Worship Confessional

This past weeks worship services were our "Celebration Service" related to the completion of our 40 Days of Community. Each service has been full with the AM worship service overflowing. The services had some additional components from the usual including some videos. One of those is included in this post. there are more songs than usual and we had some interviews with a message near the early part of the service that was shorten to 15 minutes. Here is the set,

“Sing To The King”
“Nothing Without You”
“One Day”
“O Happy Day”
"Made for Worship"
“All The Way My Savior Leads Me” - Chris Tomlin
“Bless The Lord”
“Give us Clean Hands”

Worship Confessional AM Worship

Yesterday we had a drummer that was different from our regular guy. Romero, a student at HPU and plays on our Youth Team did a very nice job and was a blessing. Romero is probably 18-20 years old with a great feel of the drums. He brought a different style to the service and it was nice to see and hear the team adapt to the difference. I am always amazed at how important the drummer is in this environment. Here is our set.

Hosanna - Paul Baloche

Give It All Away - Aaron Shust

Revelation Song - Kari Jobe

All The Way My Savior Leads Me - Chris Tomlin

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris T0mlin

Life of Praise - Casting Crowns

We used scripture from Luke where Jesus during the temptation period spoke of Worshiping only one God. We also got to celebrate through baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Underground Youth

Our Underground service is targeted for youth - grades 7-12 but it is not uncommon for college and adults to be present in the service. Adam Burrow leads out in this service musically. You can also find a nice overview from the teaching pastor's (Tim Stary) perspective at his blog. Here is the set from Wednesday, November 3, 2008 with some of Adam's thoughts. The picture is of Adam.

1.) My Glorious - Delirious
This is one of my personal favorite songs of the '90s. It was written by a band called "Delirious", and has been very popular since the mid '90s. We usually use this type of song as an opener, or a call to worship because of the power and intensity behind the music and lyrics. This song is really just all about us acknowledging what a great and mighty God we serve.

2.) Walk the World - Charlie Hall (Passion)
What a catchy and upbeat song! While very new, (introduced at Passion World Tour by Charlie Hall in '07 and early '08), this song is meant to be expressive of how we live our lives for Christ. It is also very deep and thought-provoking. The opening lines of the chorus are, "Let my life shine, come and let my heart shine... We're gonna walk the world and lift the bread and wine...". While the words, "lift the bread and wine" kind of catch people off guard, there is some incredible symbolism behind that. Charlie Hall explains that when he was writing this song, he had in mind Christ's body being bread and wine and how He offers His body to the whole world. Hall also explains how Christ has commissioned us to spread His light in this world. We've done this song in youth many times before and I always enjoy watching people express their 'light-shining' as the band jams away on it.

3.) Marvelous Light - Charlie Hall (Passion)
One of the more popular worship songs of this generation, it is a song of pure victory! "Sin has lost its power, death has lost its sting... from the grave You've risen, VICTORIOUSLY!" -- That thought alone stirs something in my heart that cannot be contained. What Jesus did on the cross for us is truly miraculous and "marvelous". This song calls us into celebration for what He has done for each of us. Isn't it an awesome thing that we are free to sing of his redemption and victory over sin?

4.) From the Inside Out - Hillsong United
This is an invitational-type of song, and what a powerful song it is. Hillsong United has somewhat 'revolutionized' the way the church does music... notice I didn't say WORSHIP, because truthfully, true worship has always been about God, and only God, and that should never change. But the music in which we use to worship God has changed over the generations and Hillsong United has been at the forefront of the praise and worship craze that's taken place over the last 15 years or so... and this song is all about us giving our lives to God and letting Him truly take total control. What a merciful God we serve that He would be mindful of us.

I really enjoyed the worship set this week. People were engaged in what was going on and I pray that God has spoken to those who were there and that He continues to do so each and every week as we gather to worship Him.

Worship Confessional - The Well

Wiley Wood - is fairly new to leading out in Worship. He is in his second year as the Worship Leader for The Well (one of our worship services here at Southside.) Wiley is passionate and talented on multiple instruments. He tends to lead from an acoustic guitar and the band is made up of; two electric guitars, keyboard, drum-set, acoustic guitar and 2-4 vocalists. The Worship Center lights are usually down with a great deal of coffee all over the place. Here is their set from this past Sunday with Wiley's thoughts.

