Sunday Recap – April 3, 2011

Wow — what a powerful morning of worship today! The team did a super job today in all services, and the Lord was gracious, and allowed everything to go just great! We hosted a concert last night with the Bethel University Women’s Chorale, and all 40+ of them were in church today, so we not only had a packed house, but a room full of singers! I could hear them singing out – even with the earbuds in! We used “O The Blood” again today, and that song is so powerful! Pastor Andrew, our youth pastor, preached for the first time here. He did a great job!

We also started the service today in a special way. Instead of starting with announcements and the usual, we had a special prayer time for some families in our church who recently experienced some tragedies.  We skipped the announcements, and just started right with huddling up and praying for them. This really set the tone for the rest of the service!  This post is part of the Sunday Setlist blog at The Worship Community.

Contemporary Services

Maybe it was the extra people,  or that we knew the songs well, but there was such a sense of energy and excitement today in this service! You can see the video of this service and also the Planning Center details.

“Today is The Day” (Paul Baloche and Lincoln Brewster)
– This is the second time we’ve done the Paul Baloche version of this song, and I’ve heard a lot of good responses! The team has liked not singing the “Oh, oh oh” at the start of the song, and I really like the “feel” of this arrangement!

“This Is How We Know” (Matt  Redman and Beth Redman)
– Great song! It tied in perfectly, too, to Pastor Andrew’s message on God’s love for us.  One part of the song that has always been a challenge for us is the ending, when we sing “King Jesus, we love You”. But, this week, the great team of singers – Bekah, Jan, Michael, Marv and Zack did a super job singing it out and on the harmonies. I played the piano lick as they sang that, and it all worked out great.

“O The Blood” (Mary Elizabeth Miller and Thomas Miller)
– What a powerful song! After Andrew’s message on love, this song fit perfectly as a transition into communion. If you haven’t heard this song yet, you need to! Kari Jobe sings it on Gateway’s newest release, God Be Praised. Great song as we approach Good Friday and Easter.

“Remembrance (Communion Song)” (Matt Redman, Matt Maher)
– This is a song written especially for communion, and it focuses on the element of mystery in the act of communion. We typically do the vocals from Matt Maher’s arrangement, but the band parts from Matt Redman’s arrangement of this co-write.

“Lead Me To The Cross” (Brooke Fraser)

Cafe Connection Service

Adam led the team in the Cafe today, which consisted of Adam on guitar and vocals, Zack on vocals and percussion, Bekah and Susan on vocals, and Jake on everything else! (Ukulele, guitar, bass guitar, tambourine)  Our senior pastor, who has been on vacation for a couple weeks, actually was able to attend this service today for the first time. Usually he’s there, but on the screen via video as he preaches in the sanctuary during the Traditional service. I was so glad he was able to experience it and see what it’s really like!

“That Where I Am” (Rich Mullins)
– This song was a perfect fit for this team, given the instruments they use, and the acoustic feel of the service. Great choice!

“Unchanging” (Chris Tomlin)

“You Are The Light” (Steve Fee)

“Shine” (Matt Redman)

Traditional Service

It was nice to have Pastor Kalb back this morning, too, after being gone for a couple weeks! The team did a great job this morning on the hymns! You can watch the video of this service and see the Planning Center details.

“O Worship The King”

“The Love of God”

“My Savior’s Love”

“How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” (Stuart Townend)

“Calvary Covers it All”