We Are Loved, By Love Himself!

Hi Friends,

Welcome to another Advent season. I know for a few of you it's your first, and that really makes my heart warm this year. As we enter this time of expectant waiting, let's continue to trust in the One who is in control of things; take the time this year to revisit why we can have hope; how we can experience the transformational love of God; the joy of Christ's birth, and through recognizing God's presence among us, the peace that surpasses all understanding. We are loved, by Love, Himself!

Check out the notebook below for some Christmas gift savings and all of this year's events. Nothing would bless me more than to share some time with you in worship and fellowship.

Call me, text me, tweet me, message me, email me, write me... we were brought together by God for a reason.

As always, remember you can send an anonymous email to prayer@eddymann.com for prayers and encouragement.

Love you all,
Pray on,
Eddy

December Notebook

The eddymann.com store is offering some Christmas gift specials throughout the season. There are three and five pack album specials, and also a t-shirt, necklace and CD gift pack.

The necklaces are made from the guitar strings that were used to write and record The Consequence album.

I'll be performing at all my annual events just as in years past, and have also added a few new dates this year. I hope to have the opportunity to catch up with each and everyone of you.

December Schedule

12/02/16 [Fri] First Friday Cafe, Lima, PA 7:00pm (Combo)
12/03/16 [Sat] Souled Out Basement, Philadelphia, PA 7:00pm (Combo)
12/04/16 [Sun] Fresh Wind, Hamilton Square, NJ 9:00am (Solo)
12/04/16 [Sun] Voice of Faith Power Hour 9:00pm Live Interview!
12/07/16 [Wed] The Ed Boston Show 1:00pm Taped Interview
12/07/16 [Wed] The Gathering (House Church) Philadelphia, PA 7:30pm (Solo)
12/09/16 [Fri] The Glen, Glenolden, PA 7:00pm (Solo)
12/10/16 [Sat] Old Fashion Christmas, Wilkes Barre, PA 1:00pm (Trio)
12/10/16 [Sat] Solid Rock Cafe, Chalfont, PA 7:00pm (Combo)
12/13/16 [Tue] Westville UMC, Westville, NJ 6:30pm (Solo)
12/14/16 [Wed] The Gathering (House Church) Philadelphia, PA 7:30pm (Solo)
12/15/16 [Thu] Irish connection, 3:00pm Taped Interview
12/15/16 [Thu] She Speaks Faith, 8:00pm Taped Interview
12/18/16 [Sun] Hamilton Radio, 4:30pm Live Interview!
12/19/16 [Mon] Blue Christmas Hamilton Square, NJ 7:00pm (Solo)
12/20/16 [Tues] Intercomm Radio, 8:00pm Live Interview!
12/21/16 [Wed] The Gathering (House Church) Philadelphia, PA 7:30pm (Solo)
12/28/16 [Wed] The Gathering (House Church) Philadelphia, PA 7:30pm (Solo)

More info can be found at eddymann.com

Reflections ...from the other side

For the past twenty years or so I've worked on Christmas Eve and often on Christmas Day. I loved the opportunity to serve. I confidently prepared throughout the year for these special services. I made all the preparations, secured the worship teams for multiple services, created the music plans, arranged the charts for each and every song/hymn, organized and led multiple rehearsals, created graphics for each musical piece and ordered them into a flowing worship encounter. All this to set the tone, set the mood, and to create an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable experience for God's people to engaged with him at this special time. And I humbly, and prayerfully, was honored to serve.

This year, for the first time that I can remember, I'm free from all of the normalcies of the worship leader, creative arts director, and or worship pastor duties ...and I'm experiencing a different season. I'm still working in the surrounding area, ministering through music and word wherever God sends me, and have been extremely busy, but the weekly 'church' responsibilities have been removed.

The clearness of sight is stunning. The ability to focus more time on the spiritual journey is deepening my understanding of the story. It's re-energizing my soul, refreshing my heart, and availing me the opportunity to re-focus on my story as God's disciple.

Last week I had cataract surgery on one of my eyes. The purpose was to correct my cloudy vision. The cataract hindered me from seeing things clearly, much like so many of us when we get overloaded with the preparation and then miss the celebration. Remember, I loved what I did, I never ever thought of it as a weight, yet I wasn’t aware of the wear and tear it was having on me. In hindsight I believe it hardened me, made me a bit calloused, maybe tarnished some of the shine.

I’m not sure why I’m writing this but to express what I’ve come to realize in this new season and maybe to create an awareness of what can happen without us even knowing it. The ever present quest to honor God if not combined with a healthy balanced lifestyle can have  a negative result. 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1 ESV)

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret any of those years, I wouldn't want to give up any of the wonderful and beautiful memories, but maybe if I was a bit more in tune with the long term results I might have stepped back a little, or delegated a bit more. As my friend Rich Kirkpatrick has so creatively stated (or warned) in his book ’The Six Hats,’ I might have shared a hat, or even given one away.  

So my prayer for all you this season is that you find clarity, and that your lenses be clear of any cloudiness, so that you can see our Father in heaven in all of His glory, and celebrate the birth of His son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pray on,
Eddy 

Peace From Heaven

Greetings Friends,

Once again we find ourselves on the cusp of another Advent season. As we prepare ourselves spiritually over the next four weeks, I encourage you to find a good bible reading plan, or some other kind of daily meditation that will touch your heart and spike your excitement as we draw near to that special night.

There are quite a few times to catch up this month and as usual I pray that our paths will cross frequently. I'll be doing a solo set at 'The Well' on the first Friday and then my annual Christmas date at the 'Souled Out Coffeehouse on that Saturday.

