Real Worship

Stevenage (am)

This week was “family service” week in Stevenage.  We come together as a whole family to worship – instead of our childrens church holding their own, age-specific service.  What that means practically is usually a shorter time of worship with perhaps a performance oriented song, or dance included and a shortened “preach” – which normally involves tins of chocolates being passed around the congregation at some point (bribery will get you anywhere!).

The set list for Stevenage looked like this:

• Open The Eyes of My Heart (Paul Baloche) Ali
• Be Thou My Vision (Mary E. Byrne & Eleanor Hull) Ali
• Be Lifted Up (Paul Oakley) Ali
• I Run To You (Ali Loaker) Teash

• Take A Stand (Jon Horwood) Jon

I must admit I had a blast this Sunday!  Both our normal drummers were unable to play this week – so I covered.  Interestingly, I had comments from 2 separate people saying how I looked like I was enjoying myself more than I usually do.  Hmm… I hope I don’t look miserable when I’m leading worship (note to self: smile more!).  I think the reason was because drums were my first love (musically) – the first instrument I learned to play.  I don’t have to consciously think about anything when I play drums; I also didn’t have the added percieved pressure of trying to lead any of the songs – wondering where to take the arrangement, or how to engage more of the congregation etc. (2nd note to self: stop trying to lead – relax, worship).

I think I may have relaxed a litle too much though… I dropped a stick 3 times during the service.  It was funny!

Looking from where I was sat, there was a lot of high energy, with plenty of people engaging and looking as though they were enjoying themselves.

We sang “Open The Eyes…” in a U2 “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” style.  The second song started with me playing a driving rhythm on the toms; the bass & guitar joined in & then the vocal, “Be thou my vision…” over the top.  The next 2 songs are anthemic ballads & were really well received.

The last song is a rap written & performed by our bass player Jon.  His brother Joel guested on bass for us.  It’s a really great song, with a driving electric guitar riff over a funky bass & hip hop drum beat.  To me , it sounds like a mixture of Eminem & Led Zepelin – a passionate, (slightly menacing sounding), rock/funk rap.

Exeter (pm)

At the start of the service in Exeter I prayed expressing my heart to get past the lyric of the songs and to connect with God (and by that I meant not in a  superficial way, but in a real, passionate, heart-felt way).  Well, there were plenty of others who agreed with that, so from then on it was a done deal.  We were most definitely NOT having a time of christian karaoke!

The songs that we sang this week were as follows (all in the key of D):

• It Is You (Peter Furler)
• Open The Eyes Of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Helen H Lemmel)
• Be The Centre (Michael Frye)
• Lord You Have My Heart (Martin Smith)
• Revelation Song (Jennie Riddle)

I felt as though we did connect with God.  The worship flowed, with spaces between the songs where there were spontaneous prayers, or applause, or extended times of “free” worship.  Even during the songs, there was still that vital connection; we weren’t just singing the lyric.  I think this was because the theme of all the songs can be summed up from a line in one of them:

“Jesus, be the centre”.

Links:

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

Me on drums (a short mobile phone video clip of Jon’s song, “Take A Stand”)