May God's Peace be with you in the New Year!

On this the 7th day of Christmas, I wanted to share with you a beautiful arrangement of "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by folk musician John Gorka.  I heard this arrangement many years ago on a Windham Hill compilation Christmas album, and have looked forward to hearing it every Christmas since. I think the melody, harmonies and delivery really speak the words of the song Enjoy!

I Love Hymns

Anyone who knows me, knows that  I LOVE HYMNS.  The depth of the lyrics, the melodies that seems to match the tone of every verse, the sound of people singing them with gusto.  A well written hymn is a thing of beauty.  Note I said- a well written hymn.  Not all are so. There are plenty that I personally don't care for.  And that's okay.  That said...
  Recently a guest pastor at our church chose a hymn I was not too familiar with.  I silently moaned and groaned about its dirge like qualities while I practiced it for the Sat night service.  Then during the service a funny thing happened, we sang the hymn, and during it my heart began to soften.  The congregation joined in easily, the reverent quality of the melody came through (no more 'dirgyness'!).  During the sermon, pastor mentioned the hymn and why he chose it and how it fit the gospel lesson for the day, and my heart softened even more.  Although I won't list the hymn in my super favorite hymn list, I will now, never forget it, its strong Easter message, and powerful Easter melody.

Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands,
And brings us life from Heaven.
Wherefore let us joyful be,
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of Alleluia! Alleluia!
No son of man could conquer Death,
Such mischief sin had wrought us,
For innocence dwelt not on earth,
And therefore Death had brought us
Into thralldom from of old
And ever grew more strong and bold
And kept us in his bondage. Alleluia!

But Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
To our low state descended,
The cause of Death He has undone,
His power forever ended,
Ruined all his right and claim
And left him nothing but the name,
His sting is lost forever. Alleluia!

Words:  Martin Luther

I Love Hymns (part 2)

My real purpose in posting about hymns today, was so I could share this version of  "Be Thou My Vision".  How I love a hymn re-do.  Especially one that is faithful to the text, and tone of the original.

Here is one of my favorites by Dave Bazan who happens to be playing at a Green Music Fest in chicago on Sun June 27

Friday Night Lights!

Tonight I get to watch one of my favorite television shows.  Friday Night Lights is probably the best TV show you are probably not currently watching.  If you haven't watched it...put the past seasons in your Netflix queue! Now!

I was initially attracted to the show by the music throughout, much of which is composed by a band out of Texas- Explosions in the Sky.  I liked the music so much I went out and bought me some tickets to see them in concert. 

The excellent music in Friday Night Lights begins with the opening credits.  The theme song is written by a Snuffy Walden, long time television composer, with numerous compilations put out by Windham Hill. In this short piece, Mr. Snuffy, seems to be able to illicit emotions ranging from melancholy to thoughtfulness to joy...in 45 seconds!  Oh to be able to write like that!




Just like many other current shows, Friday Night Lights also employs the use of  a variety of other music to create the soundtracks on a week to week basis.  A couple weeks ago I was surprised to hear another favorite artist of mine Sufjan Stevens used in the closing scenes.  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing-
I love this very raw, live version of it, listen to the crowd singing along!



Check out Friday Night Lights tonight!

new Music Thursday!

So I'm a day late on my New Music Wednesday Post, that I just started last week, it's pretty new, so I'll call it New Music Thursday this week!  Disclaimer about the music that I will post on here in the future-  it is new to me.  it may not be new "on the scene".  Just new to me, and posted here for your enjoyment!

So here we go!   I'm really enjoying this song Refuge by the folks over at Sojourn Music.  Sojourn is a worship community in KY that produce a lot of great music!  Check out their music page and blog here

Their latest record is one based on hymns written  by Issac Watts ( a famous hymn writer- Joy to the World, When I survey the wondrous Cross- who lived from 1674-1748)

Love this song Refuge(adapted from "Psalm 31, pt 1)  Here is a snippet!

I know my days are in Your hands though I draw near to dust. 

