New Music for you

I like collecting and listening to hymn compilation projects, from Johnny Cash to Jars of Clay, I love new arrangements of old hymns! A dream of mine is to create a recording of hymns of my own...

Jadon Lavik's Roots Run Deep is a collection of hymns, just the way I like them. Simple instrumentation, not over-produced, easy to listen to and sing along with. If you have listened to Fernando Ortega's hymn arrangements you will recognize some similarities in the simple style, and you'll even hear Fernando singing on one of the tracks

Check it out!

Enjoy!

PS anyone want to do a hymn project with me?

Time's a wastin'

Last weekend I celebrated with my oldest son, Nick, as he turned 16! This Wednesday, my boys, Nick and Zach, have their first day back at school, and it is my first day as a mom of two high school students! Eeeks!

The older they get, I feel the window of time I have to teach them "all there is to know", and "every secret to life", is narrowing. Much to their dismay nearly everything that happens, good, bad or almost, I turn into an opportunity for a teaching moment by mom. More often than not, they poke fun at me for my little life lessons, but I think they're listening...most of the time!

This sense of urgency, is also present in my walk of faith, and service. Every night, right before I go to sleep, and as soon as I wake up in the morning, I pray that God lead me to be the person He wants me to me, and show me how he wants me to serve.

A couple of years ago, after my Dad returned from a trip to India, he called the feeling he had of wanting to know how to serve in some way, as a "holy impatience". I like that... I think God wants us to have a sense of urgency for the people who still have yet to hear about the beauty of His love and grace. God wants us to have a sense of urgency for the people who are lonely and hurting, tired or broken.

For me, having a "holy impatience" means that I have the desire to know what my purpose is, the desire to know how God wants me to use my gifts to his glory, the desire to stop sitting around thinking, and talking about doing, but actually doing it!

May God lead you to be the person He wants you to be, and show you how He wants you to serve.

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

To the ends of the earth

(photo by Mia Koehne)

"Jesus I believe in You, and I would go to the ends of the earth
to the ends of the earth
for you alone are the Son of God
and all the world will see
that You are God
You are God"
To the Ends of the Earth- lyrics by Joel Houston

I love singing those lyrics in church. I sing the words... "I would go to the ends of the earth". Would I? Have I? What are my ends of the earth? Am I willing to get out of my comfort zone?

The beautiful picture above was taken by a my good friend Mia. She took the picture at the installation of Pastor Dan Hudson, which was held in a park shelter in the middle of a great big farm field on the edge of a small but growing town. She writes on her blog about the day, her words are wonderful, and I invite you to read them and enjoy here.

Live at Immanuel!!

Family Fun Fest Music Stage June 27 2009


Don and the D's- 11am
(I'm pretty sure this is not their official band name...)

Trinity Lisle Guitar Club- 12:30



Mia Koehne of About Midnight -1:30
w/ ( a band that we literally put together about 9.5 minutes before going on stage- they were incredible! All the way from the amazing talents of Dustin, Frank and Nathan to an incredible performance by Jake who has only previously played with the well known band "Rock")

Double booked

Last week I inadvertently overbooked the church.

Thursday night we managed to squeeze in 4 different band/choir rehearsals in a matter of 2 1/2 hours.

No, there wasn't quite enough music stands, or mics, or snare drums and cymbals, and I probably was not as 'present' as I should be at some of the rehearsals, as I rushed off to the next one. But it was an opportunity for me to really step back and see the beauty of offerings, and the willingness and dedication that God puts in the hearts of His people to serve.

The fruit of these offerings?

Family Fun Fest on Saturday with 3 groups sharing music at our Family Fun Fest outdoor stage
10:00 service and Sanctuary1010 on Sunday morning
Pastor Hudson's Installation on Sunday afternoon

These of course are just events- the true fruit is how the Holy Spirit moved the hearts of those who were able to hear the message of God's unending Love that came through our music!

Thank you musicians for the gifts of your time and talents!