Recap: This Sunday Britt delivered a message “Pioneers & Settlers” where he taught our church a language to discuss the differences we may have and how we need each other–focus on discipleship versus evangelism, for instance. We need both! Some of us are wired to settle and others to pioneer.

We had some very good news for us shared! Our mortgage loan was extended for a 3-year period, giving us much needed breathing room. I do believe that us praying as a church has surely loosened things for us as far as God providing in this issue.

Ben Cherry and my daughter Emilie did most of the lead singing Sunday. I really enjoyed Ben, and of course its nice to have a team leading when you can.

Set List: The song set was designed around the theme of the beauty and wonder of God with a reading from Psalm 96. Like the writer of this psalm or song, we gave recognition for how God fills us with wonder from the beauty of His works and ways.

• Beautiful One – Tim Hughes
• Glorious One – Fee Band
• God of Wonders – Casting Crowns
• Providence – Rich Kirkpatrick (I have the lyrics/song on my Facebook music page)
• Cannons – Phil Wickham

Links:

• The video of Britt’s message “Pioneers & Settlers”
• The Worship Community – set lists from all over the place from this Sunday
• Our Sunridge Facebook Page & my Facebook music page

How was your worship weekend? What did you give or offer in worship? Share you feedback, too!

Recap: Another wonderful and sweet worship time at the Sunridge Community Church campus this weekend. We once again had our worship vocal team and band lead. And, we introduced a new song I wrote, “Providence” and Emilie sang lead on it. On top of that, we heard pastor Mel say “chick” and “hunk” in a very timely sermon.

Set List: The goal was to focus on God’s reign and His Providence in our music.

• He Reigns – Newsboys
• Today is The Day – Lincoln Brewster
• You Are – Mark Roach
• Providence – Rich Kirkpatrick
• Came to My Rescue – Hillsongs United

Links:

• Link to Mel’s sermon on video
• The Worship Community: set lists from all over from this weekend
• Sunridge Facebook Fan Page
• My music page on Facebook

How did your worship weekend go? Any feedback? Please share.

Recap: This was an especially powerful Sunday for worship at Sunridge with an inspiring message by Josh Clark about the wonders of God. One of the best part of my weekends surely hearing the voices of Sunridge sing. Each week, I have the best seat in the room.

I did have some ADD moments. Such as starting “Great Things” vocally in the wrong key and skipping a couple things–listen carefully and hear creative piano playing . I am so glad that did not stop the big mo of this past weekend.

Our singers did great in helping not only vocally lead, but watching the video reminded me of how their faces really communicated our heart to worship.

Set List: Our songs this week were about the “greatness of God” which worked well with the sermon–even though that was not “planned” to be connected. Even though we are so small, you choose to be with us in our worship.

• Living Rain – Parachute Band
• Great Things – Matt Maher
• Glory To God Forever – Steve Fee/Vicky Beeching
• A Thousand Hallelujahs – Mark Roach
• How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin

Links:

• This past Sunday’s sermon on video
• The Worship Community: set lists from all over the place

How was your worship weekend? Share with us how you met God this past Sunday.

This is the video from our worship at Sunridge Church this past weekend in all of its straight-from-the-console audio mix. Any thoughts?

Recap: Our worship team had to practice on Sunday morning due to my travel schedule this past week. Of course our musicians and tech team are brilliant and performed well under the circumstances. Last Sunday was flawlessly executed by our volunteers, allowing me to attend a conference this past week. That same group of volunteers at Sunridge supported this weekend with excellence.

Britt Sipe delivered a message from 1 Thessalonians 2 that tied in the Valentine’s Day holiday. With affection for our church family, Britt played songs from his iPod while discussing the affection the writer of 1 Thessalonians had towards his readers.

As always, it was great to co-lead worship with Emilie, my 16-year-old and to serve along side the Sunridge band and tech teams! Also, be sure to check out the “I Am Sunridge” video from this weekend. The story of life-change is inspiring.

Set List: Sunday’s set focused a bit on our response in worship. I asked our people to consider coming to church to give an offering and shed the restaurant-like evaluation we all tend to fall into from time to time. Imagine coming to church to give something and have God evaluate us rather than coming to church to get what we want or expect. Just a thought.

• Majestic – Lincoln Brewster
• Not To Us – Chris Tomlin
• Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
• Be The Centre – Michael Frye
• Come Before – Parachute Band

Links:

• Link to sermon on video
• Link to this week’s “I Am Sunridge” video
• Sunday set lists from other churches
• PLEASE follow Sunridge on Facebook or twitter

How was your worship weekend? Share your thoughts from this past Sunday!

Recap: Today we had our big vocal group (11 singers) and its always nice to hear a bigger sound on some of our worship tunes. One thing important for most singers is having actual musical scores to learn from. We make our own or use www.praisecharts.com to purchase songs. The key to this modern sound working well with so many singers is that they do not sing harmony on every part or sing every part. The more singers or even musicians you have in a worship team the more defined the parts have to be and the smaller the piece of the musical pie. Our group did great with this!