You are the God in whom I trust. 

 You are my refuge. 

So lift up your voice and sing a loud, and praise Him, all you saints. 

 How wondrous is His grace? 

 He is our refuge.

Not by might, nor by Power!

Greetings!

Today at Sanctuary Pastor James preached his STRONG sermon. Wanna know what I mean? Check out the sermon recording at www.ilcdg.org

I really appreciated Pastor James' message that strength in our belief and faith in the resurrected Jesus, comes not from what we can do, but from how the Holy Spirit works within us.

I really enjoyed putting the music together for today, and was looking forward to singing with Pastor James, who has an unusually amazing voice for a Pastor (not to mention a pastor who can lift a lot of weight during a service! see STRONG sermon above)

Rather than our 'typical' opening worship set, we saved the music to be used as a response after the message. We sang Hillsong's Stronger after the message. I thought it fit well with the message, and I was feeling pretty good about everything when, bam! My 10 year old, always reliable, Roland keyboard stopped working. This was particularly eventful because it was a piano only Sunday, so there was no other instruments, and not a harmonica or accordion in sight! My old faithful then proceeded to cut in and out throughout the song, losing power and then gaining power and back and forth. Despite our valiant efforts (Don literally sitting in front of the keyboard holding the power cord in place, the keyboard (and its electrical power) failed us.

We proceeded through the service singing the rest of the songs A Cappella
I know My Redeemer Lives (the beloved Easter hymn)
In Christ Alone by the Getty's
I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

I'm not sure Pastor James and I sounded all that great without the comfort of the piano behind us but it was a beautiful, beautiful thing hearing the congregation sing despite lack of accompaniment. A beautiful, Spirit led thing!


Check out what other churches sang this past week right here

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Beautiful weather on this Beautiful Easter Day!

I had the pleasure of worshiping this morning at the 10:30 service, with a convergence of familiar hymns led by organ, handbells and brass, and upbeat worship songs led by our praise band, choir and children's choir- ps the children's choir absolutely shined! The church was packed with the family of God as we all sang our hearts out this Easter morning.

The songs we sang:

My Redeemer Lives- I know he rescued my soul!
A New Hallelujah- Every son, and every daughter, sing it out sing a New Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (great arrangement by Cynthia Dobrinski)- Alleluia!
All the Earth Will sing Your Praises- You took, You take our sins away O God!
Jesus Lives the Victory's Won- This shall be my confidence!
The Wonder of Your Cross- He is Not Dead Behold He Lives Forever More!
Now all the Vault of Heaven Resounds- Christ is Triumphed! He is Living! Alleluia!
Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone- I've been set Free!
I Know that my Redeemer Lives(classic arrangement by Paul Bunjes)
He Lives Eternally to Save!

Amen!

My Song is Love Unknown

My song is Love unknown- my Savior’s Love for me. Love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. Oh who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
Lyrics by Samuel Crossman c. 1624-83


I grew up with the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal we called “the Red Hymnal” (it also came in blue). As someone who loved to sing, I never grew tired of the hymns on those pages. My friends and I would sit together in church and sing loudly , and harmonize, and worship. It wasn’t long before I knew exactly what pages all of my favorite hymns were on! Open now Thy Gates of beauty- hymn #1- On What Has now been Sown hymn # 46 were just some of them.

During those same years of childhood I was introduced to a ‘new’ kind of music as well. We sang it accompanied by acoustic guitars during Sunday school, and vacation Bible School, and Church Camp. I loved it, not more or less then the hymns in our worn out hymnals, just loved it. The intimacy of just voices and guitar, and the more personal and vertical (directed from us to God) lyrics allowed a feeling of being, close to God, in a more personal relationship. Songs like; Sing Hallelujah to the Lord, For Those Tears I Died, Father I Adore You.

Today I have the blessing of being able to worship on an every week basis, at a service using solely hymns and traditional styles of liturgy, a service that is more ‘laid-back’ with a blended contemporary style with songs and more modern styles of liturgy, and a service that embraces the use of the old and new, freely moving from ancient liturgy and hymns to Taize, and modern songs of worship.

