Living a Life of Worship

Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll

2012-02-10T23:00:00.000-08:00

Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship & Life Together by Mark & Grace Driscoll has been a highly anticipated book and one that I was very much looking forward to reading. I was grabbed from the first time I read a description of the book and was happy to see that a pastor and his wife were going to tackle a book on marriage together. I appreciate how the Driscoll's start off this book by openly sharing about their marriage. It sets the tone of how open and real the rest of the book will be. Now I realize there has been a lot of backlash against Driscoll and this book for his supposed "crudeness" and the highly controversial "Can We _____?" chapter. However what I see and read is a pastor who is not afraid to tackle these tough issues. I believe the church needs more pastors like this. So often in the church we talk about how unfortunate it is that culture, movies, celebrities, etc. are influencing the way young people view sex, but at the same time we don't ever bring it up inside the four walls of our local churches. Here is a pastor and his wife who aren't afraid to take a biblical stand on marriage and sex. This is a definitely a book I will need to spend more time in, but I can say that is has caused me to stop and think about my own marriage. And I believe that is the point that Mark and Grace want to happen as people read this book; to stop and think and have conversations as a couple about their marriage. I recently came across an article interview that Mark did and he says this,

"Our goal in the book was not so that bloggers could talk with one another about issues of their sex lives. Our goal was that husbands and wives could have those conversations. That’s really the motive. So bloggers and tweeters and Facebookers, they’re free to discuss it, but really, it’s for married couples."

I challenge you to get past your preconceived ideas and opinions of the Driscolls and this book, and read through it with an open mind. Let it cause you to think, to have conversations.

Currently, Mark's church, Mars Hill, is doing a sermon series based off the book; Real Marriage: A Sermon Series About Jesus, the Gospel, and Marriage. You can check those out here.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 01.29.12

2012-01-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

Week #184 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, January 29th.

- Anchor Me by Alwyn Wall
- How Great Thou Art
- Come Ye Sinners by Fernando Ortega
- Sing to Jesus by Fernando Ortega
- Living Water by Five O'Clock People
- Stronger by Hillsong

This morning my wife and I attended Refuge Christian Fellowship in downtown Santa Rosa. It was a great morning of worship. It was a refreshing change and we were blessed to have been there today. The pastor brought a fantastic message out of Genesis 15 on Justification by Faith. He contrasted that with how much we get stuck going through life in a justification by works mindset. Was a great reminder on how much we need to focus on the gospel even as Christians. The gospel isn't just for when we're non-Christians, but for Christians as well. I'm currently reading Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian and came across this quote;

"The gospel remains the power of God for salvation until we're glorified."

What an important Word to remember. We were also able to go to lunch afterwards with some friends that go there and chat about church and life. It's definitely a different and strange time in our life, but we're continuing to trust that God will lead us to a church to get involved in.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-184/

Torn by Jud Wilhite

2012-01-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

In Torn: Trusting God When Life Leaves You in Pieces, Jud Wilhite has written a book that is relevant to everyone. Christians and non-Christians should take the time to read this book. Jud is a pastor and his heart and passion of sharing Christ and strength in Him comes out in the writing of this book. Instead of focusing on our struggles, pain, and situations, Jud puts are focus on the God who can take care of all our struggles, pain, and situations. At the same time when putting our focus on God, he doesn't downplay or try and tell us that struggles won't come, but instead that they will and when they do we have someone who can take care of us. Jud writes this in one of the chapters, "When our world falls apart and the pain of life settles in, yes, we are looking for explanations and meaning and rationale, but even more so we want assurance. Yes, we want answers. But these cries of pain, whether to God explicitly or just into the universe, are evidence of an implicit trust that something or someone greater-someone with answers!-is out there." The reasons for all the "Why?" questions don't have to be from major circumstances in life. I would venture to say that most of have "Why?" questions. I found myself being spoken too throughout the pages of this book. For me it was in the second part of the book, where Jud talks about true community and sharing your struggles. I found myself after reading that chapter how I needed to find someone to speak the Gospel into my life. Jud quotes Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his book Life Together, and I couldn't get it out of my head.

"The Christian needs another Christian who speak God's Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation. He needs his brother solely because of Jesus Christ. The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother's is sure."

Life is sure to get rocky for us all, but what Jud shares is that we don't have to go through life alone. We need to share our struggles and allow others to walk with us, but ultimately we have a sovereign God who isn't surprised by what we're going through and is there to comfort us as we walk through the tough times in our lives.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 01.22.12

2012-01-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

Week #183 of Sunday Setlists. Here is the setlist for Sunday, January 22nd.

- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
- Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
- Like Incense/Sometimes By Step by Hillsong
- Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong
- In Christ Alone by Keith & Kristyn Getty

After a three-week hiatus from being gone and having family in town over the weekends, my wife and I started a new season in our life of finding a new home church for the time until God leads us to our next ministry position. This morning we went to The Cove. One of my wife's friends is the worship leader there. It definitely is a weird feeling being out searching for a church. Hard to believe that at the age of 27 and after 4.5 years of marriage this is the first time that my wife and I find ourselves in this position. Other than finding a church during college, both her and I grew up at one church and then went straight to Bethel after getting married. I'd ask that you continue to pray for us as we go through this transition and new season in life.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-183/

Sunday Setlist - 01.01.12

2012-01-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

Week #180 of Sunday Setlists.

This is a very different Sunday Setlists post for me. For the first time since I started taking part in this blog post series on September 6, 2009, I have nothing to report on. Last Sunday was my last day at my previous church. You can read all about that here. My wife had the last week off from work and since I had some time off we decided to take a small road trip/vacation at the end of the year and didn't get back home until Sunday afternoon. In the coming weeks I will keep posting, but it will be as a worshipper/attender instead of the worship leader. Pray for my wife and I as we seek out a new church home and as we figure out job options for myself. Praying that everyone has a fantastic 2012!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-180/

Books Read: July - December 2011

2012-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:00

Part 5 of the posts regarding books that I have read lately. Part 1: books read in 2009, Part 2: books read in January - June of 2010, Part 3: books read in July - December of 2010, and Part 4: books read in January - June of 2011.

• Let God Change Your Life by Greg Laurie *
• The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris *
• Mirror Ball by Matt Redman *
• The Worship Answer Book by Rick Muchow
• Rumors of God by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson *
• Erasing Hell by Francis Chan *
• Torn by Jud Wilhite *
• The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel
• He Who Honors Me by Mike Kim & Derek Joseph Levendusky

Was hoping to have read more books during this time, but it didn't seem like I had as much time for reading. The last couple months have been good though. I'm currently going through Disciple by Bill Clem with a friend and fellow pastor in town. It is a great book that has been causing me to do a lot of thinking and reevaluation in my life spiritually. Thankful for his friendship and looking forward to going through the remainder of it with him.

What are you reading? Leave me a comment with your recommendations!

Special thanks to BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson, Blogging for Books/WaterBrook Multnomah, and The B & B Media Group/David C. Cook for providing some of these books to read and review (marked by a *).

Sunday Setlist - 12.25.11

2011-12-25T22:15:00.000-08:00

Week #179 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 25th.

- Born is the King by Hillsong
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Mary Did You Know? (special music)
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- O Come All Ye Faithful

Merry Christmas everyone! It was great to gather with the Body of Christ and worship together on Christmas morning. It was a great service and a fun, relaxed one. We told everyone that kids, and those that still feel like kids, could wear their PJs to church. It was fun to see people do that. It was also a bittersweet service too. This was my wife and I's last Sunday at Bethel. Over the last few months, we have been sensing God bringing our time and ministry at Bethel to a close and today was our last day. You can see a previous post about this here. It's gonna be a journey of really trusting God, but my wife and I are excited to see what God does. Hoping everyone else had some great Christmas services!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-179/

Christmas Eve Setlist - 12.24.11

2011-12-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

This is a special Christmas Eve episode of Sunday Setlists, even though it was a Saturday night. Here is our setlist for Christmas Eve, December 24th.

- Joy to the World by Chris Tomlin
- The First Noel by David Crowder
- Welcome & Prayer
- The Gift of Jesus Christ (choir song)
- Advent Reading
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Away in a Manger
- O Holy Night
- Scripture Reading: Luke 1.26-38 and Matthew 1.18-25
- The Lightlings by R.C. Sproul (video)
- Message
- Prayer
- Lighting of Candles
- Silent Night by Matt Maher
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing

What a wonderful Christmas Eve service at Bethel! It was a blessing to gather together and worship Christ, the newborn King! Below you can find a preview of The Lightlings story by R.C. Sproul.

Times of Transition

2011-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

This is one blog post that I've been trying to write for a while, but just haven't found the words to say. I figured the best way to hopefully have it come out is to just start writing. I was looking at the title for my blog, Journey of a Worshipper, and this definitely falls in that category. Four and a half years ago in July of 2007 after having just gotten married, my wife and I started a journey in ministry at Bethel Baptist Church. After having talked with the Senior Pastor during my last semester of college, we got plugged into the church and I began leading worship. In October of 2007 I was brought on staff part-time as the Director of Worship Ministries. It was a joy to get a job doing what I believe God has called me to do. Throughout my time at Bethel, God has done some great things in the life of the church, the people there, and personally in my life. I believe I have grown as a folllower of Christ, husband to my lovely wife, as a worshipper and as a worship leader. I'm forever grateful for my pastor and elder board for taking a chance on a young guy, fresh out of college, entering into his first ministry position and the journey has been one I will never forget. This journey brings us to the end of 2011 and my last week on staff at Bethel. A few months ago my wife and I have sensed that God was bringing our time and ministry at Bethel to a close. Throughout months of prayer and conversation we believe that is indeed what He was doing. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but one we believe we needed to follow. About a month and a half ago I brought this to the attention of my pastor and elder board and now we near my last day on Christmas Day.

This decision has obviously raised a lot of questions; Are you moving? Where are you going to go to church? What will you be doing now? etc. At this point in time we're staying in Northern California. My wife has a steady full-time job and I have another part-time job. We don't know where we will be going to church yet. I don't know what else I will be doing yet. Over the years I have been searching for God's direction in a full-time worship position, but to this point in time He hasn't provided that for me. I will continue that search and just wait for His provision. In this journey that has probably been the hardest part for me, and in the mean time, I didn't think I would be leaving Bethel before He had provided that. But now my wife and I take a step out in faith, trusting that God will provide in His timing.

Sunday Setlist - 12.18.11

2011-12-21T23:09:00.000-08:00

Week #178 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 18th.

- Born is the King by Hillsong
- Go Tell It On the Mountain
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by David Crowder
- How Should a King Come? (choir song)
- The Gift of Jesus Christ (choir song)

We had a great service at Bethel! The Sunday before Christmas we always have a special Christmas service with a brunch afterwards. The last couple years we have also formed a choir and we did the same this year. The choir did a great job. The worship team did a great job as well. The team loved the new Hillsong tune. It's a lot of fun. I also love David Crowder's version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Looking forward to next weekend as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-178/

Sunday Setlist - 12.11.11

2011-12-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Week #177 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 11th.

- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- Joy to the World by Chris Tomlin (without the chorus & key change)

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-177/

Sunday Setlist - 12.04.11

2011-12-04T21:25:00.000-08:00

Week #176 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 4th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Your Name by Paul Baloche
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
- Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin

It was a good morning at Bethel. This morning we had a praise service. It was nice to have more music than usual in a service. We also had a time of sharing with the congregation. Great to hear what God is doing in the lives of the people of Bethel. It was also the second Sunday of Advent and we celebrated communion. The worship team did great with all the music and it's my prayer that God was glorified in everything that happened this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-176/

Sunday Setlist - 11.27.11

2011-11-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

Week #175 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 27th.

- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Our God by Chris Tomlin

Great morning of worship on this Sunday after Thanksgiving. It was also the start of Advent and this year I found a great resource from Mark D. Roberts; Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ. There are lots of reading out there based on a lot of different meanings for the candles, but this one really spoke to me this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what God does in the season of the church.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-175/

Sunday Setlist - 11.20.11

2011-11-23T21:20:00.000-08:00

Week #174 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 20th.

- Our God by Chris Tomlin
- All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

Good morning of worship. Bethel really seems to be grabbing a hold of Our God. It's such a great song with great lyrics. Really grateful for one of my other worship leaders introducing it last week. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those songs that will be around a while.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-174/

Sunday Setlist - 11.13.11

2011-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

Week #173 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 13th.

- You're Worthy of My Praise by David Ruis
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
- How Great Thou Art
- Our God by Chris Tomlin

I am incredibly blessed to work with such a great team that has others that are willing to use their gifts and lead our congregation in worship. We're a relatively small church and there is a great team of people a part of the music/worship ministry. Praying that ours and others services were a blessing to those that walked through the doors.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-173/

Sunday Setlist - 11.06.11

2011-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Week #172 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 6th.

- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes
- Murdered Son by John Mark McMillan (communion)
- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin

Really enjoyed using one of John Mark McMillan's new songs from his new album Economy this morning. I think it's a fantastic song and I pray that people heard the message and that God was glorified through it. It's a song that shares the Gospel and the reason that we're to glorify God, because through His Son's death that we are called sons and daughters of God. The reason we celebrate communion is to remember what God did for us and I hope that through that song we remember exactly that.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-172/

John Mark McMillan | Economy

2011-10-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

I have had the privilege of getting to listen to this new album from John Mark McMillan for about the past month and it is absolutely fantastic! If you're at all familiar with his last album, The Medicine (you can check out my review of that album here), then you will not be disappointed at all with this brand new release, Economy. This project keeps the familiar voice and rich, creative lyrics of John Mark. As I said about his last album, you can't help but be drawn into what he is creating. As you hear how John Mark talks about the album you get the sense of how personal it is to him and the realness comes out in the music. He's not making an album just to make an album; it's an album that serves a greater purpose. John Mark says this,

"There's a lot of hope and a lot of looking forward on this album. It's more than just thinking you can live, but you can thrive. You can survive and we can do it together. The first time someone hears this album, they could walk away with the feeling that they experienced something real, that they feel the heart of a real person."

As a worship leader I love that this album lends itself to corporate worship more that The Medicine. A couple weeks ago I had the chance to attend the San Francisco show of David Crowder Band's 7 Tour and John Mark played some of these new tunes and it felt more like a time of worship than just a show. As you listen to these songs you really feel the hope of a Savior that can overcome anything we find ourselves up against.

Sheet of Night: The CD begins with the familiar John Mark sound. Right away you get the feeling for the album though and the contrast between darkness and the hope we find in the light. "The devil's dealing dirty. The living isn't easy. But like diamonds we shine up against the sheet of night, the jet-black sheet of night. Whoa, we've got a blood, we've got a love that that'll brave the flood."

Murdered Son: It's with this track where I really started to feel the ability to be used in corporate worship. This is a song that shares the hope that we have through the Gospel; the Son of God dying for us so that we can be raised as sons and daughters of God. "Glory to One, God’s murdered son. Who paid for my resurrection. Once from the dust, once from the grave, daughters and sons from the ashes you’ve raised. And hidden our faults even from your own face. And scattered our debt upon the waves. Glory to the one who overcame in death. Glory to the one who paid for my offenses." Download the chart here.

Sins Are Stones: On this track, you will notice the familiar melody from the hymn O Come All Ye Faithful. This is another track that I believe will work well in corporate worship. The familiar melody, even though with different lyrics, will make it easy to catch on to. This is a song, that for those of us that have been changed by Christ, we can truly sing out from our hearts in praise! "By the blood of a son, I have overcome the grave. Recompense is made for the guilty and the shamed. For eternity is gained in the arms of the slain. Oh my soul praise him." Download the chart here.

Special thanks to Integrity Music for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. You can download the album here on iTunes or amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 10.30.11

2011-10-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Week #171 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, October 30th.

- The Lord Reigns by Gateway Worship / Happy Day by Tim Hughes
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- In Christ Alone by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-171/

Sunday Setlist - 10.23.11

2011-10-23T18:20:00.000-07:00

Week #170 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, October 23th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- It Is Well by Todd Fields
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee
- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin

It was a good morning of worship at Bethel. The team did great and I felt that the songs really linked up well with the message this morning. It's my prayer that what we're doing is really drawing people in to worship. So often it looks like people are participating and I know people show it in different ways, but I really hope that somehow they're connecting with God through our time of singing. I pray that for myself as well.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-170/

Sunday Setlist - 10.16.11

2011-10-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Week #169 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, October 16th.

- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Charlie Hall
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin

Struggling to write things here this week. I pray that it was a great service, but personally I just wasn't with it on Sunday. We had a great three days before Sunday with other Bethel couples for a retreat, but then late Saturday I had other things that went late into the evening and then Sunday I woke up with a headache. Was tired and not really with it. I don't like mornings like that, but I guess everyone probably has them. Praying that everyone else had a great morning of worship.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlist-169/

Rumors of God by Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson

2011-10-12T17:59:00.001-07:00

Even though Rumors of God: Experience the Kind of Faith You've Only Heard About by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson is an easy book to read, it certainly is a book worth reading by everyone. Whitehead and Tyson explore the notion that says the churches best days are behind them and argue that that is not the case. They explore "rumors" about God and the Christian life that we truly need to take to heart. In the beginning of the book they quote C.S. Lewis; "The world is a great sculptor's shop. We are the statues and there is a rumor going round the shop that some of us are some day going to come to life." God calls us to come to life in Him, and we can do that by continuing to unpack these "rumors" that Whitehead and Tyson go through. As we search the scriptures, our hearts, and ultimately God's heart, we begin to realize that these "rumors" are not rumors at all, and we turn to the TRUTHS of God! I love how the authors reiterate this truth at the end of each chapter.

- "These are the stories of statues coming to life. The rumors are true."
- "And most of all may you discover that these rumors of God are true as you pursue his fame and deeds in our time."
- "May Christ be our gain and may we take hold of the life that is truly life."
- "May we all experience not just the rumors of passion, but its overflowing reality as we remain in his love."
- "He is waiting to confirm that the rumors of grace are true."
- "The rumors of freedom and forgiveness are true."
- "May these rumors of commitment become a defining reality in our day."
- "I believe people would find out that the rumors are true-that we are, in fact, handiwork."
- "May we be the hands and feet of Jesus and transform these rumors of justice into reality in our world."
- "The rumors of God are true. Jesus rose from the dead, and so did the hopes of all those who are looking for a revolution. The statues are coming to life."

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 10.09.11

2011-10-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Week #168 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, October 9th.

- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown

It was a good service this morning. We've been having a missions emphasis these last two Sundays. Our speaker was Jeff Gilman who is the director of the Redwood Gospel Mission here in Santa Rosa. We also had their Men's Choir with us (which is why we only had two songs). He brought a great message. I also took a step out and lead without chord charts this morning. This is something I've really wanted to do, and luckily with only two songs and them being songs we do quite often, I decided to give it a shot. It went great. It was really nice to not have that little distraction of music on a stand in front of me. I felt like I was able to connect with the congregation more. Definitely gonna work harder at this in the future. I would love to be able to not use music at all on Sunday mornings.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-168/

Sunday Setlist - 10.02.11

2011-10-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Week #167 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, October 2nd.

Ohio Edition:
- In Christ Alone by Keith & Kristyn Getty
- The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

California Edition:
- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell

This week I was on vacation back in Ohio. My wife and I took a week to visit my family as well as attend homecoming at our alma mater Cedarville University. It was a great trip! Always enjoy getting to spend time with my family, but it was also a blast to get back to CU and see a lot of great friends and profs. I'm so thankful for my time at CU and it was great to be back. It was also my classes 5 year reunion. Hard to believe it's been that long already (though technically only 4 years for me as I extended my college time to 5 years). Our trip ended by being able to worship with our old church there, Southeastern Baptist Church. It was great to see everyone there. During our time back at CU, I was also blessed to have the opportunity to lead worship in chapel. It was so great to lead the student body in worship. I got together a great group of friends and everything went incredibly well. So I will add one more setlist to this post.

Cedarville University Chapel Edition:
- God Is Able by Hillsong
- Stronger by Hillsong

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-167/

Sunday Setlist - 09.25.11

2011-09-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

Week #166 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, September 25th.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell

Trying to get caught up from going on vacation. It's been over a week since the 25th, so this is going to be a pretty short post; basically just our songs from the morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-166/

Sunday Setlist - 09.18.11

2011-09-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

Week #165 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, September 18th.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes
- Praise to the Lord the Almighty by Travis Cottrell
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

It was a good morning. The team did great. The songs fit really well, especially the closing song. Our pastor brought us a message on healing from Acts 9.32-42. It was a tough message for some and I know the closing song was tough as well, but I feel that is was the perfect song to end the service with. I pray that people were blessed and ultimately that God was honored this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-165/

Sunday Setlist - 09.11.11

2011-09-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Week #164 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, September 11th.

- 'Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus
- Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
- You Are God Alone by Billy Foote
- Stronger by Hillsong

It was a great morning of worship. One of my volunteers did a great job of selecting songs that fit well together and with the message. It's been great having some of my volunteers step up and take the lead on some Sundays. Today I got to just be a part of the team and play bass. Been a while since I've gotten to do that and it was a nice change.

We also remember this day 10 years ago, September 11, 2001. As I'm sure like most of you the knowledge of this day brings back many mixed emotions. A lot of you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you found out about what had happened in New York City, then in Washington D.C. and in Pennsylvania; I know I do. For one, it is my mom's birthday. It was my senior year in high school, and I was in our music wing in a practice room preparing for college music auditions. At one point in practicing a piece, I had a question for my band director. I walked out of the practice room and down to his office only to find the office empty. His office is connected to our band room so I figured he was in there. When I walked through the door I saw him, other music teachers and fellow students crowded around the two TVs in the room with their gazes fixed on the images of the towers engulfed in flames and smoke. I don't know if I ever got my question answered, I don't even remember what it was now. The rest of that day was filled with our regular schedule of classes, but no lessons were taught. It was a school day where no one could take their eyes off the TVs. It was a day I saw a high school, faculty and students, come together and comfort one another. It was a day none of us will ever forget. We remember and honor all those that lost their lives that day, their families that were left behind, all the first responders that on that day, and every day, put their lives on the line for us, and ultimately for the men and women in the armed services that have fought and died and those that continue to fight for our freedoms in this country. THANK YOU!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-164/

Sunday Setlist - 09.04.11

2011-09-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

Week #163 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, September 4th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes
- My Savior's Love
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes

It was a great morning of worship. The team did great with the songs and everything fit well with the message and our time of communion towards the end of the service.

This past week, my wife and I also had the chance to take a short trip to Colorado. While we were there we had the church to attend New Life Church's Friday night service for college and 20-somethings, theMILL. It was a great service. It was really nice to attend a service and be led in worship. Actually, it made me want to get back to my church and lead worship that much more. It was a fantastic service to attend as it was their pastors last service before he leaves to plant a new church. What was so great is that we witnessed a church love on their pastor who had served faithfully for 11 years. It truly was a blessing to be a part of that night.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlist-163/

Sunday Setlist - 08.28.11

2011-08-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Week #162 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, August 28th.

- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Enough by Chris Tomlin

Good morning of worship. John did a great job choosing the songs and leading worship this morning. I believe the songs fit the message perfectly. The congregation really seems to be connecting with Song of Moses. It's been a fantastic song to introduce to our congregation and I'm glad they're connecting with it.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlist-162/

Mirror Ball by Matt Redman

2011-08-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mirror Ball: Living Boldly and Shining Brightly For the Glory of God is the brand new book by worship leader, songwriter, and author Matt Redman. Many of you may be familiar of Matt Redman because you've sang his songs in church, but he is also a fantastic author. As a worship leader myself, I'm always interested in resources by other worship leaders. I have never been disappointed by any of Matt Redman's music or other books and this book continues that trend. This book is a very quick read, but don't doubt it's impact because of that. I also love how some the ideas and themes he presents in this book follow along with his latest worship project, 10,000 Reasons. I found myself being led in worship by reading the words on the pages. He also includes discussion guides in the back half of the book. Throughout this book Redman calls us to live a life of worship. As much as this is a call for us personally, it's also a call to the entire Church. Our God is big and no matter how inadequate we feel, because of God's redemptive work in our hearts we can shine forth the light of God. I love the story Redman shares in the beginning of the book regarding Louie Giglio's idea to have a mirror ball come down from the ceiling during a part of the Passion Conference. They're in a massive arena and when Matt Redman sees the small size of the mirror ball he's worried that it is not going to make any kind of impact and is going to turn out to be the worst idea ever. However is the service when the time came, the ball dropped and bright beams of light hit the ball and the light radiated to all corners of the arena. It may have been small and seemed in adequate, but the result was anything but. Because of the love of God and Him living in us, we need to radiate His light through us by the lives that we live. We become the mirror ball for His light that shines upon us.

"When God shines upon His church, we become a dazzling testimony to His awesome radiance. You may feel ineffective. You might have lost confidence in your ability to shine. You may think you are too small or inconsequential to ever be of any value in the kingdom of God. But no matter at all-for, in the end, it is all a matter of light. His light. The life of worship never begins with you. It starts and ends with Jesus."

