As we come closer to Easter I am reminded more and more why I rely on Jesus Christ as my only salvation. As I grow older, not only physically but spiritually, it becomes my favorite time of year.
It is in Him that I find comfort. He is the well that quenches my thirst and the bread that satisfies my hunger. He bears the burdens of my sins and still gives me the deepest love that anyone can feel.
Coming home from a session meeting this evening I reflected on all the things that we talked about during that meeting. One of them being spreading the Gospel to areas that have churches that are almost nonexistant. We are called to be fishers of men, to make disciples of nations, to go forth into the alley's and gutters of this earth and spread the truth to the poor and needy and sick. It is time to lay down our pride, break free of our comfort zones, and do as Christ commands. It's time to get our hands dirty folks...it's time to fulfill the great commission.
My prayer is that God will continue to use MCC as a tool to spread these truths and to provide the means to fulfill His command. Maundy comes from the Latin word "command." Maundy refers to the command that Jesus gave to his disciples at the last supper, to love and serve one another. Jesus not only said this, but did it by washing the feet of the disciples.
Tonight we will be observing Maundy Thursday at MCC with a worship service. If you feel the desire to attend a Maundy Thursday service but don't know where to go, we'd be happy to have you at Murrysville Community Church. Service starts @ 7:00 p.m.
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Worship. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Worship Songs
I've been utilizing CTS's online seminary courses. Dr. Mark Dalbey does a great job explaining Christian worship. In his second lecture of this class he talks about worship songs in four different styles: Old songs sung to both old and new tunes; Simple or spiritual songs, both old and new; New songs; and songs of the nations.
Vernon Whaley in his book, Understanding Music and Worship in the Church, offers six questions for selecting music in worship:
Are the lyrics of the composition consistent with the biblical truth?
Does the composition teach doctrinal truths?
Does the composition admonish, warn, or encourage?
Does the composition utilize the words of Scripture, a psalm, a hymn, focus attention on God, or emphasize what God is doing in the life of a Spirit-filled believer?
Does the composition call more attention to its musical style or form of presentation than the lyrics or the melody?
Does the composition cause those who play it, sing it, and listen to it have an inward spirit of thankfulness toward God?
At Murrysville Community Church (MCC) I have the privilege of choosing the worship songs for the services. Not only do I try to have a mix of Hymns, spiritual songs, and new songs...but I also keep in mind Mr. Whaley's questions.
There are so many folks that I come across that think original tunes of the old hymns should only be sung.....or that simple songs such as "He is exalted" or "I love you Lord" should not be sung.
Also, there are churches that only sing the "simple songs" and don't get into the songs that have "meat" to them like the old hymns.
In my opinion Dr. Dalbey is correct in including these different types of songs in every worship service.
As for songs of the nations. We don't tend to include these songs in worship very often. I think it's a great idea, if mission teams from your church learn new songs abroad and want to teach the congregation. It is a reminder of the "endless summer" that Pastor Kevin Labby referenced last Sunday. When we are gathered as one nation singing God's praises.
In closing, if you stick with Vernon Whaley's thoughts on content, and Dr. Dalbey's thoughts on song selection, that is a great combination of biblical Gospel truths and songs that are born from the Holy Spirit.
Check out some of the resources on my sidebar for new music for your church.
Future topics: Certain instruments in worship, should there be special music?, what about clapping or waving of hands? All great topics that I'd like to share my opinions on.
Vernon Whaley in his book, Understanding Music and Worship in the Church, offers six questions for selecting music in worship:
Are the lyrics of the composition consistent with the biblical truth?
Does the composition teach doctrinal truths?
Does the composition admonish, warn, or encourage?
Does the composition utilize the words of Scripture, a psalm, a hymn, focus attention on God, or emphasize what God is doing in the life of a Spirit-filled believer?
Does the composition call more attention to its musical style or form of presentation than the lyrics or the melody?
Does the composition cause those who play it, sing it, and listen to it have an inward spirit of thankfulness toward God?
At Murrysville Community Church (MCC) I have the privilege of choosing the worship songs for the services. Not only do I try to have a mix of Hymns, spiritual songs, and new songs...but I also keep in mind Mr. Whaley's questions.
There are so many folks that I come across that think original tunes of the old hymns should only be sung.....or that simple songs such as "He is exalted" or "I love you Lord" should not be sung.
Also, there are churches that only sing the "simple songs" and don't get into the songs that have "meat" to them like the old hymns.
In my opinion Dr. Dalbey is correct in including these different types of songs in every worship service.
As for songs of the nations. We don't tend to include these songs in worship very often. I think it's a great idea, if mission teams from your church learn new songs abroad and want to teach the congregation. It is a reminder of the "endless summer" that Pastor Kevin Labby referenced last Sunday. When we are gathered as one nation singing God's praises.
In closing, if you stick with Vernon Whaley's thoughts on content, and Dr. Dalbey's thoughts on song selection, that is a great combination of biblical Gospel truths and songs that are born from the Holy Spirit.
Check out some of the resources on my sidebar for new music for your church.
Future topics: Certain instruments in worship, should there be special music?, what about clapping or waving of hands? All great topics that I'd like to share my opinions on.
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