November 09, 2008

God is real.

While many of us know this to be true, some days it’s felt more than others. Yesterday was one of those days. My wife took a turn for the worse last Wednesday and we ended up in the E.R. until 6:00 am. The days following had us both sick, and we would not have made it through without the help of many friends. Thad took on scheduling Sunday, and on Saturday we had an impromptu rehearsal with the musicians who volunteered at the last minute to play for Sunday. And it was this Sunday that God chose to move. I’ve had frustrations with our 9:30 service- it seems to be the one with the most Members of @V21Church, but the room often feels lifeless, and the singing is like a chore. Yesterday was a different story, as the room was alive with worship of God through Christ. It’s hard to quantify or explain, it’s just something I know and feel. The Spirit of God was moving among us.

Willingly
Words and Music by @MattStevensNC

We began the day with this scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV):
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

That’s what we’re about: “Jesus Christ and him crucified”. With all we have going on, it’s good to begin the service with this. For those who are followers of Christ, it’s a centering on Jesus. We definitely need it! For those who are doubters and seekers, we want to be up front and clear about our beliefs, and I’m confident that the Gospel of Christ will be what is most challenging, most offensive and, ultimately, most real.  This first song is a gospel song- here’s Jesus Christ, our Savior.

“Truly, truly, all those who hear the words of Jesus and draw near
Truly, truly, all who believe will have life eternally”

All Creatures Of Our God and King
Words by Francis of Assisi.
Arrangement by David Crowder, with additions by @V21Church

Build. Build. Build. I love this song, and my only fear is that the energy is lost at the beginning of the service vs. the end, when people seem to be really responding. Maybe we should hold some sort of “pre-service” where we let people get all the pride out, warm up their voices, and focus on Christ, so that right when we begin, they are responding?

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Words and Music by Stuart Townend

One beautiful part of yesterday was that we had four vocalists on stage. This song particularly had a beautiful breakdown where the voices sang out, and my favorite part of the day was that the congregation sang so loud and heartfelt that the great harmonies on stage were just a small part of what was going on. Please God, may this become the norm.

When You Are Not Enough
Words and Music by @ThadCockrell and @MattStevensNC

We did this song a few weeks back, and there is a live recording posted on worship.vintage21.com if you’d like to hear it. Both Sundays, there seems to be something profound about asking God for these things:

“Grant us mercy
Grant us grace
Grant us wisdom
Grant us faith”

Jesus Paid It All
Words by Elvina Hall, 1865
Arrangement by Kristian Stanfill

It seems like we’ve been doing this song a lot lately, yet people seem to worship through this, and I’m also not going to pick a weak song just for the sake of variety. Yesterday was epic in nature, and this song fit right into that. Man, it was good for the soul to sing to God.

Band For Today

Guitar – @JoshBain
Keys – Laura Wooten
Backing Vocals – Linda Plitt, Dee Dee Stevens
Bass – Mike Simons
Drums – Joshua Snyder
Worship Leader – @MattStevens, @ThadCockrell

Today’s Sunday Review is posted in collaboration with other church music ministries at Sunday Setlists.