Each style of worship moves me in the same way. I leave church knowing that God loves me. My favorite part of worship? hearing about that love, proclaiming what I know about that love, and responding to that love in song. I love hearing the voices sing together as one, knowing our many different backgrounds and stories, but still singing… still singing together. A hymn, a Psalm, a spiritual song- it doesn’t matter as long as it proclaims the truth, and is sung and played in an authentic, honest, and passionate way.

Thank you to the volunteer musicians at Immanuel and Sanctuary for helping to proclaim God’s truth in song every week!

PS- share your favorite church songs and/or hymns from when your were growing up! I would love to hear about them!

worship this weekend

What a whirlwind of worship this weekend!

My dear friend Mia was in town for a special event, and was able to join me in leading music at Immanuel's women's retreat on Friday, and then at Sanctuary on Sunday morning.

Authentic and passionate as always, Mia touched people's hearts with her heartfelt worship of our Heavenly Father. I thank her for being such an important part of this weekend!

One thing I noticed that I haven't really noticed before, is that Mia leads worship, nearly without music in front of her. I am so inspired to do the same, and would like to encourage my fellow worship leaders and musicians to try to memorize their music. Start by memorizing one a month, trust yourself, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you, and Worship!


Music at the Women's Retreat-
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow ( hymn sung a cappella in F)
Mighty to Save (in F- c vs c c)
ad lib on C - Bb/C - F/C - C (brought in bridge of You are My King during the ad lib)
You are my King- in C
Holy Holy Holy (the hymn -in C- last verse a cappella)
Righteous Desire- ( original song by Mia) http://www.aboutmidnight.org/

closing songs-
An original by Mia called...........I'm not sure of the title of this song, but is absolutely on of my favorites
Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone

Can i just say- 80 women singing together sounds AWESOME!!! The whole church was filled with the sounds and echoed with Praise!!


music at Sanctuary
Check out the service plan here at planning center online http://www.planningcenteronline.com/plans/827669

Music for Sunday October 11th

A little recap of the music from Sanctuary1010 this morning.

We are in our 4th week of an 11 week series of Psalm 23. This week: He Restores my Soul

Music choices:

What Wondrous Love is This- (we did this hymn in Dm and added an extended 'worship jam' at the end)

Desert Song- ( we started this song with a drum beat that came out of the previous song- very nice! this is one of those songs that you hear once, and you end up singing the rest of the day! "I will sing praise, I will sing praise, no weapons formed against me shall remain!")

How He Loves (we do more of the David Crowder version of this one, and we do it in C. I really like the version by Kim Walker of Jesus Culture, but sing-ability wise, she goes way to low on the verse for anyone with a normal range to sing along. But her voice can certainly handle it with a cool sound at that. She starts low, so she can 'belt' out the chorus an octave higher, the energy that effect creates is amazing- check out the Jesus Culture arrangement here)

Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone- (I, alto at best, did this one in D, and it works well for me, hope it worked for the congregation! :) )

Additional Worship Notes- We started the service with a meditative feel, rather than our typical greeting each other/announcement/welcome. I enjoyed the peacefulness of it, and the chance to take time to prayerfully enter the time of worship. Pastor asked me to look for some instrumental music. I did some searches for "christian instrumental" post rock, ambient. I didn't come up with anything really. How would one know if instrumental music was Christian or not anyway. (answer- you wouldn't) Either way, the search was fun, and I came across a couple bands that I had not heard of before, and would like to look into more- Foxhole, Mogwai. But low and behold, I actually came across the closest thing to the christian instrumental post-rock sound I was looking for in a band called Hammock. One of the members is familiar name from the Christian Worship scene- Marc Byrd (God of Wonders) Check out Hammock, with lots of full length samples of their music here Enjoy!

And... I had so much fun playing with our newer drummer Chris and new guitar player Bailey. Excellent musicians. Great time! Thanks guys!

