copyright 2009 Geoff Wood Photography http://geoffwoodphotography.com/ @geoffwoodphoto

Yesterday was a new lineup of musicians playing together, and the hope behind this group was to explore a more ethereal sound, similar to our approach to Maundy Thursday. I really enjoyed playing with these people, and think the combination made for some beautiful moments.

In The Shadow Of The Glorious Cross
Words and Music by Rebecca Bales and Brooks Ritter

An amazing song by the talented musicians of Sojourn Church in Louisville, KY.

Love Me To The End
Words by Samuel Medley
Music by Jeff Koonce

This hymn can be found on the Red Mountain Church album “Help My Unbelief”, taken from the Gadsby Hymnal. The lyrics were inspired by the account of the leper begging Jesus for mercy in Matthew 8 and Mark 1. It was a beautiful fit to the sermon by @PastorTyler, which contrasted the prideful approach of James and John to the humble approach of the blind beggar in Mark 10.
Our arrangement capitalized on the first two minutes of the Red Mountain song instead of going to the more upbeat feel that kicks in. The congregation seemed to pick up on the melody, and I look forward to singing this one again in a few weeks.

Sermon: Mark 10:35-52
Pastor Tyler Jones

Help My Unbelief
Words by John Newton
Chorus and Music by Clint Wells

This song has been a favorite over the past six months, and I’m really enjoying the feel, particularly with Heather Pond singing. The honesty of the song, both in melody and lyrics, seem to help people confess. At least, it does for me.

Love Me To The End
(We repeat new songs in the second set)

Your Love Is Strong
Words and Music by Jon Foreman
This poetic song was a welcome change after two rich old hymns. No less true in content, but it allowed us to declare God’s love for us. How different life would be if we truly believed God when he says “I love you.”

Band
Steve Banfi – Sound
Scott Andrews – Keys
Heather Pond – Vocals
Josh Phillips – Bass
Steven Suits – Guitar
Kevin Donnelly – Drums
@MattStevensNC – Vocals, Guitar

copyright 2010 Cade Bowman

We held baptisms at the Raleigh service of Vintage21 Church yesterday, which always makes for a beautiful reminder of what God desires to do through the church. The short statements made by two men being baptized were so honest and real, all of us on stage were moved by their heart behind their desire to be baptized.

I Boast No More
Words by Isaac Watts
Music by Sandra McCracken

We took this meaningful song and created a slightly more upbeat arrangement based around a solid 4/4 beat. The bridge was dropped several years back, as its not ideal for congregational singing.

God Of This City
Words and Music by Richard Bleakley, Aaron Boyd, Peter Comfort, Ian Jordan, Peter Kernaghan and Andrew McCann

The value of this song lies in the outward focus that it brings. Where corporate worship can often become inward-focused (“I’m a worm, woe is me, I’m a worm, me me me”), this song declares both God’s power outside of our own personal life and praises His sovereignty in all things. That we are actually in downtown Raleigh always stirs my heart when we sing this song, and I wonder: Do churches in rural towns sing this one?

Sermon: Mark 10:13-34
Pastor Tyler Jones

Before The Throne Of God Above
Words by Charitee Bancroft
Music by Vikki Cook

The version we sing is by the musicians from Sojourn Church in Louisville, Kentucky. We changed the chords slightly this week, which brought a minor-chord feel to the first two stanzas, and resolved back to the original for the last one. I never grow tired of singing this melody and these words.

In Feast Or Fallow
Words and Music by Sandra McCracken

This new song by Sandra McCracken was introduced last month, and already the congregation is picking up on it. Especially the “Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” part. Wow – that is a picture to me of the voice of the church.

In Christ Alone
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Seeing as it was baptism Sunday, in which we often have both scheduled and spontaneous baptisms, I wanted to sing songs that reminded us just what baptism commemorated and celebrated. This monster of a song by Getty and Townend was sung with gusto, and hopefully was a reminder to those who follow Jesus and a challenge to those who do not.

