Friday, June 12, 2009

Call to Worship

I am preparing to lead worship this weekend at our church. Every time I am preparing to lead worship I go through some very interesting emotions. I think it is God working on my heart and preparing me to be in this leadership position. I love to sing. I feel that it is a gift that I have received from the Lord.

It is always interesting how the worship set comes together for me. Some weeks songs will be placed on my heart and they just fit together musically. Other weeks there will be one song that I find and I will build the entire set from that one song. I am always trying to find a balance. I have found through the years at different churches that being involved in music ministry can be a very difficult place to be involved.

Most churches have a congregation that is filled with a vast array of ages. With those ages comes different tastes in music. Some big churches have multiple services to fit these tastes: contemporary, traditional, etc. Currently I am in a church with one service so it has been a challenge to try to make this all fit into one worship set.

In the beginning of this leadership role I would get so worried about pleasing everyone that I was not bringing any glory to God in the process. I was so worried about making the congregation happy that I was doing a horrible job trying to lead them. It has been a learning process and I have wanted to give up many times. So many times, the comments that people give, (which in their minds are suggestions), can tear me apart.

I have learned that the best way to prepare for this role in the church is to spend a lot of time in prayer. For all that read this post I ask that you pray for the music ministry of your church. Although those involved in that ministry were given a gift from God, it doesn't mean that it is always easy to use that gift. I thought I would end my post today with my music selection for this weekend.

Friend of God - I love the words to this worship song. I think it is a great Call to Worship.

Lord I Lift Your Name On High - The kids are in worship services all summer and they all know this one really well. Even the kids that can't read yet can sing along.

Majesty - I haven't done this song for awhile and I stumbled across it after I had picked everything else out.

Your Name - If you don't know this one, it is definitely worth the $.99 on Itunes to download it.

Praise the Name of Jesus - What a great way to end a worship set. Giving glory to Jesus.

It is so crazy how a worship set comes together. I had printed it all out and was sitting down at the piano to figure out an order when I realized that the last four songs all talk about all of the names of the Lord. Here is a little list from these songs just for fun: Friend, Savior, Majesty, Kingdom Authority, King, Strong and Mighty Tower, Shelter, Rock, Fortress, Deliverer. I don't know about you, but I know that it gives me great comfort to know that I am singing praise to an Awesome God!

3 comments:

Chele said...

That is an awesome gift to have!! I have a very good friend that prepares each week for the contemporary and the traditional service. It always seems to work out for her. I believe that prayer is the best way! You can't worry about who it will make happy but to leave it to God to use that praise to His glory! He's got someone picked out for each song that could change that person's life!! My favorite part of our service is the music!! I will say a little prayer for you this weekend!

Deb said...

Love the names of God that you use at the end of your post. He is so amazing.

I can't sing, but I enjoy listening to praise and worship music.

Thanks for using all of your gifts to bring Him glory.

Unknown said...

I understand completely!! Here are some of my faves: http://yesiknowwhatcausesthat.blogspot.com/2009/06/spiritual-sundays.html