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This post is part of an interesting 'blog carnival' where you can read about other worship/music sets from all around the world. Check it out right here

The music of my Youth

Music was an important part of my life growing up. My elementary years were filled with the sounds playing on my parents record player; I memorized most of the lyrics to all the records my folks had of The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, The Carpenters, Billy Joel, John Denver and... Barry Manilow!
The music I learned in church, Sunday school, Vacation bible school, and church camp (Camp Luther in Three Lakes, Wisconsin for me), has also remained with me over the years. I always loved any song that we could sing in a round or add harmony or a descant to! Seek Ye First, Sing Hallelujah to the Lord, Blind Man, For these Tears, Father I Adore You, the list goes on. I'd love to hear what music you most remember listening to in your elementary years. Post in the comment section below!

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More than ever, I feel that the church as a whole, has a great opportunity to help give our kids the chance to explore their unique expressions in art and music. Schools are having to phase out their programs and parents don't have the money to pay for lessons. I'm sure each of us has our own stories about how music influenced us as we were growing up. Why couldn't that music influence come from the church?

Here are some great opportunities to help kids get involved in music around Immanuel :

Joyful Noise Children's Choir- for all 2nd-8th graders. we meet on Wednesday's during the school year, at Immanuel from 5:45-6:15. All are welcome anytime during the year!


On Tuesday October 20, at 6pm we will be starting the Jesus is the Rock Youth Band.
This group will meet on Tuesdays from 6pm-7pm.

We are looking for:

Musicians grades 6th-10th (guitar, electric guitar, drum set, bass and keyboards) at least 2 years of music lessons on your instrument will be helpful to being a part of this group.

We also have a wish list of items (new or used) that we could use to get us started:

Wish List

Small electronic keyboard
Full size electronic keyboard/synthesizer
Keyboard stands (2)
Small amplifier
Electric guitar
Portable cd player
Microphone
Microphone stand
Music Stands (3 or 4)
Guitar stands (2 or 3)
Drum equipment (either cymbals and stands for an acoustic kit, or a small electronic set)


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I have started on the Sunday School Hymn of the Month cd volume 2 and am looking for help. This cd will be a compilation of familiar Lutheran hymns that all children should know. Each year, for as many years as we can, we would like to record a new set of hymns, that the children and their families can have, that will allow them to become familiar with these hymns that they may otherwise rarely, or never get the chance to hear.Last year, Dan recorded, I arranged and played, Gina, Kristin, myself and Elyse from Joyful Noise sang on the cd. It was alot of fun to do, and the children have really enjoyed the cd. I would love to get even more people involved this year.

If you would be interested in any aspect of this really neat project, please let me know! The project needs to be completed by December 12th, so obviously time is of the essence, but I know we can do it!
To begin the project, I need arrangers. If you would like and have the ability to create an original arrangement to one (or more) of the hymns for this year (listed below) please choose one and get back to me in the next few days with your choice. (first come first serve) The only stipulations for the arrangement, is that the melody stick fairly close to the original, and that it use the lyrics to at least the 1st verse of the song. You may arrange in any style you would like, and can even add an original chorus or bridge. In interest of time, arrangements should be kept simple (1 or 2 instruments, 1 or 2 voices). We can add more to the recordings at a later date if there is time.

Here are the hymns for the Hymn of the Month Project Volume 2. (let me know if you would like any more info about the hymn- ie hymn #, tune name, or if you would like to have a hymnal to take home)

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
For All the Saints
Now Thank We All our God
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
On My Heart Imprint Your Image
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Holy, Holy, Holy
Now the Light Has Gone Away (Frank's already called this one- thank you frank!)

**Time is running short, if you would like to create a simple arrangement of one of these hymns, let me know as soon as possible.

I am also looking for someone interested in doing a recording of these hymn arrangements.
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Happy Fall everyone!

Music for Sunday September 13th

The King of Love my Shepherd is!