"Trust in You" by Jeremy Camp
This song is one that can meet anybody wherever they are. I know sometimes we forget that no matter what God is right there ready to help us in every situation of life. To me it’s a message back to God acknowledging his presence and his faithfulness to us. On top of all of that it’s a JAM!
"Better Is One Day"
Really this one is not one of my favorites, but still has a good message. Sometimes its hard to find songs and that was really my reasoning behind this one. Its funny though when you pick out a song just to fill a gap God can speak to you through it.
"God With Us" by Mercy Me
Ok….This one is my all time favorite at this moment. Every time we do this song I am so excited! The message and the words to this song are amazing. The thing is this takes the way I feel about worship and put it to words in a song. It just a song of expression and love to God. Love it!
All that is within me cries
To You alone be glorified
Emanuel
God with us
"Hosanna" by Hillsong United
I think this song could get anyone excited about worship. Another very well written song and a very powerful sound as well. Alicia does a great job with this one. It gets me excited about the return of Christ and awesome that is to think about.
"God Of This City" by Passion Band
I have fallen for this song lately especially leading up to the 40 days study because I think it falls in line with it. That was the reason I have waited this long to do it. I was waiting for the first week of the study.
"Start A Fire" by Among Thorns
Thought this song is slow and mellow the message is clear. It’s a prayer to God asking him to start something inside of myself that I can share with others. I first heard this song at youth camp when I was in high school. It ministers to me know just as it did then. I hope it does this same for the people who come to our service. I thought it was very appropriate when talking about reaching out to a community that so desperately needs Christ. It only can happen if it starts in our own lives.

Bible Study Week #1 of 6

We are going to spend six weeks to take some thoughts out of Matt Redman's "The Unquenchable Worshipper." I personally am looking forward to this time of sharing and study. As we look at some of Matt Redman's thoughts and scripture that corresponds to the study be sure to utilize scripture that you find during this time. Online I personally like to use CrossWalk.com but there are others you may find useful.

One of the purposes of the book states: "The revelation of God is the fuel for the fire of our worship. And there is always more fuel for the fire. When we open the eyes of our heart, God's revelation comes flying at us from so many different angles."

In the first chapter of Ephesians Paul speaks to this church at Ephesus and specifically in his introduction in the New American Standard Version he writes "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

Questions: Matt Redman states this "revelation" is the fuel of our worship of God and Paul writes that God wants to give us a spirit of wisdom and "revelation." What do you think this "revelation" could be?

Your Thoughts?

9-27-08 Worship Confessional

Well here it is - my first one. This week we are in what is affectionately called "Week 0" of 40 Days of Community. The theme/goal is fairly simply encourage people to consider a focused 40 days on finding/implementing the purpose of their spiritual walk in a community of believers. Here at Southside we have 4 worship services I specifically lead the two Sunday AM services and oversee the two other services. This confessional is from those two services, I will encourage Adam and Wiley to post their services.

Initial Scripture reading - Philippians 2: 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. 9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, 11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father (The Message)

"Because of Your Love" - Paul Balouche

Interview with 40 Days Leaders - Life Change Testimony

"Beautiful One" - Jeremy Camp

Dramatic Scripture Reading - Exodus 33:12-22
12 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' 13 If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility." 14 God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end." 15 Moses said, "If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now. 16 How else will it be known that you're with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we're special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?" 17 God said to Moses: "All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name." 18 Moses said, "Please. Let me see your Glory." 19 God said, "I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, ….. 21 God said, "Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. 22 When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. (The Message)

"Meet With Me" - Ross King

Spoken Message - "Preparing for a God Visit"

"You Alone" - Passion Band

"Give Us Clean Hands" - Charlie Hall

Baptism

Close - "Because of Your Love"

Small Town Worship

I was trying to decide how I could best communicate to myself and others the type and style of worship and ministry that takes place in our small town here. Our worship at Southside is pretty distinct compared to other ministries I have been a part of across the United States. My good friend Jeff has a Monday blog appropriate entitled "Worship Confessional" that I believe I will just copy and hope he is ok with it.

I would welcome thoughts, comments and suggestions on the subject at hand. Now, let's see if I can get this thing going!