Filed under: Service Orders
Before I get into the ins and outs of planning the service, go here and choose “2012: 1.15 Worship Service” if you’d like to listen to it.
In Luke 19:46, Jesus says, ““It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” On January 15, 2012, Scott exposited this text to help our church focus on a 15-day season of prayer at Grace.
Planning a service that moves toward a sermon about prayer is an interesting practice. I was helped by thinking of the following things:
1. Many songs are prayers. This is a great service to choose some.
2. The only way we can pray to our holy God is by the access we’ve been given through Christ.
3. Before we pray, it would be good to be reminded about the character of the God to Whom we pray.
There Is Joy in the Lord – iTunes, Amazon, Live Recording at Grace – I picked this as a way to call our people to worship and remind them that the knowledge of God for the believer leads to joy and hope, not fear or despair.
Welcome & Ministry Opportunities
Our Great God – iTunes, Amazon, Live Recording at Grace – This is one of the best modern songs I’ve found to communicate both the weight and the glory of worshiping God. I placed it here to give us the sense that we do not worship God in song or in prayer flippantly.
Praise Him – iTunes, Amazon, Live Recording at Grace – This is a great new re-write of the old text “To God Be the Glory” with a new chorus and pre-chorus. Barbara Haynes had been wanting to re-write this one for years and released the new version (co-written with Ben Shive) on her new album, The Now and the Not Yet. I’ve been wanting to build this song into the repertoire at Grace, and coming out of “Our Great God” seemed like the right place to move us from worshiping the God of Creation to worshiping the God of Our Salvation.
Mighty to Save – iTunes, Amazon, Live Recording at Grace- This song continued the focus on Christ being our way to God, and on the power of the cross and resurrection (the Grace version includes a verse on these) to take us into the most holy place.
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 2:11-22 – Drawing from the text in Luke 19, which is in the context of temple practices that were restricting access to the Gentiles, this paragraph strongly states, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Praise be to Him, who has brought us, the Gentiles, near! Sometimes forget about our Gentile roots in the USA.
We Call You Father – Live Recording at Grace – Wendy Wills’ song became our response in prayer to the God who has drawn us near. “Freely we come!”
Come Thou Fount – (the audio is at the end of the full service link at the top of this post) – This was one of my favorite moments while leading worship in a long time. I placed the song here in the service to give us the chance to pray to God as a congregation and ask Him to attune us to Himself and His grace. We usually sing it earlier in the service as a kind of invocation. Since I was placing it right before the sermon, I had planned for the first verse to be a capella and then to start instruments lightly on the second verse. When we came to this point in the service during rehearsal and we had finished the first verse, it just felt right to keep singing a capella. We sang through all three verses, just voices, and I turned and said, “Yep, that’s what we’ll do.” During the service, the congregation responded with loud, confident singing (though several admitted they were watching and waiting, expecting the instruments to come in). It was a powerful, joyful moment – just voices, praying the words of this great classic together.
Sermon – Luke 19:45-46 (sermon audio) – “True Prayer”
Congregational Reponse – I believe we sang the second verse of “Come Thou Fount” after a few moments of prayerful reflection.
Benediction
Praise Him (Reprise)
February 22, 2012
On June 11 (in Nashville) and June 13 (in Newnan, GA), I had the extreme honor of leading a worship service for my friend Emmett’s memorial service. It was definitely the hardest worship leading experience of my life, (the second most difficult was the memorial service I led for his daughter Mallory Eden who died in 2006 – she only lived for about a day). It was also one of the most moving times of worship – for both services – I’ve ever led.
I knew coming in this was going to be difficult. Emmett had been on my worship team for about 6 years. We had shared our love for music and led many, many worship services together, including several for an overseas retreat for missionaries in Central & Eastern Europe. He was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer on February 17, 2010. It was stage IV. After a long, hard-fought battle, he died in the early hours of June 9, 2011. He leaves behind his wife Wendy and 4-year-old son Quinn. You can read their story here.
When I walked into the chapel that morning to rehearse, Barbara Haynes, another worship team member and one of my best sounding boards for all things worship, gave me a big hug and said, “Time to put on the steel.” Yep, it was time to lead worship with songs that were mostly chosen by my friend before he passed. It was time to let all the emotions come out during rehearsal and then press ahead – finding the impossible balance of not choking up so I can’t lead, and yet not disconnecting so that I’m present like I need to be to lead well for this very important occasion. We prayed that God would give us the grace to live in that balance for the next hour, and He gave it to us.
Here is the service order with an explanation of why the songs were where they were:
Prelude – played by Ben Shive in Nashville and Barbara Haynes in Newnan.
Video – Someone put together a video slide show (if anyone has a link and/or his name, please leave it in the comments) of pictures of Emmett and his family to begin the service. The images faded in and out to “Heaven Song” by Phil Whickham, which has not stopped playing in my head since.
The next two songs are prayers that I believe Emmett would have prayed. They are a tribute to his life of joy before the Lord.
Be Thou My Vision – I chose this to open the service because it was the same song that opened Mallory Eden’s service and because as far as I could tell, it would be something Emmett’s heart would have cried out to God during his life.