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Let God Change Your Life by Greg Laurie

2011-08-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

Greg Laurie has written a great book; Let God Change Your Life: How to Know and Follow Jesus. This is definitely not a book for just non-believers or new believers. This is a book that every believer should read. Laurie challenges us to take a long, hard look at the Christian life we're living. "What often is perceived as the Christian life is, in many ways, not what the Bible teaches. Are you really living the Christian life as Jesus meant for you to live it? If your Christian experience feels dull and unfulfilling, then it's time to seriously examine Jesus' teaching regarding discipleship. Radical Christian living is really normal Christian living." There is so much more to this life that we're living than the way we're living it. It causes me to seriously look into my own life and reexamine how I'm living my own life in light of how God truly called me to live it. Laurie takes on three aspects of our relationship with and following Christ;

• How to Know God
• Discipleship
• Making Him Known

Laurie takes us on a logical progression of how we should be living our lives. He begins right where it's needed the most; the heart. What we find throughout the pages of this book is how to live the Christian life based in the Bible. Laurie's book is a challenge and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. "'Are you a laborer in the harvest?' Laurie asks. 'The complainers are many. The observers are many. The spectators are many. The critics are many. But the laborers are few. We need laborers in the harvest. Will you become one?' Let God Change Your Life is a bold challenge to Christians everywhere to rethink their lives in terms of dynamic New Testament living."

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 08.21.11

2011-08-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Week #161 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, August 21st.

- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes
- Not To Us by Chris Tomlin

A good morning. We also introduced a new song; Song of Moses by Aaron Keyes. Everyone seemed to grab a hold of it. I played/sang the chorus for them and then had them sing it along with me, and this was probably one of the few times I could really hear everyone singing. Here is a blog post from Aaron Keyes' blog about the song. I love the lyrics of it and how it's grounded in scripture. We rearranged the order of the song and repeated some of the sections, so I took the opportunity to break up the song with adding some scripture and it fit perfectly. After the scripture, we went back into the bridge of the song; "The Lord shall reign forever and ever." Here is the passage I used.

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.

9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light shinest on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlist-161/

Revise Us Again by Frank Viola

2011-08-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Frank Viola has come out with his new book, Revise Us Again: Living from a Renewed Christian Script. Not a difficult book to read, but it has a great feel to it. It really feels as if your sitting down with someone and chatting over a cup of coffee. It's a nice change to some of the deep theological books where you have to constantly be thinking of the content and questions. That's not to say that this book doesn't make you think. Viola calls us to revisit and revise the script that we've been living our lives by. With all the advances in technology, all kinds of churches, all kinds of teachings, all kinds of books, cultural influences, etc., the way we're told to live our lives can become distorted. It's easy to go along with the next great idea, but it may not be the way that God calls us to live. Viola calls for us to return to the only script worth living by; the Word of God. This books makes you look into your heart and your relationship with the Lord, then revise those things that don't match up with the teachings of Jesus. The way we are to live our lives is found in the pages of the Word of God and how Jesus lived. I love Viola's transparency, as he writes this about the book, "I'm simply sharing some of the discoveries I've made in my own personal struggles and challenges as a follower of Jesus Christ." He doesn't say that it's going to be easy, but it's something that needs to be done. I believe there is something in this book for every believer. It's a call to come back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; we're called to be Christ-like and live like Jesus did. These are the areas that Viola tackles in this book; Revising the Lord's Voice, Revising Christianeze, Revising Christian Code Language, Revising Our Semantics, Revising Our Message, Revising Our Awareness of the Diving, Revising Our Attitudes, Revising Our Spiritual Expectations, Revising the Holy Spirit's Ministry, and Revising Our Chief Pursuit.

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

The God I Never Knew by Robert Morris

2011-08-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

Pastor Robert Morris just released his new book, The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life. This is a book I was really excited to read. Morris writes this on the back cover; "To many people the Holy Spirit is mysterious, confounding, and ever controversial. Why is the third person in the Godhead-the one whom Jesus said would be the believer's ultimate source of truth and unending comfort-the source of so much confusion?" I have often wondered myself what the Holy Spirit's role is in my spiritual journey. Through the process of reading this book though, I became less and less excited to continue reading. I feel that this book was broken into two sections. The first section regarding the truth of the Holy Spirit and what He promises to do in your life; dwell with you, be your helper, guide you into all truth, comfort you, pray for you, show you things to come, and never leave you. Morris helps us understand that view of the Holy Spirit should be about a relationship. However, moving into the second part of the book I feel as if it's more about defending a view then showing us the Holy Spirit. It feels as if I'm being forced to believe a certain view than discover what this relationship is all about. Instead of finishing the book feeling like I now know someone I didn't know very well before, I'm left with a lot of questions and not sure what I believe.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 08.14.11

2011-08-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Week #160 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, August 14th.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- It Is Well
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
- Shine Jesus Shine by Graham Kendrick

Another good morning of worship. It's been nice to have these could Sunday's a month where others from my worship team take the lead. Nice to sit back and see them do it and just play. We also got back into our Acts series this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-160/

Sunday Setlist - 08.07.11

2011-08-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

Week #159 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, August 7th.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Lord I Need You by Kristian Stanfill (special music - communion)
- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche

It was a great morning of worship. Also, the sound system was much better this Sunday than the past couple. It was also a very different Sunday as we didn't have much of a message, but instead spent some time praying as a church at a lot of different prayer stations that each had a different focus. For those that find this that are worship leaders, I want to take this moment to share with you all a resource that I recently came across. My friend Adam Hundley shared with me a fantastic app for the iPad called OnSong. It's a great app for managing all your chord charts and using the iPad to display them on a Sunday morning. I was previously having to shorten and convert all my charts to PDF and pull them in with Stanza. There's a decent amount of time involved changing the charts to the right format, but once that's done it's a great app. This was the first time that I used it, but I plan on using it for a while.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-159/

Sunday Setlist - 07.31.11

2011-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

Week #158 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, July 31st.

- Lord I Lift Your Name On High by Rick Founds
- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Who Am I by Casting Crowns (special music)

Wow, what a morning... our sound check/run-through couldn't have gone worse. It had nothing to do with the music but all with our in-ear monitors. Nothing was working right. By the time the service started things still weren't perfect but we made it through. Definitely gonna have some work to do in the sanctuary to get things worked out. One thing that was fun this morning was that since one of my worship team members was leading, I got the chance to just play bass this morning. I don't get to do it a lot any more, so it was nice just to just play and not have to worry about anything else. Definitely needed that after running around like a chicken with head cut off all morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-158/

Sunday Setlist - 07.24.11

2011-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Week #157 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, July 24th.

- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Charlie Hall
- I Am Yours by Michael Neale
- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin

What an interesting morning. We were having all kinds of sound issues. Most likely most of them were because we had to pull apart our system for the outdoor service last weekend and just need to get things dialed back in correctly. Then some time during the announcement time between the first and second songs, the battery in my guitar went out. Of course I didn't know until I went to start the second song. Luckily I am thankful to have a great team, and even though they didn't hear my guitar they everyone kept going. It ended up going just fine for the next two songs. Then during the message I was able to get the battery changed and we were back to normal for the last song. Hopefully we can get the sound stuff dialed in for next Sunday and we'll be good to go.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-157/

Sunday Setlist - 07.17.11

2011-07-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Week #156 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, July 17th.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes
- The Lord Reigns by Gateway Worship

This past Sunday was our 4th Annual Outdoor Service. We wanted to do something different and it's also become an outreach event as well. It's a lot of fun doing the service outdoors. It sure is a ton of work though with making sure the tents get set up, getting staging, and then getting all the sound gear set up. And that's just before the service, then we have tear everything down again and get everything re-connected in the sanctuary. By the time I left on Sunday, I had been at the church 11 hours. I'm just glad we don't do it more than once a year. We start the service a little later and then we do a big BBQ afterwards. This year we also had a rib cook-off contest. I had the privilege of being a judge! Then we had some water slides, a jump house, kiddie pools, and a slip-n-slide for some fun after the BBQ. The worship team sounded great. Being outdoors we don't have to worry as much about volume so we can really let loose a little bit. I also picked mostly up-tempo songs to help with that. All in all it was a really great time and I'm glad that we do it.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-156/

Sunday Setlist - 07.10.11

2011-07-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Week #155 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, July 10th.

- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder
- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin

Another good morning of worship! The team did great and the congregation seemed to connect with the songs this morning. It's been great to add Chosen Generation to the rotation of songs; such a great song!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-155/

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

2011-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus Christ by Kyle Idleman is a book that will cause you to heavily evaluate your own life and truly figure out where you stand in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you truly a follower or are you a fan (an enthusiastic admirer)? He begins with a passage of scripture from Matthew 7 where Jesus talks about a day when everyone will stand before God and some that were confident in their standing with Him will hear, “I never knew you. Away from me.” A sobering thought and not one that I want to hear on that day. Throughout the rest of the book, Idleman works on helping us diagnose whether we are a fan or a follower. He breaks up the book into three sections; Part 1: Fan or Follower? An Honest Diagnosis, Part 2: An Invitation to Follow, and Part 3: Following Jesus. Wherever. Whenever. Whatever. Part 1 is all about us defining where our relationship with God is. Idleman takes us to the Gospels and uses the examples of the people that Jesus came in contact with as case studies for us to study. Then at that point we have to ask ourselves whether we are a fan or a follower. Part 2 is causing us to look at where we are in light of the Gospel. The chapter that got to me the most is on totally surrendering yourself to God. So often we try to keep a hold of things, but the only way to truly becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus is to completely surrender ourselves to Him. This is something that I struggle with, but having read this book and especially that chapter, it’s something that I now understand and am working towards. As we get into Part 3, we realize the demand it takes to be a follower. There is no break. To be a follower, it’s a decision to follow wherever, whenever, and whatever He decides. This isn’t something to be taken lightly, but our eternity is at stake. Don’t forget about those in Matthew chapter 7 that heard words from God they thought they would never hear because they were “certain” that they were followers.

Special thanks to Zondervan for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 07.03.11

2011-07-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Week #154 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, July 3rd.

- God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood
- My Country, 'Tis of Thee
- America the Beautiful
- I Am Free by Ross Parsley
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
- How Deep the Father's Love For Us by Stuart Townend
- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
- Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin

We had such a great service this past Sunday. Our pastor was on vacation so the elders planned the service and it was made into a patriotic and communion service. The way the two were blended was perfect. We spent time praising God and thanking Him for the freedoms we have in this country and then went into sharing about the freedoms that we have in Christ Jesus because of what He did on the cross. It was the perfect way to blend the holiday weekend with the sacrament of communion. We had a lot of music which was a nice change and the team did great with all of it.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-154/

The Greener Grass Conspiracy by Stephen Altrogge

2011-07-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

I'm very glad that I had the pleasure of reading Stephen Altrogge's new book The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding Contentment on Your Side of the Fence. The content of this book is absolutely fantastic and I believe very relevant to our time. I also found it very relevant to my life. Altrogge begins the book with this statement, "I've never believed in conspiracies." He then goes on to say, "Then I discovered that I was part of a conspiracy...it's a conspiracy between the world, my heart, and Satan to steal my happiness. These three are plotting and scheming together to make me perpetually discontent." There is so much vying for our attention that we continually play the "if only" game. He says at the very beginning that he’s not writing it as someone that is content but as someone that is still battling in this area. He wants us to fight with him, and I for one want to join in that fight. As I continued to read page after page, I saw so much of me and what I struggle with. This book has made me stop and think about where I need to go to find the contentment that I long for. Altrogge continues to point us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is where we need to go. He writes this,

“The Gospel of Christ is the fountainhead of contentment. In the gospel we have access to infinite blessings. But if we don’t drink often we will always be thirsty.”

If we lose sight of the fact that contentment comes only from God we’re always going to be searching for it in something or someone else, and that will never quench that thirst. Until Jesus Christ comes again and takes us home to heaven, we’re always going to struggle with this. We can continue to find contentment in Christ, but there is always going to be a struggle and a pull for us to be discontent and search for contentment in all the wrong places. Altrogge leaves us with hope though. We have hope in the Gospel of Christ now, but we also have the hope of heaven for when Christ comes back or we go to heaven to be with Him forever. He concludes his book by pointing us to heaven, “When we’re in heaven, the battle will be over. Contentment will not be a struggle. Peace, pleasure, and joy will take the day. This is my hope. I haven’t yet learned to be content in all circumstances, but I’m fighting. I’m fighting because I know this isn’t my home. I was made for Jesus, and I was made for heaven. And so were you. But until that day we need to fight.”