Sunday was the first day of our sermon series on the 23rd Psalm, really looking forward to digging a little bit more into this Psalm. Each week we are trying to find a song to use that uses some of the words or themes from the 23rd Psalm. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

At 10:00- It was also Rally Day (1st day of Sunday School)- LOTS of kids! Yay! I chose music that I thought the kids would enjoy and sing easily.

pre-service
Awesome is the Lord Most High -in E!- brand new song for us, sung by awesome singer Phil, it went well.
Days of Elijah- one of the kids favorites

Call to Worship
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Holy Holy Holy- the hymn. This hymn is part of the hymn of the month program that I have devoloped to help the kids who go to primarily services with more contemporary music, become more familiar with hymn from years past.

offering
Psalm 23 by Stuart Townend- I found this song written in 1996, doing a theme search on http://www.ccli.com/. Very nice, simple, and sweet. Worked perfectly with the theme, and even had a pretty descant written into the song. I think I'll use this one again during this series. Scott and Phil rocked the harmonies!

Closing
My Savior My God- Aaron Shust

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Additional worship notes: I played the organ for the traditional service Sunday, the closing hymn
was one of my favorites, and a sending blessing:

Go my children with my blessing, never alone.

Waking sleeping I am with you; You are my own.

In my love's baptismal river I have made you mine forever,

Go my children, with my blessing- You are my own.

Go my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure

Here you learned

how much I love you, what i can cure

Here you heard My dear son's story, here you touched Him, saw His glory

Go My Children sins forgiven at peace and pure

Go my children fed and nourished, closer to Me;

Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free,
Here my Spirit's power filled you; here His tender comfort stilled you.

Go my children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

I the Lord will bless and keep you, and give you peace;

I the Lord will smile upon you and give you peace

I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter and Brother,

Go My Children I will keep you, and give you peace

text: Jaroslav J Vajda (1983 Concordia Publishing House)

tune: Welsh 18th century

This post is part of the blog carnival at Fred McKinnon's blog. There you can read about the Sunday worship music choices from churches all around the world! Check it out right here

Music for Sunday September 6

A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

I enjoyed choosing the music for this Sunday's Sanctuary service, mixing and matching styles and decades. I don't like to call it blended, I'd say more of a convergence. And even though I think Pastor J may "disapprove" of my use of a dictionary definition... here we go anyway.

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:


Main Entry: con·ver·gence
Pronunciation: \kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 1713
1 : the act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity; especially : coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas2 : the state or property of being convergent 3 : independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment4 : the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole


So the songs for Sunday at Sanctuary

Nothing Can Trouble : Taize piece- sang through 2x, read a Psalm verse, sang, Psalm and so on. By the end of the Psalm, the congregation was singing accapella with me off mic. Beautiful!

You are My all in all: (key of F into G) The first time I have used this at Sanctuary in our 6 years! Of course everyone sang their hearts out, on this old favorite.

Blessed Be Your Name: We use this song quite a bit (too much) so I went from the final chorus of You are My all in All right into the prechorus of Blessed Be Your Name....'every blessing you pour out'. We didn't even sing the verses this week. I also took a chance, and during the bridge... 'you give and take away' I asked the ladies to sing the first time by themselves, and then the second time asked the guys, and then the 3rd time asked them to sing it together. I'm not sure if it sounded corny, me asking them to that, but the musical and community singing effect really worked!

It is Well (the hymn) simple piano arrangement, simple vocals.
How he Loves (John Mark McMillan) this was the second week we have used this great song, we use David Crowder's arrangement. Once you catch on to the creatively written verses, you can't really get this one out of your head.

Be the Center (or is it Centre?) Okay this song is written in 4/4, but I accidentally slipped into 3/4 when I introduced in, and just stuck with it. It works, pretty much. Has anyone else who has used that song done that? accidentally, uh on purpose?

Additional notes about the service: The theme was, keeping Jesus at the Center, and the Creating Sacred Space team ( I just made up a name for the ever faithful art team) put the communion table in the very center of the worship space., behind, infront and along side of all those gathered. Nice!

