This week at the Raleigh campus my band led, with a few lineup changes to accommodate travel by our guitarist Steven Suits and keyboardist Scott Andrews. This was the second week in a row, and I’m thankful for people who served in addition to their regular Sunday this month. For some, it meant two Sundays in a row away from family. The humility and dedication of volunteers constantly humbles me, and begs the question: Would I be the same if my job were not with the church?
All in all, it was a beautiful Sunday, and Chris and Elizabeth Boyette from Thad’s band filled in for Suits and Andrews, and did an amazing job. I forgot what it’s like to learn six new songs for Sunday, and watching Chris and Elizabeth work hard reminded me how great the band model is.
Jesus Paid It All
Words by Elvina Hall, 1865
Arrangement by Kristian Stanfill
Several weekends ago the band leaders from the Raleigh campus met to pray and discuss several things, one of which was the song list for the upcoming fall. We categorized items into a “yes” pile, a “no” pile, and a “needs a re-work” pile. In addition, the “yes” pile was further broken down into “your band should do this song each month because it rules right now” pile, and a “this song is more effective when done every few months”. Jesus Paid It All was in the “every few months” pile, as well as “needs a re-work” pile. While powerful the first few times, it has become stale both with the band and the congregation. We tackled this issue by changing the turnaround between chorus and verse, making it a bit more interesting and musical. This also saved the chord progression in the turnaround for the “Oh, praise the One who paid my debt” part of the song, which hopefully had people missing it by the time it came around.
You Made It All
Words and Music by @TaylorRobertsOK
This is a song from our early 2008 album “All Things Praise”. For many months it was a staple in @V21Church services, but in recent months it hasn’t been picked up by a band. All the band leaders agreed it was a strong song, and we wanted to explore adding full band instrumentation to it. Taking inspiration from an Elbow song, we added a strong beat, and changed the chord structure for the ending. I’ve yet to hear feedback from how it went, but personally I dug it. The band did a great job tackling this new arrangement.
Sermon: Mark 3:22-35
This was on an extremely difficult passage, and was convicting for all. Especially the men at @V21Church – @PastorTyler Jones called us out. Listen to the audio here.
Only Your Blood Is Enough
Words and Music Neil Robins, adapted from “Psalm 51 Part II”
This is a song from Sojourn’s new album “Over The Grave: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, volume one”. A review was written here on worship.vintage21.com last week, and I highly suggest downloading or ordering the entire album. A strong song, and we repeated it this week to give people a chance to learn it.
Thank You
Words and Music by @ThadCockrell and @MattStevensNC
Our drummer Daniel Deese did a great job slowing down the tempo on this one, which allowed the groove and emotion more space to breathe. This song is becoming a great song of response for V21, and I’m always grateful for a chance to simply thank Jesus for what he’s done/is doing.
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
This song is invaluable in it’s presentation of the Cross of Christ. Although we’ve sung it many times over, there are lines that convict my heart each time. This line particularly hit hard yesterday:
“But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom”
All Creatures Of Our God and King
Words by Francis of Assisi.
Arrangement by David Crowder, with additions by @V21Church
I love singing and playing this song, as it gives us a chance to sing “Hallelujah” over and over. There are times when just singing a word or line one time isn’t enough, and repetition allows us to really consider God and respond.
Occasionally I’ll blank on a word or line, or simply get tongue-tied. Yesterday, during the big accapella finish of “All Creatures” I sang “wift up your voice and with us sing”. It took everything in me not to start laughing, and thankfully I didn’t notice Jerry to my right on bass, lowering his head to keep from laughing as well. Those are welcome mistakes, and keep me remembering who really is leading worship. Thankfully, it’s Jesus.
Band
Sound: Josh “Don’t Be Getting’ Blood On My Polo” Bain
Bass: Jerry “Updyke” Ukelele
Drums: Daniel “How Dare You Question My Food Preferences” Deese
Backing Vocals: Tiffany “My Tambourine Wrote This Book” Ashford
Keys: Elizabeth “Mannequin” Boyette
Lead Guitar: Chris “Mannequin II: On The Move” Boyette
Guitar, Vocals: Matt “Elmer Fudd” Stevens
Today’s Sunday Review is posted in collaboration with other church music ministries at Fred McKinnon’s Sunday Setlists.
Matt Stevens is the Worship Pastor for Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact him via Twitter: @MattStevensNC
when i commented yesterday that the music was really, really good, i meant to add that i loved the rework on “you made it all”. not that it’s not a great song as is, but the beat amped it up.
thanks for your hard work & that of the volunteers. to know that they stepped in & learned/relearned songs in a short time makes it even more apparent how hard they work.
it is noticed & appreciated.
oh & the elmer fudd moment made me giggle. good thing God has a sense of humor & laughs with those that laugh at themselves. or something.
Gah, I wish I was close enough to be there every week.