Posts for the ‘Blog’ Category
Posted June 8th, 2006
Kevin,
Thanks for posting your service orders. I hope that it will help readers think critically about how they plan their own services. One way in which we differ in our planning is how you structure your service into groups or functions. For example, you give each song or group of songs a section heading like "Songs of Meditation." While I might have the function of songs in mind when I plan, I like to leave this out b/c service items can fulfill multiple functions, which can change based on how the Spirit is moving on our hearts and minds as the service goes along. Another reason I don't add functions to items is that my people don't have a service order. We use the overhead projector and most people seem to feel comfortable just following along. We do make a music/lyric booklet available for those that want it, so those that need that sense of security that comes from knowing what's next can satisfy their desire.
The opening song is a great choice. It presents God's character and asks for help worshipping Him. I often use a great hymn that describes God...
Continue reading...
Posted June 8th, 2006
Kevin,
Thanks for thinking so deeply about your church's approach to worship and identifying key goals. For many of these I can simply say "amen," and for the others I'll try to add something meaningful below.
Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.
I wouldn't write off shallow, repetitive songs completely. I
occasionally use very simple songs (but don't repeat them too many times) particularly for those who can't fully grasp the complex theological ideas in the larger songs, like children or mentally slow adults.
Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.
I completely agree that we need to connect our people to the past and give them a sense of the history of worship songs, particularly for congregations that haven't grown up with a hymn background. And I think it's important that they learn the original tunes to some of the best hymns.
Indigenous Style: The “feel” of worship...Continue reading...
Posted June 6th, 2006
Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, June 4th, 2006 10:00 am
Call to Worship
Isaiah 40:21-26
Opening Song
The Glories of Calvary Grace Church (Steve & Vikki Cook)
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Silent Prayer of Confession
And Can It Be? (v. 4, read)
Song of Prayer
Lift Up Thy Bleeding Hand (Cecil Alexander, Andrew Osenga)
Confession of Our Common Faith
The Eternal Purposes of God (Bethlehem Elder Affirmation) God’s Eternal Purpose and Election
We believe that God, from all eternity, in order to display the full extent of His glory for the eternal and ever-increasing enjoyment of all who love Him, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His will, freely and unchangeably ordain and foreknow whatever comes to pass.
We believe that God upholds and governs all things – from galaxies to subatomic particles, from the forces of nature to the movements of nations, and from the public plans of politicians to the secret acts of solitary persons – all in accord with His eternal, all-wise purposes to glorify Himself, yet in such a way that He never sins, ...
Continue reading...
Posted June 5th, 2006
Hey brothers, I apologize for my failure to post for awhile. I've been a little distracted by some big changes. You know this, but our readers don't--On June 1, I officially began as pastor of
Northbrook Baptist Church in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My first Sunday preaching will be June 11 (this coming Sunday). I'd appreciate you prayers during this busy summer as I begin a new ministry, look to sell and buy a house, and as Jenny gives birth to our third child in August.
Posted June 2nd, 2006
There was a heretic in church history who taught that Christ was a created being. He spread his error through song. The children would skip through the city streets singing, "There once was was when he was not."
I was reminded of the power of song to teach (and defend) right doctrine yesterday when I received this e-mail regarding my text, He is Altogether Lovely:
Mr. Schumacher,
I just wanted to encourage you to keep writing. Just the other day I was talking with 2 Morman missionary girls about the deity of Christ and how the person they call "Jesus Christ" is not at all the Jesus Christ of the Holy Scriptures . The words you penned (scripture shining through song) quickly came to mind and aided me as I proclaimed to them the deity of Christ. After a short conversation, they insisted that they could no longer stay and talk about this any longer as scripture clearly revealed Christ's deity. All that said, I just wanted to say thank you for your service to the kingdom.
Posted June 1st, 2006
Grace Church of Columbia - Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 28th, 2006 10:00 am
Call to Worship
Psalm 96
Opening Song
And Can it Be? (Scott Roley/Charles Wesley)
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God's People: But we have defiled our hearts with idols of our own choosing, doubting thatGod will keep his Word and his promises. We continually compromise the truth by trying to find meaning and security in our jobs, our friends, our pleasures, our projects—but not in God.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
1 John 1:9
Songs of Worship
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Steve & Vikki Cook)
Better is One Day (Matt Redman)
Confession of Our Common Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism Q37 & 38
Leader: Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
God's People: A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.