Overall Great Sunday of awesome singing by the congregation! Old songs new songs, hard songs repetitive songs, it didn't matter. Beautiful!


Check out more beautiful Sunday morning worship sets from all around the world at Fred McKinnon's worship set blog right HERE

Peter Mayer at Sanctuary

What a great Sunday we had last week at Sanctuary... Peter Mayer, an excellent singer-songwriter and professional guitar player joined us in leading the music. Sanctuary worship leader Nathan Fisher played along side him and it was great! Peter's music and humbleness fit so well in the service, and made for a worshipful morning. I especially enjoyed the acoustic sound and the amazing warm tone of his voice. Such a gift! Thank you Peter! Come back soon!

Most of the songs Peter shared you can find on his website right here

I really enjoyed:

Still in one piece
Pass it On (an original by Peter, not "...it only takes a spark!")
Mighty this Love

One of the songs he did was, I believe, a new one that he wrote for the National Lutheran Youth Gathering (ELCA) in New Orleans this summer, it was called Changed by Love- great tune! I couldn't find it on his website though...hopefully soon!

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Additional stuff about Sunday

This morning we also showed a great video called Free Hugs, if you haven't seen it, check it out here
Our talented video technician Niki then took still images of the Free Hugs video and had them as backgrounds for the songs later. Nice!

Because we knew it was going to be a full crowd, we moved a station to down in the pit area of the worship space... with lamps, rugs, a prayer journal etc, it ended up being a very nice, peaceful space for prayer for anyone during the worship time. way to go art team!!

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this post is part of a blog carnival where set lists from worship services all around the world are shared. check it out

New Music for you

Great new worship song I just heard. There's so much worship music out there, it's sometimes hard to sift through them to find songs that allow you to hear the message through the trite lyrics or the over processed sound. This one does it with a simple melody, simple accompaniment and heartfelt lyrics. Check out the song at the bands website, on their media player!

I'd Need a Savior- by Among the Thirsty

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life cause you are always the same
and my offering to you I bring

Your name is Jesus, Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You're what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I'd need a Savior.
I need You Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love an beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say

music for Sunday June 28th

Busy weekend of awesome praising through music!

Sat Family Fun Fest with 3 bands sharing their music

Sun- great music at 10:00 and at Sanctuary1010

Sun afternoon-music at Pastor Hudson's installation

Thank You God for all these opportunities to share the message of Your Love!


Music Set at 10:00

Theme- 2nd commandment (we are in a summer series going through the 10 commandments)
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God

You You are God- From Gateway Worship (First time for this song for us, and it went very well, the choir seemed to enjoy singing it and picked up on it quickly which is always a good sign that the congregation will like it too- I, alto, was leading this one, so we did it in A which was a good key, I just sang c's rather than low a's on the melody on the verse to keep it from getting to low)

You are Holy/Prince of Peace (I am now really hearing the men sing out on their part on this one. I'd like to find more songs that we can break into parts like this- any ideas?)

Your Name- Paul Baloche (we've been doing this song for quite some time, I haven't been sure that it has been connecting with our band and choir, but today proved me wrong- beautiful!)

Psalm 19/May the Words of My Mouth- Terry Butler-1995 (this is a favorite at Immanuel- if you have never heard it before, check it out, it's a very simple but worshipful song using the text of Psalm 19)

offering- Heaven is My Home- new melody arrangement of the old hymn by me ( one of our guitar players asked that we do this song and dedicate it to a young father who had recently passed away)

Closing - Blessed be Your Name

Notes:
no sound guy today, so we had to go with the unmanned smaller system, which was very limiting and a little frustrating, but all worked out okay. We have two great pre-college sound guys who volunteer week after week, but we need to train more people to fill in. Anyone out there?? we need Yoooou!!


Music at Sanctuary1010

Don's band played at Sanctuary, I got to hear them for the first time at Family Fun Fest on Sat they sounded great! Check out their service plan and song choices here at plannning center

Check out even more Sunday set lists here at FredMcKinnon's blog where 70 or so churches from around the world post each week

Music for Sunday June 14th

What a weekend of mixed emotions!