Band
Keith Hibler, Thomas Dameron – Sound
Rob Fisher – drums
Jerry Updyke – bass
Andrea Updyke – vocals
Dan Rood – keys, vocals
Matt Stevens – guitar, vocals

Lest you think we stopped using the wonderful talents of our graphic designer Amy Jones and her team of volunteers, instead bringing in local artists who specialize in airbrushing, please read on to find out why on earth we’d use the above design!

This year our theme of Holy Week is that of Jesus as king. The events of this week are shocking in the roller coaster of emotions of the crowds, the manner in which the tables turn on Jesus, and his betrayal by everyone. Throughout it all – the tempting praise of Christ as the overthrower of Rome, the weakness of his best friends, the beatings and abuse – Jesus remains focused on the Cross. Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the cries of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10) While the people’s words were accurate, their hearts were not, proven by their shouts of “Crucify him!” mere days later. They had distorted the reign of Christ, reducing him to a mere political king, a warrior who would rise up to defeat Rome and free the Jews from oppressive reign. When he did not appear to be their kind of king they turned on him, having no clue their vision was much too small for what God had in mind in sending His Son. For this reason, we covered the cross and hung the above image of “Warrior King” – meant to be a gaudy representation of our distortion of Christ’s reign and rejection of the Cross.

We too reduce Christ to a mere secular king that will provide safety and comfort. In arrogance we approach Jesus with our own idea of how he should reign, with our needs and desires at the center. Just like the people in Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, we shout “Hosanna!” at the top of our lungs, but when confronted with a humble Servant King whose journey takes him to a sacrificial death on the Cross we throw in the towel, even shouting “Crucify him!” Or worse, we turn our head and pretend he’s not there, going on with our safe, comfortable lives.

Services in Holy Week often focus on on the events and details of Jesus’ death. How long the nails were, how much pain he endured, how awful we are in our sin, etc. Those are all important details, but the reason behind it all is God’s great love and the glory it brings Him. For this reason, each song we sang dealt with the love of God that compelled Him to send His own Son to bear the wrath we earned.

Your Love
Words and Music by Matt Stevens and Josh Bain
This is a re-write of a song I wrote several years ago that appeared on our last album “All Things Praise”. With Josh’s help, we simplified a few things and introduced this new version several weeks ago. Here is a verse, and hopefully we’ll get a recording posted soon:

Oh what a love, hung on a cross
Bearing sin and shame
The death I’ve earned
You gave Your Son
Before I knew Your Name

Your Love Is Strong
Words and Music by Jon Foreman
The Season EPs by Jon Foreman have been a soundtrack to my life over the past few years. The songwriting and production often voice struggles, questions and feelings I’ve wrestled with. This particular song has been suggested for corporate worship before, but it wasn’t until Vintage21 Musicians and entrepeneurs Chris and Elizabeth Boyette suggested it that I reconsidered. In light of our approach to Palm Sunday of swimming in God’s love, this song seemed perfect. The lyrics affected me each time we sang it, and because of the production I’ve grown accustomed, we brought in a cello this Sunday, Melinda Pierce, a regular musician at Visio Dei, a fellow Raleigh church.

In The Shadow Of The Glorious Cross
Words and Music by Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Bales
This has become a regular song for Vintage21 Church, first introduced at our Durham campus by band leader Brandon Squizzato and then brought to Raleigh after I was moved by their version. Christ’s love is at the core of this song, and His patient pursuit is well laid out in the following verse:

When death’s dark shadow’s at my feet
When I am plagued by unbelief
You place my hands into your side
By precious blood identified

You Are Much More
Words and Music by Thad Cockrell and Benji Cowart
One of my favorite things about leading worship is praying and planning a Sunday service, listening to the sermon and hearing some of the same themes, ideas, passages, even words and phrases that was planned into the songs we respond with. In these moments I’m reminded of the leadership of the Holy Spirit and compelled to listen more instead of barrel ahead with my own “brilliant” ideas.