Special thanks to Crossway for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Books Read: January - June 2011

2011-07-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the fourth installment of posts regarding books that I have read lately. The first post was on books read in 2009, the second post was on books read in January - June of 2010, and the third post was on books read in July - December of 2010. So here are the books that I've read from January through June of this year:

• Slave by John MacArthur *
• Jesus in the Present Tense by Warren Wiersbe *
• Soul Print by Mark Batterson *
• The Purpose of Man by A.W. Tozer
• Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic *
• Delirious by Martin Smith *
• Meet Mrs. Smith by Anna Smith *
• Death by Love by Mark Driscoll *
• Awakening by Stovall Weems *
• God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram
• Lucky by Glenn Packiam *
• Handle With Prayer by Charles Stanley *
• Unleashed by Erwin McManus *
• Radical Together by David Platt *
• Jump by Efrem Smith *
• The Greener Grass Conspiracy by Stephen Altrogge *
• Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman *
• Revise Us Again by Frank Viola *

What are you reading? Leave me a comment with your recommendations!

Special thanks to BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson, Blogging for Books/WaterBrook Multnomah, The B & B Media Group/David C. Cook, Crossway, Zondervan and amazon.com/Vine Program for providing some of these books to read and review (marked by a *).

Sunday Setlist - 06.26.11

2011-06-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Week #153 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, June 26th.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Enough by Chris Tomlin
- Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes

All in all it was a great morning of worship. Had one of those awkward moments though. For Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King I decided to try something different I've never done before, put my guitar in Drop D tuning. With so much of that song landing on a D or having a D constantly in the bass, I thought it would be a nice to touch to add it from my guitar and it was. I had no problem getting the E string tuned down to D, however it ended up proving harder to get it back up to the E for the next song. Sure enough, the next song was in the key of G and I hit that first strum, and the bottom string was definitely not tuned right. So had to stop and quickly tune it up. I was trying to do it by ear as I don't have a pedal tuner or one of the ones that clips on the headstock. I had some of the other worship team members read scripture to allow me time to tune it, but with the other sounds going on, I just couldn't quite hear it well enough to get it tuned right. Guess I might need to invest in a new tuner.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-153/

Sunday Setlist - 06.19.11

2011-06-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Week #152 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, June 19th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- Your Name by Paul Baloche
- Beautiful the Blood by Steve Fee
- Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin

A very Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially my dad and father-in-law. It was a great morning of worship. Because of our church's new 5-year vision, we've made a few changes in our worship ministry. We want to be able to allow our people to use the gifts they were given to minister. So my pastor and elders came to me with an idea to allow a couple of my worship team members who have experience leading worship, to take the lead once a month each. This is the second Sunday that that has taken place now. So this Sunday I was able to just be up there and play guitar. It was a nice change of pace. I'm looking forward to seeing how the worship ministry grows and expands because of this new setup. I'm very thankful to serve with such capable people. You can check out the video we used for Father's Day here. Everyone seemed to love it.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-152/

Sunday Setlist - 06.12.11

2011-06-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Week #151 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, June 12th.

- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
- Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes
- Lord I Need You by Kristian Stanfill (special music - communion)
- Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin

Was a good morning at Bethel. Great music and a great message from Acts 2.42-47 on being a magnetic church from our Converge PacWest executive minister. We also recognized those from the class of 2011; all the way from college down to pre-school. It was a great time and awesome to see the congregation applaud those and all that they've achieved. We also celebrated communion this morning and I enjoyed getting to bring Kristian Stanfill and Matt Maher's song Lord I Need You to our congregation. I trust that it was very fitting for the moment and that the Lord was honored; not just in that moment but the whole experience this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-151/

Sunday Setlist - 06.05.11

2011-06-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Week #150 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, June 5th.

- Lord I Lift Your Name on High by Rick Founds
- Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith & Holy, Holy, Holy
- Surrender by Lincoln Brewster & I Surrender All
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes

This morning I enjoyed the rare experience of being able to worship next to my wife from the congregation. It was great and it's been a long time since we've been able to do that; this is the first time at Bethel since joining the staff in October of 2007. I was on vacation with my family at the Outer Banks in North Carolina all last week, so I had a couple of guys on the worship team plan and lead the service. They did a great job and everything sounded great this morning. I'm very thankful to serve with others that can take the lead. It was great to not have to lead this morning. I enjoy getting to lead the church in worship through music, but it was nice to be able to take a break and just worship with the rest of the church this morning and not be the one leading them.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-150/

Sunday Setlist - 05.29.11

2011-05-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Week #149 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, May 29th.

- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Charlie Hall
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell

It was a good morning at Bethel. We continued in our new series in the book of Acts with the witnessing part of chapter 1. I really wanted to find a song that would fit well with that and remembered Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes. I brought it to the team at rehearsal that night and they picked it up right away. It's such a great song and I was pleased to find that it also worked well with our smaller, more acoustic sounding worship team. I also believe the congregation connected with it also. We'll be doing it again in the coming weeks and the evaluating to see whether or not it will join the rotation. I'm continually amazed at the team that God has blessed me with. They do an incredible job week in and week out. As it is Memorial Day weekend, we played the below video in honor of those that gave their lives in service to our country.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-149/

Jump by Efrem Smith

2011-05-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed picking up just about anything that I can get my hands on to read, and at first I wasn't so sure about this book, Jump: Into a Life of Further and Higher by Efrem Smith. However, after reading it, I'm very glad I did. Smith begins by sharing some facts regarding the African Impala. They were created to jump and are able to jump 13 feet up and 30 feet out. However ones that are in captivity can be contained by a three foot wall. How? They won't jump because they can't see where they're landing. It's so true in our lives as well. We have been called to live by faith and not by sight and we too are caught behind walls because we can't see what's on the other side. Smith writes this, "We were born to make faith jumps. To soar into a world of possibility, to advance God's kingdom, to move higher in our relationship with Christ. Yet too often we find ourselves afraid and held captive by small barriers that appear larger than they really are." Now the book and idea isn't about making blind jumps just to jump. It's about making jumps because we have faith in the God who knows our landing. Smith focuses on seven areas where we can make jumps; 1) the connection between us and our heavenly father, 2) that we know that we are beloved, 3) the jump into a community of believers, 4) reconciling our differences and helping build up the body of Christ, 5) engaging the culture, 6) loving and sharing Christ with the people where we live, and 7) our marriage. Ultimately the subject of this book is our relationship with God. That's where it needs to start. "Jumping is the difference between a limited life and a liberated life, between just getting by and going further and higher. What about you, are you ready to jump?"

"In our relationship with God, it's not just about making a jump; it's about trusting the One we're connected to, even though we can't always see the destination. The key is to abide in God through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit."

Special thanks to amazon.com and the Vine Program for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 05.22.11

2011-05-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Week #148 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, May 22nd.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- Blessings by Laura Story (special music)
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee
- Hear Our Praises by Reuben Morgan
- Shine Jesus Shine by Graham Kendrick

Well, I thought this was going to turn into a very interesting weekend, but it ended up being just fine. I was away all day Saturday and when I returned home I had a voicemail and text from my pastor saying that he might not be at church in the morning because he pulled both his hamstrings. The back-up plan was to make the service a prayer/praise service. Slight panic as I only had four songs chosen. Also a couple of those songs were picked to fit the message. The only option I felt I had was to get to the church early this morning and prepare an alternate setlist in case our pastor couldn't be there. Typically on a Sunday morning I don't get there until about 8:30, but this morning I was there just after 7:00. I knew the songs would have to be ones that were fairly familiar as we wouldn't have rehearsed any of them and probably wouldn't have time to run through all of them before the service. I was able to put a setlist together and was just about ready to print off everything when I received a text from my pastor saying that he would be at church for the service. It made for an early morning and some extra work, but I felt it was what I had to do to be prepared, and at the very least, I have a setlist all ready made up for some time in the future.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-148/

Radical Together by David Platt

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Back in December I had the privilege to read and review David Platt's first book Radical, so when I heard he had come out with his second book Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God, I couldn't wait to read and review it also. If you've read Radical, you will be very familiar with the topic of this book. David Platt challenges believers to return to a gospel-centered vision; a vision that is radical compared to the Christian life we've been accustomed to lately. In Radical, Platt makes the challenge to the individual believer, but Radical Together takes in one step forward; a challenge to the fellowship of believers, the church, to carry out the purpose of God in the world. Platt says this in the opening chapter, "In Radical Together, I want to consider what happens, or can happen, when we apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ to our communities of faith. I want to contemplate the force of a people who come together to enjoy God's grace in the church while they extend God's glory in the world. And I want to propose that a movement of such people in such churches has the potential to permeate nations with the praise of God." The way that we as believers will begin to live radically personally and corporately is if we return to the Word and the Gospel that saved us. God and His Word is the power behind this whole idea and the only way that it will happen. What I love about Platt's insight is that he's making a call for the church because he's in the midst of this himself with his church. The motivation behind this book is for sure the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but it's also from his own personal experience. This book is going to cause you to re-evaluate your life and your life together with the community of believers in your church. He's not asking us to do something that hasn't affected him. This isn't going to be easy and he shares that it's not. You may have to possibly change something that is good because it's not allowing for the best to happen through the church. Be prepared to do a lot of thinking. This isn't the easy post to write because there's so much that I'm working through personally to re-evaluate how I'm living my life according to God's purpose. Then that being put into practice, spilling out into the life of the church, and then the church being unleashed for the purpose of God.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Unleashed by Erwin McManus

2011-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Unleashed: Release the Untamed Faith Within is the first book that I have read by Erwin McManus. I have seen him speak at the Catalyst West Coast conference back in 2009 and was very intrigued with his creativity in bringing a message. This book is no different. It was previously released in 2005 under a different title, The Barbarian Way. When I first read that, I wasn't sure what to think as barbarian doesn't have the greatest ring to it; it speaks to me of someone that is a rebel, completely against you, and won't conform with the masses. And as I kept reading I still found that to be true, but through McManus' creative style of communication, he completely flips the traditional context of the word barbarian and turns it into a way of thinking and a way of life for the Christian. He says this on the back cover of the book; "Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper or safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far from the easy road. This is the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God. To go where He sends you, no matter the cost." McManus says that Christianity has become civilized and safe and I believe he has a point. So McManus uses the picture of a barbarian to challenge us to break free of that safe, religious idea of Christianity and to look at in a barbaric, uncivilized manner. It's about realizing that there is more to this life than what most Christians have made it out to be and it's going to take a huge step of faith. It's a life that needs to be changed for me personally, as I think I've become very accustomed to the safe, easy, and comfortable life of a Christian.

"The barbarian way is a journey that discovers the power of an untamed faith. And while this journey may genuinely the narrow road that Jesus spoke of where very few enter in, what I do know is that if you choose this path, you will for the very first time live a life completely unleashed."
Erwin McManus

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Handle With Prayer by Charles Stanley

2011-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Charles Stanley's book Handle With Prayer: Unwrap the Source of God's Strength for Living, originally released in 2000 is a great book for any believer. He write this on the back cover, "Prayer is essential to the life of every believer. It connects us with our heavenly Father and opens the door for Him to move in our lives, to impact our circumstances, and to help us make wise choices. Yet few of us would claim to enjoy a satisfying prayer life. So how can we begin to cultivate a prayer life that truly makes a difference?" Personally this is an area that I struggle with. The concepts and insights that Charles Stanley has definitely come from a life that is cultivated by prayer. Stanley tackles multiple areas in this book, including 1) How to pray with authority, 2) How to receive answers to prayer, 3) Why prayers can seem to go unanswered, 4) How to pray in God's will, and 5) How to pray for others. It's definitely not an easy book to go through, and it's one I'm sure I will come back to. A lot of times I find myself reading fast through some of these books and then feeling like I didn't get a lot out of it when I'm done. I once again felt that way with this book, but it's not because of the book but because of me. I can say though that throughout reading this book, I was constantly thinking about how my own prayer life was stacking up to what Stanley is talking about. I can tell you that I've been convicted that my prayer life is not where it should be. This book can and I believe will serve as a catalyst for people to take a long, hard look at their prayer life and act on it; either continuing in their life of prayer or like me, learning how to cultivate a life of prayer. In the back of this book, Charles Stanley has provided a resource for large or small group settings. Prayer is private and corporate and as this book affects those who read it, the chance to gather with others and continue to grow together in community will further cultivate a life of prayer in the lives of those in the study.

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 05.15.11

2011-05-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Week #147 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, May 15th.

- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by David Crowder
- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes
- The Lord Reigns by Gateway Worship

What a day today at church. Today was Vision Sunday at Bethel. For the past 90 days our pastor and elders have been seeking what God has for our church for the next five years through 2016. The past couple years haven't been easy as we've had our rough spots, seen a decline in attendance, etc. and realized we just didn't have a focus of where our church was going. We have a mission statement, but as a church we had no vision statement. We brought in a consultant who spent the day with the leadership of the church and that's what set us on this path that brought us to today. It hasn't been an easy 90 days for our pastor and elders as they have been meeting pretty much every week since mid-February. There has been much dialogue and prayer in multiple meetings with the congregation. A lot of revising and reformatting, but today the church was presented with the vision. As much as it's a vision for the church, it's also a vision for ourselves personally. There isn't any great new idea within the vision, but it's a vision that is how the life of any Christ follower should be. For our church it's a huge vision and one that can only be accomplished by God. I'm not gonna lie and say it's going to be easy because it's not. It's gonna take a lot of time and effort. Our church is going to be stretched, the ministries in the church are going to be stretched and personally we're all going to be stretched. It's just my prayer that I'm personally up to the challenge. I would ask that all of you remember our church, me and the worship ministry in your prayers. We're going to need it. So here the vision for Bethel Baptist Church for the next five years through 2016 is that we would be:

A dynamic community of 600 joyful believers experiencing the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ, our hearts ablaze with love for God, love for one another, and love for a needy world; where the atmosphere is charged with inspirational teaching, fervent prayer, passionate worship, extravagant generosity, and a spirit of expectancy, all to the glory of God.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-147/

Sunday Setlist - 05.08.11

2011-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Week #146 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, May 8th.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin

A very late post this week. My sister was in town, so right after the service we were heading down to Yosemite National Park for a few days there. Then when I got back and finally had time to sit down and write this post, blogger was down. Better late than never I guess. It was a wonderful Mother's Day at Bethel. We had a great time of singing and then a chance to let all the moms in our congregation stand so we could recognize them and cheer for them. It was cool to hear everyone cheering for all the moms. Then our pastor brought us a message on the love of God. A perfect message for Mother's Day, but one that speaks to everyone, not just the moms. You can listen to the message here.

This doesn't have anything to do with our Sunday service, but I want to share with everyone a picture of where I was earlier this week, Yosemite National Park. If you have never been there, you need to get there at some point. You can't but marvel at the beauty of the park and knowing the One who put it all there. Yosemite holds a special place in my heart as I had the opportunity to work and serve in a ministry there in the summer of 2006. I was there with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. It's a phenomenal organization and it was truly a blessing to serve with them and minister to all the people that came to Yosemite that summer. The picture below is what they call the "Tunnel View." El Capitan in the large rock face on the left, Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Falls on the right, and in the back in the middle is Half Dome. That view never gets old!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-146/

Sunday Setlist - 05.01.11

2011-05-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

Week #145 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, May 1st.

- Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- It Is Well by Todd Fields
- Healer by Kari Jobe (special music)
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

Another good morning at Bethel. We had a couple speak this morning during our service and our Revive teaching hour. They brought us a message on a Journey Through Loss & Grief. Tony and Bonnie Redfern run a counseling ministry called New Path Center is Kingsburg, CA. Their message this morning came out of their own dealing with the loss of their son about 15 years ago. Through their faith they have great insight into dealing with loss and grief. They will admit that their journey has not been easy, but their experience and their counseling background has given them a great platform to now help others deal with these same issues. I didn't know know a lot of exact info on what they would be speaking about but I tried as best I could to fit the music with this topic. I believe that came out well with songs like It Is Well, Blessed Be Your Name, and Healer, which my wife sang as special music this morning. I believe the Lord was honored and this had an impact on people this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-145/

Sunday Setlist - 04.24.11

2011-04-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

Week #144 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Resurrection Sunday, April 24th.

- Christ the Lord is Risen Today
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Your Name by Paul Baloche
- Easter Song (special music w/ choir)
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes

HE IS RISEN! What a wonderful Resurrection Sunday we had at Bethel! It was great to see so many people worshipping the Lord together. We also had quite a few new people come. Hoping that they continue to come. The music was great and so was the message. We also formed a choir again and they did a fantastic job. We may be small but we have a lot of very talented folks. It is truly a blessing to serve with all of them. To begin the message we showed the video that is below. The video is really well done and it's a very creative way to tell the Easter story. I'm a twitter fanatic, so it was very cool to see if done in that context. I hope that everyone else had fantastic Easter services and that all glory was given to God. Soli Deo Gloria!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-144/

Good Friday Setlist - 04.22.11

2011-04-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is a special Good Friday episode of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Good Friday, April 22nd.

- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
- Hallelujah, What A Savior
- Nothing But the Blood by Matt Redman
- Forgiven by Sanctus Real (special music)
- O the Blood by Gateway Worship (special music)
- It Is Finished by Matt Papa (special music)

This is always a fantastic weekend to get together and worship with the body of Christ. If it weren't for Christ's death, we would have no reason to get together. It truly is a Good Friday and even through we know that death happened this day, that death did not last long. It was a great service. We had a lot of music which was nice, and quite a bit of that was special music. We don't do a lot of it, but we had three pieces in this one service. First was Forgiven by Sanctus Real. Second was O The Blood by Gateway Worship. This song has a perfect message for this weekend, and it was also the perfect set-up for our time of communion. I finished the service by doing Matt Papa's It Is Finished. I first heard this song at Radicalis and it is fantastic. Very thankful that Matt made this song available in time for Good Friday and Easter. I've included the music video he put together for the song.

Tim Hughes | Love Shine Through

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tim Hughes is back with his fourth studio album, Love Shine Through. This comes after his previous studio album from 2007, Holding Nothing Back, and his latest live project from 2009, Happy Day. You will recognize Tim Hughes as the writer of many songs that are being sung in churches all over the world today; Here I Am to Worship, Beautiful One, Happy Day and Jesus Saves. This project included a lot of collaboration with other song writers and producers; Martin Smith and Stu G formerly of Delirious?, Phil Wickham, Ben Cantelon, Kim Walker-Smith of Jesus Culture, Michael Guy Chislet of Hillsong UNITED, and Nathan Nockels. I'm very familiar with Tim Hughes' songs that are used in church, but the only project of his that I own is the Live CD/DVD Happy Day. I was very excited to get the chance to listen to and review this project. With an artist like this, I tend to listen through the lens of what songs can be brought into the church and used effectively there. While I have no doubt that this project is truly an offering of worship to the Lord as it's full of lyrics being sung right to God; I'm counting on Your name, I'm trusting You're the way, how great is Your love, forever I will love You, You have won my heart and here I stand everything is Yours Lord, I believe there are a lot of parts of this album that is going to serve people in their personal worship time more than in the corporate worship settings in church. That is just as important though, as believe this album will be a huge blessing to a lot of people. The lyrics are fantastic and the vertical nature of this project is just what we need. I do think there are a few tracks that will find themselves in the corporate worship times of churches.

Jesus Saves: This one I know is already being used as it's not a brand new song. I do have to say that I like the version on his Happy Day (Live) project better. This version seems more subdued and I think the upbeat, fuller version better suits the song. Still a fantastic song though. Hope is here, shout the news to everyone, it's a new day peace has come; mercy triumphs at the cross, love has come to rescue us, Jesus saves.

Counting on Your Name: A great medium tempo song focusing on the Name that is above all other names. My name is written on Your hands, You've called me Your own; now I am Yours, no earthly power could tear us apart; I'm counting on Your name, counting on Your name to save me.

At Your Name: A fantastic song that was written with Phil Wickham, who is a great song writer and is also writing great songs for the church. This one is no different. It's a great response singing about the greatness of our Lord. I see the church lifting their voices together in praise as the bridge rings out in a tremendous moment of worship. There is no one like our God, we will praise You, praise You; there is no one like our God, we will sing, we will sing; There is no one like our God, we will praise You, praise You; Jesus is our God, we will sing.

All Glory: If you have a worship choir helping lead services, this is a song to add to the repertoire. A song focusing on the love of God during the verses, but what really got me is when the choir comes in singing the bridge, exalting the Lord to his rightful place. I also love the depth of the last line, even if it is only three words. Lift Him higher, He is mighty; lift Him higher, He is God!

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc., David C. Cook and Kingsway for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. You can download the album here on iTunes (deluxe edition) or amazon.com.

Lucky by Glenn Packiam

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Glenn Packiam's new book, Lucky: How the Kingdom Comes to Unlikely People, joins the ranks of his two other books Secondhand Jesus: Trading Rumors of God for a Firsthand Faith and Butterfly in Brazil: How Your Life Can Make a World of Difference. In this book, Glenn unpacks the context of the word blessed in Luke's depiction of the beatitudes, Luke 6.20-23. The English translation uses the word blessed, but Glenn says that Jesus didn't use a religious word, he chose a street word that had the idea of the good, fortunate, or as Glenn says of a word we might be more likely to choose, lucky. The hard part for me in reading this book and even some now as I write this review is getting passed thinking of lucky as random or chance. Even if I can't help myself from thinking that, I think about why we're lucky, and it's because of God and nothing that He does is random or chance. The poor, hungry, sad, and persecuted people that Jesus was talking about are ones that you wouldn't consider as being the lucky ones, but they were exactly the ones that Jesus sought after and wanted to spend time with. Glenn says this,

"Jesus took an inherently nonreligious word, a word from normal, everyday, conversations, and filled it with divine implications. It turns out the ones we ought to call 'lucky' are the ones that God is blessing with the arrival of His kingdom. In doing this, Jesus redefined who the lucky ones are. They are not the ones culture lauds as successful, not the ones we secretly aspire to be. He turned our appraisal of the good life on its head. There is a great reversal that is coming; indeed, it has already begun. And the ones who are receiving and participating in the kingdom of God are the ones who are truly lucky, deeply blessed."

Where this really begins to hit home is when I, and you, begin to think of how much an unlikely person I am to be receiving the kingdom of God. But because of the death and resurrection of Christ, we have become rich through Him, He satisfies our hunger through time with Him and His Word, we need not weep because we have strength in His joy, and no matter what happens in our life on this earth we have a treasure awaiting us in heaven. As we come to realize that we are the lucky ones, at the end of the book, Glenn challenges us to become the luck-bearers. Because the kingdom has come to us it can go through us to others.

• Lucky are the God-dependent, for they will enjoy and participate in God's rule.
• Lucky are those who are empty on this world, for they will be filled with Jesus and feast with Him in the age to come.
• Lucky are those whose best life is not now, for what is coming is better than what is.
• Lucky are those who are rejected by the world, for they are a threat to it and their reward is from a kingdom not of this world.

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 04.17.11

2011-04-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Week #143 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, April 17th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith
- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin

Another great morning of worship. We really changed things up this Sunday and I think it turned out to be a great thing. Typically we open up the service right away with a song, but this Sunday our pastor focused on John 17.13-26, Jesus' prayer, so he made a lot of time available in the service for us to pray. So we actually had the lights dim and about 5 minutes of prayer time at the start of the service before we sang the first song. Then he went right into his message, ended with about 8 more minutes of prayer time and then did the final two songs. It's always nice to change things up a little bit from time to time.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-143/

New Life Worship | You Hold It All

2011-04-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

The team of New Life Worship have released a new project, You Hold It All, that joins their two other worship projects, Counting on God and My Savior Lives. If you're familiar with New Life Worship and Desperation Band this album will not disappoint. I do have to say though, the first time I listened to the album, it was very strange not to hear Ross Parsley's voice in the mix. Ross is now the Sr. Pastor of ONEchapel in Austin, TX which is one of New Life's church plants. But the spirit of this project is still the same; a spirit of true worship from the heart of those of a church that has gone through some very tough times. These songs come from a church that has sung them in worship and response to a God they love and I believe they will soon make there way into the worship of other churches. New Life Worship & Arts Pastor Brad Parsley says this:

"Through some of the toughest years a church will ever experience, New Life Church has seen the incredible faithfulness of our God. On October 13, 2010, we gathered as a church to declare our faith in a God that never fails and to thank Him for what He has done. You Hold It All is the refrain from that night of worship and it epitomizes what we want to say about our lives, our church and our God. It all belongs to Him, it all came from Him and it's all going back to Him. That's what we want to declare every time we gather as a body of believers and that's what this recording celebrates!"

This project contains a great mixture of songs written by Jon Egan, Glenn Packiam and Jared Anderson. Here are a few of the songs that really grabbed a hold of me.

Our Messiah Reigns: A great song that also appears in Glenn Packiam's new project The Kingdom Comes EP. There's something about a live recording and the spirit of worship that it captures. The scripture that Glenn reads at the end of the track is perfect for the song; Luke 4.17-21 (NLT). I also love the use of the word Messiah in songs. It truly shouts the majesty of Jesus Christ. Glory to the Lamb, who died and rose again. Exalted over all, our Messiah reigns. Every knee will bow. A thousand tongues will sing. Holy is the Lord! Jesus, our Messiah, reigns.

Lift the Name: This upbeat song written by Jared Anderson is a song that I believe is the cry of the church today and especially of the younger generation. A cry to lift high the name of Jesus, the One who reigns. Let's take this moment of our day, turn it into praise and offer it as a gift, to our King, to our Lord, for He reigns evermore. Praise and worship are Yours, heaven and earth sing for joy, like an eagle takes the sky, let Your name be lifted high.