Yesterday (sat), I was honored to be a part of a worship conference that Nathan Fisher, www.leadgracefully.com put on at our church. There was a great turn out of people from the LCMS Northern Illinois District, out to find out more about 'tapping the depths of our liturgical heritage in the midst of a postmodern culture'. What a great day!

Today (Sun) we had to say good by to one of our Pastors. Pastor Dan Hudson has been with us for 6 years and is now headed off to plant a church in Manhattan... Manhattan, Illinois in case you're wondering. He was a huge part of these first six years of our second-site, Sanctuary1010. Thank you for everything Pastor Hudson, and blessings on the journey ahead!

Speaking of Sanctuary1010-

check out the worship flow and music choices for this Sunday at Sanctuary here at planningcenteronline. I'm so amazed at Nathan's abilities to rewrite and rearrange hymns as well as liturgical elements of a worship. Super talented guy! Hopefully he will have some recordings out soon!


Music over at 10:00-

Pre-service-

All to your Glory- this Sunday's worship leader, Phil wrote this great song

Call to Worship-

What the Lord Has Done in Me by Reuben Morgan ( We had two baptisms this morning, and I like using this song on baptism Sunday...we usually do vs1 vs1 chorus before the baptism and then the last 2 verses, chorus and vs1 as the families are going back to their seats. We could play this whole song a cappella the congregation sings out so much. Nice.)

Songs of Praise

You are Worthy of My Praise -in G ( this worked nicely thematically as the theme of the service was following Jesus, here, however is another example of a song that's hard for an alto girl, like me to lead in G, due to the chorus staying on the D note for so long. thanks for taking the reigns on this one Phil!)

Everlasting God - in G ( okay I know this is probably way too low in the verse, capo 3 as 'the directions' say is just too high for me to lead, hanging out on the C and D during the chorus, my voice doesn't have a very good leadership quality up there. Anyway, we'll try it in A next time, the church seems to really like this song)

Offering-

May the words- (another original song, this time by our electric guitar player Frank, who wrote it, dedicated to Pastor H- very nice)

Closing

Jesus All for Jesus by Robin Mark ( a great sending song)


Notes:

Awesome part of the day, was seeing so many members of the jr high and high school youth group come up to the front to join the choir in singing the Songs of Praise in the middle of the service. What a great show of appreciation to Pastor. Also great was hearing the original offerings of music by our musicians. Not everyone is a songwriter, but we are certainly blessed with some great ones here at Immanuel and Sanctuary. Thanks everyone!


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check out worship set lists from around the world here at Fred McKinnon's blog. really interesting stuff!

Music for Sunday June 7th

Trinity Sunday this past weekend and Pastor Hudson's last Sunday at Sanctuary :(
I was at Sanctuary with a band we pulled together- thanks Joel, Dustin, Mia and Byron! Good times, great sound!

Music at Sanctuary1010

The theme of the service was based on Isaiah 6 "here I am send me" the amazing part was, that text being so perfect as a theme text for Pastor Hudson's last Sunday at Sanctuary, is actually part of the lectionary for the day. We modeled the service after Isaiah 6:1-8, and it was very, very nice

you should check here at planning center for the details of the service!

Songs used:

You are Holy,Lord God Almighty (a chorus I wrote that works well interspersed with scripture, the chorus is also a counter melody to the first line of the hymn "holy, holy, holy" and works well to have a background singer come in on that)

Holy, Holy, Holy (the hymn)

Righteous Desire ( a great new song by my friend Mia Koehne, the people really sang along with this one- her cd with this song on it will be coming out soon, more info can be found at her website on that)

Not to Us- Chris Tomlin in G (this key worked well for us, thanks Joel for making it happen!)