We have not sung this song at Vintage21 since October 11, 2009, and I’ve never led it. After hearing the sermon and Tyler’s challenge to deal with the love and mercy of Jesus, it was clear the Spirit had a message for people. Praise God for leading His church!

What am I gonna do with your kindness?
What am I gonna do with your love?
What am I gonna do with your mercies?
What am I gonna do with your love?

You are much more than my heart searches for.

Don’t forget to attend this year’s Maundy Thursday Service. Here’s the Facebook page, invite your friends!

This was the first Sunday my band has led together since early August. It was a welcome return, and I was reminded of the difference made by playing with musicians you’re familiar with. The previous weeks playing with a mix of folks was a lot of fun, and they are very good, but the familiarity of your own band does make a difference.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Thomas Campbell
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church
While this song used to be a bit more reflective due to the arrangement and lyrics, we’ve begun opening the service with this. It poses an important question to start with “And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior’s blood?” For those who do not follow Christ, the challenge is there- “Can I gain an interest in my Savior’s blood?” For the followers of Christ, singing this should shed light on whether or not we view this as an honor.

Dearly We’re Bought
Words by Joseph Hart
Music by Matthew S. Welch, 2004
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church, 2009
I’ve been a fan of Red Mountain Church music for several years, and this is one of the first songs that jumped out at me. I’m drawn towards energy and passion, and long for the church not only to sing beautiful melodies but to sing their hearts out in anthem-style choruses. By that I don’t mean U2-in-a-stadium choruses, but Avett Brothers-yelling-in-a-club. The chorus of this song should be something we sing with passion, and I believe it would please God if we really believed it: “Dearly we’re bought, highly esteemed. Redeemed, with Jesus’ blood redeemed.”
Several weeks ago we met as a band to discuss our sound, and the direction we’d like to go. In rehearsal, as we re-worked the arrangement, it was a good chance for all of us to work on a song together. The end result seems to be a good picture of our sound, and I’m pleased with the feel of it.

Sermon: The Gospel Is Biblical

Dearly We’re Bought
Words by Joseph Hart
Music by Matthew S. Welch, 2004
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church, 2009
We repeat new songs in the second set.

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
We run three services on Sunday mornings, leaving us with just enough time to sing three songs. On September 27 and this Sunday as well, we’ve dropped down drastically for the second song in Set #2, hoping this allows for a reflective moment in our worship, where the instruments take a backseat to the voices.

By Thy Mercy (Jesus, Lord of Life and Glory)
Words by James Cummins, 1839
Music by Greg Thompson, 2004
Additional Music and Lyrics by Matt Stevens, 2008
We’ve found our groove on this one. It reminds me of the difficulty of church music – every “gig” is a big one, and without repeating songs regularly, it takes much longer to settle into a song. With my outside band, we play the same songs at each show, only slightly varying the set list. Thus we work out the kinks much more quickly.

All in all, a beautiful Sunday. I was taken back by how loud the congregation sang. Let’s do this, church. Let’s sing our hearts out together – he’s worth it.

Band
Sound: Matt “The Fourth Musketeer” Nickerson
Bass: Jerry “On Fire With Blind Jokes” Updyke
Drums: Daniel “I Got Your Groove Right Here” Deese
Backing Vocals: Tiffany “Nearly Killed Doc Watson” Ashford
Keys: Scott “Sugar Sweet” Andrews
Lead Guitar: Steven “Riff Factory” Suits
Guitar, Vocals: Matt “Baby Daddy” Stevens

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

Thank You
Words and Music by Thad Cockrell and Matt Stevens

Although we usually begin with a song of declaration, this week’s service kicked off with a song of thanks. Part of this goes back to what I preached on – that our worship of God should not begin with the music. If we are worshiping God before we walk through the doors on Sunday, it’s completely natural that we would thank God right away, instead of having to sing about who He is, then thank Him.

