Church services for Nov 15, 2009

This Sunday was Global Mission Sunday. Because of the extended content, the music worship time was made less than normal weeks. I will comment only on the music worship, please click on the York St Life blog link to the right for more general comments.

AM service
Shout to the North
Hear Our Praises
Welcome
interviews / prayer
Mighty to Save
Communion
Sermon
To the Ends of the Earth

Thanks for great leading in these songs. The vocals mixed well, sometimes top heavy, although that would have been a rostering issue. We need more harmonies I think, and Krissie, don't be afraid to sing more harmonies even though you are leader.
The band created a sound that we are looking to work to in the morning. The actual way of playing was totally contemporary, including the layering of sounds in the keyboard, and the way the guitar provided rhythm and different sounds. In addition to this, the drums led the phrasing - the light and shade. These skills will be taught soon be the section leaders. I think that we should incorporate this type of playing in addition to the more classical style, as this is what the new songs are calling for. It also provides interest and colour throughout the service in different songs.
The last song really has a weak verse, doesn't it? If we had more time, I would have thought about the structure more. In hindsight I think we should have started with the chorus (and in fact we did that in the evening service - we didn't sing the verse at all). Don't be afraid to move the structure around if things don't quite work.

PM service
Indescribable
Hosanna
Welcome
interviews / prayer
Mighty to Save
Communion
Sermon
To the Ends of the Earth

Wow the team sounded so great in this service! Great work from everyone.
What do you think of the new song? Is it a keeper?
Thanks to the band for staying with your roles, be that bassist, drummer, rhythm and lead guitar, piano and so on. I think that with not one person trying to be everything every time made the sound very strong. Keep listening to recordings and see how the bands are layered. Keep encouraging these up and coming new band members to find their place. Sharlene, you did a great job, and I know that you didn't find much space to play in this band. There will be further training coming up!
I was aware while sitting alongside new people to the church who weren't Christians that they struggled occasionally to follow when the slides weren't changed fast enough. I encourage you to keep up the concentration, the data can make or break the worship time!
In general, I thank you for the great attitude this team had (along with the tech crew). Working together, listening and united provided a very strong worship session indeed.

Thanks! Have a great week. Love your work!

Church services for Nov 8, 2009

This week was centred around the church's AGM. The vision was presented again in church, with the use of Lego blocks to show how churches should operate. There was a buzz (not only my husband :P)in both of the services, which was great to feel the ownership coming from the congregations.
Both services were led so ably, the worship leaders certainly were on fire. Thanks to the band, singers and tech crew who also were just great.
Just a couple of general points:
Please play as you are led (usually pianists and guitarists) through prayers, or ends of sermons or after songs. It gives continuity and atmosphere.
The morning service is pushing to have more and more contemporary content, so different styles of playing is needed. There will be keyboard and guitar workshops coming up. We have already had a drumming workshop, which I heard was great.
We are starting to have so many players on the team that we are looking at how to best use you. There is a possibility of putting a couple of other churches on our roster. That means we will send a team around once a month to help them out. Please let me know if you are interested in this.
Also please let me know if you would like to be on the team of the new traditional service. This will start next year.
I am also looking at new songs, so keep ideas coming!
In the pm service, we will introduce one new song each week after Christmas, as I think the song list needs new material. The am service already has an injection of new songs. Please collect a CD and song list from my pigeon hole if you would like to learn them (am only at the moment).
Other than that, thanks a lot for your work, I can feel a great sense of attitude, unity and servanthood in the team at the moment. The sky's the limit with those!
Love you all.

Church services for Nov 1, 2009

This week saw a continuation of the Core Values series, and this one in prayer. What a great service with much personal and congregational praying.

Notes for both services:
Be ready to play at any time. Tim has expressed a wish to have some music under the final words of his sermon (use your discernment) and particularly at the end of the final song, to play out through the close of the service. Please note that Blake or Tim might ask you to keep playing or stop at their discretion. So watch for that change!

In general a great service, we're going from strength to strength. Even our short practices, although still quite difficult, has helped to be a worthwhile, organised affair! Thanks to those who filled in this Sunday, and thanks in particular to the morning team who were so flexible in having to change our practice plans.

I think that the new song "My Heart Will Trust" seemed to have worked? Good playing by the band.

Please leave your comments, I do like to hear feedback!

10am service
Lord I Loft Your Name on High
Mighty to Save
Welcome
reading/ sermon
My Heart Will Trust
Prayer / Communion
Salvation Belongs to Our God

6pm service
Holy is the Lord
From the Inside Out
You'll Come
Welcome
reading / sermon
Consuming Fire
You Said
Communion
Lord of lords