To the Ends of the Earth in G (a favorite of mine, the congregation really sings out on, although I have had mixed reviews on this from other musicians. wondering why? great song for me)

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Music at 10:00
pre
sing to the King

opening
Our God Saves- Paul Baloche -in C (one of the very few 'contemporary' songs that mentions the Trinity.)
Holy Holy holy -in C

after absolution
Holy holy Holy -in C modulating to D (nice arrangement from a book from Break forth/Arlen Salte

offering- Glorify Thy Name (yes, that old one..."father we love you, we worship and adore you, glorify thy name in all the earth" )

communion
How Deep the Father's Love for Us -in E
Here I am to Worship- in E

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check out other worship set lists from around the world here at Fred McKinnon's worship set list blog carnival- good stuff!

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Question- Does anyone know of any other contemporary worship songs or hymns that include mention of the Holy Trinity? time to start writing!

Music for Sunday May 24th

Music at 10:00

Ever since we started our contemporary service, nearly 12 years ago, the keyboard player has been the band leader, and has driven the worship music during the services. This has worked out well, but its been nice over the last couple years to dive into more and more guitar driven songs and arrangements. This past Sunday I purposely did not schedule myself on keys, and let this weeks band go, and go they did! They sounded great! I really enjoyed hearing their original sounds that they created, without me banging away at the keys, and directing,..er...controlling the arrangements. Great job Scott, Dan, Frank, Kevin, Gina and choir!

Theme Verse- I John 5:9-17

pre-service

One Way- by Joel Houston ( This was the first time at 10:00 for this song. I like the song, more for the great lyrics, and cool bridge, then anything. It sounded really nice in worship, but no matter how hard we try, this song always ends up sounding like a country song, rather than how Hillsong United sounds...no problem though, lots of people love country! :) )

Call to Worship

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
You Are Holy Prince of Peace (hey! the guys are really startin to sing their part on this one! Woo hoo!)

After absolution

My Redeemer Lives (love, love, love the way the band sounds on this one)

During the offering

Jesus Loves Me- (yes, Jesus Loves me this I know for the bible tells me so!- the band did a great- hmm... countryish- arrangement of this song- awesome! the whole congregation was singing, and they rarely sing along on songs during the offering. nice.)

Closing-

Lord Reign in Me

Notes- I scheduled myself at the sound board today, and really enjoyed it. Despite my limited knowledge of sound tech stuff, it's fun to be on the other side of everything, and I think its a good idea for all band (and choir members) to try it at some point or another.

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Music at SANCTUARY1010

Don, Danny, Dustin, and Chris (welcome Chris!) a great new drummer, filling in for Dave, led worship at Sanctuary. Thanks guys!

Check out this link to planning center for this Sunday's set list.

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This post is part of a blog carnival at Fred McKinnon's blog, check it out here to take a look at worship set lists from all around the world!

Greater things are still to be done

So, this years American Idol finale didn't have the finalists singing "Shout to the Lord" or any other of the current top ccli songs, but the winner, Kris Allen, most recently used his musical skill as worship leader at New Life Church in Conway Arkansas, a mega church in the suburbs of Little Rock. This church even has a link, on its website to some kind of voting party held for Kris on finale night, sponsored by someone giving out prizes including HD Tvs, to those who stayed and voted for Kris. Wow, sounds like a good deal!

I hope Kris does well in the music industry, he seems like "the guy next door", which is probably part of the reason he won the whole thing, people were able to connect to him, and relate to him in some way. He is in good company with many other American Idols and finalists, coming from Christian music backgrounds:

Just a few examples:

Chris Daughtry was in a Christian band called Absent Element
Mandisa ('member her?) has recorded 2 gospel albums
Chris Sligh was a worship leader and now has done very well recording and writing music in the Christian music industry
Jordin Sparks was a member of her church's worship team
and here's one I was surprised at- Phil Stacey was a music minister in the US Navy.

Take a look at this video of Kris Allen singing "God of this City" originally sung/written by Blue Tree, a band out of Ireland, and then covered by Chris Tomlin. I've really liked this song, and love the fact that THE American Idol is singing it!