Fill Thou My Life – Emmett chose this one. It definitely resonates with my memories of him. He was a passionate and joy-filled person, which is what this song communicates.
In the next section of the service, we moved from celebrating Emmett’s life before God to celebrating Emmett’s salvation because of Christ.
Scripture Reading – 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 – Scott preached on this passage later in the service.
Behold – Emmett LOVED this song. I know it was because of it’s message, but I think he also really dug its vibe. On the recording I linked to above, Emmett played a really cool percussive thing along with Steve Adams or Scott Moore (can’t remember which of you guys it was!) on the first chorus. We made sure to play the same arrangement for this service.
Before the Throne of God – He also chose this one. I was overcome with emotion when we reached the final verse that says, “One with Himself, I cannot die.” The beautiful irony of death being the continuation and perfection of life with Christ in heaven and imagining Emmett standing before his Creator still brings the tears as I write this. I LOVE our Savior!
Then Scott gave an incredibly beautiful eulogy remembering our dear brother. It was exactly what needed to be said. In it, he preached the gospel clearly, which is all that Emmett and Wendy wanted.
Though this service was definitely a celebration, everyone needed a couple of songs to help them grieve with hope. The next two songs and the reading were planned for this purpose.
The Valley Song – This is the only song that Emmett said HAD to be in the service. We sang it for Mallory’s service as well. It’s a beautiful song that lets someone going through something like this feel the pain but keep the hope of God’s love in view. We sang it as a worship team.
Reading – “If Death My Friend and Me Divide” – I had planned to read from the Valley of Vision earlier in the service, but when Scott forwarded me this text that was sent to him by Katie Thompson in our church, I knew it was the right thing to put in this spot.
It Is Well – I had a really hard time deciding whether to put this hymn in the service. They didn’t specifically request it. I originally had “The Glorious Impossible” here, but it felt like the time of sorrow would be cut too short if we went too quickly into something that upbeat. So, after trying to decide which song we would do, I just decided to do both. I don’t think Emmett would be disappointed that we sang so much. And we grieved the most as a community during this hymn.
Doxology – This is the only song Wendy specifically requested. It was the appropriate verse to close the time of the service particularly set aside to grieve.
Prayer – Scott closed with some directions for a time of visiting after the service and then prayed for the family.
The Glorious Impossible – Emmett had this one on his list too. Though it felt a little “up” for a memorial service, I know Emmett would have said something like, “And the issue is….?” Truth is, this service was a mix of tears, sorrow, joy, hope, brokenness and community. This song took us to the joy and hope to send us out. Thanks for encouraging me to keep it in there, Barbara.
And thank you, Wendy, for giving me the chance to put my passion to work to honor my friend and my God.
June 21, 2011
I had been meaning to put this up last week, but time got away from me. This season is always the busiest of the year – Holy Week consists of Good Friday services, which are a unique blend of congregational singing, choir pieces, scripture readings and a short sermon all focused on the cross. Then, of course, Easter Sunday is a time of celebration and the only Sunday morning thus far in our church’s life where we have a choir. So, planning for these two services along with everything else (I’ll announce another fun thing that I’ve been working on later this week) makes for a crazy schedule.
On March 27, Scott’s passage was Luke 9:18-27 (I like this reference purely for its mathematical qualities proving my nerdy qualities). It consists of three different sections in which Jesus is progressively teaching his disciples how to follow him. Jesus asks the disciples to identify him – Peter answers that he is “The Christ of God” – and then tells them that he is going to the cross and that his call to them is to follow him in similar self-sacrifice. Scott emphasized that Jesus is the end of our faith. Following him is not a means to some other end. Such a claim flies in the face of any teaching that would have us reap gain here on earth as a “re-payment” of some kind for following Christ.
All Creatures of Our God and King – a Chris Hauser contemporized version of the old hymn.
Welcome & Ministry Opportunities
Glorious Impossible – iTunes, Amazon – if you haven’t heard this song, I strongly encourage you to take a listen. It’s a very well-written walk through the life of Jesus. It’s co-written by Wendy Wills who is a part of our worship team. I placed it here to give us a good summary of who Christ is and what he came to do to start off the service.
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place – in response to who Christ is as described in the phrases of “Glorious Impossible,” we can cling to him in faith as our Savior.
Psalm 62 – iTunes, Amazon – this great tune expounds on what it means to rest in God alone by adding theme of devotion to God in the midst of temptation and in daily living.
Scripture Reading – Philippians 3:7-14 – Paul’s declaration of losing everything for the sake of gaining Christ and pressing on toward the prize for which he has been called heavenward continue to emphasize the themes of losing all to gain Christ; that it is a heavenly prize that we are seeking.
Greatest End – iTunes, Amazon – this beautiful tune by Lee & Melissa Broadwell (also part of the worship team at Grace) is matched with a prayer that helps the participating believer express their desire for the devotion to Christ we have been singing about.
Give Me Jesus – iTunes, Amazon – going into the sermon with this simple statement – “Give me Jesus. You can have all this world. Give me Jesus.
Sermon – Luke 9:18-27: “Early Lessons: Clarity about Jesus and Commitment to Him”
Congregational Response
Benediction
Psalm 62 – we ended with the chorus.