Be Thou Exalted: I love this slower song written by Jon Egan. It's of a very hymn-like nature. The lyrics are very personal and ones that come as a cry from the heart to God to continue to guide and be with the worshipper always. Reminds me of the Psalms. Hallelujah to the Name of all Names. Hallelujah to the God be all praise. Ever holy, worthy be Thou exalted always.

Special thanks to Integrity Music for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. You can download the album here on iTunes (deluxe version) or amazon.com.

Glenn Packiam | The Kingdom Comes EP

2011-04-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

Glenn Packiam, from Desperation Band and New Life Worship is back with a new album, The Kingdom Comes EP. I have enjoyed getting to know Glenn through his music, blog and twitter and I was really excited to listen to this project. This project has a spirit of worship all over it. It really shows where the heart of the man who wrote the songs is focused; on the God whom he loves and serves. These songs are full of rich lyrics and wonderful melodies. I believe these songs will find themselves in the corporate worship of many churches and in a believers personal worship time. From the beginning to the end of this project you will be drawn into the presence of the Lord.

Our Messiah Reigns: A great upbeat track to begin the project. I love the use of the word Messiah in songs. It truly shouts the majesty of Jesus Christ. Glory to the Lamb, who died and rose again. Exalted over all, our Messiah reigns. Every knee will bow. A thousand tongues will sing. Holy is the Lord! Jesus, our Messiah, reigns.

All Things: A wonderful, piano driven track with fantastic lyrics rooted in Romans 8.28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." In all things God is working, for our good and for Your glory, God is working now.

Forgiven Forever: This is a perfect track to listen to especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter. I love the focus on forgiveness, but I believe what makes the track is how the theme of love is woven in with the bridge. Worthy is the Lamb seated in heaven, beautiful the blood, we are forgiven forever, forgiven forever. Victory is won, Jesus is risen, love has overcome, we are forgiven forever, forgiven forever.

Praise is the Offering: What a call to worship; corporately and privately! How great is Your love for us and great are the things You've done. With all of our heart and soul, for all that You are and more. Praise is the offering we bring to You.

Everlasting God: I'm glad Glenn included this track, a great song for the church to lift up in worship. You never change, You're still the same, You are the Everlasting God. You will remain after the day is gone and the things of earth have passed, everlasting God.

At The Cross: This track has a wonderful hymn-like nature to it. It's also a song that becomes very personal; crying out straight from the heart as we kneel at the foot of the cross. At the cross I've been redeemed, found forgiveness for my sin, no more shame, no more guilt, hallelujah. At the cross I give my life as a living sacrifice, saints and sinners lift your voice, hallelujah.

The project ends with a great acoustic track of Forgiven Forever, as well as Glenn reading the first chapter of his latest book, Lucky: How the Kingdom of God Comes to Unlikely People. You can get the book here on amazon.com.

Special thanks to Integrity Music for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. You can download the album here on iTunes or amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 04.10.11

2011-04-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Week #142 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, April 10th.

- Chosen Generation by Chris Tomlin
- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee by Charlie Hall
- I Am Yours by Michael Neale
- What Do I Know of Holy by Addison Road (special music)

It was a great morning of Worship. Chosen Generation was a new song for us and normally I wouldn't do a couple new songs this close together, but this song fit perfectly with the end of series on the Church. The first Sunday of the series, our pastor focused on the passage from 1 Peter 2.9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This song from Passion 2010 is a declaration of that verse. Heard good things about the song, so I think it will have to stick around too. Special music went well also. I'm very blessed to serve with such great people.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-142/

Sunday Setlist - 04.03.11

2011-04-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Week #141 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, April 3rd.

- Forever by Chris Tomlin
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty by Travis Cottrell
- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Not To Us by Chris Tomlin

Another great morning of worship at Bethel. Loved the song set this morning and the team did a great job. We did Stronger again for a second Sunday and I believe this is a song that is going to get added into the regular rotation. The team really likes it and the church seems to have grabbed a hold of it as well. It's very encouraging to look out and see the church worshipping through that song.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-141/

Awakening by Stovall Weems

2011-03-31T09:59:00.000-07:00

Awakening by Stovall Weems is a book that is going to challenge you. It has definitely challenged me. Stovall begins the book with this statement, "How close do you feel to God? Most of us sense that there's more to a relationship with God than what we currently are experiencing. But how do we develop a more intimate bond with Him? This deepening friendship begins what what I call an awakening. After an awakening, life is never the same." According to dictionary.com, an awakening is an act and it's a revival of interest or attention to something. From the book, what's great about this is that it's not a one time event and then things go back to the way they were. This awakening spurs on a lasting, deepening relationship with God. If you're looking for an exact "this is what an awakening is" definition, you won't find it. Now, the ultimate awakening is coming to faith in Jesus Christ for the first time, but for a lot of us we may need a reawakening. Throughout the book, Stovall shares his story and where the Lord has lead him. I believe what Stovall wants us to experience is the power of God in our own lives. He has made each one of us unlike any other, so an awakening for me will most likely look different than your awakening. He does focus on a couple elements that I believe are important for seeking an awakening and that these are important for everyone. These aren't just for an awakening experience, but elements for a lasting relationship with God. These are an authentic passion for Him, rediscovering the grace of God, prayer, and fasting. I'm better at some of these more than others, but from reading this book, I'm challenged to go deeper in my relationship with God. This book may have been part of my reawakening. As I was reading and evening when I first heard about the title of the book, my mind went to Chris Tomlin's song Awakening from the Passion: Awakening album, so I figured I would share some of the lyrics with you:

In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Awakening

As a pastor of a church, this book came out of an annual event at their church, Awakening: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, that they've used to start the year. It has grown to include other church through their website, http://www.awake21.org/ and now through this book to many others. In the back of the book, he has included a 21-day plan for the reading to participate in a season of prayer and fasting. I believe this will be a great resource for personal devotion, but also for use in small groups.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it?

Death by Love by Mark Driscoll

2011-03-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

Death by Love by Mark Driscoll is actually the first book of his that I have read. This book is a very real representation of the sin filled world that we live in, but also the power of the Gospel. Throughout this book, Mark shares the stories of those he has met as well as some from his church and how the message of the cross can deal with their sin or the sin that was done to them. Mark does not brush off their sin lightly. It is something that is very serious and he makes that clear. I believe that is one great thing about this book. There may be some that pick this book up that all of sudden have their own sin really brought to the surface so they can finally truly deal with it through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. In the beginning of this book, Mark says this about what you will find in the chapters; "Each chapter includes a portrait of God, because to remain true all theology must begin and remain God-centered. Each chapter then proceeds to examine a biblical aspect of sin and a correlating effect of Jesus' death as the solution to the sin problem as dictated by God." Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, who helps with supporting material at the end of each chapter, have written a book that encapsulates the Gospel. It really is the Good News of a God who loves us so much that He sent his one and only Son to shed his blood for our sins. It's also great to see that God laid this message onto the heart of a pastor. It really shows the heart of a man that loves God as well as the people that God has called him to serve.

Special thanks to Crossway and Re:Lit for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 03.27.11

2011-03-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Week #140 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, March 27th.

- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell
- Stronger by Hillsong
- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- The Lord Reigns by Gateway Worship

A great morning of worship today. I even got out the bass for one of the songs. Use to lead from it a lot, but been playing mostly guitar now for a while. I also love getting to bring in new songs to our time of worship! Wish I could do it more often as I've got a list probably a mile long. This week we introduced Hillsong's Stronger written by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding. It's such a great song and I can't wait to really get it in the rotation of songs that we use. The video below is from the Hillsong Chapel Yahweh album. I was really excited when that came out because I love what Hillsong does, but we don't have the instrumentation like they do. So seeing this project come out that is of an acoustic nature really showed me that a lot of their songs will work for our church that has a more acoustic sound.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-140/

Delirious by Martin Smith & Meet Mrs. Smith by Anna Smith

2011-03-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

Delirious: My Journey with the Band, a Growing Family, and an Army of Historymakers by Martin Smith and Meet Mrs. Smith: My Adventures with Six Kids, One Rockstar Husband, and a Heart to Fight Poverty by Anna Smith are two separate books written by husband and wife. I have chosen to put them into one review as I believe they should really come together as a set or they at least need to be read together. These books share the stories of two people that came to love God, then come to love eachother, and then love those that God loves. Even though there are a lot of similar stories between both of these books, they do come from two different people and two different points of view; one example being that when Delirious started taking off, Martin really struggled with the balance between the ministry that he felt God had called him to with the family he had been given and from Anna you get how she felt with essentially being a single parent during those times her husband was away. As a musician I was really interested in reading Delirious and getting the chance to hear from someone who was heavily involved in music and also one that was instrumental in the modern Christian worship movement. At first I was only going to read Delirious, but I'm so glad that I chose to read Meet Mrs. Smith as well. If there's one theme that runs through both of these books, it's that both Martin and Anna heavily relied on God for guiding them through this life they were living. They both truly felt that God was a part of everything they were doing and even though there were struggles and hard times as well as great times, they knew that they were exactly were God wanted them. The lives they were living and activities they were involved with were truly a ministry of the Lord. Here are two people that supported each other in every way. What I love the most about reading these books is how together as a family they felt the call to help orphans and how CompassionArt was formed. A truly phenomenal project that was started because a man's heart was broken for one little child that was going to grow up following in her mother's footsteps as a prostitute because that's all she knew. Martin and Anna had a vision of a way to help kids and because of them and a lot of other artists and record labels that chose to give up any profit that this project would produce, they were able to provide money to help kids have a better life. Martin and Anna Smith are two people that truly have a heart for God and want to make a difference in this world through His power and that's exactly what they are doing and what these two books are capturing. I would highly recommend that you read both.

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing these complimentary books to read and review. You can purchase Delirious here on amazon.com and Meet Mrs. Smith here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 03.20.11

2011-03-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

Week #139 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, March 20th.

- Sing to the King by Billy Foote
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Glorious Day by Jeff Johnson
- Blessed Assurance
- Enough by Chris Tomlin

Had a good time of worship with the family of Bethel today. One of our elders brought the message to us today from Luke 18.9-14 about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-139/

Sunday Setlist - 03.13.11

2011-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Week #138 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, March 13th.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship
- It Is Well by Todd Fields
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee

It was so good to be back at Bethel this morning after two weeks away. Was good to see a lot of our friends. It was also nice to get back up and lead in worship. It was definitely nice to have the break though. But I really do enjoy getting to lead our people in worship through music. We also finished our Generosity Remix series and had a time where people shared how God has been working in their lives in the area of generosity. It was a great morning with the family of Bethel.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-138/

Sunday Setlist - 03.06.11

2011-03-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Week #137 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, March 6th.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- All Creatures of Our God and King by David Crowder
- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin

I ended up being away this Sunday as well. My grandma passed away this past Tuesday from pancreatic cancer. My wife and I headed to Michigan to be with my family for the funeral services. I am so thankful for the body at Bethel for all their prayers during this time. I'm also very thankful for a team that is willing to pick things up and continue on without me. They already had to do it last weekend while I was away at the Radicalis Conference and I had to ask them to do it last minute this week. I work with a great team!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-137/

Sunday Setlist - 02.27.11

2011-02-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Week #136 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, February 27th.

- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- God of Wonders by Paul Baloche
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech
- Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

This past week I've been down in SoCal for the Radicalis Conference at Saddleback Church with my wife. We took the past week to attend the conference as well as enjoy Disneyland and spend some time with family. It's been an enjoyable week. I'm very thankful for some incredible volunteers that can take the reins while I'm gone.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-136/

Radicalis Day 4 Worship Setlists

2011-02-25T23:14:00.000-08:00

Here are the worship setlists for day 4 of Radicalis:

Morning Setlist #1
Worship Leader: Rick Muchow and the Saddleback Worship Team

- My Savior Lives by New Life Worship
- Saviour of the World by Hillsong
- You'll Come by Hillsong
- The Solid Rock
- Revelation Song by Gateway Worship

Morning Setlist #2
Worship Leader: Rick Muchow and the Saddleback Worship Team

- I'm Set Free by Rick Muchow

Morning Setlist #3
Worship Leader: Rick Muchow and the Saddleback Worship Team

- Fill My Mind by Rick Muchow
- Forever Reign by Hillsong
- Come Thou Fount

Morning Setlist #4
Worship Leader: Rick Muchow and the Saddleback Worship Team

- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- Hosanna by Hillsong

Radicalis Day 3 Worship Setlists

2011-02-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here are the worship setlists for day 3 of Radicalis:

Morning Setlist #1
Worship Leader: Jeremy Camp

- We Cry Out
- Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- Overcome by New Life Worship

Morning Setlist #2
Worship Leader: Jeremy Camp

- Give You Glory
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- You Never Let Go by Matt Redman

Radicalis Day 2 Worship Setlists

2011-02-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Here are the worship setlists for day 2 of Radicalis:

Morning Setlist #1
Worship Leader: Matt Papa

- Like A Lion by David Crowder
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee
- It Is Finished (this will be the first single off his new album, due out April 1)
- Open Hands

Morning Setlist #2
Worship Leader: Matt Papa

- Here Am I, Send Me
- Stronger by Hillsong
- Asleep In the Light by Keith Green

Radicalis Day 1 Worship Setlists

2011-02-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

In light of the posts I did for the worship setlists of day 1 and 2 of Catalyst West Coast last year, I decided I would do the same for this years Radicalis conference. As a worship leader, I'm always interested in what songs other worship leaders are doing and how they're putting them together. This way, I actually have them written down and can possibly put them to use at my church. Those posts seemed helpful to many people last year, so hopefully they may prove helpful to this years attendees of Radicalis. I've also included links to where you can download these songs on iTunes.

