Real Worship

This weekend, Ali chose the lists for both congregations.  He normally chooses the songs for Stevenage, but he was also travelling to Exeter & leading worship there this weekend (I’m staying home to look after the children while Heidi is away).

I’ll post a review of the Exeter service when I receive it from Ali.  For now, here’s Stevenage’s:

• More Than Words (Mike Ellis) Mike
• Heart’s Cry (Mike Ellis) Mike

• Dance

• Holy Is Our King (Rick Pino) Ali
• Facedown (Matt Redman) Ali
• The More I Seek You (Zach Neese) Teash

I particularly enjoyed this morning from a musical perspective.  We played the whole set with 2 acoustic guitars (along with bass & drums).  We normally use at least 1 electric in the band; it was refreshing to change up the band sound.

There were a number of other factors “meeting the need for variety” this week.  Teash got to lead a song for the first time in a while; there was a dance & we also spent some time praying with a family who were spending their last Sunday with us before heading off to Bible College.

The first 2 songs are ones that we haven’t sung for a while – both are mine & in the key of D.  They worked well together & sounded great with the more acoustic lineup.

That was followed by the dance brought by our very own “Set Apart” street dancers.  It was their last performance in their current format.  This is because 2 of the dancers & the lady who runs the group are part of the family that were leaving for Bible College.  The girls do a great job of choreographing their own routines and are always well received (my eldest daughter is also one of the dancers).

We then prayed for the family that was leaving & various people prayed and brought words of encouragement & prophecy.  It was good to see so many participating.

Ali led the next 2 songs, which transition really well; both were played with a capo on the 5th fret and both have a section where an F, G chord progression is played; making it simple to switch between them.

Teash did well with the last song.  She hasn’t led for a while and was thrown back in without much practice.  Blessed are the flexible…

Mark & Sandra are away this week, so Adrian spoke.  He continued in the same vein as Mark; speaking on “Seeing Through God’s Eyes”.  In particular, looking at 2 Cor. 5:14-17 and focussing on v16 about not evaluating others from a human point of view.  He spoke from his heart – it was good.

Links:

This post can also be found in the “Sunday Setlists” blog carnival at FredMcKinnon.com

Sunday Set List 19 July 2009 – Exeter

Writing a Sunday Set List post has got me thinking about the criteria I use for gauging the “success” (or not) of a particular worship service.  Of course, any evaluation is going to be subjective; but, why is it that on one occassion, I can say, “That was good, we met with God today” and on another, “It didn’t go well this week”?  What measuring stick am I using?  Against what am I comparing?

I then began to think about the perspectives of  others, how they might differ.  So, I thought I would ask the question; I’m curious.  What does a successful worship service look like – for you?  What specifically has to happen in order for you to meet together with a group of believers & come away knowing you’ve encountered God?

There is a whole raft of possible criteria.  Is it conneted to the style of the service itself e.g. open & participatory, or led from the front?  Does the tempo or the style of music have a bearing on your definition?  Perhaps more or fewer songs, or liturgy…  or is it something else entirely.  You get the picture.

I’m also intrigued to discover whether there is any correlation between a person’s role or function during worship & their perception of its’ success or their criteria for measuring it.

So, when you leave a comment giving your definition of a successful worship service, please state what role or function you fulfill during worship (these will vary according to your style of service) i.e. whether you play/lead in the band, read scripture etc., or perhaps, you have no specific function.

Join the discussion!