April 4, 2011
This week, Scott preached from Luke 8:40-56 – two intertwined stories of Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter and the woman who had bled for twelve years. He pointed out the desperation of these two individuals and the call to faith that Jesus gave them while putting them in awkward situations (the woman could not remain anonymous and Jairus had to wait for Jesus to heal this other person before Jesus addressed his daughter’s sickness (and death). There are plenty of great songs about our desperate need for Jesus, so I could go right at this theme in planning.
Come, People of the Risen King – iTunes, Amazon – I really like this call to worship by Keith and Kristyn Getty. We only did a verse and two choruses to start the service.
Welcome & Ministry Opportunities
Arise, My Soul, Arise – iTunes, Amazon – A very gospel-centered song that assures the believer of his desperate soul’s salvation in Christ.
All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – iTunes, Amazon – This hymn comes out of “Arise, My Soul, Arise” with much gratitude for the gospel. It declares God’s grace and matches it with the thankful response of the one to whom grace is given – “With healing balm, my soul he fills / The God who every sorrow stills / To God all praise and glory!” The links above are to “Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above” which is the same tune with slightly different words.
Scripture Reading – Psalm 111 – A psalm about God’s powerful works and redemptive acts.
Preparation for Communion – Each communion service, Scott takes a few minutes to prepare us for communion by explaining what Jesus has told us to do in remembrance of Him and by giving us spiritual direction about how to take the elements and who should participate. While the bread and cup were being passed out to the congregation, we sang the next two songs:
In You – iTunes (Dave Hunt’s version), Amazon (Michael Boggs’ version) – I had the entire service planned and the bulletin was ready to go to print on Thursday afternoon. Then, on the way to the office Friday morning, this song came on as I was listening to my “Worship Song Prospects” playlist. About halfway through, God made the connection for me from this song to the two people Jesus heals in Luke 8:40-56. I sat there at the red light and wept (hoping that the driver next to me wouldn’t notice). Then I called our office assistant and asked her to hold off printing so I could get this song in there. It’s a prayerful song about the hope that we each have in Christ for the healing of our hearts.
Jesus, I Come – the old hymn (sorry for the cheese-ball keyboard orchestration link). I was bordering on having too many songs with the theme of coming to Jesus here, but since we were celebrating communion, I thought it was appropriate to stay there for another song. I love the contrasts laid out in this text. And seriously, can you have too many songs about coming to Jesus?
The Bread and the Cup
The Doxology – it has been a long-standing tradition at Grace to sing the Doxology a capella after partaking of the Lord’s Supper as a hymn of gratitude to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Sermon – “Faith That Is Deeper Than Desperation” – Luke 8:40-56
Congregational Response – after a few minutes of allowing the congregation to respond through prayer and the offering, we stood and sang the bridge and chorus of “In You” once more to respond congregationally to the message.
Benediction
All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – final verse
March 8, 2011
I really enjoyed planning this service. Scott preached from Luke 8:22-25, which is the story about Jesus calming the storm. His themes were God’s authority and the need for us as disciples to experience life with Jesus in order to truly know and trust him.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” – first two verses
Welcome & Ministry Opportunities
“Indescribable” – iTunes, Amazon – I chose this because of the emphasis it has on God’s power shown through creation and his ability to create.
“You Are the Great I AM” – iTunes, Amazon, My post – This song takes the majesty we’ve just sung about in “Indescribable” and moves it into a comparison between God’s greatness and our mortality and dependency on him. This is the chorus I chose to sing in the response time.
Scripture Reading – Psalm 107:1-3, Psalm 107:23-32 – Scott suggested this reading as a great Old Testament parallel to Luke 8:22-25.
“The Fury of the Wind” – Reformed Praise – Eric Schumacher wrote this text after a trip he took to aid in the Hurricane Katrina recovery. Its imagery from Job is powerful. The lyrics reiterated the power of God through nature that we saw in the scripture reading and brought Christ into the picture as the one who can save us.
“Be Still My Soul” – iTunes, Amazon – Coming out of the weighty content of “The Fury of the Wind,” this beautiful hymn emphasizes that God is “on your side” and that we can be confident through life’s trials because “the waves and wind still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.” It makes me giddy when a lyric matches this well with a sermon text.
Sermon – Luke 8:22-25
Congregational Response
Benediction
“Holy, Holy, Holy” – final verse
February 20, 2011
I’ve decided to post occasional (maybe even weekly) orders of worship from our Sunday mornings at Grace Community Church. Hopefully, it will be helpful for you to hear the songs and see the orders (might help make a little more sense of the posts explaining how I go about planning).
Here’s the order from Sunday:
“O Word of God Incarnate” – Reformed Praise
Welcome/Ministry Opportunities
Parent/Child Dedication
“How Firm a Foundation”
“All to Us” – iTunes, Amazon
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-8
“In All Your Ways” – iTunes, Amazon
“Every Promise” – iTunes
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon: “Hear the Word of God” – Luke 8:1-21
Congregational Response
Benediction
“O Word of God Incarnate” – see link above
February 15, 2011