Leader: Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
God's...
Continue reading...
Posted May 27th, 2006
I put this together sometime ago, when I was sharing my vision for worship with Luke. Tell me what you think. I would love to read documents of some of you out there that have tried to do a similar thing.
Key Worship Music Convictions: Grace Church of Columbia
God-Centered Orientation: The service in general, and the songs in particular, should point people to God, not self.
Gospel Focus: The service and songs should remind participants of the gospel—that they are sinners saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Theological Richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.
Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.
Modern Expression: The best of today’s worship songs should also be used, allowing for modern expression of ancient truths, while still preferring God-centered, gospel-focused, and theologically rich songs.
Indigenous Style: The “feel” of worship music should suit the place in which the church is found, allowing...
Continue reading...
Posted May 20th, 2006
I suggested recently to David and Eric that we begin posting our Sunday "orders of service" to promote discussion and provide ideas. Here is ours for tomorrow:
Grace Church of Columbia: Grace Gathering
Sunday, May 21st, 2006, 10:00 a.m.
Call to Worship/Welcome/Announcements: Lamentations 3:21-26
Opening Song: Jesus, Everlasting King (Isaac Watts, Matthew Smith)
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon: Confession of Sin 2.2.68 from The Worship Sourcebook
Leader: God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God's People: But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others. We have been quick to place blame on anything or anyone but ourselves. We have avoided obligations to care for or to help people in need.
Leader: Lord, please show us your mercy.
God's People: Lord, have mercy upon us in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Titus 3:4-7
Songs of Meditation: Thy Mercy My God Is The Theme Of My Song (John Stocker, Sandra McCracken)
Only Hope (Charles Wesley, Randall Goodgame)
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17
Song of Prayer: Be Thou My Vision (Eleanor Hull)
Offering
Corporate Prayer: 4.4.17 from The Worship Sourcebook
Lord Jesus, you are our living head. Teach us to be your body here on earth—your hands, your feet, your eyes, and your compassionate heart....
Continue reading...
Posted May 5th, 2006
Kevin said “So, brotherhood, what do you think is the impact (good or bad) of groups like MercyMe?” First off let me say that I don’t know any Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) “stars” personally. I don’t know their character, their commitments, or even if they are genuine believers. But I do have an opinion about the public face I see of these stars. Interviews I’ve heard on the radio or read in magazines often grieve me. The Lord has given these men and women a platform to share about the character of God, His mercy to them, and most importantly the gospel to a lost and dying world. Instead, what I normally hear is what their favorite foods are, what the last movie they watched was, why they shaved their head, why they choose the clothes they do, etc. And the article on MercyMe shows the increased trend to make references to Jesus more veiled to draw people in who might not know right away that they are listening to music whose supposed aim is to glorify the Lord. What I see of how CCM musicians compose themselves on the stage also grieves me. Again, I don’t know their character...
Continue reading...
Posted May 5th, 2006
I wanted to add a couple things to this idea of clinging to traditions. Ferguson refers to tradition both in terms of our words and our activities. I find it amusing that churches who often consider themselves non-liturgical (not following a liturgy or specific service order rooted in tradition) and free from stuffy traditions of the past quickly manufacture their own new liturgy. Many worship leaders essentially pray the same thing using the same 10 words between songs or at certain points in the service. Over time Christians can develop their own mannerisms, way of speaking, way of using words, and ways of doing mundane things like driving. I’m not kidding. I have witnessed the affects of a church that developed their own complete sub-culture that was totally disconnected from the culture around them. And you know what? People were repelled from Christ because they felt they wouldn’t be accepted unless they started wearing a tie and using certain words in their speech.
His exhortation to make sure we aren’t clinging to meaningless tradition in our words hits home to me most in our practice of public (and private) prayer. I have...
Continue reading...
