Worship Recap 11.27.11... "The Colors of Anticipation"

The Gift is on it's way... and so we enter the season of Advent. A season of waiting, and of hope. A time when we are filled with the colors of anticipation. Let's get creative and paint the story in a new way this year.

Our music plan tied in very well with our message this morning. In preparing it I reached back and used a number of seasonal and familiar songs. By using some new vocal arrangements we were able to breath new life into them where they became fresh again.

I read a quote from the German poet Angelus Silesius last night, one that I'm going to let soak in over the season... If in your heart you make a manger for his birth, then God will once again become a child on earth.

Music Plan
There Is A Rock [Walker]
Prayer of Focus
Everlasting God [Brown, Riley]
Hope of The World [Mann]
Baptism
He's Coming [Mann]
Message
Let The Praises Ring [Brewster]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 11.20.11... "Change"

Nothing tests a faith barometer greater then change. Oh how we can fear, stress and worry about change. But that's not really a faithful stance. We're taught that trusting in God (I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears... Ps 34:4) removes all fear, stress and worry. So when change occurs we need to fix our eyes on the one who's watching over our lives, the one who loves us, the one who created us to prosper and to live in fellowship with him.

I've personally grown to love change... I find it exciting and refreshing. I trust in God's will for my life. God's will, that's the key phrase for me. If it's God's will that's being done then I'm good, so that's where my prayers are concerned. That whatever change is coming my way is God's will and not anyone elses particular spin or politics.

So when our senior pastor revealed to me earlier this week, and to the congregation today, that he was retiring, my first response was on how he was doing and my joy for him. It's my prayer that our congregation will find peace in focusing on the exciting future that God has planned for us and trust in God's will as we pray that it will be done.

Muisc Plan
All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises [Baloche]
Prayer of Focus
He's Alive [Wickham]
Let Us Adore [Morgan]
Baptism
Great Is Thy Faithfulness [Hymn]
Message
How Great Thou Art [Hymn]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Review: Something Beautiful & New

When it comes to Inspirational music, Eddy Mann does not fall into the category of “the yesteryear artist." If anything, he may be a true legend! Something Beautiful & New by Eddy Mann is filled with great worship songs.

An excellent stand out is “The Peaceable Kingdom” the vocals are simple but beautiful as a singing songbird. "It does not matter what I do, without love I’m nothing” are powerful words.  While the overall sound of this album may be reminiscent of some modern worship, the songs contain an honest transparency that is hard to find.

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Review: John Mark McMillian - Economy

On Economy, John Mark McMillan continues to create vivid lyrical imagery and supports it with moving melodic and rhythmic arrangements. The writing here is once again beautiful and at times even disconcerting. John definitely has a knack for descriptive lyrics and spirit filled melodies.

His vocals can be delicate and light as in the song Chemicals where he softly sings …Well, everybody’s drilling for a fountain of youth, but sometimes in these fountains they drown, and at other moments he can deliver a strong and rough performance as in the chunky chorded Daylight with the chorus …We live on the edge of darkness.

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Worship Recap 11.13.11... "To Love All and Serve All"

We continued with our Formed and Re-formed series this morning focusing on loving all and serving all in Jesus name. Being drawn from our Statement of Faith, this continues to be an inspiring series for me. As I write each week, I've gotten a chance to really spend some quality time meditating on each of the points that make up our statement.

Our team took an attendance hit this week, even early this morning we were still experiencing changes. Rehearsal went well but we weren't on top of our game today. Thankfully, by the response afterwards, it was clear that it didn't affect the congregation.

Music Plan
We Are The Body of Christ [Mann]
Prayer of Focus
Love The Lord [Brewster]
I Will Follow [Tomlin]
Statement of Faith
We're Living The Mystery [Mann]
Message
To Love And Serve All [Mann]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 11.06.11... "Living The Mystery"

Today we continued our Formed and Re-formed series by focusing on the following statement - We believe that the questions are as important as the answers, that living the mystery is a more sacred position than church tradition and doctrine. We also recognized All Saints Day, so my plate was full as I prepared this past week.

Once again our team was overflowing with spiritual energy and the congregation was actively engaged throughout. (I'm guessing the extra hour of sleep didn't hurt this morning. The sanctuary was filled and included quite a few visitors.) We rolled through a seamless plan rhythmically starting with All Are Welcome and climaxing with the exciting refrain of All The Saints Join In.

Music Plan
All Are Welcome [Mann]
Prayer of Focus
Where The Spirit of The Lord Is [Tomlin, Nockels, Nockels]
Glory To God Forever [Fee, Beeching]
Communion
Remembrance [Redman]
We're Living The Mystery [Mann]
Message
All The Saints Join In [Walker]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy