A Closing Word

God has seen fit for me to lead worship at Gloria Dei Church more than fifteen hundred times in the past fifteen years. Today was not a celebration of me, but rather how God has used me over those years. I am not the same man who walked in there fifteen years ago. My children are grown, my hair has turned grey, but my heart still beats with the same passion for my Savior Jesus. This leg of my faith journey has been one enormous blessing (the ups, and the downs), and so this morning, respectfully, we worshiped as we've done everyone of those fifteen hundred times before. We worshiped the God who makes all things possible.

Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 03.25.12... "Getting Busy"

We were small in numbers, but mighty in spirit this morning We were also an all male team, which meant the dynamics were different in a few ways. Vocal arrangements needed to be tweaked, the overall aesthetic of the platform was a different shade and probably the most difficult awareness for me was to not let the maleness leave the women of the congregation wanting.

Getting busy to tending God's people this week had a twist. It required a little more imagination and creativity. the vocal arrangements were fairly simple to re-work. But the issue of maleness was a little trickier. so lyrical images along with melody and harmony were in the forefront of the planning this week. The area that I overlooked was the platform balance, the visual setting for worship. To some it would be unnoticeable, but to others it could be a distraction from the norm. In hindsight I know exactly what I would have liked to have done. Lesson learned!

Music Plan
Never Be Shaken [Anderson]
Litany
Turn It Around [Houghton, Lindsey]
I Will Follow [Ingram, Tomlin, Morgan]
Foundation of Faith
We Need You Lord [Butler]
Message
Trading My Sorrow [Evans]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 03.18.12... "Signs of Conversion"

Following a Night of Worship, we came together this morning as a much closer family. At 7:45am it can be tricky measuring the energy level. However this morning was different, I don't know that it can be captured in words, but there was a presence that permeated our gathering. I'll call it a spirit, a spirit of love, a spirit that bonds and deepens relationships. Last night's evening of worship brought us closer together, it changed our frame of mind.
Let's say it's a transformation, a conversion of sorts. A movement forward in our relationship as a team, as friends, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is just what God wants for us in our relationship with him. This is how he wants us to go about it. To worship him, to praise him, to love him. To be in fellowship with him as a friend. To be able to grow in that relationship by our quality time together.

I saw and felt signs of conversion this morning. It's my prayer that we as a team would not only become more in tune with these changes, and put a greater value on our opportunities to gather together, but also in our private moments as followers, disciples... striving to become more Christlike.

Music Plan
Pouring It Out For You [Anderson, Lee]
Litany
You Are Good [Houghton]
We Stand In God's Grace [Mann]
Foundation of Faith
Jesus, Lover of My Soul [Ezzy, Grul, McPherson]
Message
Something Beautiful & New [Mann]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 03.11.12... "Never Be Shaken"

We lost an hour and gained a lifetime of love this morning. Using the Jacob and Esau story we were reminded of the verse in Romans 8... nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus or Lord. That's a strengthening thought in today's broken world.

Worship Leader Moment: Never Be Shaken
What does rehearsal tell us? In our case it revealed that we were not in harmony this morning. There was certainly a faction of discord that was prominent during our time of preparing. The comfort level that I'm accustomed to before worship was not to be found.

I struggle with this because I always want our best to be offered to God in worship. And though we had a member or two missing, my bar was still set high. It's only our best that we want to offer up.

So what did I do? I went to a small quiet area and prayed... I gave everything up to God. All the disappointment, all the frustration, everything that was cluttering up my mind... and I went to lead worship. And it was beautiful... and it was spiritual... and I believe it was pleasing to God.

I love that on days like these someone will always come up and tell me how blessed they were by a song or the service itself.God has a way of comforting us with just what we need. It's not the want to please the congregation, but the want to lead them to a place of worship, and to ultimately please God.

Music Plan
Glorified [Anderson]
Litany
Never Be Shaken [Anderson]
Beautiful Things [Gungor]
Foundation of Faith
Blessed Be Your Name [Redman]
Message
The Same Love [Baloche, Rossback]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 03.04.12... "Confession Leads You Home"

What a vibrant morning with God. Energetic praise, quiet conversation in prayer, and touching spiritual worship. Sometimes things just all seem to hook up and be in harmony with each other. There was no noticeable discord amongst God's people in the moment. Even communion had a wonderful sweet fragrance to it today.

Our prodigal son message was one of confession again as we continue our present series. We asked, "What are some ways that God can lead you home?"

Worship Leader Moment: Flexibility
One of the benefits of having a Saturday night service is hearing the message delivered 14 hours early. This was one of those occasions when the path of the message led to a song that had not been included in the plan but really felt like it needed to be.

So I went in a little earlier today and printed the new chart for everyone and then re-created out PowerPoint to include the changes.

The pre-service rehearsal was ample time to work in the new song and walk through the PowerPoint presentation.

The best part was the response to the song as we ended the service and then again in fellowship afterwards.

Music Plan
You're Worthy of My Praise (Ruiz)
Prayer of Focus
Never Be Shaken [Anderson]
Healing Is In Your Hands [Tomlin, Redman, Nockels, Nockels, Carson]
Foundation of Faith
Communion
Taste And See [Walker]
When I Don't Know What To Do [Walker]
Message
Something Beautiful & New [Mann]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 02.26.12

Music Plan
Glorified [Anderson]
Prayer of Focus
Hallelujah, Your Love Is Amazing [Brown]
I'm Forgiven [Walker]
Statement of Faith
The Same Love [Baloche, Rossback]
Message
Trading My Sorrow [Evans]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 02.19.12... "Ask, Seek & Knock"

We ended our series on the Lord's Prayer today (for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever) using Matthew 7:7-11 as our source of inspiration.

This week's plan had three songs that have a history with us. That being the case they brought with them a familiarity and refreshed energy.

We introduced a new percussionist/reed player to the the congregation this morning. Welcome Pat, we're blessed to add your gifts to an already spiritually talented team.

Music Plan
We Are [Jobe]
Prayer of Focus
Amen [Walker]
Better Is One Day [Redman]
Statement of Faith
Praise The Father, Praise The Son [Tomlin]
Message
As It Is In Heaven [Maher, Cash]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 02.12.12... "The Rescuer"

Last night winter welcomed in the fifth week of our Lord's Prayer series. The temperature dropped and the winds kicked up during what has to be called a mild season for us. The cold brisk air was the perfect wake-up for me as I left my home. A bit under the weather, with a weakened voice and depleted team, I found the chill in the air refreshing and invigorating. Just what I needed to save my day. God is always about saving us. All the time, everyday. He's not the tempter, but the rescuer.
We were down to six pieces this morning. Down from our usual eleven. But the smaller number made for a different worship moment. There's a distinct clarity that occurs when you take instruments and/or voices out of the regular mix. I personally find it healthy in that it reminds us how important it is to play from need and not greed.

Today's plan was perfect for the team we had assembled. The right songs for the right souls while supporting a great message.

Music Plan
Arise [Baloche]
Litany
As It Is In Heaven [Maher]
Desert Song [Fraser]
Statement of Faith
Your Name [Baloche, Packiam]
Message
The Lord's Prayer [Walker]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 02.05.12... "Facing The Truth"

This was week four of our Lord's Prayer series... forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. The truth is there is no hope without forgiveness.

I never really felt comfortable this morning. The team worshipped well and the songs felt good... everything flowed nicely. But for some reason I wasn't physically comfortable. Mentally yes,  spiritually yes, but not physically.

The congregation was involved and responding so I guess the lesson is that you can always find a spiritual place to worship from even when you're physically not one hundred percent. I suppose it's fixing your eyes on Him and not yourself.

Music Plan
We Are [Jobe]
Litany
Because of Your Love [Baloche]
You Are My King [Foote]
Communion
Taste And See [Walker]
Amazing Grace (My Chains)  [Tomlin, Excell, Newton, Rees, Giglio]
Message
Do It Lord [Walker]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 01.29.12... "Bit-O-God"

Give us this day our daily bread... today was week three of our series on the Lord's Prayer. It coincided with the rough spiritual week I'd just experienced. So it was a good reminder for me to have a Bit-O-God each and everyday.

Today was also a family service (where our children stay for the duration of the service) so I had a few wrinkles in store for the congregation. We had a trio of younger girls sing our warm-up song and then stay to sing backup throughout the rest of the service. I also invited an ex-student (that I taught years ago before our school closed) to sing a song with us. The girls brought a wonderful innocent energy that was prevalent through the whole service.

Music Plan
When I think of You [Smith]
Litany
Today Is The Day [Baloche, Brewster]
Love The Lord [Brewster]
Statement of Faith
Baptism
Taste And See [Walker]
Message
Let The Praises Ring [Brewster]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 01.22.12... "Thy Kingdom Come"

Continuing with our Lord's Prayer series, today's focus was on Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Personally with all that's gone on in my life this past week, I've been really fixed on His kingdom here and now.

I pulled out a couple of our older songs for this morning because they were supportive of the kingdom message. Even with lighter attendance than usual (we had some icy roads) they were well received.

We started breaking in a new tech person this morning. What a joy it is to see who God leads to fill in the needs of his church. Welcome Kevin!

Music Plan
Where The Spirit of The Lord Is [Tomlin, Nockels, Nockels]
Prayer of Focus
As It Is In Heaven [Maher, Cash]
God's Romance [Smith]
Statement of Faith
Til I See You [Houston]
Message
Do It Lord [Walker]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 01.15.12... "Daddy Dearest"

We started a new sermon series today on the Lord's Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. It left me reflecting on how my relationship with God has grown over the years. What started out as very sterile and distant has become a close and personal friendship.

We've had a couple young adults (from our team) home from college the past month or so and it's been rewarding to see them offer their gifts each week. We'll be wishing them a safe return and a blessed spring semester.

The team was on again this morning. Great energy and spirit!  The plan worked well and the arrangements were congregational friendly. All this while a stubborn winter cold won't allow everyone to get healthy. Blessed!