God Of My Life, To Thee I Call
Words by William Cowper, 1779
Music by Clint Wells, Brian T. Murphy and Ben Pocta

As mentioned in last Friday’s post “How We Plan For Sunday”, my hope was that this song would remind us of our dependence on God, and His provision for us.

Sermon: The Gospel Is Theological (John 3:16-21)
Pastor Tyler Jones preached on God’s initiation in the Christian gospel vs. man’s belief that we can make ourselves right with God (religion). Listen here.

Only Your Blood Is Enough
Words and Music Neil Robins, adapted from “Psalm 51 Part II”

“Rehearsing alone or with a team, don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.” – Bob Kauflin, posted on twitter. Little did I know how prophetic it would be. At the 11:30 service, our third of the morning, I stepped up to start this riff, and completely blanked. All I knew was it’s in G, but the picking pattern had left my brain. The rest of the song was a struggle to worship, lead others, and try and remember this riff! Kauflin’s words even popped in there, and it was a good example of the importance of rehearsal.

Thy Mercy, My God
Words by John Stocker
Music by Sandra McCracken
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church

This was a new arrangement, and my goal was for it to feel like a reprise in between two powerful, loud songs. Jenn Hyatt, joining us for the first time yesterday, did a beautiful job leading, and Steven Suits’ guitar riff was the key behind it all. I was thankful to make noise and finally get to use my Fuzz Factory pedal other than in my outside band.

All Creatures Of Our God and King
Words by Francis of Assisi.
Arrangement by David Crowder, with additions by Vintage21 Church

Always a powerful closer. JM Huret and John Bass did an amazing job keeping the groove and tempo, and it allowed us to sing out. My only regret with how loud this song gets is, we can’t hear just how loud people sing out. An observation, that’s all. I love ending with this one, and after we stopped, Jenn took us through the last verse of “Thy Mercy, My God” to close.

Band
Sound: The Three Amigos – David Hyatt, Matt Stark, Jobin Bain
Bass: Dr. John Bizznass
Drums: J.M. “Watch Out For That Kick Pedal” Huret
Backing Vocals: Jenn “Freshman Sensation” Hyatt
Acoustic Guitar: Casey “Representin’ State” Haigh
Keys: Heather “Ms. Reno” Pond
Lead Guitar: Steven “Can We Sing Happy Birthday To My Wife” Suits
Guitar, Vocals: Matt “What’s That Riff Again?” Stevens

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

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 Taylor Roberts

This is a song from our early 2008 album “All Things Praise”. For many months it was a staple in Vintage21 Church 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 Vintage21 Church – Pastor Tyler 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 Thad Cockrell and Matt Stevens

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 Vintage21 Church

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.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Thomas Campbell
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church

While this one isn’t normally an opener, we stepped up the tempo and intensity and it worked well. A bold first song to sing – do people really feel the weight of this privilege at the outset of the service? If you wonder what I’m talking about, read my previous post regarding the mindset we bring to the service.

God Of My Life, To Thee I Call
Words by William Cowper, 1779
Music by Clint Wells, Brian T. Murphy and Ben Pocta

This is a beautiful arrangement by some of the musicians at Red Mountain Church in Birmingham, Alabama. It’s been a while since any one band regularly sang this song, but I felt we needed to bring it back. Sometimes, there’s just a feeling about a song, and I believe it’s God’s Spirit guiding us.

Sermon: Mark 3:7-21
In Mark 3:7, Jesus has just healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath and the Pharisees are now intentionally meeting in order to kill him. After the Pharisees are meeting in order to determine how they might kill him, Jesus withdraws with his disciples in order to send them out.  Jesus sends out his disciples to preach, have authority, and to cast out demons.  Jesus is sending his disciples to continue the ministry that he has begun in chapters 1 and 2.  This week Pastor Tyler specifically looks at the way Jesus calls his disciples and how that should guide the church as disciples are continuing to be formed in the name of Jesus.

