Contemporary Songs and a Worship Order

Steve Witwicki from Worship HELPS!! and a worship leader at some Lutheran churches in Chicago offers the following songs that have been used in Lutheran congregations for contemporary worship.

Agnus Dei (Third Day Version) [C] Michael W. Smith (haveactually used this for communion!)
Amazed [D] Jared Anderson (goodtune for offering/communion)
Blessed Assurance (Bob Fitts Arr.) [A-D] Fanny Crosby (a myriad ofuses - special, congregational)
Blessed Be Your Name [A] Matt & Beth Redman(probably our congregation' s favorite song)
Choose Life [G] Steve Wiggins (Big TentRevival - special)
Everything Glorious [C] David Crowder (use inopening worship set)
Friend of God [C] Michael Gungor & IsraelHoughton (use in opening worship set or for send-also used during 4th ofJuly parade)
God is Great [B] Marty Sampson (greatenergy, use in opening worship set or for send)
Grace Like Rain [C] Todd Agnew (offering,prelude)
Hallelujah to the King [F] Michael Neale (openingset)
Hosanna [G] Paul Baloche (opening set)
I Am Yours (Take My Life) [F] Michael Neale (openingset, great new chorus to an old hymn)
I Saw the Light [G] David Crowder Version(with banjo!)
I Will Boast [G] Paul Baloche (greattune, we've used for opening, send)
I Will Search [A] Israel Houghton(opening)
In Christ Alone [D] Stuart Townend (powerfulsong for communion)
It Is You [G] Newsboys(special, prelude)
Let the Praises Ring [D] Lincoln Brewster (greatenergy, opening or send)
Love the Lord [E] Lincoln Brewster(Probably number 2 on the list of favorites for the congregation)
Meet With Me [G] Lamont Hiebert (popularwith congegation)
Most High [D] Marty Sampson (highenergy, great for send or opening)
Moving Forward [A] Ricardo Sanchez & Israel Houghton (big tune, not for amateurs - special)
My Reward [B] Paul Baloche (verypopular, fairly easy)
My Savior, My God [D] Aaron Shust (used forspecial - need a good vocalist)
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded [Bm] Hans Leo Hassler & J.S.Bach (4Him Version - very powerful, used after reading the Passion thisyear)
Offering [F] Paul Baloche(Might be #3 on the congregation' s list)
Once Again [D] Matt Redman (can be avery moving piece, we build on the bridge for a dynamic effect)
Only a God Like You [G] Tommy Walker (fun tune,use in opening set)
Our Love is Loud [E] David Crowder(high energy - opening or send)
Rescue [Bm] Jared Anderson (moving,powerful tune - use for communion or meditation during opening set)
Rising [E] Paul Baloche (goodopening tune)
Romans 12 [G] Todd Agnew (another goodtune for worship opening)
The Wonderful Cross [D] Chris Tomlin, J.D. Walt &Jesse Reeves (familiar hymn, good contemporary chorus)
This God He is Our God [D] Tommy Walker (bouncy tunewe use in opening set)
Til I See You [A] Joel Houston & JadGillies (moving song for mediattion in opening set)
To You [G] Darlene Zschech (goodcommunion song)
Worship You Forever [E-F#] Todd Fields (high energysend or open)
You Are Good [A] Israel Houghton (ditto)
You Never Let Go [E] Matt & Beth Redman (usefor offering, meditation)
You Shine [D-E] Brian Doerksen (open orsend)
Your Grace Still Amazes Me [C] Shawn Craig & ConnieHarrington (powerful ballad for offering or communion)
Your Name [A] Paul Baloche & GlennPakiam (there are 2 distinct versions of the same tune - we've done both)

WORSHIP ORDER OUTLINE

PRE-SERVICE - A special vocal or instrumental piece.

OPENING WORSHIP SET (3 or 4 tunes usually end with a more prayerfulor meditative peace to bring folks "down" to hearing the Word

MESSAGE RESPONSE/OFFERING - Sometimes a congregational piece, sometimes a special, usually not a "rocker" though

COMMUNION - Again, generally a slower more meditative piece during distribution.

