Gungor: "Beautiful Things Event" Review

Each of us over the course of our lives have some defining moments. Last night in Chambersburg, PA I  experienced one those moments. Defining in the sense of God and our gift of creativity. This event was as close to perfection that any human could hope for. Simply put... art designed to glorify God.

My guess is that there were around 500 or so in attendance which filled the house. This event really needs to be held in the right venue. One that is able to accommodate all the visual as well as aural creativity. King Street Church was able to provided an accommodating and comfortable setting.

The pre-event music was perfect, creating a great mood leading up to the band's opening song "Dry Bones" which was performed entirely in the shadows behind a veiled curtain. All three movements [Dust, Breath and Beauty] were seamless flowing from song to song and closing with "Beautiful Things."

The string ensemble lent an interesting body to the music. I'm not sure who arranged the parts, but they were written with a blessed hand. The additional banjo, bells, and the like all added to the distinct personality of the songs.

What wasn't lost here was the way that God was praised and glorified. The lyrics both sung and visually displayed were clear and graciously delivered. This is a good time to recognize the sound tech/team for their wonderful work in allowing the energy and subtly of the music to move the audience. I never thought it was too loud or too soft. There were continual dynamic moments in every movement.

Was it perfect? No, there were a few glitches here and there but none that altered or distracted my attention. This was a beautiful event that praised God, glorified God, and honored God through the artistic gifts given to His children... and offered back to Him.

Worship Confessional 06.27.10

When the phone starts to rattle and hum at 6:30 on Sunday morning it's never a good thing. Early this morning we lost our drummer on a week when our keyboardist and guitarist were already out. Not the end of the world, just some re-arranging to do. In fact the only bump [in our music plan road] was our first song which is usually up tempo and loud. I had already planned on introducing "Glorified" this morning and stayed with the plan but after starting I had to stop to get the congregation's attention. I guess the acoustic guitar and voice wasn't enough to grab them.

I like when God interrupts and leads us elsewhere. We fell into an unrehearsed "Alleluia "chorus this morning which I loved. A completely spontaneous and very spiritual moment.

Our message was a revist to our early January tradition of picking a fruit-of-the-spirit "star" which we then focus on all year. Kind of a checking in to see how things were going.

Glorified [Jared Anderson] - D
Call to Worship
Beautiful One [Tim Hughes] - G
The Hope of Your Calling [Eddy Mann] - G
If I Have Not Love [Matt Redman] - E
Statement of Faith
I Wait On You [Eddy Mann] - A
Message
Thank You For Loving Me [Tommt Walker] - G

This is part of the Sunday Setlist Blog Carnival at The Worship Community

Pray on,
Eddy

Grace, Wondrous Grace

Demo of  "Grace, Wondrous Grace" a new song inspired by a D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones message.

The Hope of Your Calling

Eddy Mann & The Way at Gloria Dei Church 06.13.10

Worship Confessional 06.20.10

What a challenge Sunday was... once again I was really busy having traveled daily to and from the Jersey shore all weekend. I actually woke Sunday morning with a bad lower back problem... that, coupled with the fact that I'd been dealing with some personal issues all week really concerned me about my ability to concentrate and lead Sunday.

After our prayer time I felt really good, energized and excited to get started but that quickly diminished with the re-occurrence of our monitor problems. It was amazing how quickly the mood and spirit left the platform through rehearsal. It really saddened me.

As we started our opening couple of songs I broke a string [I had already broken one in rehearsal]. I quickly picked up my back-up guitar which promptly broke another string [that's 3 strings... definitely a first for me]. So the battle was really intense at this point. It was during our Body Prayer moment that my other guitarist re-strung my main guitar for a second time. [Bob Solarz you are the best!]

We also had a number of PowerPoint issues that just added to the distractions of the morning and kept me from ever reaching a level of personal worship until the last song. We had never sung If I Have Not Love before. It was after I corrected our PowerPoint for one last time that I was able to go to a place of worship, conversation, and peace with God.

Of course that doesn't mean that the congregation wasn't able to experience that in other places during the service, but for me it was really a battle... one that as leaders we face each week,,, one that as God's children we face each week. Like some many of you I live to glorify Him no matter what comes my way. I know that He knows that, and it's through His strength only that I can achieve my hearts desire. Thank you God for always being at myside.

It's the overflow of hearts, as we gaze upon Your beauty

A reflection of Your worth, for we've seen a glimpse of You

In Your glory Lord... [Matt Redman]

Your Grace Is Enough {Matt Maher] - G

You Never Let Go [Matt Redman] - G
Body Prayer

Standing Here Before You [Eddy Mann] - A

You Could Never Be Praised Enough [Darrell Evans] - B

Baptism

I Never Walk Alone [Eddy Mann] - G

Message

If I Have Not Love [Matt Redman] - A

This is part of the Sunday Setlist Blog Carnival at The Worship Community

Pray on,

Eddy

Worship Confessional 06.13.10

A great message today challenging us to be the living presence of Jesus in our world.

The service had a nice feel to it today. I really liked the flow and thought it was seamless. We weren't without a glitch or two but they didn't interfere or diminish the spiritual quality of the moment.

All The Saint's Join In [Tommy Walker] - E
Prayer of Focus
There Is Rock [Tommy Walker] - E
The Hope of Your Calling [Eddy Mann] - G
When I Don't Know What To Do [Tommy walker] - G
Statement of Faith
O Come Let Us Adore Him [Trad]  - G
Message
Standing Here Before You [Eddy Mann] - B

This is part of the Sunday Setlist Blog Carnival at The Worship Community

Pray on,
Eddy

I Wait On You

"I Wait On You" is my contribution to the Worship Community's songwriting challenge for June, 2010. Inspired by Psalm 25:21

Standing Here Before You

Rough demo of a new song... "Standing Here before You"

Worship Confessional 06.06.10

I'm still overflowing with God's love after leading worship four times this weekend. Twice at my home church Gloria Dei and two other times in the surrounding area. Just an unbelievable couple of days.

We were without about a third of our team again today, but with a few altered arrangements we had a smooth fluid worship experience. My take on the message was one of being yourself, and being Jesus just the way you are. That's exactly what our worship team did today. We accepted the gifts that were brought to the platform and built our arrangements around them. A very cool transition.

There Is A Rock [Tommy Walker] - E
Call to Worship
Stir Up A Hunger [Paul Baloche] - G
When I Don't Know What To Do [Tommy walker] - G
Communion
Lamb of God [Eddy Mann] - C
Speak To me [Tommy Walker] - E
Message
You Could Never Be Praised Enough [Darrell Evans] - E

This is part of the Sunday Setlist Blog Carnival at The Worship Community

Pray on,
Eddy

Busy Weekend

Friday night "New Hallelujah Praise Event"...

Saturday night "Heartsong" service and "The Agora Cafe"...

Sunday morning "Crossways" service...

Only God knows why someone like me would be blessed enough to lead people in praise and worship All weekend! All this after a stunning day of spiritual singing with 100 beautiful children. I  am a blessed man.