By Thy Mercy (Jesus, Lord of Life and Glory)
Words by James Cummins, 1839
Music by Greg Thompson, 2004
Additional Music and Lyrics by Matt Stevens, 2008

We’re still working on the tempo and groove of this one. If we go too fast, it can feel out of control. But that’s tough as well, because I dig the energy and build of it. The “you are good, lord Jesus” part always feels so appropriate to me.

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”. I plan on writing a separate entry on this song, so stay tuned.

Chainbreaker
Words by Charlie Hall
Music by Kendall Combes, Dustin Ragland, Brian Bergman, Quint Anderson

Wow, what a difference tempo made in this one! Another battle to keep from speeding up, but when we laid back at the 6:00 service it made a huge difference. I can’t help but smile when singing “Yeah, the Son has set you free” due to the overwhelming nature of God’s grace. It’s ridiculous to think God loves us that much, and that our response is so weak and stubborn.

God Of This City
Words and Music by Richard Bleakley, Boyd Aaron, Peter Comfort, Ian
Jordan, Peter Kernaghan, and Andrew McCann

After singing of our dependence upon God, His work on the cross, and our freedom through that, I wanted us to turn our focus outward towards going from this service back into our city lest we become so inward focused. You can’t separate God’s grace in our lives from his call that we continue his work in building the kingdom, and for this reason this song is perhaps one of the most appropriate closing songs we have.

Band
Sound: Jeff “Sub Bustin’” Tyndall
Bass: Jerry “4 8 15 16 23 42” Updyke
Drums: Daniel “Misses Out Because He Doesn’t Watch LOST” Deese
Backing Vocals: Tiffany “Sheets” Ashford
Keys: Scott “You Are Everybody” Andrews
Lead Guitar: Paul “My Pedals Rule Only Slightly Less Than My Playing” Sheeran
Guitar, Vocals: Matt “FOR THE LOVE, We Need A Name” Stevens

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

Willingly
Words and Music by Matt Stevens
We began the service today with a passage from Hebrews 4:14-16, which was an appropriate call to Jesus – the reason for our praise, and the leader of our worship.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,
yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of
need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

Before The Throne Of God Above
Words by Charitie Bancroft, 1863
Music by Vikki Cook
Arrangement by Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky. They will be joining us for Advance 09 and Re:Sound this week. Vintage21 Church loves this song and their arrangement, and I’m looking forward to worshiping with the band from Sojourn in a live setting.

Sermon: Acts 6:1-7
Finishing out our series on “Advancing The Local Church”, Pastor Tyler Jones preaches on the chance we have to serve as deacons and elders in the local church.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain
Words by Charles Wesley
Music by Thomas Campbell
Arrangement by Vintage21 Church

We stepped up the tempo and feel of this one to give it some more energy. The words are invaluable, and my prayer today was that it
convicted the hearts of those here who do not know and follow Jesus. “And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior’s blood?” It really is an outrageous claim. And man, the singing at the 11:00 service was so loud, right from the get-go. Beautiful.

Thank You
Words and Music by Thad Cockrell and Matt Stevens
We wanted to write a song where we could simply thank God over and over for what He’s done. We have so much to be thankful for.

“There’s no sorrow where we’re going;
You’ve prepared for us a home.
So I fix my eyes on Jesus,
He tells me that I am His own.”

God Of This City
Words and Music by Richard Bleakley, Boyd Aaron, Peter Comfort, Ian
Jordan, Peter Kernaghan, and Andrew McCann

This song was introduced to Vintage21 Church during this series on the local church. It’s a beautiful proclamation of faith, and I pray
people will sing it with confidence and expectancy for what God will do. Otherwise, we’re wasting our breath.

Band
Sound: Matt “Saved Us” Nickerson
Bass: John “Groove Daddy” Bass
Drums: Daniel “Bojangles (Chicken, not Mr.)” Deese
Backing Vocals: Tiffany “Birthday Girl” Ashford
Keys: Scott “Black Mac” Andrews
Lead Guitar: Caleb “Swayze” Smith
Guitar, Vocals: Matt “Still No Sleep” Stevens

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