Why do we sing?
Help Wanted - We need a person or two to run the sound and video system during our 8:15 Early Service. We can do some training for anyone that has a calling for participating in this important role. (If you like buttons & knobs, this is your big chance!)
In September we started an Early Worship Service. We start up at 8:15 and get done just in time for Sunday School. In fact, we usually end the service with a call to "Go in peace! (to Sunday School)". Pastor John originally felt a need to create some worship time and space for the ever-increasing number of people serving during our 10:30 Worship Service, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part. I have already heard feedback that the chance to worship together as a family for some of our servers has been an incredible blessing. There are also many of us that have deep connections to a more contemporary style of worship. For my family, this type of service was the connection that drew us back after years of being absent from any church connection.
Looking back even further for myself, some of my earliest worship memories were from the 11:30 "Guitar Mass" that my church had in the early 1970's. That even prompted me to take guitar lessons in 3rd grade. Sister Catherine Marie taught me the basics and eventually I was able to play with several other students during our weekday services. Close to two decades years later, she actually recognized my guitar when I lent it to a niece that took lessons from her as well.
Last week I attended Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference here in Waco. I heard speakers like Francis Chan, Rob Bell, Louis Giglio, and Matt Redmann talk about the role of music and how participation affects us. I heard popular artists such as Leeland, Hillsong London, Jars of Clay, and David Crowder*Band give some insight into their own calling and efforts to express faith through music and songwriting. Even better was the chance to hear and listen to lesser-known groups that are exploring different ways of approaching worship music. This ranged from a couple of voices and a guitar, to harps and small choirs, to large funk/jazz groups, to electronic-based and straight-forward rock bands. An overriding question across the 3-day event was "Why do we sing?" Different workshops and discussion panels explored this in many ways. The most simple answer is that God calls us to worship. Additional perspectives brought up the idea of there being an inherent need based in our Creation to express ourselves creatively. The weekend ranged from being very theological and philosophical to just immersing in incredible music.
Woodway FUMC has a rich history and identity of wonderful music. We have a collective expression through music and worship that is incredibly diverse. I firmly believe that God loves all offerings that are given honestly and authentically. I know He loves the pretty stuff, but I'm pretty sure He loves it even when we're off-key if that's the best we have. The important thing to remember is that we never have to audition for God; He already loves us and anything we have to offer Him. So "Why do we sing?" is important question, but don't forget to just sing.
Be Blessed!
Michael
In September we started an Early Worship Service. We start up at 8:15 and get done just in time for Sunday School. In fact, we usually end the service with a call to "Go in peace! (to Sunday School)". Pastor John originally felt a need to create some worship time and space for the ever-increasing number of people serving during our 10:30 Worship Service, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part. I have already heard feedback that the chance to worship together as a family for some of our servers has been an incredible blessing. There are also many of us that have deep connections to a more contemporary style of worship. For my family, this type of service was the connection that drew us back after years of being absent from any church connection.
Looking back even further for myself, some of my earliest worship memories were from the 11:30 "Guitar Mass" that my church had in the early 1970's. That even prompted me to take guitar lessons in 3rd grade. Sister Catherine Marie taught me the basics and eventually I was able to play with several other students during our weekday services. Close to two decades years later, she actually recognized my guitar when I lent it to a niece that took lessons from her as well.
Last week I attended Crowder's Fantastical Church Music Conference here in Waco. I heard speakers like Francis Chan, Rob Bell, Louis Giglio, and Matt Redmann talk about the role of music and how participation affects us. I heard popular artists such as Leeland, Hillsong London, Jars of Clay, and David Crowder*Band give some insight into their own calling and efforts to express faith through music and songwriting. Even better was the chance to hear and listen to lesser-known groups that are exploring different ways of approaching worship music. This ranged from a couple of voices and a guitar, to harps and small choirs, to large funk/jazz groups, to electronic-based and straight-forward rock bands. An overriding question across the 3-day event was "Why do we sing?" Different workshops and discussion panels explored this in many ways. The most simple answer is that God calls us to worship. Additional perspectives brought up the idea of there being an inherent need based in our Creation to express ourselves creatively. The weekend ranged from being very theological and philosophical to just immersing in incredible music.
Woodway FUMC has a rich history and identity of wonderful music. We have a collective expression through music and worship that is incredibly diverse. I firmly believe that God loves all offerings that are given honestly and authentically. I know He loves the pretty stuff, but I'm pretty sure He loves it even when we're off-key if that's the best we have. The important thing to remember is that we never have to audition for God; He already loves us and anything we have to offer Him. So "Why do we sing?" is important question, but don't forget to just sing.
Be Blessed!
Michael
posted by McHonza at 10:15 AM
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