Morning Setlist #1
Worship Leaders: Michael and Lisa Gungor

- The Earth Is Yours
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Ancient Skies
- Beautiful Things

Morning Setlist #2
Worship Leaders: Michael and Lisa Gungor

- You Have Me
- Late Have I Loved You
- How He Loves by John Mark McMillan

Sunday Setlist - 02.20.11

2011-02-20T21:32:00.000-08:00

Week #135 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, February 20th.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
- Grace Greater Than Our Sin by Carl Cartee
- Beautiful the Blood by Steve Fee

Was a good morning. We also introduced a new version of a great old hymn, Grace Greater Than Our Sin. This version is by Carl Cartee and and is on his "Everything You Do" album. I've loved the version ever since the first time I heard it. The melodic line is very flowing and the accompaniment complements it incredibly well. It is different enough to add a fresh new sound to it, but still similar enough that the older generation caught on very quickly. It is definitely a song that we are going to add into our regular rotation of songs.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-135/

HUGE Worship Resource Giveaway

2011-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Worship leaders: you don't need crazy-good luck to win!

Have you ever entered a contest to then discover that only one in a million will win? Proclaim Church Presentation Software is breaking all the rules with the Great Worship Resource Giveaway. To celebrate its coming launch into the church presentation market, Proclaim has partnered with today’s top worship resource companies to give away over $25,000 in prizes to more than 100 winners. And because worship leaders belong to such a specific group, the chances of winning are huge!

"We put together a giveaway that will help worship leaders everywhere," said New Media Executive Director Matt Peterson. "Proclaim is all about creating better worship services. Shouldn't the giveaway do the same thing?"

The prizes all center around one thing - creating powerful worship services. Prizes include things like a new and professionally church created website, hosted free for a year, a year of expert video and audio podcasting, $100s in gift cards for worship music, subscriptions to the top worship planning site, membership to top worship media sites, downloadable music lessons, an acoustic guitar, tickets to some of the premier worship leader and music conference, and much more!

To enter watch the video at http://proclaimonline.com and at the end there is a list of ways to enter the giveaway. There are several one-time ways to enter and a couple ways to enter every day!

Sunday Setlist - 02.13.11

2011-02-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

Week #134 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, February 13th.

- Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee by Charlie Hall
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty by Travis Cottrell
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

A great morning of worship this morning at Bethel. Loved the time together with the body of Christ. The worship team did a fantastic job as well. We had a cancel rehearsal this past week do to schedule conflicts, so our only rehearsal time was before the service this morning. A lot of the songs are ones that we've done quite often, so they're familiar to everyone, which helps. Overall, things went very smoothly this morning.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-134/

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

2011-02-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life is a book that I could not wait to read. I heard about Nick and his ministry a few years ago and got the chance to hear him speak two years ago at the Catalyst West Coast conference. Nick truly is a guy that is living a ridiculously good life. His story is absolutely inspiring. Throughout the pages of this book, Nick shares openly about his life. What I love about this book is how personal it is, yet at the same time it's not new information. Through hearing him speak and knowing about his ministry, what he shares in this book is the same information he shares to those he speaks too. No doubt Nick had and still has a challenging life, but it's how Nick deals with those challenges is what's so inspiring to so many people. Nick says this in the last chapter, "The more I dwelled on my own challenges, the worse I felt, but when I changed my focus to serving the needs of someone else, it lifted my spirits and helped me understand that no one suffers alone." When we focus on ourselves, our challenges, and our disabilities, we are bound by limits, but when we focus on who we are in Christ and the abilities he has given us, the sky's the limit. A great reminder for all of us. One that I need often. Throughout this book, Nick offers "encouragement and guidance about finding your purpose, being hopeful, believing in yourself, maintaining a good attitude, acting with courage, practicing resilience, mastering change, forming empowering relationships, and acting upon opportunities that move you closer to your dreams."

"I do believe my life has no limits. I want you to feel the same way about your life, no matter what your challenges may be. As we begin our journey together, please take a moment to think about any limitations you've placed on your life or that you've allowed other to place on it. Now think about what it would be like to be free of those limitations. What would your life be if anything were possible?"
~Nick Vujicic, from Life Without Limits

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 02.06.11

2011-02-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

Week #133 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, February 6th.

- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Fairest by New Life Worship
- Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin

Wow, what a morning. Ran into some struggles, but I believe that everything turned out fine. First off, I lost all my extra vocalists this week due to other plans, injuries, and sickness. Went from a team of seven down to a team of four. Also, as we started our closing song, came to find out, though after I started singing, that the battery in my mic went out sometime during the message. Other than that is was a good morning. Pastor began a new message series today also; The Generous Life Remix. We did a series on generous living about 2 years ago and he thought it was time to do it again. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series goes.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-133/

Parachute Band | Love Without Measure

2011-01-31T16:12:00.000-08:00

The "next gen" of Parachute Band is back with their third studio album, Love Without Measure. This project joins two others since the band went through a change in 2007; Roadmaps & Revelations and Technicolor. If you've enjoyed the new sound and previous projects, you will not be disappointed with this self-produced project. It is full of fast, upbeat, electronic tracks as well as slower, melodic tracks. I believe the message and worshipful style of this project will speak to a generation that wants to do great things for God and the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the video that's below, they begin by giving the definition of measure; "to ascertain the dimensions, quantity, capacity of something." The love of our Father is exactly the opposite. It truly is a love without measure.

Gave It All: The opening track begins with a call to something that is greater than ourselves because of the one who gave His all for us. It's a call to share the message and love that is the Gospel. There’s a thunder in my heart, there’s a thunder in the sky that’s calling me. I will listen and respond to the Saviour’s call and give my all.

You Remain: This would have to be my favorite track on the album. This is where the love of our Father becomes personal. It's a love that touches the heart. It's a love that carries us through everything we go through, the good and the bad. You are my rescue, when hope seems lost. You are my refuge, when I am frail. God of hope, hold me close. Jesus You carried me this far, I'll hold onto this hope inside my heart. When all else fades, You remain.

Saviour Of The Broken Heart: Because of our human nature, the one's God calls us to love are usually the hardest to love, yet Christ loved them without a second thought. It was the ultimate gift of love through Christ's death that gave us all a second chance. It's because of that ultimate gift that and the calling that we have as Christ followers to seek the heart of the Father and see the world through His eyes; the need of a Savior for the brokenhearted. So this is our worship, to go where You lead, to love without measure, to clothe and to feed. I love and adore You, my heart's beating for You, I take up the cost, to carry the lost.

Special thanks to Integrity Music for providing this complimentary pre-release album to listen to and review. You can download the album here on iTunes or amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 01.30.11

2011-01-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

Week #132 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, January 30th.

- The Lord Reigns by Gateway Worship
- Happy Day by Tim Hughes
- Before the Throne of God Above by Shane & Shane
- Nothing But the Blood by Matt Redman

We had a great morning at Bethel! We really changed things up this morning and began the message much earlier in the service. We finished our 35-week (though took over a year to do with breaks) study in the book of Hebrews. He took time this morning to do a review of the Hebrews series. In the midst of his message we put songs, as well as taking recorded clips from his previous messages. It turned out great. It was a lot of work this past week with having to rework what songs we did as well as work on trimming the recordings to the part he wanted, but it was worth it. It was a great Sunday!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-132/

Sunday Setlist - 01.23.11

2011-01-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Week #131 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, January 23rd.

- Hosanna by Paul Baloche
- How Deep the Father's Love For Us by Stuart Townend
- Revelation Song by Jennie Lee Riddle
- New Doxology by Gateway Worship

Another good morning at Bethel. The music set was great and the team did a great job. We're one week out from ending our series in Hebrews and this morning our pastor brought us a message on worship. "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Revelation 4.11

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-131/

Soulprint by Mark Batterson

2011-01-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson is the first book of his that I've read and it was a fantastic book. One thing I really enjoyed is his writing style; it keeps you interested and wanting to continue to read. Mark desires that through this book you will find out who you are. Now before you think this is some mediocre self-help book, this book is described as "a self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self." If you can read with an open heart and mind, I trust that God will lead you to discover things about yourself you may not have known before. Personally, this is a book I'm going to have to read again for sure. There is also a section of discussion questions at the end of the book to provide another resource as you look deeper into the purpose of this book. Mark opens the book with this statement,

"There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you."

This book really helps realign your focus that your identity is not really yours at all. We are who God made us to be. It's through who we are in Christ that we truly find ourselves. Throughout this book, Mark uses the life of David as an example. David began his life as a shepherd and eventually became a King. Now David wasn't perfect, but what David is remembered for is being a man after God's own heart. You definitely can't get that title because of anything we have done, it's all because of God's work in you. Who we are is truly a testament to what God is doing through us. Focus on Him and you will find who you are. A great reminder for all of us.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 01.16.11

2011-01-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Week #130 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, January 16th.

- O Worship the King by Chris Tomlin
- From the Inside Out by Hillsong
- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown

After our rehearsal on Wednesday night I was so looking forward to worship this morning musically. Wednesday night ended up being such a great time of worship just with the team. I love it when that happens. The set ended up working very well together and everyone on the team was really excited about doing Hillsong's From the Inside Out. I've always enjoyed Hillsong's music and our church seems to really connect with the ones we've done. It had been a long time since we've done this one, so I decided to bring it out and everyone seemed to connect with it this morning. I think it's going to be one that we'll have do bring out more often. We're also one week away from finishing our series in Hebrews. It's been a fantastic study. Really looking forward to the series on Acts that my pastor will be starting around the beginning of May.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-130/

Jesus in the Present Tense by Warren Wiersbe

2011-01-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

Warren Wiersbe has another fantastic book with Jesus in the Present Tense: The I AM Statements of Christ. This isn't just another book, this is an in-depth Bible study. Wiersbe using a wealth of scripture as he digs into these I AM statements. Now, that shouldn't be surprising as it is a study on scripture, but so many times, I've come across books that aren't backing up their statements with scripture, or at least not as much scripture as Wiersbe is in this book. This is a book in which while you're reading, you need to have your Bible right beside you the whole time. This books is really brought to a climax with the last chapter. This is where Wiersbe answers the "So what?" of the book. He says this in that chapter, "The Bible is an ancient book, yet it is always contemporary and helps us live in the present tense. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us on its pages and gives us the truth we need for each day." As you go through this book, you quickly come to realize that the one who calls Himself I AM throughout the pages of the Bible, is still the I AM today, not the I WAS. That should bring great encouragement to all of us that call ourselves Christ followers. We can take courage that God and His names are just as active and powerful now as in Bible times. He still is...

• Yahweh-Jireh: The LORD will provide or see to it. (Gen. 22.14)
• Yahweh-Rophe: The LORD who heals. (Ex. 15.26)
• Yahweh-Nissi: The LORD our banner. (Ex. 17.15)
• Yahweh-M'Kaddesh: The LORD who sanctifies. (Lev. 20.8)
• Yahweh-Shalom: The LORD our peace. (Judg. 6.24)
• Yahweh-Rohi: The LORD my shepherd. (Ps. 23.1)
• Yahweh-Sabaoth: The LORD of hosts. (Ps. 46.7)
• Yahweh-Tsidkenu: The LORD our righteousness. (Jer. 23.6)
• Yahweh-Shammah: The LORD is there. (Ezek. 48.35)

Special thanks to The B & B Media Group, Inc. and David C. Cook for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 01.09.11

2011-01-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

Week #129 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, January 9th.