The following week I'll be a part of the Romans Road Christmas event both Friday and Saturday nights. Check the schedule below. I'll also be returning this year to the Hamilton Square Baptist Church on Monday the 14th for a Blue Christmas service.

Prayers and blessing to all of you.

Hope Love Joy Peace

I was overwhelmed with the response to the 'Hope Love Joy Peace' release party, and to the reaction of those of you who attended. I've often said that I'm a blessed Mann and it was on display that evening.

It's my heartfelt prayer that this album would heighten your season, that it would accompany you on your journey, and that it would bring you a little closer in your relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Through the season you can use the (fan) discount code #HLJP at your cart for 25% off!


P.O.P.

This month, the P.O.P. (Prince of Peace) album will be on sale at eddymann.com. The quest for a peaceful existence continues daily as we find ourselves living in an ever increasingly turbulent climate. O' that this would bless you through the season and throughout the year. May it bring you a moment of silence, a moment of clarity, a moment of peace. This album is a great companion to 'Hope Love Joy Peace.'





December Schedule

12/02/15 [Wed] The Gathering, Philadelphia, PA 7pm (solo)
12/04/15 [Fri] The Well, Pennsville, NJ 6:30pm (solo)
12/05/15 [Sat] Souled Out Basement, Philadelphia, PA 7pm 7pm (combo)
12/09/15 [Wed] The Gathering, Philadelphia, PA 7pm (solo)
12/11/15 [Fri] Hope Community Church, King of Prussia, PA 7pm - (combo)
12/12/15 [Sat] Solid Rock Cafe, Chalfont, PA 7pm (combo)
12/14/15 [Mon] Blue Christmas @ Hamilton Square Baptist, Trenton, NJ 7pm (solo)
12/16/15 [Wed] The Gathering, Philadelphia, PA 7pm (solo)
12/23/15 [Wed] The Gathering, Philadelphia, PA 7pm (solo)
12/30/15 [Wed] The Gathering, Philadelphia, PA 7pm (solo)

The Wisdom of God ...he chose us in Him out of love

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" ~ Romans 11:33 (ESV)

He chose us in Him out of love
Sending us a answer as pure as snow
He made the decision to love us
Before His hands shaped the world we know
The wisdom of God

He chose to come to earth as a baby
Helpless as a child in the night
He knew exactly what it was we needed
A Savior to be the light
The wisdom of God

His thoughts are not our thoughts
They are higher
His ways are not our ways
They are higher
For a child is born to us
A child was given to us
As the heavens are to the earth
He is higher

In this season, seek to do your best
Don’t miss the blessing of the mastermind
In this season, seek to be your best
His wisdom revealed to all mankind
The wisdom of God

© 2001 Eddy Mann

Pray on,
Eddy

He's Coming ...to shepherd His love

He's Coming was written as part of a monthly songwriting challenge at theworshipcommunity.com back in August of 2010. I introduced it at Advent that year and it was really well received at my home church. Since then it's also been an engaging song when I've led worship at visiting churches, conferences and in concert.

Comfort, oh comfort. Speak softly and tenderly
Make it perfectly clear, that our savior is near

Make a road straight and smooth, a highway fit for a King
Calm the valleys and the hills. Raise your voice and sing

He's coming, He's coming to shepherd His love
In His arms He will hold us, with the blessing from above
He's coming, He's coming to shepherd His love
In His words He will guide us with the power from above

Clear the way for the Lord. Clear the way for the Lord
Prepare a place for His glory to shine

He's coming, He's coming to shepherd His love
In His arms He will hold us, with the blessing from above
He's coming, He's coming to shepherd His love
In His words He will guide us with the power from above

© 2010 Eddy Mann
CCLI# 6404509

Pray on,
Eddy

Get Your P.O.P. This Season

This project was a long time coming. These songs were written, re-arranged, and performed many times over the past few years. So finally, last year, for all those who were patiently waiting... it arrived.

The name P.O.P. is an acronym for the 'Prince of Peace' story. The quest for a peaceful existence isn't only a holiday prayer, but it does seem to be a bit more prevalent during that time of year.

Four years ago the bug was put in my ear to record this collection. After many seasonal celebrations I even though it might finally be the right time.

The initial sessions, four years ago,  weren't very fruitful. Looking back I believe the vision was wrong... maybe even the timing was off a little.

So in November of 2012 a second set of sessions provided a much warmer and personal recording. As the sessions moved on life happened and shut down the project a few weeks before completion.

Last September , 2013, provided the opportunity to complete the missing tracks and finish the project. A solo recording as it is, required some time to step back and allow the vibe to take roots. So the extended time span has really helped to keep a cohesive and spiritual element alive throughout the tracks.

O that this would bless you through the season and throughout the year.

Peace...

Pray on,
Eddy

Christmas Eve Setlist 12.24.12

 
Music Plan
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Welcome Video
O Come All Ye Faithful
Angels
Children's Message
Away in a Manger
Message
Offering
Go Tell It on the Mountain
Silent Night
Joy to the World

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Memories of Christmas Past

When I think about Christmas past and the memories of growing up, I find myself filled with the warm images of a faithful and loving family.

Christmas always had a spiritual component and a strong family element. Going to church was always a major part.

The Christmas that stands out the most was one where a close friend of mine experienced the disintegration of his parents marriage and needed a place to stay.

I shared the gifts that were bought for me that year so that he would wake up knowing he was loved and cared about.

What memory stands out for you?

Pray on,
Eddy

Guess What's Inside?

 

Whoever guesses it first (or comes close) wins!