Besides the logistics of our worship, its important to draw people in to participate. Having variety helps with that goal. We have multiple worship leaders, guest artists, male and female leads and small or big backing vocal groups. The best part of any of these is seeing Sunridge grow in offering their song while accompanied by these groups.

Sorry, no video is available of Sunday’s worship time.

Set List: Here are the songs from this past weekend…

• Salvation Is Here – Hillsong United
• Glory to God Forever – Fee Band
• Sing – Josh Wilson
• Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin
• We Fall Down – Chris Tomlin

Links:

• Video of sermon from Sunday
• Set Lists from The Worship Community website

How was your worship weekend? What did God speak to you about?

Recap: We had a service that went a bit long and where in just the music and greeting time we corrected by 6 minutes for the 2nd service. Our interim pastor, Britt Sipe, shared some family news which challenged us to step up and support financially our church. Sunridge, like many other churches, has had to make some difficult choices. However, it is exciting to see what the possibilities are for the future. Can anyone say “roller coaster” for me?

One fun thing that I know many of you did not catch was when Kyle, our amazing drummer, broke a stick. The following 16 seconds on video are priceless and show the skill and heart of this young man. We love you Kyle!

Set List: This week we focused on the cross a bit and the power of the name of Jesus.

• Your Name Is Holy – Brian Doerksen
• Cannons – Phil Wickham
• All We Need – Charlie Hall
• I Cling to the Cross – Paul Baloche, Matt Redman
• Here I am to Worship – Tim Hughes

Links:

• The Worship Community set list roster – worship sets from all over the place from today
• Planning Center worship flow
• Watch Marcelo’s sermon on video

How was your worship this weekend? Share your feedback or story from this weekend.

Recap: We led worship with the thought of Haiti and the suffering there. As Christians, its important to call out to God on behalf of those who are hurting–whether it be someone sitting next to us or a nation next to ours that lives in devastation. So, we took a moment in our worship time to pray and ask God to break our hearts for what breaks his heart.

Set List: We introduced “Cannons” by Phil Wickham, after having done it at our Night of Worship the previous weekend. I made a point of sharing that we learn new songs for two reasons: one, its Biblical such as in Psalm 40:3, and, it helps us include everyone in a communal experience–whether you have been a part of our church for ten years or this is your first time, learning a song together is a shared event.

• Let God Arise – Chris Tomlin
• Hosanna – Paul Baloche
• Cannons – Phil Wickham
• Sweetly Broken – Jeremy Riddle
• Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman

Links:

• Planning Center Set List
• Sermon on VIDEO
• Set lists from all over at The Worship Community site

How was your worship weekend?

Recap: We had a guest Sunday. Mark Roach is a singer-songwriter-worship-leader guy from the St. Louis area who has written songs our church loves to sing in worship. I met Mark at recreateconference.com a few years ago and every time I get to hang out with him I am impressed by his heart for the church and his passion to create music that helps people experience God in worship. This guy is the real deal and is a worship director in a church, so he gets guys like me and truly is committed to the local church.

He led us in a set of his songs, with one hymn. However, these seemed like “covers” to us since we sing these in our church. Our people really enjoyed Mark and personally it was wonderful to stand by my wife and be led in worship by a guy who passionately used his gifts this Sunday.

Britt did an amazing job once again, but I think his smashing of the watermelon was an epic event. I will remember that sermon point forever now, Britt!

Set List: I loved Mark’s tune “Holy Lord”–a song about the Trinity. I also loved his sharing and storytelling about that song as you will see on the video.

• As Long As I Have You – Mark Roach
• A Thousand Hallelujahs – Mark Roach
• It Is Well – arr. Mark Roach
• You Are – Mark Roach
• Holy Lord – Mark Roach

Links:

• Sermon Video from this Sunday
• Mark Roach on Facebook
• Set Lists from other churches this weekend!

How was you worship weekend? Share your feedback and what’s going on with you.

Recap: Britt got started in the book of 1 Thessalonians with our series entited “Notoriety” and once again challenged us by defining faith, hope and love. For a first Sunday of the year during the holiday season I was very happy to hear our church sing and get ready to take on a new year. Once again, my daughter was not just a backing vocal but truly an effective lead worshiper. I am very excited about Emilie’s music studies gearing up this year.

Set List: We chose some songs that were familiar due to the big holiday services and rehearsal crunches. However, that did not seem to be a problem. As is usual, its a tension between familiarity of songs for sing-ability verses being too stale for those who come every week. Often the band has to nearly be completely bored and tired of a song for a congregation of people who come less than two times a month who take very long to learn the material. So, I digress.

• All Because of Jesus – Fee Band
• Awesome is the Lord Most High – Chris Tomlin
• Sing to The King – Billy Foote/Charles Silvester Horne
• You Gave Your Life Away – Paul Baloche
• Living Rain – Parachute Band

Links:

• Planning Center Online worship flow
• This weeks sermon on video
• Some set lists I follow

How was your worship weekend? Let me know how God is touching you through your worship expression this week.