John 21:15-16 - Dependability

Matthew 26:41 - Endurance

John 14:15 - Diligence

Christmas time is the biggest time to create long memories. This is also traditionally the biggest drawing card to get people involved in the music service. So how can we get people on the stage (i.e. skits, children’s choir)?

December 9th is open to do Christmas as well as December 23. I’ll be on vacation on the 30th.

Matthew 26:26-27 - Thoroughness

Also we will be having the Lord’s Supper with this.

John 3:7 - Security

“Grief is better than laughter, for when a face face is sad, a heart may be glad.” - Ecclesiastes 7:3

“If we are not willing to feel negative emotions, then we shall not experience the richness of our positive emotions.” - C. S. Lewis

I once worked with a pastor who only wanted upbeat songs during musical worship. He was OK with preaching about sorrowful biblical events such as the crucifixion. He didn’t want us to sing what he called “downer songs”. he was concerned that if the congregation was allowed too much reflection during the musical portion of the service he would have to re-energize them before they could fully appreciate his sermon.

Another minister I worked with wanted to include at least one reflective song, which would be followed by a joyful song so that people would understand and feel the transition from sorry to joy.

Music is a powerful tool. A melody can uplift us or send us plunging into darkness. Because music is such a powerful took, it should be used wisely and to its fullest and proper extent.

Lord, help us to plan musical worship that allows us to understand You and all Your depth.

“But Martha was distracted by her many tasks.” - Luke 10:40a

“We have become so engrossed in the work of the Lord hat we have forgotten the Lord of the work.” - A. W. Tozer

“Listen; watch as I do the motions,” I admonished the teens. We were preparing to take rural Kentucky teens on a mission trip to New Orleans. My job was to present the praise and worship each morning at the children’s mission center. As a former kindergarten teacher, I knew we’d have to capture and hold the children’s attention during music time or there would be chaos. I led the teens in practicing the zany movements. i sang loudly as I approached a guy who wasn’t bouncing as energetically as I thought he should be.

“Get with it,” I whispered fiercely in his ear. “We need to make this good for those kids.” His movements became peppier, but I suddenly felt ashamed. Was I teaching our teens how to control the preschoolers we were going to minister to, or was I teaching our teens how to lead others in praise and worship?

Lord, may we worship, even as we lead rehearsals.