SEND - Almost always a very upbeat tune

REPRISE - Most always the chorus (or other logical start) of theprevious piece

Also worth looking at are the most popular 25 songs from CCLI, this will give you an indication of what a lot of congregations are singing...(however check out the songs to make sure they are suitable)

Most popular CCLI songs as at 18 May 2008 you can check this out at http://www.ccli.com.au/licences/church-copyright-licence/top25.cfm:

1, How Great Is Our God, Tomlin, Chris \ Reeves, Jesse \ Cash, Ed
2, Here I Am To Worship, Hughes, Tim
3, Mighty To Save, Fielding, Ben \ Morgan, Reuben
4, Shout To The Lord, Zschech, Darlene
5, How Deep The Father's Love For Us, Townend, Stuart
6, In Christ Alone, Townend, Stuart \ Getty, Keith
7, Lord I Lift Your Name On High, Founds, Rick
8, Blessed Be Your Name, Redman, Beth \ Redman, Matt
9, For All You've Done, Morgan, Reuben
10, The Power Of Your Love, Bullock, Geoff
11, Ancient Of Days, Harvill, Jamie \ Sadler, Gary
12, Shine Jesus Shine, Kendrick, Graham
13, Above All, LeBlanc, Lenny \ Baloche, Paul
14, There Is A Redeemer, Green-Sievright, Melody
15, Come Now Is The Time To Worship, Doerksen, Brian
16, Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Baloche, Paul
17, Hosanna, Fraser, Brooke
18, Forever, Tomlin, Chris
19, My Redeemer Lives, Morgan, Reuben
20, The Stand, Houston, Joel
21, One Way, Houston, Joel \ Douglass, Jonathon
22, What The Lord Has Done In Me, Morgan, Reuben
23, Indescribable, Story, Laura
24, From The Inside Out, Houston, Joel
25, Awesome God, Mullins, Rich

Something to think about: GO or MAKE DISCIPLES??

When you hear the words from Matthew 28:18-20
28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

What is your main response?
Is it to Go or is it to MAKE DISCIPLES?

I have been preparing for this week's sermon and it dawned on me that some commentators have highlighted something I had never seriously considered...

Jesus main instruction to the disciples (and therefore us) is to make disciples. In fact one commentator highlights that the go should be more like....as you go about your life....something which the God's Word translation picks up for verse 19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

How does that influence how we do ministry?
How does that influence your congregation?

Some advice for small worship settings

Many Lutheran congregations are small in number and struggle in the area of worship music.

Rich Muchow of Encouraging music in Leadng worship in small group setting offers some good advice that may help. Although the article is focussed on worship on small groups, some of what he says is very relevant to small congregational settings.

Here is some of what he says:
"Sing fewer songs using less time than in a larger worship service. My experience in a small group is that I can sing a song for them to listen to and ask them to join in when they know it. Everyone singing is not the goal (it’s nice). The goal is that the group connects with God and each other."

"Pick songs that are easy to sing. Using only the choruses of well known songs encourages participation. Choose songs that have very singable words, a simple melody and limited musical range, let’s say a one octave range. Songs like “Here I Am to Worship,” “Lord I Lift Your Name on High,” “More Love More Power,” many of the Passion songs, and most of the CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing Incorporated) Top 100 songs are easy to sing. "

Now think about your congregation..
What are the easy to sing hymns/songs (have you made a list!!)?

To read the complete article visit http://www.encouragingmusic.com/2008-1article.asp

Do you have any other suggestions for small congregation worship

Importance of children in mission

Over the last two days two instances have come to me regarding the importance of children in relation to mission.

First was at the Get Real conference...Dr Mike Foss asked Grand Parents....would you do whatever it takes top see your Grand Children loved by Jesus!! (and would you allow children to bring food and drinks into the church)

On the same day i was reading the book Confessions of a Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll (more on this book later) when he was confronted with the fact that his church only catered for Gen X and had no children's ministry and someday the young adults he had in his church will have children, but he didn't have any children's ministry to offer them and could see they would go elsewhere unless something was offered. Almost immediately when he offered children's ministry families came.

Think about it....what about your church does it say children are welcome!! or would families with children be wondering do they really fit in here or are they a nuisance?

Didn't Jesus say something about....let the little children come to me