth, falls away when hard times come
3-Worldly: Cluttered mind, clings to the old life, straddles the fence
4-Receptive: Fertile ground, has been prepared by God

**What does "good soil produce? Good fruit**

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-139/

Sunday Setlist and Sermon Thoughts Mar.13

As spring rolls around, so does Spring Break, which means VACATIONS!! Bo was out so I sat in on drums and Bob slid over to guitar. My lovely wife Raegan filled in vocally while Brenda was out as well. I love getting to play the drums, since it's something I don't get to do very often. Somewhere in the second song, the right beater on our double-bass drum pedal flew off. I wasn't playing it that hard, but it was definitely getting' after it. I managed to get it back on, but it came off again during Revelation Song. So I had to plug my brain back in and get my left foot to do what my right foot normally does.

I Stand Amazed in the Prescence (F/G)
Praise Adonai (Bb)

Offeratory

Your Love oh Lord (E)
From the Inside Out (A)
Revelation Song (D)

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This week's sermon by Pastor Robert referenced the story in Mark 2 about the men who lowered their paralytic friend into Peter's house while Jesus was there. Many great points about how his friends took it upon themselves to get him help (just as we should help our spiritually-paralyzed friends) and how Jesus first forgave the man's sins (the most important part.)

BONUS SUNDAY NIGHT THOUGHTS:

Debora has been doing a wonderful job teaching thru the Armor of God in Ephesians 6. Tonights lesson was regarding the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. She mentioned a quote by Spurgeon, and one phrase stuck with me:

Do you recollect how, after this, your sins were slain one after another? Their necks were laid on the block, and the Spirit acted as an executioner with his sword.

Wow!! My sins are executed by the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Man, what a victorious thought that is! Our sins, past, present, and future cannot defeat us since our Sword will surely execute them.

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-138/

What are you waiting for?

I read a blog post today at Stuff Christians Like about making "idea idols." What that means is that you make an idol out of an idea, thought, desire, or something similar. It becomes a stumbling block or keeps you from making the most out of your current situation. It got me thinking about something. A similar thing happens to me, but it involves "waiting." I can justify ignoring something if I don't feel that it's the right time or the right situation. It doesn't matter what it is, it can be something like sharing my faith or even something very trivial like moving the lawn mower into the garage so it doesn't keep getting rained on.

When I was a little younger, I would hear people talk about waiting to have kids or get married. Waiting until a certain amount of money was saved or the right living arrangements were met, etc. I would always say, "there will never be a perfect situation. You will never have the *exact* amount of money. There will always be some reason to put it off, if you are so inclined." And I am so inclined.

When you try to live by faith, it leaves a lot of questions. You feel like you should do something, but that fleshly nature inside starts throwing out excuses. Then you start second guessing yourself. Maybe that was just a fleeting thought. Maybe that's way too far out of my reach or ability. It seems like something I can do, but then the further I get removed from that initial thought, the less confident I am.

I've mentioned this before, but in the "Experiencing God" Bible study by Henry Blackaby, there was a point of emphasis that has stuck with me for a long time. Here's my paraphrase:
--find where God is at work and join Him.

If you feel led to get involved in something, don't wait, DO IT!! Here's a few analogies: At work, do you start out at the top, or do you need to learn about the job along the way? Did you start out running, or did you have to learn to crawl, then walk? Do athletes immediately go pro, or are there years or preparation involved?

It's not all or nothing. You don't have to be a pastor-in-training to get involved! You don't have to have mastered multiple theological arguments to mention Jesus in conversations. While waiting for that "perfect scenario," countless other ones will pass you by.

Sunday Setlist March 6th

Made to Worship--Tomlin (F)
Arise--Baloche (E)

Offertory

Open Hands--Matt Papa (D)
The Stand-- JOEL HOUSTON (E)
Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated--Havergal (E)

Pastor Robert is focusing on ministry this month, and it was a very challenging sermon. He listed three S's that stuck with me:
-Salvation
-Sanctification
-Service

Once you pass salvation, it doesn't stop there. Onto the task of sanctification, and as that process goes on (lifelong,) you open yourself up to the option to serve. Notice I didn't say "option of service." Nope, that is not an option. Rather, you look at the options TO serve around you and ask God to plug you in.

In the "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby, he mentioned something that has stayed in the back of my mind. To paraphrase, it was something like "Find where God is at work and join Him." You don't have to wait for an Emmaus road experience. If you wait for some big neon flashing sign, you will be waiting for a while. Instead, get involved NOW wherever you are.

http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-137/