Church services for 16 August, 2009

This week's 40 Days theme was "Fellowship". I found this a little difficult to find songs that might fit, although the songs chosen worked well. The rehearsals keep working well, and it has given a great sense of unity, support and fellowship within the team. I also found that with the mechanics of the music and sound out of the way in rehearsal that you all were free to go to that next level without having to think too much of the structure of the music. You were free to worship and utilise the music well. Thanks again for your giving more time to this new rehearsal structure.

10am service
Sing to the Lord
God of Wonders
Jesus Messiah
welcome
What the Lord has Done in Me
prayer / communion
sermon
I Give You My Heart

What a sensitive band we had. And such beautiful sounding backups (I didn't want you to stop your sound check!). Thanks for the great leading in communion.
Sing to the Lord is an inherently tricky song. Aside from the lyrics and rhythm, which present problems of their own, the music can easily sound muddy. But when we simplified the rhythm and stayed out of each others' registers, it made all the difference. The general rule of thumb is that the bass and kick play the same rhythm and the others either compliment or play with them. Then each instrument plays in its own register, such as low piano doing chords, with high strumming on guitar and lead work on keys. There are many combinations of this you can use if a song needs cleaning up.

6pm service
You'll Come
I'm Saved
From the Inside Out
Welcome and announcements
Consuming Fire
Your Unfailing Love
Prayer / communion
sermon
How Great is Our God

Welcome to this new band! This team sounded awesome. Thanks for the drums being especially
sensitive to the worship leader.
This congregation is changing, and I think more receptive to be drawn more quickly into worship. Part of this is because the leaders, like you, are being vulnerable, being "true" in worship (John 4:23,24: Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.). It then has a knock on effect: the congregation then can be more "themselves" and then creates an atmosphere in which we can lead them further in worship and so on. So well done in being great leaders, all of you who were on stage Sunday night. Keep on keeping on.
The structure of the songs worked well, and the team listened well to direction.

Thanks, love you all. Be blessed.