Music Plan
Arise [Baloche]
Prayer of Focus
Everyday [Houston]
As It Is In Heaven [Maher, Cash]
Statement of Faith
The Lord's Prayer [Walker]
Message
God's Romance [Smith]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 01.08.12... "Star Sunday"

This morning we recognized Epiphany with our traditional Star Sunday. Everyone in the congregation received a spirit led star that contained one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I received the star of peace.

Our message was delivered by a previous staff member (Mark Ristine) who prayerfully asked us to consider that in the coming year our star not be a destination, but a continuing guide to God.

The first winter bug knocked out three of our team today, but on the positive side we also welcomed back one of our brothers (Bill Bell) on piano.

As for the music plan, I set We Fall Down into a very different arrangement this morning and experienced an engaged and energetic congregational response. The only disappointed was that we didn't capture a recording of it.

Music Plan
Arise [Baloche]
Prayer of Focus
Joyful, Joyful [Ingram, Brown]
O Rejoice [Fields]
Statement of Faith
We Three Kings [Hymn]
Message
We Fall Down [Tomlin]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Christmas Eve Recap: 12.24.11... "O Baby"

I prepared and participated in three of our six services this past week. All were blessed in their own unique way.

On Wednesday night, December 21st, we celebrated an unplugged Christmas service in our Chapel. Because of the early date we opened our time together with an Advent feel and led up to the Christmas story. It was quaint and warm with a real homey, spiritual sense.

Saturday night at 5pm we had our family service which included participation by all the young children. It's always a celebratory experience and this year was no different.

Our Christmas Praise service was at 7pm and had a few wrinkles as usual in trying to keep it fresh and vibrant. Along with a couple of new arrangements we changed our template from years past and the response was very positive.

Music Plan
He's Coming [Mann]
O Rejoice [Fields]
Welcome & Centering
Litany
O Come All Ye Faithful [Hymn]
Reading: Isaiah 9:2,6
O Little Town of Bethlehem / Mary Had A Baby [Hymn]
Away In A Manger [Hymn]
Reading: Come To Bethlehem
Angels We Have Heard On High [Hymn]
Message: "O Baby"
Offering [Baloche]
Silent Night [Hymn]
Joy To The World [Hymn]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 12.18.11... "God Waits"

How favorable is it that our God in His wisdom sees fit to be patient with us. How blessed we are that He has the strength to continue to watch us struggle to get it. How fortunate we are that our our God waits.

We celebrated the fourth week of Advent with the foretelling of the birth of Jesus from Luke 1:26-38. I love the angel's response to Mary that she's highly favorable to God. How cool to be told by an angel that you are regraded or treated with preference by God.

To lead into the message we sang Gabriel's Message. We used a wonderful arrangement from Sting's If On a Winter's Night CD.

Remember, if you're growing tired of the Christmas season, you're not doing Advent right.

Music Plan
Joyful Joyful [Ingram, Brown]
Prayer of Focus
Angels We Have Heard On High [Hymn]
He's Coming [Mann]
Statement of Faith
Gabriel's Message [Sabin]
Message
May God's Peace [Walker]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 12.11.11... "Restore Us, O God"

I woke this morning with a food hangover and a little short on sleep... it was nobody's fault but might own. So after taking ownership of my failures, I asked and received a spiritual helping hand and proceeded to have an energetic and up-lifting time of worship.
We celebrated the third week of Advent (Joy) with the help of Psalm 126. Restoration is an ongoing project within me. Both spiritually and creatively I continuously need to take account of where I am, and where I'm going. Regretfully I often fall short of seeing all the blessings in my life, so as this season continues I'll be working to become ever aware of all joy that surrounds me.

I mentioned this last week but it bears repeating A Baby Will Come [Bill Wolf] has been a wonderful addition to our advent season.

Remember if you're growing tired of the Chrismas season, you're not doing Advent right.

Music Plan
O Come, O Come Emmanuel [Hymn]
Prayer of Focus
Pouring It Out For You [Anderson, Lee]
Joyful, Joyful [Ingram, Brown]
Statement of Faith
God Has Smiled On Me [Traditional]
Message
A Baby Will Come [Wolf]

Sunday Setlists at theworshipcommunity.com
Pray on,
Eddy

Worship Recap 12.04.11... "Expect the Unexpected"

Expect the unexpected... imagine an excited high school junior arriving at church for rehearsal at 7:45am to lead worship. Our message this morning was on expecting the unexpected through this Advent and Christmas season. Funny how my day started with the perfect example.

This week we continued to use a combination of traditional and new seasonal songs. A Baby Will Come written by Bill Wolf was a new song that was wonderfully received. I only used the first three verses which were perfect for the season of advent and finished with the chorus from  He's Coming a very popular song I introduced last year. It was a great way to end our time of worship.

Music Plan
O Come, O Come Emmanuel [Hymn]
Prayer of Focus / Advent Candle
Because of Your Love [Baloche, Brown]
Let Us Adore [Morgan]
Communion
How He Loves [McMillan]
May God's Peace [Walker]
Message
A Baby Will Come [Wolf]

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

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