- How Great Thou Art by Paul Baloche
- It Is Well by Todd Fields
- All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Travis Cottrell
- O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by David Crowder

Another great Sunday. Music set was great and the team did a great job. This Sunday our pastor also restarted our Hebrews series. We've been on a break from that since he and his wife took their trip to Israel when we had some guest speakers, then our Christmas series, another guest speaker, and then a New Years message. We're on the home stretch of the Hebrews series. This morning we began the final chapter in that book and looked at how to live out our Christianity by loving God's family, including strangers and those suffering for the Lord.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-129/

Slave by John MacArthur

2011-01-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur is the latest book I read through Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program, BookSneeze. To be honest, I was completely intrigued by the title, even before I read what the book was about. I'm very glad I read this book. It causes you to completely rethink on the issue of slavery. When I think of slavery, I think of a time in history that was not very great. A time when people were bought, sold, severely mistreated, and considered of no worth to society. Now while some of that was still true in Christ's day, there were some differences. MacArthur explains that slaves then were not always mistreated. Depending on the owners the slaves came across as no different than free men; they would have jobs, property and even had the chance to own their own freedom. It was very different times back then. They may have been owned, but in some respects they lived in freedom. I love how MacArthur opens up the book with an extensive word study on the word slave. MacArthur says this early in the first chapter of this book,

"The Bible uses one metaphor more frequently than any other. It is a word picture you might not expect, but is absolutely critical for understanding what it means to follow Jesus. It is the image of a slave.

MacArthur says that the Greek word for slave, doulos, has been mistranslated in English versions of the Bible; being translated servant instead of slave. He goes on to say that "while the duties of servants and slaves may overlap, there is a key distinction between the two; servants are hired and slaves are owned." It is a very different metaphor to think about. One that I had never thought of before, but one that makes sense. As we put our faith in God and call ourselves Christians, we are now owned by God. Brings to light a whole new way to think of I Corinthians 7.23, "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men." The verse right before that says, "For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ." True freedom through Christ happens because we become slaves of Christ.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Sunday Setlist - 01.02.11

2011-01-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

Week #128 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, January 2nd.

- Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
- Glorified by Jared Anderson
- Mighty to Save by Hillsong
- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee

Time for the first Sunday Setlist post of 2011. I have to say it has been great to participate in this series of blog posts. It's been great to reflect over the worship services at Bethel and get to connect with other worship leaders and their churches as they reflect on their own services. So many thanks to Fred McKinnon and TheWorshipCommunity.com for this ministry.

We had a great first service of this new year. The team did great with the music. I gave them a break from rehearsal this past week, so we met a little earlier than usual this morning. I had chosen familiar songs so they didn't take too long to put together. Then my pastor brought us a message on following Jesus. A very fitting message as we begin a new year.

This wasn't part of this morning, but this year, I'm participating in another one-year reading plan through YouVersion; the OWNit365 plan. We began the reading yesterday in the first chapter of Genesis, and another fitting reminder for the new year is completely rely on God. He was there in the beginning and He'll be with you throughout 2011. "In the beginning, God..." Genesis 1.1 (ESV)

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-128/

Books Read: July - December 2010

2011-01-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

This post continues the series of posts on the books that I have read. The first post on books read in 2009, the second post on books read in January - June of 2010, and now this post on books read in July - December of 2010.

• Forgotten God by Francis Chan
• Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft
• Sweat, Blood & Tears by Xan Hood *
• Rise Up & Sing by Lex Buckley *
• True Religion by Palmer Chinchen *
• Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff
• Be Compassionate by Warren Wiersbe *
• Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado *
• Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
• Nudge by Leonard Sweet *
• The Grace of God by Andy Stanley *
• The God You Can Know by Dan DeHaan
• Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick *
• Surprised by Worship by Travis Cottrell *
• Facedown by Matt Redman
• The Unquenchable Worshipper by Matt Redman
• Here I Am to Worship by Tim Hughes
• Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias *
• Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
• Radical by David Platt *

Who has some great books out there they would recommend? Leave a comment and let me know what they are.

Special thanks to BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson, Blogging for Books/WaterBrook Multnomah, and Zondervan for providing some of these books to read and review (marked by a *).

Completed Reading Plan!

2010-12-31T12:57:00.000-08:00

Throughout this past year, I have been reading through the Bible using YouVersion's M'Cheyne One Year Reading Plan. What a wonderful year it's been. By doing this plan, during the course of the year I have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. And this morning I completed the 365th day of reading! This is the first time I've ever done anything this. YouVersion has been a fantastic resource with everything online! With their mobile apps, it makes it that much better. I've got the app on my iPad which allows me online and offline access. The app is also available for my BlackBerry. Now I'm not trying to take anything away from the bound Word of God that I have with me as well. There is however a lot of times I'm in places that I don't have my Bible with me. With this resource in so many places, I pretty much always have access to the Bible; I could keep reading and keep up with my reading plan.

If you've never done anything like this, I would encourage you to do so. There's all kinds of plans out there, so I'm not saying you have to use YouVersion. I've just had a great experience using their resource. They have many reading plans available. You can check them out here if you're interested.

Tomorrow as we start the new year, I will also be starting a new one-year reading plan. I have chosen to do the OWNit365 plan. This plan has a reading from the Old Testament and one from either the Wisdom books or the New Testament (the acronym "OWN") for each day. This plan has readings six days a week and allows for a day off. I'm really looking forward to this one, as my wife and I are going to do it together. It's my prayer that this will be a year where we can grow together in our knowledge of the Word and in our relationships with God. It's also my prayer that you would consider going through a plan and continuing in the Word consistently through 2011.

Sunday Setlist - 12.26.10

2010-12-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

Week #127 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 26th.

- Joyful, Joyful (Christmas version)
- Angels We Have Heard On High
- Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin
- Glory in the Highest by Chris Tomlin
- Winter Snow by Audrey Assad
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin

We had a great morning today, this day after Christmas. A good group of people showed up this morning. It was a wonderful time of singing and a great message. My wife also sang Audrey Assad's song Winter Snow. She did an absolutely fantastic job. It's one that she's been working on for a while and this is the weekend it worked to do it. Our pastor is on vacation this week, so members and home group facilitators spoke this morning. He did a great job bringing a message to us. It was about how we have now heard the Christmas story and the Christ child that came as a baby now lives in our hearts as believers. Now that we've received Christ, how are we going to live our lives? Are we going to forget about it or are we going to radically live for Him. I just recently finished reading David Platt's book Radical, so I couldn't help but think about the content of that book the whole time. It sure causes you to stop and think about how you're living your life. After the message and before our closing song, I shared this quote from the book Radical because it fit so well with the rest of the message; "Do we believe the reward found in Jesus is worth the risk of following Him?"

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-127/

Christmas Eve Setlist - 12.24.10

2010-12-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

This is a special Christmas Eve episode of Sunday Setlists, even though it was a Friday night. Here is our setlist for Christmas Eve, December 24th.

- Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Welcome & Prayer
- Scripture Reading: Luke 2.1-14
- Away in a Manger
- The First Noel by Phil Wickham
- Advent Reading & Candle Lighting
- O Holy Night
- Quiet Time of Reflection
- You're Here by Francesca Battistelli
- Message
- Scripture Reading: Matthew 2.1-12
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- Lighting of Candles
- Light of the World by Chris Tomlin
- Silent Night by Matt Maher

I chose to include the whole entire service instead of just the songs that we used. I know that often worship leaders are always looking for what songs people are using (traditional or contemporary) but also how they're putting them together in the context of a Christmas Eve service. So hopefully this will serve as a good reference for whoever finds this post. The service went great! Pretty much all the songs were congregational, except for You're Here and Light of the World. One of my worship team members told me that she had gotten You're Here and wanted to do it sometime during the Christmas season. I'd almost forgotten about it, but luckily I was reminded of it, and it fit perfectly with Christmas Eve and she did a fantastic job. I accompanied her on guitar and it was a lot of fun to learn how to play it. Definitely stretched my guitar playing. I threw Light of the World in the day before the service. I was looking for something to do while the candlelight was being passed and before singing Silent Night. I had been listening to Chris Tomlin's Christmas CD, Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship, and when I came across that song, I figured it would be a perfect fit as a response to the light of the world coming from heaven to earth and then ultimately into our hearts.

Radical by David Platt

2010-12-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

Radical by David Platt is one of those books that I believe will be around for a long time. This book is truly a challenge to the church in America. He asks us to take a hard look into the comforts and luxuries we have settled for and instead live a radical life that is sold out for Jesus Christ. His premise is that the church in America is living far differently that what Jesus taught. This isn't the first time I've heard the message. I believe this is a relevant topic today as I've heard many churches do "Radical" sermon series, and a lot of them based on the book of Acts. When you look at that first century church and how the Gospel spread and the church grew, you can't help but ask what they were doing, how they were living their lives. Now I know that there are people and churches that are living radical lives and doing amazing things to further the Gospel, so this book should not be taken as a guilt trip. I know that for some, and even sometimes my mind wanders that direction, this book will come across that way, but try to avoid that thinking. This is a book that is going to cause you to think and struggle. It has definitely caused me to stop and think about my life in the context of living for the One who saved me. David says this towards the end of the book, "Do we believe the reward found in Jesus is worth the risk of following Him?" He also quotes missionary Jim Elliot, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." We long for the reward of spending eternity with our Father in heaven, but what are we doing right now in this life to live radically for Him.

Honestly, I've struggled to write this review. Not because I'm hesitant about the book, but because I'm still working through how I've been affected by this book. It's one of those times where there is a lot going through my head and I'm having a hard time trying to get it out and into this post. It's definitely a book that I'm going to have to read again.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

If you found this review helpful, would you go to the review on Blogging for Books and rate it.

Sunday Setlist - 12.19.10

2010-12-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

Week #126 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 19th.

- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
- One Small Child
- What Child Is This?

Wow, what a Sunday. This Sunday was our Christmas service. We enjoyed lots of music; congregational Christmas carols, an adult choir and a childrens choir. We don't normally have a choir, but so many enjoy it and Christmas works well for it. The choir took on two pieces this year; Come To Bethlehem and There Is A Child. The children's choir sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, Go Tell It On the Mountain and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. We ended the morning with a great brunch and a good time getting to fellowship with everyone. It's such a busy time of year, but the time to be able to come together and worship together with the Body is always great! I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-126/

Sunday Setlist - 12.12.10

2010-12-12T21:52:00.000-08:00

Week #125 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 12th.

- Everlasting God by Brenton Brown
- Angels From the Realms of Glory
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Gloria (Mary's Song) by Glenn Packiam

Loving the Christmas series that we're in right now, Changed By Christmas. This Sunday the focus was on Mary and her story from Luke 1.26-45. One young woman's life was completely changed and it started with her heart. I also threw in Glenn Packiam's Gloria (Mary's Song) the day of our rehearsal. My wife and another of my worship team members took it on and did an amazing job, with not a lot of time to prepare it. It fit perfectly with Mary's story. Looking forward to continuing in this series the next couple services.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-125/

Sunday Setlist - 12.05.10

2010-12-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

Week #124 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, December 5th.

- Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin
- O Little Town of Bethlehem by Phillips Brooks
- Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill

This morning we officially began our Christmas series, Changed by Christmas. We began the series this morning in Matthew 1.18-25, where we get a glimpse of Mary and Joseph. Now there is a young couple that was completely changed leading up to the first Christmas. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.

Now to those other worship leaders out there, where do you find your music for the Christmas season? I know there's so many standard Christmas carols out there, but what arrangements are you using with the contemporary music setting? Part of me still loves the traditional setting of carols with piano and organ, but that's just not available right now. I'd really like to find some great contemporary arrangements of the Christmas carols. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-124/

Sunday Setlist - 11.28.10

2010-11-28T21:47:00.000-08:00

Week #123 of Sunday Setlists. Here is our setlist for Sunday, November 28th.

- Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee
- Word of God Speak by MercyMe
- Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King by Gateway Worship
- Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin
- My Savior's Love by Charles H. Gabriel
- Christ is Risen by Matt Maher
- Revelation Song by Jennie Lee Riddle

Wow, what a service this morning! We did something way different than anything we've ever done before since I've been at the church; we pretty much read God's Word the whole entire service. A friend from school put together a reading of "God's Story." It is God's story from Genesis and Creation to the end of Revelation. He put together this script with only scripture. The cool thing is he didn't use only Genesis passages for creation. He used scripture from throughout the Word to make up that section. There were many sections and he did the same for each. In between some of the sections I mixed in the above songs and also the Advent reading fit in perfectly as well. It was such a great morning. It's hard to write about it. I'm hoping to get the video of it up on YouTube shortly and then include them to this post, but you can also download a PDF of the script from the sermon page on our church's webpage on Tuesday, November 30th, once it's posted.

To check out what others are doing in their services and learn more about what Sunday Setlists is all about, check out TheWorshipCommunity.com at http://www.theworshipcommunity.com/sunday-setlists-123/